Abstract: A tennis practice apparatus that includes a main support member that is for mounting from an upright wall; an outer support member that is hinged with the main support member and includes a closed position wherein the outer support member is engaged against the main support member, and an open position wherein the outer support member is hinged to an open position that is substantially orthogonal to the main support member; and a pliable fabric sheet that extends between a top end of the main support member and the outer support member. The pliable fabric sheet defines a surface against which a user can hit tennis balls and retrieve tennis balls therefrom.

Abstract: A sports ball rebound and boundary system including at least one portable post portion, configured to in use stand upright unsupported, and a barrier portion. The post portion and the barrier portion are configured for mutual releasable connection 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 is further configured to in use remain under sufficient tension to cause a ball or similar to rebound when striking the barrier.

Abstract: Sports equipment include a frame with an outer telescoping member including a row of a plurality of openings along its length and a rotation-limiting slot at a first end. An inner telescoping member includes a push button that engages one of the plurality of openings of the outer telescoping member to secure the inner telescoping member to the outer telescoping member. A stub includes a pin that engages the rotation-limiting slot of the outer telescoping member to limit rotation of the outer telescoping member relative to the inner telescoping member. The outer telescoping member may rotate relative to the stub and the inner telescoping member to change a length of at least one member of the sports equipment frame.

Abstract: A sound absorbing rebounding device provides a way for a person to practice dribbling a basketball while minimizing sounds and vibrations emanating from the basketball and the device during such practice. The device has a frame, a rebounding surface that mimics or replaces the hard surface on which a user would normally dribble to cause a rebounding effect, and a base to separate or space the rebounding surface from the floor, so that sounds and vibrations during bouncing of the basketball are not transferred to the surface on which the device is resting. The frame shape allows the user to practice dribbling in all different directions around the user's body placed relative to the user's legs, such as a T, an H, or the number 8. The device may be collapsible via hinges placed within its frame that allow the device to be collapsed in varying degrees of compactness.

Abstract: A portable, lightweight soccer rebounding wall with good rebound characteristics, whereby the pace of the rebounding soccer ball is similar to that of the pace at which it was imparted against the wall. The system is easily assembled and disassembled and is sufficiently light to be carried by one person for several hundred yards. In a specific implementation, the rebounding wall includes a panel of pultruded, fiberglass cross bar grating.

Abstract: A portable, self-standing ball rebounder includes upper and lower frames that support a flexible material that serves as a ball rebounding surface. The upper frame is raised relative to the lower one for using the rebounder. The upper frame may be collapsed relative to the lower frame for storing the rebounder.

Abstract: The subject innovation includes a rebound device which is capable of receiving a ball or any object projected by a user in a substantially downward direction and projecting the same ball or object back to the user in a substantially upward direction in order to allow the user to catch through the use of a rebound surface or net. The rebound surface or net is positioned and angled to receive balls or objects projected downwards from any side of the user and to return or propel those projected balls or objects back to the user.

Abstract: A throwing and catching practice net has a frame having left and right side tubes attached to top and bottom sections, with the left and right side tubes forming an S-shape. Netting attached to the frame has a concave shape adjacent to the bottom section and a convex shape adjacent to the top section. A stand is pivotally attached to the frame.

Abstract: A training device for ball sports includes a frame member which supports both an elastic surface for rebounding a ball, along with an inelastic surface which absorbs the kinetic energy of the ball and allows it to drop to the ground, which is designed as a combination apparatus that includes both a ball rebounding surface and a ball stopping surface, in order to provide a variety of training activities and which may be transported easily by a coach or an individual using it for practice.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a foldable throwback device comprising a front frame, a base frame, and telescoping angle members. The front frame is adapted to secure a bounce-back surface and is foldable into at least three sections without removal of the bounce-back surface. The base frame is coupled to the front frame by hinge brackets that allow the base frame to fold substantially flat onto the front frame without significant disassembly. Each telescoping angle member extends from the base frame to the front frame, and is adjustable to allow angling the front frame relative to the base frame. Each telescoping angle member may include a rotation-limiting mechanism and a safety mechanism that prevents unintentional detachment.

Abstract: A hockey puck rebounder having a frame, a first and second support each extending from opposing ends of the frame, a resilient rebound member comprised of an endless-looped band and extending between the first and second supports such that the resilient rebound member is secured in a taut manner to provide a resilient spring-back force when struck by a hockey puck or ball, and various securing structures for securing the frame in a stationary manner to a playing or shooting surface. The securing structures may include a counterweight, a lower plate for sandwiching a panel, such as a piece of synthetic ice between the lower plate and the frame, and/or fasteners extended through defined openings in the frame for securing the frame to a panel or a sheet of ice.

Abstract: A rebound screen is provided that includes a frame having a base for supporting the screen on a surface and an upwardly extending portion attached to the base. The upwardly extending portion includes a lower horizontal cross member and an upper horizontal cross member joined by a pair of side members. Each of the side members is formed with a curved shape that enables a ball striking a net secured between the side members to rebound off of the net in a direction either back to the individual who threw the ball or in a random direction depending upon the portion of the net and the corresponding curve provided by the side frame members that the ball strikes.

Abstract: A back stop device suitable for coupling to a backboard assembly in a sporting activity is disclosed. The device includes a central member. The central member couples to one or more clamps which couple to the backboard assembly. The central member may be coupled to a portion of one or more pivot members. One or more arm members may be coupled to a portion of each of the pivot members. The arm members may be selectively repositionable when used in conjunction with the pivot members. One or more netting members may be coupled to a portion of at least one of the central member and one or more of the arm members or a portion of the backboard assembly. The netting members may be configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of the members with weights coupled to a bottom portion of the netting members.

Abstract: The subject innovation includes a rebound device which is capable of receiving a ball or any object projected by a user in a substantially downward direction and projecting the same ball or object back to the user in a substantially upward direction in order to allow the user to catch through the use of a rebound surface or net. The rebound surface or net is positioned and angled to receive balls or objects projected downwards from any side of the user and to return or propel those projected balls or objects back to the user.

Abstract: A ball sports practice device is disclosed having a forward facing ball capture enclosure and a rear facing rebound structure. The angle between the ball capture enclosure and the rebound structure may be adjusted to support the device to a plurality of use positions on a support surface. An optional support arm may be included to maintain or limit the angle between the capture enclosure and the rebound structure.

Abstract: A single loop net includes a loop member, triangular holders, side straight edge portions, two propping poles, two holding straps, a first opening, a catching net, net deploying straps, and a second opening. The triangular holders are for holding two neighboring straight portions. The side straight edge portions are fixed to one of the side straight portions. Each of the propping poles extends from two side straight portions of the loop member. Each of the holding straps extends from a lower portion of the loop member. The first opening is enclosed and defined by the triangular holders and the side straight edge portions. The catching net covers the first opening and configured to catch balls flying into the first opening from a frontal direction. The second opening is disposed in a bottom one of the side straight edge portions. The second opening is disposed so as to return balls.

Abstract: A free-standing rebound system for use with a table tennis table wherein the system comprises: paired multi-legged telescoping support stands with an uppermost shaft having an uppermost portion with a hole therein; a mounting assembly including a shaft collar, screw spacer dowel pin and a thumbscrew; and a rectangular, framed rebound board having two rebounding surfaces which may be coated in natural and/or synthetic rubber blends and paired wood insert nuts oppositely arranged at the midpoint on two shorter sides. The apparatus is adjustable to orient the rebound board above the table tennis table at any distance from the net, at any latitudinal angle, or behind the back edge of the table opposite the player at any distance, height or angle as required by the abilities and training goals of the player.

Abstract: A net assembly for practicing soccer shooting and foot skills. The net is constructed from an elastomer material so that the ball is returned to or at least toward the user. It has two usable sides and each side has a different purpose. One side has five target holes, one in the center and the other four located toward each of the four corners. The holes are approximately two feet in diameter. When the user hits a target hole the ball remains inside the assembly. The other side of the assembly is a full net with a bulls eye drawn in the center.

Abstract: The invention provides a new tennis backboard design. The backboard includes a firm backing layer underlying a soft deadening layer. The rebound of a tennis ball from the backboard is reduced as compared to rebound from a rigid hard-surface backboard. This allows a player to stand fairly close to the backboard, which reduces misses. The player can stand fairly close and hit balls hard against the backboard. Because the rebound is reduced, the ball simply bounces back softly and easily to the player, allowing the player to hit hard again from a fairly short distance. Thus, long rallies without missing are easily achieved. Since the bounce is reduced, the player can stand closer to the backboard, and therefore the backboard can be smaller than conventional backboards without the player missing the backboard. This allows the backboard to be light, portable, and easily stored.

Abstract: Basketball training systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a basketball training apparatus includes a first rim and a second rim. The first rim has a center and the second rim has a center. The first rim rotates about its center and the second rim revolves about the center of the first rim.

Abstract: A multi-sports ball/disk return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball/disk hit, kick, thrown or struck into it back toward a user and that is portable and easy to assemble and disassemble. The multi-sports ball/disk return net system has a frame and a net mounted on or across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow having a square net pattern and a lower U-shape channel or hammock with the square pattern at the opposite ends of the U-shape channel being skewed to become diamond shapes. The net is configured to cause a projectile propelled into the U-shape pillow to drop down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus comprising a set of molded plastic sections, assembled to form an improved tennis ball returner. It is suited to rest at the bottom of a tennis net, on either side. It is parabolically shaped, so as to return tennis balls toward the center of the tennis court baseline. The exposed surface is also curved, so that it converts a maximum of energy in the falling tennis ball into angular momentum.

Abstract: A rebounder for use with a sport goal that receives a scoring object. The sport goal includes a goal frame having a left upright member, a right upright member and a crossbar extending between the left upright member and the right upright member. The goal frame further includes an open area for receiving a scoring object. The rebounder includes a rebound member for returning a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the rebound member. The rebound member has a tension member. The tension member is configured to return a scoring object to a player when the scoring object impacts the tension member. The rebound member further includes at least one connector for connecting the rebound member to the sports goal such that the position of the rebound member relative to the sports goal can be adjusted while the rebound member is attached to the sports goal. Preferably, the rebounder can be readily collapsed and moved to a storage position while connected to the sport goal.

Abstract: A portable stepball game apparatus has a collapsible stairway with a plurality of steps. Each step has a vertical riser portion, a horizontal tread portion, and a nosing on the forward or player-facing edges of the tread portions which protrudes over the riser portions. The game's pivotable stairway configuration is readily housed for storage in a carrying case specifically adapted to be easily portable. It is designed such that one person can lift the carrying case with one hand and easily move it from location to location.

Abstract: The invention provides a new tennis backboard design. The backboard includes a firm backing layer underlying a soft deadening layer. The rebound of a tennis ball from the backboard is reduced as compared to rebound from a rigid hard-surface backboard. This allows a player to stand fairly close to the backboard, which reduces misses. The player can stand fairly close and hit balls hard against the backboard. Because the rebound is reduced, the ball simply bounces back softly and easily to the player, allowing the player to hit hard again from a fairly short distance. Thus, long rallies without missing are easily achieved. Since the bounce is reduced, the player can stand closer to the backboard, and therefore the backboard can be smaller than conventional backboards without the player missing the backboard. This allows the backboard to be light, portable, and easily stored.

Abstract: A multi-sports ball return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball hit, kick, thrown or strike into it directly to a user and is portable, easy to assemble and disassemble. The multi-sports ball return net system has a frame and a net mounted across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow and a lower U-shape channel or hammock. A ball propelled into the U-shape pillow drops down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user.

Abstract: A portable stepball game including a lightweight, simulated stairway that is collapsible into a portable carrying case or frame which may be easily transported to and erected in virtually any play environment. The stairway comprises at least one step including an essentially vertical riser portion and an essentially horizontal tread portion wherein the tread portion includes nosing on its player-facing edge which overhang the riser portion therebeneath.

Abstract: A back stop device suitable for coupling to a backboard assembly in a sporting activity is disclosed. The device includes a central member. The central member couples to one or more clamps which couple to the backboard assembly. The central member may be coupled to a portion of one or more pivot members. One or more arm members may be coupled to a portion of each of the pivot members. The arm members may be selectively repositionable when used in conjunction with the pivot members. One or more netting members may be coupled to a portion of at least one of the central member and one or more of the arm members or a portion of the backboard assembly. The netting members may be configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of the members with weights coupled to a bottom portion of the netting members.

Abstract: A multi-sports ball/disk return net system and a method thereof that consistently returns a ball/disk hit, kick, thrown or struck into it back toward a user and that is portable and easy to assemble and disassemble. The multi-sports ball/disk return net system has a frame and a net mounted on or across the frame. The net forms an upper U-shape forward bulging pillow having a square net pattern and a lower U-shape channel or hammock with the square pattern at the opposite ends of the U-shape channel being skewed to become diamond shapes. The net is configured to cause a projectile propelled into the U-shape pillow to drop down to the U-shape channel, which funnels the ball to the lowest and central point of the U-shape channel for discharge toward the user.

Abstract: An apparatus for practicing baseball and softball hitting skills includes a ball holder on a rod that is suspended by a single degree of freedom support at an interior point of the rod length and the rod is balanced and proportioned relative to the support point and the ball in order to position a ball at any three-dimensional location in the hitting zone of the batter in a stable state by manual movement of the opposite balanced end of the rod.

Abstract: Basketball training systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a basketball training apparatus (200) includes a first rim (210) and a second rim (220). The first rim (210) has a center (230) and the second rim (220) has a center (240). The first rim (210) rotates about its center (230) and the second rim (220) revolves about the center (230) of the first rim (210).

Abstract: A ball retriever comprising a main member forming a first closed loop, a base member forming a second closed loop with the main member foldably attached to the base member, a fabric portion smaller in area than a spatial plane defined by the first loop, straps connecting the fabric portion to the main member, and a support to sustain the main member against the base member while maintaining a substantial angle between the main member and the base member.

Abstract: A portable ball rebound game includes a ball for being thrown at a rebound panel. Generally the rebounding surface of the rebound panel defines a compound curve to minimize the predictability of any rebound trajectory. Preferably the rebounding surface models the surface of a rock.

Abstract: An equipment for playing a game using a racquet and ball is provided having a substantially horizontal playing surface with first and second ends. A plurality of playing walls, disposed at the first end of the horizontal playing surface, extends perpendicularly away from the playing surface. A first playing wall among the plurality of playing walls is disposed centrally between a second and a third playing wall among the plurality of playing walls. The second playing wall and the third playing wall are angled relative to the first playing wall.

Abstract: A throwing and catching training apparatus for sports is disclosed. The throwing and catching training apparatus provides an upright, rigid target panel having a plurality of elastomeric bumpers connected to the target panel wherein the bumpers are adaptable to deflect a thrown projectile in a random direction. A pair of support structures are connected to the target panel for supporting the target panel in an upright position. The target panel may have a cut-out portion extending through the target panel for further defining a target. An elastic mesh netting may be connected to the target panel and extend across the cut-out portion of the target panel in order that a thrown projectile may spring back from the target panel after engaging the elastic mesh netting. The shape of the bumpers allows the thrown projectile to deflect back to the user in a random direction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a ball court that allows persons with limited mobility to play a ball game while enjoying making challenging shots. One embodiment comprises an automatic score board. The court has a raised central portion that extends from the back wall to mid-court, tapering horizontally, narrowing away from the front wall. On either side of the central portion are strike zones sloping upward which merge into the back wall. As a player strikes a ball with a club, the ball travels along the player's strike zone and up the back wall. Momentum carries the ball across the wall and gravity draws it to the opponent's strike zone. The flattened parabolic curve allows a player to make a variety of shots that will enter the opponent's strike zone at different positions and angles. Upstanding peripheral walls with deflectors may be included on the court to allow a ball to travel challenging trajectories through the opponent's strike zone.

Abstract: A training tool (1) for ball games allows an optimal return of the ball itself and a remarkable use flexibility. The tool includes a frame (2) defining a rebound area, ground anchoring apparatus (5) that anchors the frame to the ground, the elastic members (6) which define a surface stretching on the rebound area, and positioning apparatus (8) which permits adjusting the frame to a desired inclination.

Abstract: A soccer training system which has three modes and includes a frame, a net, a target panel, and a rebound panel. The frame with the net secured thereto provides a soccer goal mode; the frame with the target panel positioned across its front provides a soccer target mode; and the frame with the rebound panel positioned across its front provides a soccer rebounder mode. The target panel has cutouts and/or apertures to pass a soccer ball. The rebound panel redirects a kicked ball back toward the kicker. The rebound panel can also be inclined to alter the return angle of the ball. Preferably, elastic corded hooks attach the target panel or the rebound panel to the front of the frame.

Abstract: A passive pitching target comprises a portable device including a resilient rectangular laminar backstop indentable by a baseball pitched at a velocity of 100 km/hr (62 mph); the target is higher than it is wide, and rests with its base supported on the ground; one planar face of the backstop is fully covered with a laminar resilient pad of synthetic resinous material having a specified resilience to ensure that a pitched baseball striking the target's planar surface is returned to the pitcher at a location of choice, either less than one-half the distance from where the pitch was thrown, to mimic a “bunt”, or, in the general vicinity of the location from where the ball was pitched; the pad is dimensioned for height and width the same as the backstop and is removably affixed in contact with the face of the backboard; the resilient pad, in turn is fully covered with a removably affixed synthetic resinous sheet of material overlying the resilient pad and in intimate contact therewith, the target forming an inde

Abstract: A free-standing partitioned goal and games using the goal is provided. The goal is divided into a series of partitions formed by internal net dividers. The front edge of each partition is secured by an interwoven or integral elastic cord carried by a front edge of the partition. The resilient partitions retain balls which are kicked therein, each partition having assigned to it possible varying point values which facilitate training as well as specific games directed to using the goal.

Abstract: A sports device consisting of rebound surfaces facing in different directions, which will rebound a ball or other projectile propelled in one direction and also rebound a ball or other projectile propelled in at least one other different direction. The multiple rebound surfaces may form an enclosure consisting of four vertical surfaces with a rectangular footprint (see FIG. 1), usable for soccer practice, with multiple net surfaces (10) that rebound a soccer ball (16) kicked in any direction from the interior of the enclosure, back to the kicker.

Abstract: A backboard panel encompassing a large central section, comprising of baseball bats equally spaced horizontally and parallel to each other. With a parallel rebound horizontal board directly above the central section of bats, and a second horizontal rebound parallel board directly below the central section comprising the bats.

Abstract: A portable recoil wall for sports ball practice. In one embodiment, the recoil wall may include a target that is resiliently suspended on a foldable frame which may be supported in a plurality of inclined positions by a collapsible sustaining assembly coupled to the frame. A portable recoil target, capable of being removably attached to other structures such as netted goals and the like are also disclosed.

Abstract: A practice goal apparatus comprises a box-like structure having an open face and providing plural interior faces adapted to rebound a resilient ball upon impact. The plural interior faces are set at selected angles such that the resilient ball, upon forcefully entering the box-like structure through the open face, from any direction will rebound in a manner resulting in forceful exit from the box-like structure back to the kicker. The apparatus has a hollow base that may be filled with water or sand to anchor it in place.

Abstract: A practice goal apparatus comprises a box-like structure having an open face and providing plural interior faces adapted to rebound a resilient ball upon impact. The plural interior faces are set at selected angles such that the resilient ball, upon forcefully entering the box-like structure through the open face, from any direction will rebound in a manner resulting in forceful exit from the box-like structure back to the kicker. The apparatus has a hollow base that may be filled with water or sand to anchor it in place.

Abstract: Ball rebounder for rebounding a ball, including a first frame, a resilient member mounted in the first frame, a second frame mounted pivotally to the first frame and provided with a plurality of stops, and a third frame mounted pivotally to the first frame and for engaging different ones of the stops to incline the first frame and resilient member at different angles with respect to the second frame to cause the resilient member to rebound balls thrown thereagainst at different angles.

Abstract: A concave rebounding surface is provided which permits a ball game similar to squash to be played outdoors.

Abstract: The device is a one piece molded unity of resilient material consisting of a base (10) having upper and lower surfaces. The lower surface is generally flat. The upper surface is made non-planer by the presence of numerous irregularities, such as projections (12) (16) (18), formed as part of the unit during the fabrication process. A through hole (14) is provided for carrying purposes.

Abstract: An apparatus for rebounding balls that includes a frame and a net structure within the frame, and has an upright position, a rear down position, and a front down position so as to allow the apparatus to be used in a variety of positions. The frame is unitary and tubular and comprises a front section that is planar and vertically rearwardly inclined, and a rear section that has an upper portion diverging downwardly rearwardly from the front section of the frame and forms an acute angle therebetween and a lower portion diverging downwardly rearwardly from the upper portion of the rear section of the frame. The net structure comprises a front net section that is planar, positioned within, and sized to conform to, the front section of the frame, and a rear net section positioned within, and sized to conform to, the rear section of the frame, and which is independent of the front net section of the net structure, with the net structure being secured in taut condition within the frame by rubber straps.

Abstract: A ping pong bounce back device is provided including a ping pong table and a back board mounted along one of the short parallel edges thereof. The back board has a front face with a plurality of undulations formed therein.