Hanging net

Abstract

A hanging net device is designed for attachment to an outer perimeter of an existing erectable net structure. The hanging net device has an interior member forming a collapsible continuous ring that is coilable. A fabric portion is attached to the interior member. Three or more elastic connectors are connected to the interior member. Each elastic connector has an elastic portion and an attachment end. The attachment end connects to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This present invention relates to a hanging net device. More specifically, this present invention relates to an improved collapsible hanging net device that enhances disassembly, portability, storage, and efficiently stops the flight of golf balls.

[0002] Various sports, such as golf, involve nitting or throwing projectiles, such as golf balls, toward a desired direction in a field. For practice purposes, it is desirable to capture the ball before it travels a large distance or strikes objects or people. Existing capturing structures include a net attached to the perimeter of a capturing frame and a rigid support frame attached to the capturing frame. The support frame is attached to the capturing frame and provides a base allowing the capturing structure to be disposed on the ground.

[0003] Also, there are various portable net devices available, such as that disclosed in Design Patent No. D418,883 by Kwang Han Cho. An existing net may be attached to rigid support frame. The fabric portion is most likely to wear out first. The fabric portion catches the golf balls and objects, absorbing the most force of impact. The fabric portion is typically less durable than the other support structures that hold the fabric portion into position, since the other support structures are often made of metal or strong composite materials. Because the fabric portion absorbs the most impact and is less durable, the fabric portion usually needs to be replaced before the other parts. Therefore, there is a need for a fabric net that easily attaches to an existing structure.

[0004] The fabric net needs to expand to fit various sized existing support structures. The fabric net should be available in different sizes to accommodate larger sized support structures.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a hanging net device that can be made very compact for storage. A hanging net device needs to be easily disassembled, folded, efficiently stored in a container and transported. There is also a need for such a hanging golf net to be easy to assemble and easy to carry. The hanging net device should easily assemble and disassemble from the existing structural members.

SUMMARY

[0006] A hanging net device fulfills the objective of being easily folded, efficiently stored in a container and transported. Another advantage is the ease of attachment to and detachment from the existing erectable net structure.

[0007] The hanging net device is designed for attachment to an outer perimeter of an erectable net structure. The hanging net device has an interior member forming a continuous ring. Also, the interior member can form a collapsible continuous ring that is coilable.

[0008] A fabric portion is attached to the interior member. Three or more elastic connectors are connected to the interior member. Each elastic connector has an elastic portion and an attachment end. The elastic portion of each elastic connector connects to the interior member. The attachment end attaches to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure. The elastic portion stretches to allow connection of the interior member to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure. After being connected, the elastic portion then contracts thus tightening and expanding the fabric portion to a full diameter.

[0009] An appropriate quantity of elastic connectors is used to properly tighten the fabric portion. The larger the interior member, then the greater the quantity of elastic connectors that is necessary to tightly connect the hanging net to the erectable net structure. Normally, the elastic connectors are about evenly distributed around the perimeter of the interior member.

[0010] Each attachment end can have a hook, where the hook connects to the erectable net structure. Alternately, each attachment end can use a separable loop or other attachment methods. The loop connects to and encircles a portion of the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure. Velcro™ is an excellent material for the separable loops. Velcro™ has a hook and pile attachment system that easily separates to allow the loop to encircle the outer perimeter of the existing erectable net structure. Then, Velcro™ easily reattaches providing a secure grip upon the net structure. Alternately, a button snap can be used on each separable loop. The button snap can be used in conjunction with the Velcro™, thus providing a choice of attachment methods or two attachment methods that reinforce each other.

[0011] The elastic portion expands and contracts to allow attachment of the interior member to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure. The elastic portion can be formed from a rubber material, a spring or other known expandable materials. The elastic portion can be increased in length and elasticity to accommodate larger erectable net structures.

[0012] Typically, each elastic connector is permanently secured to the interior member. Alternately, each elastic connector can include a connection end. The connection end has a hook, which connects the elastic connector to the interior member. In this variation the elastic connectors separate from the interior member. The user can then choose how many elastic connectors to use on a particular occasion. Using more elastic connectors will create a tighter fabric portion for catching projectiles.

[0013] The existing structure erectable net structure can be a portable net device, a collapsible net device or other structure. The hanging net device can be attached to any structure that will provide a perimeter support that the elastic connectors can attach upon.

[0014] The erectable net structure has an outer perimeter. Ripping and tearing can occur to the existing fabric material, which is attached to the outer perimeter of the existing erectable net structure. The hanging net device can be used to replace the torn existing fabric portion. The elastic connectors provide easy attachment to the existing outer perimeter of the erectable net structure.

[0015] Further, the collapsible net device may have an arc support substantially covering less than about one-third of the perimeter fabric rim, so that the projectiles stopped in the fabric portion can be maintained behind the arc support. The arc support can be formed of a fabric material.

[0016] Although the present invention is briefly summarized, the fuller understanding of the invention can be obtained by the following drawings, detailed description and appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of the hanging net attached to the outer perimeter of an existing erectable net structure.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a side view of an elastic connector, with a spring as the elastic portion and a hook on the attachment end.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of an elastic connector, with a rubber material as the elastic portion and a loop with a button snap on the attachment end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, a hanging net device 10 is designed for attachment to an outer perimeter of an erectable net structure 102. The hanging net device 10 has an interior member 12 that forms a continuous ring. The interior member 12 has a perimeter. Alternately, the interior member 12 can form a collapsible continuous ring that is coilable. The interior member 12 can be made from metal, plastic, rubber, or other materials. Also, the interior member 12 can be made from a durable fabric that will endure the forces applied by the stretching of the elastic connector 14.

[0022] A fabric portion 16 is attached to the interior member 12. The fabric portion 16 can be a solid fabric, a mesh, or a combination of mesh and solid fabric. The interior member 12 and the fabric portion 16 can take various shapes including about a circle, square, triangle, ellipse or rectangle.

[0023] Three or more elastic connectors 14 are connected to the interior member 12. Each elastic connector 14 has an elastic portion 20 and an attachment end 18. The elastic portion 20 of each elastic connector 14 connects to the interior member 12. The attachment end 18 attaches to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102. The elastic portion 20 stretches to allow connection of the interior member 12 to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102. After being connected, the elastic portion 20 then contracts thus tightening and expanding the fabric portion 16 to a full diameter.

[0024] An appropriate quantity of elastic connectors 14 are used to properly tighten the fabric portion 16. The larger the interior member 12, then the greater the quantity of elastic connectors 14 necessary to tightly connect the hanging net device 10 to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102. FIG. 1 shows five elastic connectors 14 about evenly distributed around the perimeter of the interior member 12.

[0025] Each attachment end 18 can have a hook 22, where the hook 22 connects to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternately, each attachment end 18 can use a separable loop 24, as shown in FIG. 3, or other known attachment methods. The loop 24 connects to and encircles a portion of the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102. Velcro™ is an excellent material for the separable loops 24. Velcro™ has a hook and pile attachment system that easily separates to allow the loop 24 to encircle the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102. Then, the hook and pile attachment system, such as Velcro™, easily reattaches providing a secure grip upon the net structure 102. Alternately, a button snap 26 can be used on each separable loop 24. The button snap 26 can be used in conjunction with the hook and pile attachment system, thus providing a choice of attachment methods or two attachment methods that reinforce each other. Any hook and pile attachment system, similar to Velcro,™ is effective for connection of the separable loop 24 around he outer perimeter of the erectable net structure 102.

[0026] The elastic connectors 14 are connected to the interior member 12 at the interior end 28 of the elastic connector 14. Although not shown, the interior end 28 can be similar to the attachment end 18, so that the interior end 28 can be removed from the interior member 12. Separable loops 24, hooks 22 or button snaps 26 can be used on the interior end 28, similar to the attachment end 18.

[0027] Alternately, the interior end 28 can be more permanently connected to the interior member 12. Although not shown, the elastic connector 14 can have a sleeve that accepts and encircles the interior member 12. Also, the elastic connector 14 can be securely connected to the interior member 12 with rivets. The elastic connector 14 can be attached by sewing, when the interior member 12 is a strong fabric material, leather, or rubber.

[0028] The elastic connectors 14 have an elastic portion 20 that can be formed from rubber, a spring 30, or other expandable elastic materials with strength and resiliency. FIG. 2 illustrates a spring 30 with a hook 22. FIG. 3 illustrates a rubber elastic connector 14 with a separable loop 24 and button snap 26. The attachment end 18 partially or fully encircles the existing support structure. Often the existing support structure is a closed link, thus the attachment end 18 cannot slide through and around the closed link without some device like the hook 22 or the separable loop 24. The attachment end 18 with a hook 22 partially encircles the closed link. Alternately, the attachment end 18 with the separable loop 24 separates to fully encircle the closed link existing support structure, then the loop 24 reconnects with a hook and pile attachment system, snaps, or claps.

[0029] The advantages of the present invention are numerous. First, the hanging net device 10, according to the present invention, substantially improves portability by simplifying its structure. Second, hooks 22 or separable loops 24 are included that easily attach to an existing support structure. Third, the continuous ring interior member 12 can be coilable and collapsible to provide compact storage and transportation.

[0030] Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with regard to the preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions contained herein.

Claims

1. A hanging net device for attachment to an cater perimeter of an erectable net structure, wherein the hanging net device comprises of:

a) an interior member forming a continuous ring;

b) a fabric portion attached to the interior member; and

c) three or more elastic connectors, each elastic connector having an elastic portion and an attachment end, wherein the elastic portion of each connector connects to the interior member and the attachment end attaches to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure, so that the elastic portion stretches to allow connection of the interior member to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure to tightly expand the fabric portion.

2. The hanging device of claim 1, wherein there are four elastic connectors.

3. The hanging device of claim 2, wherein there are five or more elastic connectors, wherein the interior member having a perimeter, wherein he elastic connectors are about evenly distributed around the perimeter of the interior member.

4. The hanging device of claim 3, wherein each attachment end further having a hook, wherein the hook connects to the erectable net structure.

5. The hanging device of claim 3, wherein each attachment end further having a separable loop, wherein the loop connects to and encircles a portion of the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure.

6. The hanging device of claim 5, wherein the separable loops having a hook and pile attachment system.

7. The hanging device of claim 6, wherein the elastic portion is rubber.

8. The hanging device of claim 5, wherein the separable loops further having a button snap.

9. The hanging device of claim 8, wherein the elastic portion is rubber.

10. The hanging device of claim 8, wherein the elastic portion is a spring.

11. The hanging device of claim 10, wherein each elastic connector further having an interior end, wherein the interior end having a hook, wherein the hook of the interior end connects the elastic connector to the interior member.

12. A hanging net device for attachment to an erectable net structure, wherein the hanging net device comprises of:

a) an interior member forming a collapsible continuous ring;

b) a fabric portion attached to the interior member; and

c) three or more elastic connectors, each elastic connector having an elastic portion and an attachment end, wherein the elastic portion of each connector connects to the interior member and the attachment end attaches to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure, so that the elastic portion stretches to allow connection of the interior member to the outer perimeter of the erectable net structure to tightly expand the fabric portion.

13. The hanging device of claim 12 wherein the collapsible continuous ring is coilable.

14. The hanging device of claim 13 wherein there are five or more elastic connectors, wherein the interior member having a perimeter, wherein the elastic connectors are evenly distributed about the perimeter of the interior member.

15. The hanging device of claim 14 wherein each attachment end further having a hook, wherein the hook connects to the erectable net structure.

16. The hanging device of claim 15 wherein the elastic portion is rubber.

17. The hanging device of claim 13 wherein each attachment end further having a separable loop, wherein the loop connects to and encircles a portion of an outer perimeter of the erectable net structure.

18. The hanging device of claim 17 wherein the separable loops having a hook and pile attachment system.

19. The hanging device of claim 18 wherein the elastic portion is rubber.

20. The hanging device of claim 19 wherein the separable loops further having a button snap.