Patent Publication Number: US-6991566-B1

Title: Portable sports assembly

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to a portable sports assembly and, more particularly, a portable sports assembly having a plurality of interconnected and movable panels which allow an individual to selectively adjust the angles of the selectively movable panels, such that a propelled ball which contacts one of the plurality of movable panels will ricochet in a direction which is substantially near the point at which the ball was propelled. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   There are pluralities of known sports which require the use of a specially designed field or court to play or practice the sports. For example and without limitation, the sport of tennis requires the use of a tennis court having several boundary lines and a net. Oftentimes, individuals that desire to play or practice the sport of tennis are unable to play or practice because a tennis court may not be available, near, or exist in the general location of the individuals. 
   Previous methods for attempting to play or practice a sport without the use of a specifically designed field or court include, but are not limited to: improvising or creating a field or court in a location which is accessible; taking one or two aspects of the sport that an individual desires to play or practice and finding a location which will permit the individual to play or practice the desired sport; and purchasing a specific piece of sports equipment which is designed to allow an individual to practice at least one aspect of a desired sport. Although each of the aforementioned methodologies do desirably allow an individual to play or practice a desired sport, they all suffer from some drawbacks. 
   For example and without limitation, improvising or creating a field or court in a location which is accessible requires the individual to undesirably alter the appearance of the accessible location in order to play or practice the desired sport. That is, if an individual desires to play or practice the sport of tennis, the individual must first locate a substantially level playing surface, measure out a traditional tennis court, mark the boundary lines, fabricate or locate an object which can be utilized in the place of a conventional tennis net, and set up the fabricated or located object. The steps of this previous methodology are substantially time consuming, thereby leaving the individual less time to play or practice the desired sport of tennis. Moreover, the individual may not be permitted or able to leave the “make-shift” tennis court in the location upon which the individual improvised or created the tennis court. The individual then must disassemble the created tennis court, thereby further consuming more of the individual&#39;s time to play or practice the desired sport of tennis. 
   In further example and without limitation, taking one or two aspects of the sport that an individual desires to play or practice and finding a location which will permit the individual to play or practice the desired sport undesirably requires the individual to sacrifice practicing several aspects of the desired sport. That is, if the individual desires to play or practice the sport of tennis, the individual must choose aspects of the sport which do not require interaction with another player, and which do not require the boundary lines or the net of a conventional tennis court. One well known example of this methodology involves an individual hitting a tennis ball against a substantially flat surface, such as a wall. In this well known example, the individual has sacrificed the ability to practice serving the tennis ball (i.e., there is no net to realistically aim the tennis ball over and there is no boundary line or service court for the individual to aim the tennis ball within), the ability to hit cross court shots, overhead shots, or volley shots, or the unpredictable direction of a tennis ball which has been returned by an opponent (i.e., it is well known in physics that the angle of inclination is equal to the angle of declination and, as such, the individual inherently knows or can approximate the rebound or ricochet of a struck tennis ball at a wall). 
   In further example and without limitation, purchasing a specific piece of sports equipment which is designed to allow an individual to practice at least one aspect of a desired sport. undesirably suffers from substantially similar drawbacks as the previously discussed methodology. That is, a piece of equipment, such as and without limitation, a tennis ball propelling machine does desirably allow an individual to practice forehand shots, backhand shots, volleys, and the like, however, it does not allow an individual to practice serving a tennis ball. Moreover, a lack of a traditional tennis court further requires the individual to either find a location having a suitable surface as well as a barrier to hit the tennis ball into or requires the individual to undesirably “chase” and gather each struck tennis ball. 
   There is therefore a need for a sports assembly which allows an individual to practice substantially all aspects of a desired sport. There is also a need for a sports assembly which is portable and may be set up in substantially any desired location, and which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior sports practicing/playing methodologies. There is still a further need for a method which allows an individual to play/practice substantially any desired sport in a manner which overcomes some or all of the previously delineated drawbacks of prior sports practicing/playing methodologies. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A first non-limiting advantage of the present invention is that it provides a portable sports assembly which allows for the selective ricocheting of a ball in a manner which overcomes the previously delineated drawbacks of prior sports assemblies. 
   A second non-limiting advantage of the invention is that it provides a portable sports assembly which overcomes the previously delineated drawbacks of prior sports assemblies, and which by way of example and without limitation, provides a plurality of selectively adjustable panels which may be pivotally positioned in a manner which allows a user to utilize the assembly or a manner which allows a user to compact the assembly into a portable position. 
   A third non-limiting advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method for using a portable sports assembly. 
   A fourth non-limiting advantage of the present invention is that it provides a portable sports assembly. Particularly, the portable sports assembly comprises a left side ricochet panel having a first width, a first profile edge, and a second profile edge; a right side ricochet panel having a second width, a third profile edge, and a fourth profile edge; a left side strike panel having a third width, a fifth profile edge, and a sixth profile edge; a right side strike panel having a fourth width, a seventh profile edge, and an eighth profile edge; and a center panel having a fifth width, a ninth profile edge, and a tenth profile edge, wherein the second profile edge of the left side ricochet panel is pivotally coupled to the third profile edge of the left side strike panel, wherein the fourth profile edge of the left side strike panel is pivotally coupled to the ninth profile edge of the center panel, wherein the tenth profile edge of the center panel is pivotally coupled to the fifth profile edge of the right side strike panel, and wherein the sixth profile edge of the right side strike panel is pivotally coupled to the seventh profile edge of the right side ricochet panel. 
   A fifth non-limiting advantage of the present invention is that it provides a portable sports assembly. Particularly, the portable sports assembly comprises a plurality of generally rectangular panels each having a respective height and a respective width, wherein each of the plurality of panels are movably coupled to at least one respective panel of the plurality of panels; at least one selectively movable net portion which is movably coupled to at least one of the plurality of panels; and at least one wheel assembly which is coupled to only one of the plurality of panels, wherein each of the panels have at least a two hundred and seventy degree range of motion to the at least one panel to which the panel is movably coupled. 
   A sixth non-limiting advantage of the present invention is that it provides a method for using a portable sports assembly. Particularly, the method comprises the steps of providing a left side ricochet panel having a first width, a first profile edge, and a second profile edge; providing a right side ricochet panel having a second width, a third profile edge, and a fourth profile edge; providing a left side strike panel having a third width, a fifth profile edge, and a sixth profile edge; providing a right side strike panel having a fourth width, a seventh profile edge, and an eighth profile edge; providing a center panel having a fifth width, a ninth profile edge, and a tenth profile edge; pivotally coupling the second profile edge of the left side ricochet panel to the third profile edge of the left side strike panel; pivotally coupling the fourth profile edge of the left side strike panel to the ninth profile edge of the center panel; pivotally coupling the tenth profile edge of the center panel to the fifth profile edge of the right side strike panel; pivotally coupling the sixth profile edge of the right side strike panel to the seventh profile edge of the right side ricochet panel; providing a measurement chart having predetermined measurements of length and angles; selectively adjusting an angle between each of the panels according to the predetermined measurements of the provided measurement chart; and propelling a ball at the respective panels, effective to cause the ball to strike the respective panels and ricochet back to an individual. 
   These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention and by reference to the following drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front side perspective view of a portable sports assembly which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a back side perspective view of the portable sports assembly which is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a front view of the assembly which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  in a folded portable position. 
       FIG. 4  is a partial perspective and cut away view of the portable sports assembly which is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a flow chart depicting a methodology and functionality which is performed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention. 
   Before the present methods and apparatuses are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. It must be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 1–3 , there is shown a portable sports assembly  10  which is made in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment of the invention. As shown, the sports assembly  10  includes a front side  11  having a left side ricochet panel  12 , a left side strike panel  16 , a right side ricochet panel  14 , a right side strike panel  18 , and a center panel  20 . Particularly, the left side strike panel  16  is movably coupled to both the left side ricochet panel  12  and the center panel  20  by use of hinges  80 . The right side strike panel  18  is movably coupled to both the right side ricochet panel  14  and the center panel  20  by use of hinges  80 . It should be appreciated that hinges  80  are substantially identical to each other and are substantially low-profile, thereby movably coupling the respective panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  in a substantially “hidden” manner. That is, the space between each respective and movably coupled panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  is substantially narrow, thereby “disguising” or “hiding” each respective hinge  80 . It should be understood that each respective hinge  80  further allows each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to move respective to the panel(s)  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to which it is coupled in approximately one hundred and eighty degrees, as will be discussed in greater detail below. 
   The left side ricochet panel  12  has a width  13  which, in one non-limiting embodiment, is approximately twenty inches to two feet wide. The right side ricochet panel  14  has a width  15  which, in one non-limiting embodiment, is substantially identical to the width  13  of the left side ricochet panel  12 . The left side strike panel  16  has a width  17  which, in one non-limiting embodiment, is approximately three feet to four feet wide. The right side strike panel  18  has a width  19  which, in one non-limiting embodiment, is substantially identical to the width  17  of the strike panel  16 . The center panel  20  has a width  21  which, in one non-limiting embodiment, is approximately six inches to ten inches wide. Each of the aforementioned panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  have a height  23 , as best shown in  FIG. 2  which, in one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, is approximately six and one-half feet to seven and one-half feet. It should be understood that the foregoing approximations of width and height of each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are not limited to the measurements discussed above. Rather, as should be appreciated, the measurements of each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be reduced or enlarged to substantially any desired measurements. For example and without limitation, each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be reduced in size to accommodate children or to fit within a relatively small area. 
   Each of the aforementioned panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be constructed from substantially any desired material, however, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  is constructed from a substantially light-weight and durable material, such as wood or plastic. In one non-limiting embodiment, the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  are constructed from a plastic material having interior support or reinforcement (not shown), such as conventional ribbing, honeycombing, or substantially any desired conventional or commercially available interior support or reinforcing. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, each panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may be constructed from fiberglass, thereby allowing the assembly  10  to be both durable and substantially light-weight. 
   The sports assembly  10  further includes a left side safety net  40  which, in one non-limiting embodiment, is supported by and coupled to a pair of substantially identical safety net support poles  42 . The pair of substantially identical support poles  42  are spaced apart approximately four to six feet and coupled to the profile edge  41  of the left side ricochet panel  12 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the safety net support poles  42  are movably coupled to the left side ricochet panel. For example and without limitation, each of the support poles  42  may be coupled to a hinge, a ball and socket joint, or a pin and collar joint, which in turn is either fixedly or removably coupled to the profile edge  41  of the left side ricochet panel  12 . 
   In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the profile edge  41  of the left side ricochet panel  12  may include two substantially identical support pole reception apertures or channels  44 ,  46 . The reception apertures or channels  44 ,  46  are spaced apart approximately four to six feet and are adapted to frictionally receive and slidably engage approximately three quarters to seven eights of the length of the support poles  42 . 
   The sports assembly  10  further includes a right side safety net  48  which, in one non-limiting embodiment, is supported by and coupled to a pair of substantially identical safety net support poles  50 . The pair of substantially identical support poles  50  are spaced apart approximately four to six feet and coupled to the profile edge  51  of the right side ricochet panel  14 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the safety net support poles  50  are movably coupled to the profile edge  51  of the right side ricochet panel  16 . For example and without limitation, each of the support poles  50  may be coupled to a hinge, a ball and socket joint, or a pin and collar joint, which in turn is either fixedly or removably coupled to the profile edge  151  of the right side ricochet panel  14 . 
   In yet another non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, the profile edge  51  of the right side ricochet panel  14  may include two substantially identical support pole reception apertures or channels  52 ,  54 . The reception apertures or channels  52 ,  54  are spaced apart approximately four to six feet and are adapted to frictionally receive and slidably engage approximately three quarters to seven eights of the length of the support poles  50 . 
   As can best be seen in  FIG. 2 , the back side  69  of the sports assembly  10  includes a plurality of fixedly coupled guide brackets  70  which frictionally and slidably receive a plurality of safety net support poles  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68 . Particularly, each of the plurality of safety net support poles  58 ,  60 ;  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  hold and support a top side safety net  56  which, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, is approximately two feet in height. More particularly, each support pole  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  is received by a respective pair of the guide brackets  70  and contained between the guide brackets  70  and a respective one of the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 . In this manner, the support poles  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  may be selectively extended to project vertically (i.e., the safety net  56 , while in the vertically extended position, is effective to block a ball that is hit, thrown, or otherwise struck at a trajectory which will carry the ball above the top profile edge  57  of the sports assembly  10 ) above the top profile edge  57  or be lowered to be substantially flush or level with the top profile edge of the sports assembly  10  (i.e., in the lowered position, the safety net  56  is in a non-operative position which does not project above the top profile edge  57  of the sports assembly  10 ). 
   It should be appreciated that each of the abovementioned safety nets  40 ,  48 ,  56  may be constructed in whole or in part from a substantially durable and elastomeric material, effective to allow each safety net  40 ,  48 ,  56  to expand and contract in order to be stored, in order to be positioned at different angles, and or the like, as will be discussed further below. 
   In one non limiting embodiment of the present invention, the sports assembly  10  may be equipped to represent a portion of a conventional tennis court. That is, the sports assembly  10  may further include a first net tensioning/support post  32  which is coupled to the profile edge  51  of the right side ricochet panel  14  by use of a guide bracket  36 . Moreover, the profile edge  41  of the left side ricochet panel  12  may also include a second net tensioning/support post  34  which is coupled to the profile edge  41  of the left side ricochet panel  12  by use of a guide bracket  38 . A substantially narrow net/tape  30  may be movably coupled to the first and the second tensioning/support posts  32 ,  34 . 
   Furthermore, the respectively coupled panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may also include several tennis court lines  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78 . That is, the left side ricochet panel  12  and the right side ricochet panel  14  may each include a side line  76  which is in close proximity to a respective profile edge  41 ,  51  and runs in the direction of the arrow  23 , and which represents the side lines or the “singles lines” of a conventional tennis court. The respectively coupled panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may also include a service base line  75  which runs in a direction perpendicular to that of the arrow  23 , and is disposed upon the top of each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  in close proximity to the top profile edge  57  of each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . The respectively coupled panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may further include a net line  78  which traverses across the entire assembly  10  and which is substantially parallel to the arrows  13 ,  15 ,  17 ,  19 ,  21  and disposed substantially near the center of the assembly. Finally, the respectively coupled panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  may also include a middle service line  77  which is disposed within the center of the panel  20  and which runs perpendicular to the arrows  13 ,  15 ,  17 ,  19 ,  21 , thereby dividing the assembly  10  or the center panel  20  in half. 
   It should be appreciated that the aforementioned tennis lines substantially recreate several portions of a conventional tennis court. That is, the lines  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78  form the area  22  which represents a conventional left side service box, the lines  76 ,  77 ,  78  form the area  24  which represents a conventional left side forecourt, the lines  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78  form the area  26  which represents a conventional right side service box, and the lines  76 ,  77 ,  78  form the area  24  which represents a conventional right side forecourt. 
   In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, the assembly  10  may further include a right side support rod  32  which is adjustably coupled to a right side support bracket  36 , a left side support rod  34  which is adjustably coupled to a left side support bracket  38 , and a substantially narrow net or tape section  30  which is coupled to each of the support rods  32 ,  34 , and which traverses the entire assembly  10  in close proximity to the net line  78 . It should be understood that the net  30  represents a conventional tennis court net, which divides the tennis court into two substantially equal halves (i.e., the net  30  represents a conventional net of a conventional tennis court that a tennis player must hit the tennis ball over). 
   It should be appreciated that the combination of the lines  75 ,  76 ,  77 ,  78  and the net  30  allow an individual to serve, hit, volley, and the like a conventional tennis ball while having specific and accurate lines of demarcation to avoid and/or target. For example and without limitation, an individual may desire to practice his/her left service box  22  service techniques and, in a manner which is described in detail below, the individual can stand to the right side of the assembly  10  at a certain distance away from the assembly  10  and attempt to hit the tennis ball into the area  22  while concomitantly avoiding contact of the tennis ball with the net  30 , thereby realistically practicing service techniques. 
   The center panel  20 , in one non-limiting embodiment may include two substantially identical pairs of fastening apertures  72 ,  74 , which allow an individual to selectively wrap a belt, rope, tape, or substantially any other fastening device (not shown) around an object (not shown), such as and without limitation, a tree or a lamp post, thereby supporting the assembly  10  while the assembly  10  is in a substantially vertical or generally angled position. 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the center panel  20 , in yet another non-limiting embodiment may include a plurality of blind apertures  92 , which are geometrically configured to frictionally receive and removably contain a respective one of conventional caster housings/pins  91  or wheels  90 . As best seen in  FIG. 3 , these blind apertures  72 ,  74 , the casters/wheels  90 , and the pins  91  allow the sports assembly  10  to easily maneuver or traverse upon a surface while the assembly  10  is in a stored or folded position, effective to allow the assembly  10  to be selectively portable. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , there is shown a compacted or folded sports assembly  10 . Particularly, as should be appreciated, each of the respective hinges  80  allow each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to fold or move to a position which allows the assembly  10  to be selectively portable. In one non-limiting embodiment, all of the various components (e.g., safety nets  40 ,  48 ,  56 , net  30 , or the like may be selectively removed from the assembly  10  and stored within the cavity  95  created by each respective and folded panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown the portable sports assembly  10  in an assembled relationship with a plurality of anti-sliding devices  100 ,  102 . That is, in one non-limiting embodiment, the anti-sliding devices  102  are selectively adjustable rubber stoppers which are designed to frictionally engage a substantially flat and relatively smooth surface, such as concrete, thereby substantially prohibiting the assembly  10  from sliding upon a surface or shifting the position of the assembly  10  relative to the surface. In yet another non-limiting embodiment, the anti-sliding devices  100  may comprise selectively adjustable metal spikes. In this manner, the assembly  10  may be utilized (i.e., set up and stabilized by use of the metal spikes  100 ) upon a “natural surface” (i.e., the term “natural surface” hereinafter refers to a surface which was not created by man, such as dirt, clay, or grass), such as an open field or back yard of a home. It should be appreciated that there are many methodologies for providing selective adjustability of anti-sliding devices, such as and without limitation, threaded posts in combination with threaded apertures. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to any particular methodology for providing selective adjustability. Rather, the present invention may employ or utilize any known methodology for providing the selective adjustability of the devices  100 ,  102 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , there is shown a functionality and methodology flow chart  200 , which is performed in accordance with the teachings of the preferred embodiment. As shown, the flow chart of the methodology and functionality  200  begins with the step  202  and, in this step  202 , the methodology  200  has started. Step  204  follows step  202  and, in this step  204 , a user of the methodology  200  (i.e., the user of the methodology  200  hereinafter is sometimes referred to as “the user”) determines a surface upon which he/she will “set up” the portable sports assembly  10  (i.e., the term “set up” hereinafter refers to the unfolding, assembling, and securing or stabilizing of the portable sports assembly  10 ). Step  206  follows step  204  and, in this step  206 , the user determines if the playing surface is a natural surface. If the user determines that the selected playing surface is a natural surface, step  208  follows step  206  and, in this step  208 , the user installs the metal spikes  100  upon the assembly  10 . 
   If the user determines that the selected playing, surface is not a natural surface, then step  210  follows step  206  and, in this step  210 , the user installs the anti-slipping devices  102  (e.g., selectively adjustable rubber stoppers) upon the assembly  10 . Step  212  follows the steps  208 ,  210  and, in this step  212  the user installs the wheels/casters  90  upon the assembly  10  by inserting the pins  91  into a respective one of the blind apertures  92  of the center panel  20 . 
   Step  214  follows step  212  and, in this step  214 , the user will push the assembly  10  (i.e., while in a folded position) to the user determined playing surface from step  204 . It should be appreciated that the wheels/casters  90  allow the assembly  10  to easily traverse substantially any desired surface in a manner which requires minimal effort by the user. 
   Step  216  follows step  214  and, in this step  216 , the user will locate a substantially tall fixed object (e.g., a tree, lamp post, and the like) upon the user determined playing field. It should be appreciated that, if no substantially tall fixed object can be located by the user, the user may desire to determine a different location (i.e., a different playing field). Step  218  follows step  216  and, in this step  218 , the user will roll the assembly  10  in close proximity to the located substantially tall fixed object and unfold the assembly  10  (i.e., the user will change or “transform” the assembly  10  from the form which is shown in  FIG. 3  to a form which is substantially similar to the form of the assembly  10  which is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). 
   Step  220  follows step  218  and, in this step  220 , the user will extend the top safety net  56  by grasping each respective support post  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  and gently pulling until each respective support post  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  abuts a respective one of the “lowest guide brackets”  70  (i.e., the term “lowest guide bracket” hereinafter refers to the guide brackets  70  which are furthest away from the top safety net  56 ), thereby fully exposing the top safety net above the top profile edge  57  of the portable sports assembly  10 . Step  222  follows step  220  and, in this step  222 , the user will elevate the top of the assembly  10  (i.e., the top profile edge  57  of the assembly  10 ) off of the playing surface which was determined within step  204  and stood on either the metal spikes  100  or the anti-slipping devices  102 . 
   Step  224  follows step  222  and, in this step  224 , the user will lean the assembly  10  onto the substantially tall and fixed object (i.e., at a certain predetermined or desired angle, such as and without limitation, approximately two and one-half to fifteen degrees) which was located within step  216 , such that the two substantially identical pairs of support apertures  72 ,  74  are in close proximity to the substantially tall and fixed object (i.e., at least a portion of the back side  69  of the center panel  20  is contacting the substantially tall and fixed object). Step  226  follows step  224  and, in this step  226 , the user selectively adjusts the angle of each respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to be a desired angle. That is, the angle of each respective panel may be determined by measuring the distance away from the assembly  10  that the user desires to stand. In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention, a measurement table may be included within or imprinted upon a portion of the assembly  10 . This measurement table (not shown) may begin with the measurement of ten feet and end with the measurement of thirty or fourty feet. For example and without limitation, a measurement of twenty feet (i.e., the individual desires to stand twenty feet away from the assembly  10 ) may inform the user that the left side ricochet panel  12  should be at approximately a one hundred degree angle to the left side strike panel  16 . Similarly, the measurement of twenty feet may inform the user that: the right side ricochet panel  14  should be at approximately a one hundred degree angle to the right side strike panel  18 ; the right side strike panel should be at approximately a two hundred degree angle to the center panel  20 ; and the left side strike panel  16  should be at approximately a two hundred degree angle to the center panel  20 . 
   It should be appreciated that these measurements are merely illustrative and nothing within this description is meant to or should be construed as limiting the angular measurements and the distance measurements to the above-listed measurements. Rather, as should be understood, the angular measurements and the distance measurements may be substantially any desired measurement. 
   Step  228  follows step  226  and, in this step  228 , the user will adjust the selectively adjustable anti-slipping devices  102  or the metal spikes  100  to ensure that the assembly  10  will not lose the desired position relative to the playing surface and the substantially tall and fixed object. Step  230  follows step  228  and, in this step  230 , the user will strap the assembly  10  to the substantially tall and fixed object by wrapping a rope or strap (not shown) around the substantially tall and fixed object and then lacing one end of the rope or strap in through a respective one of the pair of substantially identical fastening apertures  72  or  74  and out the remaining respective fastening aperture  70 ,  72 . The rope or strap may then be tied or otherwise fastened, thereby ensuring that the assembly  10  will not undesirably or unintentionally fall down flat upon the playing surface. 
   Step  232  follows step  230  and, in this step  232 , the user will extend/install the left side safety net  40  by grasping the pair of left side safety net support poles  42  and gently pulling until the left side safety net is fully extended (i.e., until the left side safety net  40  has completely cleared the left side profile edge  41 ). The user will also repeat this step  232  for the right side safety net  48 . That is, in this step  232  the user will also grasp the right side safety net support poles  50  and gently pull until the right side safety net  48  has completely cleared the right side profile edge  51 . It should be understood that the user may also simply install the left and right side safety nets  40 ,  48  by placing a portion of the respective support posts  42 ,  50  into the respective channels  44 ,  46 ,  52 ,  54 . 
   Step  234  follows step  232  and, in this step  234 , the user will install/attach the net  30  to the first and the second tensioning/support posts  32 ,  34 . At this time, the user may also selectively raise/lower/swivel the first and the second tensioning/support posts  32 ,  34  in order to adjust the tension and the height of the net  30 . Step  236  follows step  234  and, in this step  236  the user will stand in a desired position a certain distance away from the assembly  10 . That is, in this step  236 , the user will stand a distance away from the assembly  10  which is optimal for the adjusted angles of the respective panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  (i.e., the angles of the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  which were adjusted within the step  226 ). Step  238  follows step  236  and, in this step  238  the user will utilize the assembly  10  (i.e., the user will throw, hit, kick, or otherwise propel a sports ball at the assembly  10  and the assembly  10  will ricochet the sports ball back to the user). 
   Step  240  follows step  238  and, in this step  240 , the user has finished utilizing the assembly  10  and proceeds to remove/retract the left side and right side safety nets  40 ,  48  by gently pushing the safety net support posts  42 ,  50  back into the assembly  10 . It should be understood that the user may also simply remove the left and right side safety nets  40 ,  48  by pulling the support posts  42 ,  50  from the respective channels  44 ,  46 ,  52 ,  54 . Furthermore, within this step  240 , the user may also remove the net  30  from the first and the second tensioning/support posts  32 ,  34 . 
   Step  242  follows step  240  and, in this step  242 , the user will readjust/raise the anti-slipping devices  102  or the metal spikes  100  and adjust the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20  to be substantially flat or non-angled to any other respective panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 ,  20 . Step  244  follows step  242  and, in this step  244 , the user will remove/unfasten the straps/rope from the substantially tall fixed object and from the fastening apertures  72 ,  74 , thereby unfastening the assembly  10  from the substantially tall fixed object. Step  246  follows step  244  and, in this step  246 , the user will adjust the assembly  10  to clear the substantially tall fixed object (i.e., place the assembly  10  in a position that will not contact the tall fixed object) and lower the assembly  10  onto the wheels  90  by grasping the top profile edge  57  and lowering the top profile edge  57  (i.e., as well as the rest of the assembly  10 ) until each respective wheel  90  contacts the playing surface and all of the weight of the assembly  10  is supported by the wheels  90 . 
   Step  248  follows step  246  and, in this step  248 , the user will retract the top safety net  56  by gently pushing each respective support post  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  until each respective support post  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 ,  66 ,  68  abuts a respective one of the “highest guide brackets”  70  (i.e., the term “highest guide bracket” hereinafter refers to the guide brackets  70  which are closest to the top safety net  56 ), thereby fully hiding or storing the top safety net below or even with the top profile edge  57  of the portable sports assembly  10 . 
   Step  250  follows step  248  and, in this step  250 , the user will fold the portable sports assembly  10  back into the portable position (i.e., the position of the sports assembly  10  which is shown within  FIG. 3 ) in a conventional manner. Step  252  follows step  250  and, in this step  252 , the user will roll the portable sports assembly  10  back to a desired location and store the portable sports assembly  10 . Step  254  follows step  252  and, in this step  254 , the methodology and functionality  200  has ended. 
   It should be understood that this invention is not limited to the exact construction or embodiments listed and described, but that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example and without limitation, the assembly  10  may have a representation or markings upon the front side  11  which is/are indicative of a first particular sport while the back side  69  of the sports assembly  10  may also have a representation or markings of a second particular sport, thereby providing a portable sports assembly  10  having multiple sporting applications (e.g., the first and second particular sport may comprise baseball, hockey, golf, racquetball, football, basketball, lacrosse, handball, and/or the like). In further example and without limitation, the sports assembly  10  may include a waterproof cover (not shown) which covers the entire assembly  10  while in a folded or stored position.