Patent Description:
Rebounder or ball-wall systems are commonly used in both professional and amateur or club training and games. Systems of this type are used to train and encourage passing and shooting accuracy, ball receiving and return training, volley shot training, etc. Rebounder/ ball-wall systems of the known type are often small, heavy, or take time to set up and take down.

Population density and lack of resource in certain areas has lead to sports halls or playing fields being used for multiple sports, with multiple sets of floor markings used to indicate boundaries or similar. It is also not uncommon for a field or hall to be subdivided, so that multiple games can be played simultaneously using a single space. However, some team sports or games such as soccer or floor hockey require a fenced or barrier boundary system that prevents the ball or puck from escaping the line boundaries that are typically used for such games. Although permanent fence boundary systems for ball games are known, these are not suitable if the area is also used for other activities such as athletic sports where a permanent fence boundary system would hamper such activities, or where the sport is seasonal and the fence boundary system needs to be demountable.

Consequently there exists a need for a modular temporary portable boundary marking system that can be demounted once play has ceased, or at the end of a sports season.

There are several known fence boundary system constructions.

Ball game netting systems that can be used to set up a boundary for a temporary pitch are known. These are generally formed from upright solid one-piece fence posts from which netting is extended and hung. In use the fence posts are driven into the ground, or connected to bases that allow them to stand upright, with the netting extending from the posts.

Akon skirting and bellows produce a retractable safety barrier that has a sheet barrier portion that can be pulled or extended from an upright cylindrical roller unit, the sheet portion spring-loaded so that in use the sheet portion is held in tension, and will return and roll into the cylindrical storage unit when tension is released and not in use. The upright cylindrical roller units are permanently fixed in position where required.

Tigrox produce a portable roller that can be used for crowd direction and routing and for displaying advertising. However, the barrier is not 'full height' as the barrier sheet itself only covers/blocks the upper half of the full height of the barrier Rapid Roll Inc. produce a lightweight retractable fencing system that is intended for use as a roadworks fence barrier, where the fence barrier portion is manually rolled and unrolled from the storage upright.

<CIT> describes and shows a net system wound around a central pole. The pole has to be driven into the ground in order to remain upright.

<CIT> describes and shows a system where poles are supported on suction cups. The net is not kept taut in use.

<CIT> describes and shows a system where the post has to be bolted to the ground in order to be used.

<CIT> describes and shows a system that uses freestanding posts, with a loose net running between these.

<CIT> describes and shows a system where the uprights have to be driven into the ground in order to remain upright.

<CIT> shows a system that uses low-level tape to mark out playing boundaries.

<CIT> shows a modular, temporary fencing system for sports arenas that comprises a plurality of spike-footed poles and a plurality of mesh fencing panels. The poles each have four longitudinal "key-hole" slots, and opposite side ends of the mesh fencing panels are configured to fit in the slots.

Document <CIT> discloses a sports ball rebound and boundary system, comprising: at least one portable post portion, configured to in use stand upright unsupported;
a barrier portion, the post portion and barrier portion configured so that at least part of the barrier portion is extendible from the post portion to form a substantially vertically aligned planar barrier extending upwards from substantially ground level, the barrier portion further configured to in use remain under sufficient tension to cause a ball or similar to rebound when striking the barrier.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a sports ball rebound and boundary system which goes some way to overcoming the abovementioned disadvantages or which at least provides the public or industry with a useful choice.

The term "comprising" as used in this specification and indicative independent claims means "consisting at least in part of". When interpreting each statement in this specification and indicative independent claims that includes the term "comprising", features other than that or those prefaced by the term may also be present. Related terms such as "comprise" and "comprises" are to be interpreted in the same manner.

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a sports ball rebound and boundary system according to claim <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the flexible planar fabric comprises netting.

In an embodiment, the storage means comprises a casing, a central inner post contained within the casing, and a spring system connecting with the central inner post, the casing and central inner post configured so that the inner post can rotate axially within the casing, the spring system configured to exert reactive rotational torque on the central inner post, an inner end of the planar fabric barrier connected to the central inner post so that the barrier unwinds from the central inner post when pulled from the casing, and winds back around the central inner post when not in use, the spring system maintaining tension on the planar fabric barrier in use.

In an embodiment, the sports ball rebound and boundary system further comprises an outer post connected to an outer end of the planar fabric barrier.

In an embodiment, the framework is configured to receive the barrier portions at substantially equally spaced intervals around the vertical axis of the framework.

In an embodiment, the sports ball rebound and boundary system further comprises a plurality of fold-out legs connected at a lower end of the framework and configured to fold between a storage position located flat against the framework and a use position where the legs extend along the ground to support and stabilise the framework in an upright position.

In an embodiment, at least one of the legs is configured to extend substantially in the same direction as the barrier when both are extended, the remaining legs aligned at substantially <NUM> degree intervals around the perimeter of the framework.

In an embodiment, the sports ball rebound and boundary system further comprises at least one wheel connected to a lower end of the framework and configured to allow the framework to be rolled on the at least one wheel when tilted to one side but to rest securely on one end when upright.

In an embodiment, the sports ball rebound and boundary system further comprises a flexible rod connected at one end to the at least one portable post portion, and a cord connectable between the free end of the flexible rod and the barrier at a point remote from the post portion, the cord and rod sized so that when the cord is connected the rod is flexed and in tension to exert a pulling force on the barrier.

In an embodiment, the portable post portion comprises a casing and a base, the base extending from the lower end of the portable post portion so as to support the portable post portion in an upright position when the barrier portion is extended.

In an embodiment, the base comprises a pair of feet that extend at an angle to each side of the barrier when the barrier is extended.

In an embodiment, the base further comprises a heel portion that extends from substantially the opposite side as that of the barrier, the heel portion configured to receive a weight in use.

In an embodiment, the heel portion is configured to receive a weight of substantially <NUM> in use.

In an embodiment, the base has a weight of substantially <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the base is substantially planar.

In an embodiment, the base has a length of substantially <NUM>, and a maximum width across the feet from outer edge to outer edge of substantially <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the sports ball rebound and boundary system further comprises at least one wheel connected to the base and configured to allow the framework to be rolled on the at least one wheel when tilted to one side.

In an embodiment, the sports ball rebound and boundary system further comprises a central inner post contained within the casing, and a spring system connecting with the central inner post, the casing and central inner post configured so that the inner post can rotate axially within the casing, the spring system configured to exert reactive rotational torque on the central inner post, an inner end of the planar fabric barrier connected to the central inner post so that the barrier unwinds from the central inner post when pulled from the casing, and winds back around the central inner post when not in use, the spring system maintaining tension on the planar fabric barrier in use.

Further aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings which show an embodiment of the device by way of example, and in which:.

Embodiment of the inventions, and variations thereof, will now be described in detail with reference to the figures.

A first embodiment of the sports ball rebound and boundary system of the present invention is shown in <FIG>. The system <NUM> comprises two main parts: a barrier portion <NUM> and a post portion <NUM>.

The barrier portion <NUM> comprises a central metal inner post <NUM>, a net <NUM> and an outer post <NUM>. One end of the net <NUM> is connected to the inner post <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the outer post <NUM>. The net <NUM> can be extended in a planar manner between the two posts <NUM>, <NUM>, or stored by winding the net <NUM> around the inner post <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>. As shown in <FIG>, the net <NUM> and posts <NUM>, <NUM> are located in a casing formed from a main body <NUM> and two cover halves <NUM>, <NUM>. The case is generally cylindrical. The net <NUM> extends through a slot formed between two adjacent edges of the cover halves <NUM>, <NUM>. The net <NUM> can be formed from any suitable textile fabric or mesh net. A preferred form is <NUM> hexagonal net mask, with an overall length of <NUM> metres. This allows two fully extended nets to be used end-to-end or back-to-back to create an overall length of net between two posts of <NUM> metres. However the net <NUM> can be used in ten-metre or five-metre lengths as required. To facilitate connection of the two nets <NUM> back-to-back, a central pole can be used, with the outer posts <NUM> connecting to this, the central pole having a weighted base that rests on the ground to keep the nets <NUM> in position.

The barrier portion <NUM> further comprises a spring and storage system that keeps the net <NUM> in tension in use, by exerting a pulling force on the net when it is unwound, and biasing it back towards being wound up around the inner post <NUM>. The outer post <NUM> prevents the net <NUM> from fully winding within the case <NUM> by butting against the edges of the cover halves <NUM>, <NUM>. Two end caps 7a, 7b are located at each end of the main body <NUM>, connected to the main body <NUM> and the cover halves <NUM>, <NUM>. The central inner post <NUM> runs between the two end caps, the ends of the inner post <NUM> connected to the inner faces of the end caps at each end via coil springs <NUM> whose axes are coincident with that of the inner post <NUM>, and which extend inwards from each of the end caps. The springs <NUM> engage with the inner post <NUM> via teeth <NUM>, so that as the inner post rotates as the net is unwound, the coil springs are twisted into tension. In use, the springs attempt to return to a non-twisted state, which puts rotational force onto the inner post <NUM>, causing the net to be in tension when unwound. This allows the fabric textile or mesh net fence to quickly and effectively roll in or out of the casing <NUM>, which can be a critical factor when setting up and removing the system before and after use. This also offers a compact form for storing. The springs also hold the net sufficiently in tension to allow it to be used as a rebounder during play - balls striking the net will bounce off in the same manner as if they have struck a backboard or other rigid item, rather than the energy being absorbed by a non-tensioned net.

The post portion <NUM> is shown in detail in <FIG>. The post portion <NUM> has an overall generally cylindrical form, and is formed as a framework structure. As shown in <FIG>, the post portion is circular in plan view, and is formed so that four of the barrier portions <NUM> can be slotted into slots <NUM> that are evenly spaced around the post portion <NUM>. The barrier portions <NUM> are held snugly within the slots <NUM> in the post portion <NUM>, with the outer post resting against the outer perimeter or circumference of the post portion. The post portion <NUM> is substantially the same height as the barrier portion <NUM>.

The post portion <NUM> has wheels <NUM> at the lower end, so that the post portion <NUM> can be tilted onto the wheels and rolled for transport.

Four legs <NUM> are located on the post portion <NUM>, hingedly connected to the base or bottom of the post portion <NUM> so that they can be folded out to lie flat along a surface or the ground to act as stabilisers for the post portion <NUM>. The legs <NUM> and slots <NUM> are aligned so that when the net <NUM> is extended, it will extend along the same line as the unfolded leg on that side of the post portion <NUM>. The legs <NUM> are evenly spaced around the post portion <NUM>, at <NUM> degrees from one another around the circumference. The legs are of sufficient length that the post portion can free stand, or stand unsupported (that is, without the need for an active ground engagement system such as a spike, bolts, screws or suckers), even with the net deployed and acting as a pulling force on the post portion, and even with the net receiving strikes from balls or similar that add to the pulling force.

The sports ball rebound and boundary system <NUM> is shown in use in <FIG> and <FIG>, to mark out subsections of a greater area - that is, pitches or similar within a larger field or hall.

A user places the post portions <NUM> in the required locations - e.g. in the corners of a pitch or similar. They deploy the legs <NUM> to stabilise the post portions <NUM>. The barrier portions <NUM> are slotted into the slots <NUM> as required. The net <NUM> is then extended from the barrier portion <NUM> via the outer post <NUM>, and is connected to another post <NUM> from another barrier portion <NUM>, or to another suitable location such as the edge of a goal or similar. This allows areas to be sectioned off to form pitches or similar with boundaries formed by the nets <NUM>, which are held in tension by the springs <NUM>.

This spring-loaded functionality creates a spring-tension effect in each of the net sections <NUM> that enables the barrier formed from the nets <NUM> to be used as a rebounder wall for ball sport, especially football/soccer play. This is in combination with the boundary nature of the net <NUM> in use.

The system <NUM> allows the creation of training environments that allow rebound/ ball-wall exercises on outdoor fields. A primary use will be for ball sport, mainly football/soccer training exercises and games like passing practice, target practice, one-on-one games, multiplayer games. The spring-tension function will also allow the net <NUM> barrier sections to be used as a ball-wall for passing and trick-shots during play or training, imitating the similar function of a hardboard boundary, or a permanent wall boundary. This creates advantages for game play and training exercises. Secondary uses will be as a ball boundary system to hinder the ball shot or passed to escape and thereby lowering the training or game intensity and effect. The system is modular, and in use a number of individual, identical pieces are used together, for example to form the boundary lines of a sports pitch as described above.

A variation on the system described above is shown in <FIG>. In this variation, a flexible fibreglass rod <NUM> extends from the centre-top of the post portion <NUM>. This connects with one end of a cord, rope, strap or similar item. The other end of the rope <NUM> detachably connects with the top edge of the net <NUM> at a point some distance away from the post portion <NUM>. However, the rope <NUM>, the rod <NUM> and the connection point for the rope <NUM> on the net <NUM> are all sized and located so that the rod <NUM> will need to bend and be in bending tension to connect the rope <NUM> to the net <NUM>. This assist with keeping the net <NUM> in tension, by adding additional tension to that generated by the springs <NUM>.

A second form of the system - system element <NUM> - is shown in <FIG>.

In this embodiment, the barrier portion or upright portion <NUM> comprises a central metal inner post or spine <NUM>, a net <NUM> and an outer post <NUM>, surrounded by a casing (described below). One end of the net <NUM> is connected to the inner post <NUM>, and the other end is connected to the outer post <NUM>. The net <NUM> is extended in use in a planar manner in use between the two posts <NUM>, <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the net <NUM> in this embodiment is located in a casing formed from a main body or spine <NUM> and two cover halves <NUM>, <NUM>. The spine <NUM> is formed from extruded aluminium, and the two cover halves are formed from UPVC. The casing is generally teardrop-shaped when viewed from above or from one end. The net <NUM> extends through a slot formed between two adjacent edges of the cover halves <NUM>, <NUM>, at the 'point' of the teardrop. The net <NUM> can be formed from any suitable textile fabric or mesh net. A preferred form is <NUM> hexagonal net mask, with an overall length of <NUM> metres. This allows two systems <NUM> with fully extended nets to be used end-to-end or back-to-back to create an overall length of net between the two upright portions <NUM> of <NUM> metres. However the net <NUM> can be used in ten-metre or five-metre lengths as required. To facilitate connection of the two nets <NUM> back-to-back, a central connector pole can be used, with the outer posts <NUM> connecting to this on opposite sides, the central pole having a weighted base that rests on the ground to keep the nets <NUM> in position.

The net <NUM> is retained or biased towards being wound up inside the casing by a similar spring system to that of the first embodiment. This also keeps the net <NUM> in tension in use by exerting a pulling force on the net when it is unwound, and biasing it back towards being wound up around the inner post <NUM>. The outer post <NUM> prevents the net <NUM> from fully winding within the casing formed from the main body <NUM> and two cover halves <NUM>, <NUM> by butting against the edges of the cover halves. An upper end cap <NUM> is located at the top end of the main body <NUM>, closing off the top of the casing.

In this embodiment, the top edge of the net has a rope or wire or similarly-profiled flexible extension built in, by locating this inside a cloth flap that folds over and extends along the top of the net <NUM>. A guide block <NUM> is located in the casing, just underneath the end cap <NUM>. The guide block <NUM> has a groove <NUM> in the lower side that extends upwards into the block to a guide aperture <NUM> that is sized and shaped to receive the rope or wire in the top of the net, the body of the net extending down through the groove <NUM>. This assists with keeping the net <NUM> correctly aligned when this is extended or retracted.

A base <NUM> is located at the bottom of the casing. The base <NUM> is formed from metal sheet, and has a net-side portion 130a, 130b that extends from the base in the same direction as the net extends in use, and a heel or rear-side portion 130c that extends from the other or opposite side. The base <NUM> is planar, and is aligned so that it will rest flat against a surface when the system element <NUM> is deployed. The net-side portion of the base <NUM> comprises two lobes or feet 130a, 130b that extend out at roughly a <NUM>-degree angle to each side of the net <NUM> in use. In this embodiment, the base <NUM> has a weight of <NUM>. The base has a length of substantially <NUM>, and a maximum width across the feet from outer edge to outer edge of substantially <NUM>.

An additional weighted element <NUM> can be located on the heel, this additional element weighing <NUM> in the preferred embodiment, and shaped so that this has a profile that allows it to butt up against the rear of the upright. This additional weight can be added or removed as required, and replaced with heavier or lighter elements as required. The spread and extension of the feet 130a, 130b in combination with the heel 130c, and if additionally required, the weight <NUM> on the heel, allows the system element <NUM> to remain upright unsupported (that is, without needing physical attachment to a surface such as would be provided by a ground spike, pegs, suction cups, bolts or screws), and to remain upright even with the net extended and in tension, and also when additional forces are exerted on the system by ball strikes to the net or similar.

In the preferred embodiment, the base has a length of substantially <NUM> from the tips of the toe to the rear of the heel, and a maximum width at or across the inner end of the feet of substantially <NUM>.

Two wheels <NUM> are connected to the heel 130c on each side. In use, these can be folded up above the base <NUM>, and then folded downward and rearwards so that the combined net/post portion <NUM>/<NUM> can be tilted onto the wheels and rolled for transport.

A handle <NUM> is located at the top of the casing. In the preferred embodiment, a tightening unit <NUM> formed from rubber or silicone rubber or a similar elasticated material is connected between the handle and the top of the net as shown in <FIG>, to assist with increasing the tension of the net when fully stretched. This enables a net of a set length to only be partially extended and still keep the tension to a level of where balls will rebound. This is important as the net will usually have much more tension when extended to full length, so the unit <NUM> assists with keeping the net in tension. The loop elastic stops the retract coil spring from pulling.

In use, two system elements <NUM> elements can be placed spaced apart with their fronts or feet 130a, 130b facing towards each other. The nets <NUM> of each of the system elements <NUM> can be extended and connected at their outer ends. Alternatively these can be placed back to back, with the nets extending away from one another.

Claim 1:
A sports ball rebound and boundary system (<NUM>), comprising:
at least one portable post portion (<NUM>), configured to in use stand upright unsupported;
a barrier portion (<NUM>), the post portion (<NUM>) and barrier portion (<NUM>) configured so that at least part of the barrier portion (<NUM>) is extendible from the post portion (<NUM>) to form a substantially vertically aligned planar barrier (<NUM>) extending upwards from substantially ground level, the barrier portion (<NUM>) further configured to in use remain under sufficient tension to cause a ball or similar to rebound when striking the barrier (<NUM>);
wherein
the post portion (<NUM>) further comprises a framework having slots (<NUM>), each slot (<NUM>) configured to receive and hold a barrier portion (<NUM>) in position;
each barrier portion at least partly formed from a flexible elongate planar fabric;
each barrier portion (<NUM>) further comprising a storage means configured to retain the fabric when not in use.