Abstract: A portable rebound (or deflecting) sports training device having at least a first rebound panel or surface adapted to rebound a ball away from the device, and a support structure adapted to hold the panel in a first, operational condition in which the panel is held generally upright; the panel and the support structure having a second, transport or storage, configuration relative to each other such that the panel and support structure lie flatter (or generally flat) relative to each other in the direction transverse to the rebound panel such that the device occupies less space.

Abstract: The shield device shown herein is one to aid in soccer practice. An individual player can practice kicking a soccer ball into the apparatus and have it bounced back in his or her general area. The lower area of the shield comprises a back panel and two side panels connected at an angle to the back panel. Each panel is made of a sufficiently rigid material, such as plywood, to absorb the impact of the kicked soccer ball. Above the panels is netting, such as nylon netting, to guard against and intercept errant flights of the ball.

Abstract: A variety of training boards and panel assemblies are supported by an indoor floor base to provide targets with rebound capability for developing and improving ball handling skills. Panel supporting uprights extend upwardly from a base housing to provide backing and necessary stability for a rebound panel. The supporting uprights are configured to provide supporting surfaces to which the rebound panels are attached, with the supporting surfaces aligned to position the rebound panels in a desired orientation. To provide stability, the base housing includes frictional elements to help hold in place for while in a gym floor. Also, the base housing is configured to hold weights of a desired configuration, thus cooperating with the frictional elements to hold the training board in place while being subjected to forces from balls. In addition, the supporting uprights have multiple support surfaces capable of aligning the panels in a desired orientation, thus providing multiple rebound characteristics to the user.

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: 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 bouncing net device includes two connection members each composed of two identical parts and three tubes are pivotably connected between the two parts. Each of the connection members has three sets of positioning holes which are located around positions where the three tubes are pivotably connected to the connection member. Three frames are respectively connected between the three tubes on the two connection members. Two covers are pivotably connected to two sides of one of the two parts and connected between the two parts. The three tubes are pivotable relative to the connection members so as to adjust the orientations of the frames. The covers prevent the tubes from pivoted suddenly when folding to avoid hurting the users.

Abstract: A leather pitching target simulates the sound of a pitched ball hitting a catcher's mitt and forms a visual indentation where the ball strikes the target. An air-filled layer of padding may be sandwiched between a leather target sheet and a durable backing material. A square or rectangular quilted pattern of stitching may bind the layers together. A differently colored block U-shaped pattern of squares forms the inside, outside, and bottom of the strike zone. Each time the ball hits the target, pressure from the impact levels out the previous impression and creates a new one where the new pitch hit the target.

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 soccer training device which is lightweight and portable is provided. The soccer training device of the present invention comprises a hollow shell which accommodates a fillable reservoir. The reservoir can be filled with sand, water or any material sufficiently heavy to provide stability to the device. The device typically has at least two rebound surfaces set at different angles. A player practises soccer by kicking at the rebound surface and then trapping and returning the rebounded ball.

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 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 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 training tool (1) for ball games allows an optimal return of the ball itself and a remarkable use flexibility and comprises: a frame (2) defining a rebound area; ground anchoring means (5) of said frame; elastic means (6) defining a surface stretching on said rebound area; and positioning means (8) of said frame according to a desired inclination.

Abstract: A portable stoopball playing device comprising a playing panel and a support panel connected to said playing panel. The playing panel and the support panel are moveable relative to each other between at least one open deployed position and a closed storage position. The playing panel includes a plurality of sheer surfaces and protrusions on its playing surface, which allow for random and unpredictable rebounding of a ball thrown at the playing panel. The playing panel further includes a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, which may be convex, thereby increasing the rebounding angle of the thrown ball, thereby increasing the number of players able to participate in a single game. The horizontal curvature alternatively may be concave, thereby permitting the player to control and direct the rebounding angle of the thrown ball. The playing panel also includes a weighting channel which may be filled with a ballast substance.

Abstract: A rebound wall for a ball sport game permitting a player to hit a ball to the rebound wall and upon the ball rebounding to again hit the ball. The wall is to include sensors and transducers which can calculate and display scoring values based on where the ball strikes the rebound wall. A player can utilize the wall by himself or herself or with other players or with other players exteriorly of its location by connection electronically of the wall to a central location which is also connected to other walls.

Abstract: A portable stoopball playing device comprising a playing panel and a support panel connected to said playing panel. The playing panel and the support panel are moveable relative to each other between at least one open deployed position and a closed storage position. The playing panel includes a plurality of sheer surfaces and protrusions on its playing surface, which allow for random and unpredictable rebounding of a ball thrown at the playing panel. The playing panel further includes a vertical curvature and a horizontal curvature, which may be convex, thereby increasing the rebounding angle of the thrown ball, thereby increasing the number of players able to participate in a single game. The horizontal curvature alternatively may be concave, thereby permitting the player to control and direct the rebounding angle of the thrown ball. The playing panel also includes a weighting channel which may be filled with a ballast substance.

Abstract: An apparatus for the practice of any sport involving a ball that is propelled in the air includes a planar section of netting that is surrounded by an elastic cord. The netting is attached to the elastic cord by a plurality of rings that are attached to the netting and which also encircle the elastic cord. A ceiling plate is attached to the ceiling and it includes a locking mechanism that secures a draw cord in any desired position. The draw cord is used to raise or lower a base tray portion of the apparatus from an upper position proximate the ceiling plate to a lower position of rest upon a floor or ground surface. When the base tray portion is raised it gathers the netting as it is raised until it makes contact with a pair of end caps that are attached to the ceiling plate at opposite ends thereof. In the raised position, the apparatus forms a neat closed assembly that contains the netting.

Abstract: A ball throwing practice system for improving a ball player's skills that includes a collapsible support frame having a first pair of legs and a second pair of legs, with the second pair of legs being pivotally coupled to one of the first pair of legs to permit pivoting of the second pair of legs with respect to the first pair of legs. The system also includes a target assembly secured to the support frame for defining a passage therethrough for representing a zone for an accurately thrown ball to pass through. Preferably, the target assembly comprises a pair of substantially horizontally oriented plate members disposed in a spaced relationship, with a lower one of the plate members being located below an upper one of the plate members. The lower plate member may be suspended below the upper plate member by a plurality of cords.

Abstract: The invention, which can be utilized by a player to practice his or her competence in any sport in which a ball is hit, thrown, kicked, or otherwise propelled, comprises a ball-returning device in conjunction with an imaging device disposed in relation to the ball-returning device such that a practicing player can observe his or her form while propelling balls against the backboard. In a first embodiment the invention comprises a substantially vertical backboard having as at least one portion thereof a mirror surface. The mirror surface may be part of the backboard which would normally return a ball hit against it or the mirror surface may be a portion of the backboard which is not normally hit by practice balls projected against the backboard. Lines of various sorts may be provided on the backboard surface to delimit desired areas of the backboard at which it is desirable to aim practice strokes.

Abstract: A ball returning device comprising a frame and a net disposed within the frame, wherein the horizonal members of the frame are nonlinear so that the attached net is in two sections having a nonlinear angle therebetween. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the net is connected to three upstanding members in a nonlinear alignment so that two sections are formed in the net. The adjacent, nonlinear sections in the net improve the practice quality of the user for such games as tennis.

Abstract: A throwing and catching net comprising a frame supporting a net having one or more layers of lattice adapted to cause a ball thrown at the net to rebound in an unpredictable manner, wherein in use, catching, throwing and/or batting skills can be practiced. A method of using the same.

Abstract: A sports apparatus for bouncing back a sports object after the sports object strikes the sports apparatus is also disclosed. The sports apparatus includes a frame defining an opening therethrough and an elastomeric sheet stretched about the frame and covering the opening. The elastomeric sheet is perforated with a plurality of perforations through the sheet and is secured to the frame. The elastomeric sheet flexes upon being struck by the sports object and bounces the sports object back from the sports apparatus. A method of building a sports apparatus for bouncing back a sports object and a hand-held sports racket for striking a sports object are also disclosed. Other embodiments and features of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A table tennis handle-less paddle or racquet, and a multipurpose sport & entertainment game-study convertible table are disclosed. A racquet is characterized by combination of two separate impact surfaces, between which a players hand is inserted. The accessories and games are specifically designed as an integrated package, to develop motor skills for the youngest players, and to facilitate learning table tennis, starting from age five to six. A concept of novel hardware is also applicable to older children and adults as well. A multipurpose convertible table is constructed to serve as a game apparatus (table tennis or surface propelled puck game), or as a student study-work fixture.

Abstract: An improved ball rebound device which will deliver a playground type ball such as a soccer ball, basketball, or kick ball which is propelled against the device, back to the user with surprising speed and distance. This ball rebound device utilizes a series of monofilament nylon elastic cords which are independently stung back and forth in a basket-weave fashion within a rectangular frame as a tennis racket is strung. This enables the device to more efficiently convert the kinetic energy of the ball into a powerful rebound back to the user. One embodiment of the device has within its frame the capability for adjustment of the tension of the cords to keep them operating at the desired tension. Another embodiment of the device has the capability for its frame to be adjustably oriented at various angles to the user to better suit the individual practice needs of the user.

Abstract: An improved soccer goal of the type including a net and a frame for supporting the net. The frame includes a first vertical front post, a second vertical front post, a front bottom cross bar, a front top cross bar, a first horizontal side bar, a second horizontal side bar, a rear bottom cross bar, a first diagonal strut, and a second diagonal strut. The improvement includes an intermediate cross bar having a first end for attachment to the first diagonal strut and a second end for attachment to the second diagonal strut with the net attached to the intermediate cross bar to create a first back stop portion extending between the intermediate cross bar and the front top cross bar and a second back stop portion extending diagonally between the intermediate cross bar and the front bottom cross bar.

Abstract: A baseball pitching and training apparatus includes a pair of laterally spaced upright support members. Movably mounted between the support members is a target frame or strike zone. The target frame or strike zone can be adjusted vertically up and down within the support members. To secure the pitching and throwing training apparatus in an upright position for practice, there is provided a pair of fold-out legs that are each movable between a stowed position within the basic frame structure of the training apparatus and an operative position where the legs engage an underlying support area, such as a ground surface.

Abstract: A basketball rebound device (14) comprising a wedge shaped ramp (16). A component (18) is on a top surface of the wedge shaped ramp (16) for deflecting a basketball (20), when the wedge shaped ramp (16) is positioned upon a basketball court (22) under a hoop (24) on a backboard (26) suspended from a stanchion (28) on the basketball court (22). The basketball (20) will bounce back to a desired area where a person is standing doing practice shooting, allowing the person to spend more time practicing and less time retrieving the basketball (20).

Abstract: A bounce back hockey net for use with a hockey puck is disclosed. The hockey net includes a three dimensional frame defining a target area and an elastomeric sheet secured to the frame. The elastomeric sheet is perforated with a plurality of perforations positioned over at least 50% of the surface area of the sheet. The elastomeric sheet flexes upon being struck by the hockey puck and bounces the hockey puck back from the hockey net. A sports apparatus for bouncing back a sports object after the sports object strikes the sports apparatus is also disclosed. The sports apparatus includes a frame defining an opening therethrough and an elastomeric sheet stretched about the frame and covering the opening. The elastomeric sheet is perforated with a plurality of perforations through the sheet and is secured to the frame. The elastomeric sheet flexes upon being struck by the sports object and bounces the sports object back from the sports apparatus.

Abstract: A portable rebound net using a tension adjustable elastic net material lashed to a frame structure is provided. Adjusting the tension of the elastic netting material allows the user to alter the return speed of a ball hit against the rebound net.

Abstract: A ball return device that enables a user to quickly and easily adjust the force with which a ball thrown into the device is returned. The ball return device includes a frame constructed from sections of plastic tubing joined by 90.degree. elbows, forming a base and an elevatable portion. The elevatable portion of the frame is pivotally mounted to the base and adjustably positioned at a desired angle relative to the generally horizontal base by a pair of support members. The angle of the elevatable portion of the frame to the base determines the direction in which the ball is returned relative to a given incident path. The support members extend between the base and the elevatable portion of the frame, and each includes a smaller diameter tube slidably fitted into a larger diameter tube and selectively fixed at one a plurality of preset lengths by a pin that passes through orifices formed in the two tubes.

Abstract: A multipurpose athletic training apparatus including a trampoline, two stands for holding the trampoline, two fastening devices for fastening the trampoline to the stands, the fastening devices being adjustable to fix the trampoline between a horizontal position in which the trampoline is used as a table, and a tilted position in which the trampoline is used as a rebound apparatus for rebounding balls thrown against it, a handrail for fastening to the stands at the top, and two net posts for fastening to the stands for stretching a net for the game of badminton.