Patent Publication Number: US-9889366-B2

Title: Apparatus and method for sports throwing cage

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to sporting apparatus and methods and more specifically to sporting apparatus and methods including sports throwing cages for use in athletic throwing events. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a sports throwing cage in accordance with the prior art. 
     In  FIG. 1 , specifically, as shown, an athlete is preparing to throw an implement  160 , in this case, a hammer  164 . In use, the athlete typically throws the hammer  164  by making two swings from a stationary position and then three or four rotations of his or her body leading to the release of the hammer. The athlete then releases the hammer  164  towards the open end of the cage toward a field so that the thrown distance can be measured. 
     Sometimes upon release, an errant hammer  166  does not propel toward the open end but might head in another direction toward the audience, watchers and passersby outside the cage. When this happens, a net that encircles the cage engages the errant implement to prevent it from reaching the audience. 
     At other times, when the net is tied back to its supporting pole, the errant hammer  166  would strike the pole to which the net was tied. After the pole is struck, the errant hammer  166  might cause one or more dents on the pole, typically made of aluminum; and might also tear the attached net. Users would then replace one or more of the poles after several such dents. At other times, the errant hammer  166  can also ricochet back toward the athlete after striking the pole. 
     Moreover, as the athlete performs, the audience typically watches the athlete through the net between the supporting poles. Depending on the position of the viewing audience, some of the poles would partially obstruct the audience&#39;s view as well as the athlete&#39;s view during performance. A similar context exists for other throwing events, such as discuss throwing, etc. 
     It is within the aforementioned context that a need for the present invention has arisen. Thus, there is a need to address one or more of the foregoing disadvantages of conventional systems and methods, and the present invention meets this need. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Various aspects of apparatus and methods for sports throwing cages the throwing cage system can be found in exemplary embodiments of the present invention. 
     In a first embodiment, the apparatus for sports throwing cages includes a pole, where one or more of the poles can be utilized to form a sports throwing cage. The pole might include multiple curtain couplings, multiple arms, a branch pole, and a support portion or base that engages the ground to hold up the pole. 
     The multiple curtain couplings are attached to each one of the arms to form multiple contact points for attaching a vertical curtain net. Unlike conventional throwing cages that use poles with a single arm and a single point of contact for attaching a vertical net curtain such that many poles are needed to support the vertical net curtain, the pole of the present invention considerably reduces the number of poles for the sports throwing cage by employing multiple arms and multiple points of contact on the pole for the vertical net curtain. In this manner, as the athlete performs, the audience watching the athlete through the vertical net curtain between the supporting poles would have a relatively unobstructed view because of the fewer poles employed by the present invention. The athlete similarly would have an unobstructed view for performing. 
     Moreover, each multiple arm is coupled to the branch pole, which is itself attached to the support at a bend. The bend is situated in the bent pole at a bend height. The support is coupled through the bend to support the arms and their curtain couplings that have a vertical net curtain forming an offset between the vertical net curtain and the support of the bent pole. 
     Conventional systems have little or no offset between the pole and the vertical net curtains (or curtain rope) so that the vertical net curtains can be tied back to the pole. Unlike such conventional systems, the offset between the vertical net curtains and pole of the present invention prevents the vertical net curtain from being tied back to the pole. In this manner, an errant implement or hammer thrown by an athlete cannot dent the pole, essentially eliminating significant costs associated with replacing dented poles of sports throwing cages and/or repairing the torn netting. 
     In a second embodiment, the apparatus includes a pole including multiple curtain couplings, a support, and a bend. The pole has a pole height and the bend is situated in the pole at a bend height. 
     The support is coupled to the bend to support the curtain couplings for a vertical net curtain, with a ratio of the bend height to the pole height adapting the pole to form an offset to the vertical net curtain that reduces the chance of contact between an errant implement and the pole. The curtain couplings are for hanging one or more net curtains to create a sports throwing cage to contain an implement as thrown in the athletic event. 
     A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the present invention herein may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the attached drawings. Further features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the present invention, are described in detail below with respect to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same reference numbers indicate identical or functionally similar elements. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a prior art throwing cage with an athlete preparing to throw an implement, in this case, a hammer. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a bent pole according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a bent pole according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a bent pole coupled to two non-horizontal arms according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a bent pole that includes two curtain couplings without an arm as shown in previous FIGS., according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6A  illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of the cross section A-A found in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6B  illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of the cross section A-A found in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7A  illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of the cross section B-B found in  FIG. 5  and applicable to the top pole as found in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , as well as applicable to one or both of the branch poles of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 7B  illustrate alternative exemplary embodiments of the cross section B-B found in  FIG. 5  and applicable to the top pole as found in  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , as well as applicable to one or both of the branch poles of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a package to create at least one of the bent poles of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a sports throwing cage adapted for athletes throwing the hammer according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a sports throwing cage adapted for the game of throwing the discus according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  illustrates a sports throwing cage adapted for the game of throwing the discus according to a second exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in conjunction with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that they are not intended to limit the invention to these embodiments. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications and equivalents, which may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, in the following detailed description of the present invention, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail as to not unnecessarily obscure aspects of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a side view of a bent pole  200  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 2 , as shown, bent pole  200  is tending away from a vertical net  280  that includes multiple curtain couplings  210  and  212 . The bent pole  200  includes a support  220 , a bend  230 , and a top pole  240  that adapts the bent pole away from the vertical net. The top pole  240  is coupled to an arm  250  that includes the at least two couplings  210  and  212 . The couplings  210  and  212  are adapted to hold one or more vertical nets  280  at an offset  282  from the support  220  of the bent pole  200 . In some embodiments, a vertical pole can also be used with multiple curtain couplings. 
     The offset results from the bend  230 , specifically the top pole  240  is coupled to the support  220  at the bend  230  angle. The arm  250  then attaches to the top pole  240  in a substantially horizontal direction (in one embodiment). The vertical net curtain  280  is then attached to the arm  250  at two points via net coupling  210  and net coupling  212 . The vertical net curtain  280  is at an offset  282  from the support  220 . This offset  282  in one embodiment, is at least 3 of feet. 
     The bent pole  200  may be made of aluminum, steel or other similar high tensile strength materials. The net couplings  210 ,  212  may similarly be made of aluminum, steel, or other high tensile strength materials. The dimensions of the pole and couplings, in one embodiment, may be based on IAAF (International Association of Athletics Federation) specifications. 
     The bent pole  200  has a pole height  202  and the bend  230  is situated at the bend height. The ratio of the bend height to the pole height might be between 20% and 67%. In certain embodiments, this ratio may be at least 25% and at most 60%. In certain further embodiments, this ratio may be at least 33% and at most 57%. In further embodiments, this ratio may be at least 40% and at most 53%. These ratios may also apply to the bent pole  300  of  FIG. 3 , bent pole  400  of  FIG. 4  and/or bent pole  500  of  FIG. 5 . 
     The arrangement of the bent pole  200  and offset  284  minimize the chance that the vertical net curtain  280  rope that holds the vertical net curtain  280  in place will be tied back to the pole; as such, unlike conventional systems where there is little or no offset between the net and the ropes, the bent pole of the present invention is offset from the net so that the net cannot be tied back onto the pole. Consequently, an errant implement  166  cannot hit the bent pole or repel off the bent pole to hit and seriously injure an athlete. 
     This is also true for any of the embodiments  300 ,  400  and  500  as shown in  FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 . The bent pole  220  and the bent poles  300 ,  400  and  500  all withstand wind speed 70 of more than 74 mph and in some embodiments, wind speeds of 95 mph. These bent poles and the net curtains hung from them, do not need to be taken down until category 1 wind speeds or hurricane (74 mph) and/or cyclone (95 mph) wind speeds are encountered. In some embodiments, the bent pole may have a wind rating above 30 miles per hour (mph), or 48 kilometers per hour (kph) and can survive cyclone 2 ratings of up to 94 mph or 153 kph. 
     Conventional aluminum cages have low wind ratings, which means the cage&#39;s nets need to be lowered if winds exceed the cage rating (for example 20 mph). This makes cage operation labor intensive. Often the cages require framed gates that are heavy and require support wheels which are often difficult to operate to open and shut the door of the cage. Nets often get tangled and damaged in the wheel brackets. 
     In  FIG. 2 , the top pole  240  includes an arm  250  with two curtain couplings  210  and  212 . In this illustration, the arm  250  is essentially horizontal. The curtain couplings  210  and  212  are adapted to vertically hang one or more net curtains  280  to create a throwing cage adapted to contain the implement  160  which will be discussed in  FIG. 9  through  FIG. 11 . Also, a cross section A-A is shown, which will be discussed in detail regarding  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B . 
     In some embodiments, the pole height  202  may vary from 5.0 to 10.5 meters and the bend height  232  may vary from 2.0 to 6.0 meters. For example, when the pole height is 5.0 meters, the bend height may be 2.0 meters. Another example, when the pole height is 10.5 meters the bend height may be 6.0 meters. In some embodiments, the offset  282  may be between 0.5 meters to 1.2 meters. 
     The discussion of further advantages to using, constructing and operating sports cage nets based upon the embodiments  200 ,  300 ,  400  and/or  500  will be found after the  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 5  are discussed. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a face view of a bent pole  300  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 3 , bent pole  300  includes two branch poles  360  and  362  each including a horizontal arm  350  and  352 . Horizontal arm  350  includes at least two curtain couplings  210 ,  212 . Horizontal arm  352  includes at least two curtain couplings  310  and  312 . The bent pole has a profile similar to the bent pole  200  as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In  FIG. 3 , the bent pole  300  also includes support  220  and the bend  230  referenced in  FIG. 2 . The bent pole  300  also includes two branch poles  360  and  362  coupled through the bend  230  to the support  220  of the bent pole. Each of the branch poles includes an arm with each of the arms including two curtain couplings. 
     For example, branch pole  360  includes a first arm  350  including curtain couplings  210  and  212 . The second branch pole  362  includes a second arm  352  further including curtain couplings  314  and  316 . The cross section A-A is shown and will be discussed in detail regarding  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B . Although not shown, the apparatus may include a third branch pole, with each of the branch pole having an arm, each arm including two of the curtain couplings. 
     In some embodiments, the pole height  202  may be between 4.5 meters and 7.5 meters. The bend height  232  may be between 3.0 meters and 5.0 meters. For example, one bent pole  300  may have a pole height of 4.5 meters and a bend height of 3.0 meters. In another example of the bent pole  300 , the pole height may be 7.5 meters and the bend height may be 5.0 meters. 
     In some embodiments, the branch pole  360  and/or  362  may be 2.0 to 5.0 meters long. In some embodiments, the arm  350  and/or  352  may be 2.0 to 3.5 meters long. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a face view of a bent pole  400  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 4 , specifically, bent pole  400  includes two non-horizontal arms  350  and  352  that are attached to the top pole  240 . In  FIG. 4 , the first arm  350  includes curtain couplings  210  and  212 . The second arm  352  includes curtain couplings  314  and  316 . The cross section A-A is shown and will be discussed in detail regarding  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B . 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a face view of a bent pole  500  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 5 , bent pole  500  includes two arms  350  and  352  that are essentially contiguous with each other. And two arms  350  and  352  are substantially horizontally disposed. A curtain coupling  210  is located at a distal end of arm  350  while a curtain coupling  212  is located at a distal end of arm  352 . The proximal ends of arms  350  and  352  are coupled perpendicularly to top pole  240  at a proximal end. The other end or distal end of top pole  240  is attached to support  220  through bend  230 . Here unlike the preceding embodiments, top pole  240  is contiguous with support  220  such that top pole  240  is substantially vertical (i.e., bend  230  is 180 degrees). 
     The cross section A-A is shown and will be discussed in detail regarding  FIG. 6A  and  FIG. 6B . The top pole  240  is shown with a second cross section B-B that will be discussed in detail regarding  FIG. 7A  and  FIG. 7B . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary embodiments of the cross section A-A found in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  of the present invention. In  FIG. 6A , the cross section of the support  220  of any of the embodiments of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  may be rectangular and/or square. 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates an alternative exemplary embodiment of the cross section A-A found in  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  of the present invention. In  FIG. 6B , the cross section of the support  220  of any of the embodiments of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  may be round. 
       FIG. 7A  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the cross section B-B of  FIG. 5 . This cross section B-B may also be that of top pole  240  ( FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 ) and branch poles  360  and  362  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In  FIG. 7A , the cross section B-B of top pole  240  of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  and/or  FIG. 5  is rectangular and/or square. The cross section of the branch pole  360  and/or the branch pole  362  of  FIG. 3  may also be rectangular and/or square. 
       FIG. 7B  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the cross section B-B of  FIG. 5 . This cross section may also be that of top pole  240 ,  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 4 , as well as that of the branch poles  360  and  362  of  FIG. 3 . 
     In  FIG. 7B , the cross section B-B of the any of the embodiments of the top pole  240  of  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 4  and/or  FIG. 5  may be round. The cross section of the branch pole  360  and/or the branch pole  362  of  FIG. 3  may also be round. 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a package  800  to create at least one of the bent poles  200 ,  300 ,  400  and/or  500  of  FIG. 2  to  FIG. 5  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 8 , package  800  may include components to create the bent pole  400  of  FIG. 4 . These components may include any combination of the support  220 , bend  230 , top pole  240 , the first arm  350  and/or the second arm  352 . Note that in some embodiments, the support  220  and the bend  230  may be manufactured as a single component. In other embodiments, the package  800  may include components for the bent pole  200  of  FIG. 2 . 
     These components may include any combination of the support  220 , bend  230 , top pole  240 , the arm  350 , and/or the curtain couplings  210  and/or  212 . In other embodiments, the package  800  may include components for the bent pole  200  of  FIG. 3 . These components may include any combination of the support  220 , the bend  230 , the first branch pole  360 , the second branch pole  362 , the first arm  350 , the second arm  352 , and/or the curtain couplings  210 ,  212 ,  314  and/or  316 . 
     Note that in some embodiments, the first branch pole  360  and the second branch pole  362  may be manufactured as a single unit. Further note, in some embodiments, the bend  230 , the first branch pole  360  and the second branch pole  362  may be manufactured as a single unit. In other embodiments, the package  800  may include components for the bent pole  500  of  FIG. 5 . These components may include any combination of the support  220 , bend  230 , top pole  240 , and/or the curtain couplings  210  and/or  212 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a sports throwing cage  900  for throwing the hammer  164  as shown in  FIG. 1  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 9 , the sports throwing cage  900  includes the bent pole  300  and two bent poles  200 , collectively supporting the vertical net curtain  280  adapted so that the implement  160  being thrown does not contact and damage the bent poles, nor hit the athlete by bouncing off the bent pole. The net curtain hangs vertically and the bent poles  200  and  300  are adapted away by vertical offsets  282  from the vertical net curtain as shown in  FIG. 2 , which protects the bent poles from contact with an errant implement  166  as shown in  FIG. 1  of the prior art. 
       FIG. 10  illustrate a sports throwing cage  1000  adapted for the game of throwing the discus  1162  as shown in  FIG. 11  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 10 , the sports throwing cage  1000  includes the bent pole  300  of  FIG. 3  and two of the bent poles  400  of  FIG. 4 . These bent poles collectively support the vertical net curtain  280 , which hangs vertically from the couplings  210 ,  212 ,  314 , and  316  as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . The vertical net curtain  280  hangs vertically and the bent poles are adapted away from the vertical by the offset  282  which protects the bent poles from contact with an errant implement  166  ( FIG. 1 ). 
       FIG. 11  illustrates a sports throwing cage  1100  adapted for the game of throwing the discus  1162  according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     In  FIG. 11 , the sports throwing cage  1100  includes the bent pole  300  of  FIG. 3  and two of the bent poles  400  of  FIG. 4 . These bent poles collectively support the vertical net curtain  280 , which hangs vertically from the couplings  210 ,  212 ,  314 , and  316  as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for sports throwing cages includes a package  800  to create at least one of the bent poles  200 ,  300 ,  400 , and/or  500 . The package may further include components such as a support  220 , a bend  230 , a top pole  240 , a branch pole(s)  360  and/or  352 , an arm(s)  350  and/or  352  and/or curtain couplings  210 ,  212 ,  314  and/or  316 . 
     In another embodiment, a method includes at least one of the following: The method may include installing a bent pole tending away from vertical and including multiple curtain couplings to minimize contact between an errant implement and the bent pole. The multiple curtain couplings may be adapted to hang one or more net curtains to create a throwing cage adapted to contain the errant implement away from the bent pole as thrown in an athletic event. 
     The method may include operating the throwing cage without a concrete apron to support the bent pole. The method may include using the throwing cage during the athletic event to improve a spectator&#39;s view of an athlete competing in the athletic event throwing the implement. And/or the method may include leaving the throwing cage operational until wind speed approaches 74 mph, and in some situations, until the wind speed approaches 95 miles per hour. 
     While the above is a complete description of exemplary specific embodiments of the invention, additional embodiments are also possible. Thus, the above description should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims along with their full scope of equivalents.