Abstract:
This is the embodiment of the net apparatus used in sports and in the non-sports arenas. This net&#39;s frame supports an inner net framed matrix that connects and pivots a rear frame for an adjustable triangular-shaped lean to control the trajectory of the ball or object. The net is designed to rebound balls or objects with high energy even at side angles to return the ball to the sender. The net is also designed to minimize stress to both net and frame when a ball or object contacts the net.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/995,911, filed 2014 Apr. 25 by the present inventor. 
     The following is a tabulation of some prior art that presently appears relevant: 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 U.S. Patents 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Patent Number 
                 Kind Code 
                 Issue Date 
                 Patentee 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 4,553,751 
                   
                 1985 Nov. 19 
                 Ketchum 
               
               
                 6,209,877 
                 B1 
                 2001 Apr. 3 
                 Warnick 
               
               
                 6,250,634 
                 B1 
                 2001 Jun. 26 
                 Strain and Milligan 
               
               
                 6,357,750 
                 B1 
                 2002 Mar. 19 
                 Lievens and Geert 
               
               
                 6,723,011 
                 B1 
                 2004 Apr. 20 
                 Helvert and Bowden 
               
               
                 3,427,026 
                   
                 1969 Feb. 11 
                 Mahoney 
               
               
                 4,153,246 
                   
                 1979 May 8 
                 Byrne 
               
               
                 8,460,128 
                 A1 
                 2013 Jun. 11 
                 Elpers 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Through history nets have been used for various purposes from catching fish, catching animals, catching planes landing on aircraft carriers, nets to strain food or catch debris, catching falling people or objects, to nets used in sports applications. Even though the embodiment of the Bounce Back Item Net is focused on applications in sports it could apply to many of other areas like safety, commercial, and industrial applications. 
     Focusing within the realm of sports, returning or rebounding balls has been done with reasonable results; however footballs have not worked well on any existing net until now. What is really lacking with existing types of rebounding nets is higher rebound energy, adaption to shapes of balls or other objects like oblong shaped footballs, and more control of where balls or other objects trajectories. 
     Several types of sports nets have been proposed—for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,751 to Ketchum (1985), U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,877 to Warnick (2001), U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,634 to Strain and Milligan (2001), U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,750 to Lievens and Geert (2002), U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,011 to Helvert and Bowden (2004), U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,026 to Mahoney (1969), U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,246 to Byrne (1979), U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,128 to Elpers (2013). Although various rebounding types of nets have been designed to work with sports balls, many limits have existed due to such factors as loss of energy for return, having to stand directly in front of the net to have the ball return towards the sender due to lack of control of where the ball rebounds, and of course the inability to handle footballs due to their oblong shape. 
     Dorsett patent Application 61/995,911(2014) for ‘Bounce Back Item Net’, henceforth called ‘Dorsett’, describes a net that has high rebound energy, can handle balls and objects despite unusual shapes, and has good control over where the ball rebounds or is directed to, which includes returning balls to senders at side angles&lt;45 degrees. I do respect the existing patents and the cleverness of their designs. I perceive that they have the following strengths and weaknesses: 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,553,751 by Ketchum, sports bouncing back apparatus, is designed for hockey pucks and not balls. Whereas Dorsett can be designed to rebound any object. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,209,877 to Warnick is a rebounding sports net designed to use a weave of perpendicular nylon strings held tightly on a flimsy frame. It is designed after a tennis racket which has very low rebound energy without swinging the racket. Whereas Dorsett easily rebounds various shaped balls or objects to the sender or source with accuracy and high energy. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,250,634 by Strain and Milligan improved sports bounce back apparatus is lighter weight than the present design by Dorsett, inexpensive to manufacture, durable and resistant to weather but limited to round soccer sized balls which when propelled hard against the device may rebound or bounce back to the user, especially standing in front of it. Whereas Dorsett is capable of easily rebounding assorted sports balls, irregular balls like footballs or other objects, has more control of the ball or object, can rebound balls even at side angles, and the rebound energy is probably much higher. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,357,750 by Lievens and Geert has a device comprising a frame, a net, and an elastic suspension element which gives it some rebound capability. However the net is more designed for tennis and round balls. Whereas Dorsett overcomes the ball rebound limitations by providing high rebound energy, rebounds even at a side angle, more control, and can rebound unusual objects like oblong footballs. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,723,011 by Helvert and Bowden has a catch net device consisting of a net, and a mesh which are standard in structure for application with soccer balls. Net replacement is an additional feature. Whereas, Dorsett will rebound the balls or objects, instead of stopping them. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 3,427,026 A by Mahoney sets on a square mount structure with the rebounding type net which is raised to an adjustable height and lean to rebound at the select height. The rebounding net is essentially a firm net connected to the net frame on the net edge by elastic materials, similar to materials on some trampolines. Whereas Dorsett provides much higher rebound energy, better control of where balls are rebounded to, and handles round or odd shaped balls or objects. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,153,246 by Byrne has a device that essentially is a tough sheet that can be mounted to garage doorways or fixed structures that acts as a stop for assorted balls. Whereas Dorsett rebounds balls and other objects of various shapes with control of trajectory by the sender, or source, rebounding such with high energy. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,128 by Elpers has a device that is multifaceted and complex in structure. Essentially, it is a stop surface for balls but has some rebound energy in one of its many layers of structure using a taut net attached to the frame by elastic stretchable cord on the edge. This rebounds with low energy and control. Whereas Dorsett rebounds balls or other shaped objects with high energy, provides control to the sender, or source, of where the ball or object goes, and can rebound balls or objects of various shapes to its origin even from side angles. 
     SUMMARY 
     In accordance to the embodiment of a uniquely designed net comprising a special capability to actually capture a ball or object&#39;s shape and direction, even from side angles, and rebound it to sender or redirect it to a different direction with great control, optimal energy, and minimal strain on the net and net mounting. 
     Advantages 
     Accordingly several advantages of this are as follows: a net matrix that adapts to the shape of the sports ball or other objects; a net matrix that adapts to the direction of the sports ball or object; reduced stress on net and frame from impact of sports ball or object resulting in extended life of net and frame; highly accurate control of where ball or object goes; minimal loss of impact energy resulting in higher rebound energy; and rebound object to sender even at side angles. 
    
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
       Figures 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view taken towards the left-front side of the sports net rebound apparatus showing the ‘A’ shaped frame structure in accordance with the invention, and revealing the basic design of the sports net application. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a cutaway view of the protective bumper pad assembly shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2  shows the view of the sports net rebound apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2A  shows the front view of  FIG. 2  of the net without the bumper pad assembly  20  with focus on a corner to reveal net and frame construction and thus the heart of the Bounce Back Item Net. 
         FIG. 3  shows the left view of the sports net rebound apparatus of  FIG. 1 . The right view is a mirror of the left view. 
         FIG. 4  shows the rear view of the sports net rebound apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  shows the top view of the sports net rebound apparatus of  FIG. 1 . 
     
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  Net Support Frames 
           11  Net Matrix 
           12  Inner Frame Net Support Structure 
           13  Front Vertical Frame Component 
           14  Rear Vertical Frame Component 
           15  Front Top Horizontal Frame Component 
           16  Rear Top Horizontal Frame Component 
           17  Front Bottom Horizontal Frame Component; Identical/opposite to  18  but not shown 
           18  Rear Bottom Horizontal Frame Component 
           19  Frame Elbow Joint 
           20  Bumper Pad Assembly 
           21  Net Cord 
           22  Net Tie Point Device 
           23  Pivot Device 
           24  Inner Frame Mounting Bar 
           25  Mounting Standoff 
           26  Mounting Hex-Head Bolt 
           27  Small Mounting Roundhead Bolt 
           29  Corner Net Mount And Brace 
           30  Net Crimp/Holder 
           31  Net Mounting Hole 
           32  Anti-Skid Feet 
           33  Washer 
           34  Frame Hex Head Bolt 
           35  Frame Nut 
           36  Lock Washer 
           37  Vinyl Tape or Covering 
           38  Bumper Mounting Base 
           39  Firm Foam Padding 
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     FIGS.  1 ,  2 ,  2 A,  3 ,  4 ,  5   
       FIG. 1  is the left-front side perspective view of the sports net rebound apparatus showing the complete A shaped Net Support Frames  10  as freely providing an adjustable angular lean of the net if standing on a ground plane. Said frames join and pivot at the top of the net, see  FIG. 3  item  23 , for either collapsing for portable storage or standing at an angularly adjustable A shape for usage on a relatively flat surface. Said net can be mounted on raised extension legs at a more vertical position or mounted on other platforms for various uses.  FIG. 1  reveals the front bumper pad  20  which protects edges of the net that are susceptible to possible damage. The key embodiment in Net Matrix  11  reveals a diamond shaped cross hatch pattern which seems to work better for capturing and rebounding footballs, or other objects than a ‘checkered square’ shaped matrix does. 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of the sports net rebound apparatus showing the Net Matrix  11  and Bumper Pad  20  which covers the frame and edge mounting of the Net Matrix  11  in order to protect said Matrix at the weakest points on the edge mounting. Also revealed is the Anti-Skid Feet  32  to prevent movement of the Bounce Back Item Net. 
       FIG. 2A  is a front view of the Bounce Back Item Net without the Bumper Pad, see  FIG. 1  Item  20 , illustrating a net corner, symbolic of other corners, which reveals the Net Matrix  11  mounted to Inner Frames Net Support Structure  12  which is comprised of Corner Net Mount and Brace  29  secured to Inner Frame Mounting Bars  24  by Small Mounting Roundhead Bolts  27 . Said Inner Frames Net Support Structure  12  is mounted to the outer front Net Support Frame  10  by Mounting Standoffs  25 , Mounting Hex-Head Bolt  26  to Net Support Frame  10  by Frame Locknut  35 .  FIG. 2A  clearly shows the outer front Net Support Frame  10  elements consisting of Front Vertical Frame Component  13  attached to the Front Top Horizontal Frame Component  15  by a Frame Elbow Joint  19 . Identical structure exists on other 3 corners. Net Matrix  11  elements consist of select elastic Net Cords  21  and Net Tie Point Devices  22  which secure cords together at diagonal cross points locking in the cord matrix to prevent passage of an object through the net which allows capturing the angular momentum of a ball or object so that rebound to the sender or where the object came for rebound return. Net Cord  21  is mounted through Net Mounting Holes  31  in the Inner Frame Mounting Bars  24  and Corner Net Mount and Brace  29  and is secured in place on each end of Net Cord  21  using Net Crimp/Holders  30 . 
       FIG. 3  is the left side view of the sports net rebound apparatus which reveals Rear Vertical Frame Component  14 , Pivot Device  23 , Front Vertical Frame Component  13  with Bumper Pad  20  mounted by Frame Locknuts  35  to said frame. Also revealed are Mounting Hex-Head Bolts  26  are which secures the Inner Frame Mounting Support Structure  12  to Front Vertical outer Frame Component  13 , as shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 4  is the back view of the sports net rebound apparatus showing top Pivot Devices  23 , Net Matrix  11 , Rear Vertical Frame Component  14 , Rear Top Horizontal Frame Component  16 , Rear Bottom Frame Component  18 , and the back side of Bumper Pad Assembly  20 . not show on back side view. 
       FIG. 5  is the top view of the Bounce Back Item Net which clearly shows the Bumper Pad  20 , Net Matrix  11 , and top Pivot Device  23 . 
     FIG.  1 A 
     Additional Embodiment 
       FIG. 1A  is the side cutaway view of the Bumper Pad Assembly  20 , shown in  FIG. 1 , revealing construction components starting with Vinyl Tape or Covering  37  enclosing said Assembly comprised of Firm Foam Padding  39 , Bumper Mounting Base  38 , Frame Hex Head Bolt  34 , for mounting to outer front Net Support Frame  10  as shown in  FIG. 3 , Frame Nuts  35 , Washer  33 , and Lock Washer  36 . 
     Advantages 
     From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodiments of my Bounce Back Item Net become evident:
         (a) Both front and back frame net support structures give strength, stamina, and flexibility to either adjust the leaning angle for usage or to flatten for storage.   (b) The unique anti-skid feet help prevent movement from impact by balls or objects.   (c) The front bumper pad protects edges of the net matrix from damage extending net life.   (d) The unique net matrix is diamond shaped for optimal catching of balls, especially footballs. Various reticulated designs could be utilized for unique objects.   (e) The unique net matrix design provides a high energy rebound of the object with little loss because the net absorbs most energy laterally reducing stress and loss of energy to the net frames by captures and holds impact energy efficiently thus limiting loss of energy and allowing optimal rebound of energy, such energy as is trapped in the cords themselves.   (f) Can provide angular rebounds of balls or objects up to sender or from where it came are of up to about 45 degrees to either side from front and center.   (g) Provides very accurate control of where a ball or object is sent.   (h) Provides minimal stress on the net matrix as well as the mounting framework provides longer life of the net, mounting structure, and of the ball or object.       

     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE 
     This net is specially tailored for the oblong shaped footballs but not limited to oblong shapes etc. This net rebound direction can be controlled by the user-or sender in the vector or direction, where—the object is to be rebounded to. This net will rebound with minimal energy loss, controlled direction, rebounding in a uniform distance, and with an approximately identical force. This should not be limited to footballs or even sports balls but can have applications that go much further. 
     Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merely providing illustrations of some of the several embodiment&#39;s capabilities. As specified, this should not be limited to football or even sports but can have applications that go much further. The net matrix is shown as a diagonal diamond shaped pattern but the principles laid out can be used in different patterns like a square reticulated pattern, etc. The distance between cords and the tension of the cords can be changed for various applications. This structure could be knit, eliminating the need for tying cross points but may not work so efficiently for sports applications, especially footballs, but would probably work in many other applications, especially if coated with an elastic material similar to the modulus of the cords—stabilizing positions to absorb ‘vector energy’ and rebound it back where it came from.