Abstract: A foldable net includes a flexible frame that may be formed from a single wire or form a plurality of flexible tubes connected end-to-end. The frame is arranged to have an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion. The lower frame portion forms a base that supports the upper frame portion in a generally upright orientation on a generally horizontal surface with the base extending in a forward direction relative to the upper frame portion. A fabric section is connected to the frame and arranged for a projectile to be incident thereon. A plurality of straps is connected between portions of the frame to constrain it to a predetermined configuration for supporting the fabric in a position for receiving the projectile.

Abstract: A golf practice net assembly which allows a user to easily and conveniently practice tee-shots in a limited and/or indoor area, and is easily carried, kept or installed. In the net assembly, the net is appropriately tensioned, thus effectively stopping flying balls without failure. The net assembly has a U-shaped base pipe unit laid on a support surface. A main support pipe is mounted to an end of each side arm of the base pipe unit. The support pipe extends upwardly and is inclined outwardly relative to the side arm at an angle of 45°±10°. First and second tension pipes are coupled to each other using a joint, thus forming a tension pipe unit with a holding pin being provided at an outside end of the tension pipe unit for holding a net. The tension pipe unit is mounted to the support pipe at the lower end thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus used to maintain the bottom surface of a wishing well, fountain, pond, stream or other water body substantially free of debris, such as litter, unwanted plant life and/or golf balls includes a flexible mesh sized to overlie at least part of the bottom of the water body, and a lifting mechanism which is used to lift the mesh from the water. A peripheral edge portion of the mesh is secured adjacent an edge bank of the water body by anchors, with the lifting mechanism is positioned to engage and lift a portion of the mesh remote from the secured edge portion between a submerged position and a raised position above the water surface.

Abstract: A self-erecting collapsible net for stopping the flight of projectiles such as a golf ball, the collapsible net comprising: (a) a closed loop resilient coilable member having a perimeter; (b) a fabric portion attached to at least a portion of the perimeter of the coilable member to stop a projectile impelled thereon; and (c) support means comprising at least one support member extending from a portion of the perimeter of the coilable member, the support member including a stake bore protruding therein, the stake bore being sized and shaped to receive a stake capable of being placed in a stake pocket in a substantially horizontal surface. The collapsible net can be expanded and disposed on said surface with one end of the stake introduced into the stake bore in the support member, and another end of the stake introduced into a stake pocket in said surface, thereby erecting the collapsible net in a substantially uprightly position such that the plane of the fabric is substantially transverse to said surface.

Abstract: A collapsible, lightweight backstop includes a U-shaped base member having parallel arms and a rear portion therebetween. The arms include separable mating sections that are hingedly joined to a vertical support leg whereby the arm sections may be folded and collapsed thereagainst. An upper frame member is pivotally joined to the upper ends of the support legs and may be moved between raised and lowered vertical positions. A net member is secured to the base member, the legs and the upper frame member to form a backstop including a ball retaining pocket. A telescoping tubular frame member is pivotally joined to the upper end of each support leg. An auxiliary net is secured to the frame member and the support leg to form a lateral extension when the frame member is pivoted outwardly to an oblique position. The base member and frame members each include apertures for receiving a stake or similar means to anchor the device to the ground.

Abstract: A portable net has an erected configuration for stopping the flight of a golf ball and returning it to a selected location and a folded configuration for storage or transport. The portable net has an elastic frame formed of a single elastic member that forms a base and a net support section. A net is connected to the net support section of the frame so that the net extends away from the base in the erected configuration. The frame is configured such that a person may put the frame into a folded configuration by deforming the first and second frame members into a plurality of generally concentric rings. A retainer such as a strap is provided for selectively retaining the frame in the folded configuration. The frame is formed such that elastic forces in the frame spontaneously move the frame to the erected configuration when the retainer is not engaged to retain the frame in the storage configuration.

Abstract: A self-erecting collapsible net for stopping the flight of projectiles such as a golf ball, the collapsible net comprising: (a) a closed loop resilient coilable member having a perimeter; (b) a fabric portion attached to at least a portion of the perimeter of the coilable member to stop a projectile impelled thereon; and (c) support means comprising at least one support member extending from a portion of the perimeter of the coilable member, the support member including a stake bore protruding therein, the stake bore being sized and shaped to receive a stake capable of being placed in a stake pocket in a substantially horizontal surface. The collapsible net can be expanded and disposed on said surface with one end of the stake introduced into the stake bore in the support member, and another end of the stake introduced into a stake pocket in said surface, thereby erecting the collapsible net in a substantially uprightly position such that the plane of the fabric is substantially transverse to said surface.

Abstract: A portable target is disclosed having a net of wide mesh with an opening smaller than a golf ball and with upper and lower edges. A target representation is disposed in the center of the net at which a golf ball is intended to be driven during a practice stroke. The upper edge includes a plurality of snap-type hooks engageable with a support rod so that the net downwardly depends from the rod. End fittings releasably secure the opposite ends of the support rod to a garage door or to a garage door frame so that the net occupies the opening in the frame when the door is moved to its overhead open position. The lower edge includes a collection trough for collecting the golf ball after striking the net and resilient elements are releasably connected between the net and the garage frame for tensioning the net whereby the target is taut and in place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for practice of a golf drive is set forth. The ball is driven from a simulated tee area against an upright sheet of flexible material such as heavy cotton ducking or nylon mesh. This sheet is deployed in a vertical upright position in the open doorway of a garage or under the eave thereof and is supported by at least two corner located taut bunge cords. An optional third is located at a center point. The several cords hold the sheets in a resilient fashion so that it can yield and snap back in response to a golf ball driven against the sheet. In an alternate form, a rectangular sheet connects on three sides to a safety net and the net connects to a frame having a central horizontal portion.

Abstract: A device for measuring the movement of a ball is a flat pad or a frame defining an opening with one or more magnetic field inducing elements mounted thereon. One or more sensor elements are mounted in the flat pad or the frame, and connected to instrumentation so as to record induced, time-varying current signals from disturbances in a magnetic field by the ball penetrating the field. The device may also be arranged so as to measure the spin characteristics and other vectors of a conductive, charged and/or magnetized golf ball penetrating field. Or, the device may be arranged so as to have no magnetic field inducing elements, whereby the magnetic field of a modified, magnetized golf ball, when passing through an opening, or over a flat pad, induces time varying current signals in at least one sensor element, which can be processed to predict the complete ball flight parameters, i.e., velocity, trajectory and spin.

Abstract: A multi-use net includes a frame formed from a single wire. The frame is arranged to have an upper frame portion and a lower frame portion. The lower frame portion forms a base that supports the upper frame portion in a generally upright orientation on a generally horizontal surface with the base extending in a forward direction relative to the upper frame portion. A fabric section is connected to the frame and arranged for a projectile to be incident thereon. A pair of rear support members is connected to the frame and arranged to extend therefrom in a direction opposite to that of the lower frame portion. A pair of straps extend between the upper and lower frame sections to retain the upper and lower frame sections at a selected orientation with respect to one another.

Abstract: A portable personal sporting net includes a tapered cylindrical or funnel-like tubular, pliable, porous net having an enlarged entrance aperture which is supported by a collapsible pole. In one embodiment, a suspended exit aperture is formed at the opposing end of the netting. A ball capture bag communicates with the exit aperture to catch balls hit into the netting. In an alternative embodiment, the opposing second end of the netting is closed against the ground surface. A pair of flaps are mounted on opposing sides of the entrance aperture and radially extend forward and outward therefrom. The flaps assist in directing stray balls into the funnel-like netting.

Abstract: A target assembly for use with a variety of non-piercing type projectiles or missiles launched to strike or impinge upon the target, whereupon the latter acts effectively to terminate the flight of the missile. The assembly includes a frame defined by flexible and resilient rods disposed to support a shock-sustainable, shock-resistant tensioned web or target sheet. The web itself is fabricated of a shock-sustainable, shock absorbing material, and is tensioned in a taut mode so that the propulsion energy of the missiles projected to impinge upon the web and to impact thereagainst is effectively dampened and absorbed by the target as the flight of the missile is terminated. The resilient rods which support and tension the impact web of the target are engaged in and secured, at their ends remote from the target web, in a support structure which includes a hub-like block or plate and a substrate-carried supporting stand, all set back or positioned rearwardly of the tensioned web or target sheet.

Abstract: A backstop for use in limiting the flight of sports balls and other projectiles used in sports. One or more net panels (10, 10') are supported by a plurality of posts (60, 90) comprising an external frame. Preferably, cross members (64, 92) extend between the tops of the posts to provide additional support for the framework. Net panels are connected together to produce different configurations by, for example, wrapping a line around bound edges (12) that extend around the perimeter of each of the net panels. Tension lines connect the bound edges of the net panels to the external framework, to support the net panels in the desired configuration. Disclosed and described are a backstop (30) suitable for use in practicing driving a golf ball, and backstop (70) suitable for use behind a catcher's mound on a baseball diamond. Many other configurations can be made by linking varying numbers of the net panels together and supporting them with an external frame of suitable dimension and configuration.

Abstract: A collapsible pitching screen assembly is disclosed. The assembly includes an elongate container. There are a pair of elongate, spaced apart uprights collapsibly mounted within and extending upwardly from the container proximate respective ends of the container. A crossbar is detachably interconnected between respective upper portions of the uprights. There is a flexible barrier including upper and lower ends and a pair of sides that extend between the upper and lower ends. The upper end of the barrier is attached to the crossbar and each side of the barrier is attached to a respective one of the uprights such that the side is restricted from separating from the upright and the barrier is movable between a raised condition wherein the crossbar is connected between the uprights and a collapsed condition wherein the crossbar is detached from the uprights and disposed in the container.

Abstract: A multipurpose game device comprises a stand having a plurality of detachable standards, each standard containg a webbed hoop with a central aperture and a plurality of plastic spider balls with colored streamers. The balls can be tossed into one of the respective targets in the hoops by the designated player or any one of the standards with its hoop can be detached from the stand with the standard being used as a mallet for hitting one of the plastic balls into a hoop positioned on the ground as in golf, or all of the hoops can be stacked together to form a vertical support with a hoop on the elevated stack for playing basketball. Baseball would be played outdoors with four standards forming a diamond. The homeplate standard would be without a hoop and serves to hold the spiderball, which would be hit with a lightweight bat.

Abstract: Collapsible sports goal apparatus includes a goal base member and a goal net attached to the goal base member. Two flexible, resilient poles extend between the goal base member and the top of the goal net. The poles are bent and exert continuous opposed forces on the goal base member and the goal net top to continuously bias the goal net top away from the goal base member and maintain the goal net in stretched condition and disposed upwardly from the goal base member.

Abstract: A rebound net 10 having a reinforced periphery 20 that can be removably attached to a structure surrounding a door opening of domestic garage. The net 10, while attached to the structure 24, substantially closes the opening 22. The periphery 20 of the rebound net 10 is removably attached to the structure 24 by a first means 26 of an eye bolt 28 and a snap hook 30, a second means 40 of a J-type screw hook 42 and an adjustable strap 44 and a third means 54 of an anchor pin 56 and a shock cord hooks 58. Tension on the rebound net 10 is adjusted by the adjustable strap 44.

Abstract: A pitching system, such as a baseball batting practice system, is collapsible whereby it can be stored and transported on a small unit. The unit is releasably attachable to a towing vehicle, such as a pickup truck or the like. The system includes support poles, winding and reeling devices, netting and support wires all of which are stored on the storage unit. In the set up configuration, the system can be modified in three dimensions, including length, width and height, with one section having different dimensions from adjacent sections whereby the particular skill being practiced can be matched by the configuration of the system. The system is also disclosed for use in other sports, such as golf.

Abstract: A sports target system adapted for use in connection with a backdrop, is generally composed of at least one resiliently stretchable cord having hooks at each end thereof, such as a conventional stretch cord, and at least one flaccidly flexible target, such as a cloth material having a predetermined color and/or indicia thereupon. The target is provided with a loop for receiving slidably therein the resiliently stretchable cord. In operation, the user places one or more targets onto the resiliently stretchable cord by passage of the resiliently stretchable cord through the loop of each of the targets. The hooks at each end of the resiliently stretchable cord are then hookably engaged with the left and right sides of the backdrop, such as the frame of a hockey goal. The one or more targets which hang downwardly from the resiliently stretchable cord, are now slid into a selected target practice position.

Abstract: A game system includes two uprights formed of three telescoping sections. The lower section extends into a base which is positioned into the supporting surface or related ground. A plurality of securing structures are positioned along the length of each upright to receive a net. The net has at least two elastically-deformable straps extending away therefrom for securing the net to the uprights for use at least two sports. Alternate game structure may be secured to the upright, including a tetherball, a soccer ball, a soccer net, a golf ball receiving net, and a baseball practice structure. Also, net-securing structure may be secured to one of the uprights to receive a net for storage.

Abstract: A compact golf ball driving range net apparatus has a rigid frame with a substantially fabric ramp 14 having a lower leading edge 60 releasably connected to a lower portion of the frame and an upper trailing edge releasably connected to an upper end of the frame. The ramp 14 curves upwardly from the leading edge 60 to the trailing edge and is supported on the frame in a substantially tensioned state. A generally cylindrical ball receiving member 12 supported generally horizontally at an upper end of the frame has a longitudinal opening 110 adjoining the ramp trailing edge for receiving a ball thereinto. Golf balls hit from an adjacent teeing area 82 impact the ramp and are guided upward thereby to enter and rotate along the interior of the ball receiving member a number of times under observation of the golfer. The path of the rotating ball indicates the manner in which it was hit.

Abstract: A portable sports target frame is described for numerous sports games in which a projectile such as a ball or puck is used. The target frame includes an elongated cross member with uprights mounted at opposed ends. The uprights are mounted by an angular adjustment that enables selective pivotal adjustment of the uprights to positions simulating different sports targets. The cross member is held in the selected angular position by a parallelogram linkage including base standards and a parallel stabilizing link mounting the elongated cross member to a base for pivotal movement while maintaining the uprights in selected angular orientations. A latch is mounted between the linkage and base to permit selective angular positioning of the base standard relative to a platform. A ball or other projectile may be mounted to the platform by a tether which includes an elastic part secured to the projectile and an inelastic part extending to the projectile.

Abstract: An artificial golf green is designed for use at driving ranges. The target green structure is formed at an incline to provide users of the golf range the appearance of a much larger target surface due to the perspective effects when viewing an inclined object from a distance. The construction of the target green is sectional to facilitate transportation. The landing surface includes artificial turf and an energy absorbing pad for more realistic performance.

Abstract: A portable net has an erected configuration for practicing golf or the like by stopping the flight of a golf ball and returning it to a selected location and a folded configuration for storage or transport. The portable net has an elastic frame that forms a base and a net support section. A net is connected to the net support section of the frame so that the net is extends away from the base in the erected configuration. The net is arranged to stop the flight of a golf ball that is incident thereon. A fabric is connected between the net and the base so that a projectile that has impinged upon the net falls to the fabric and then rolls to the front portion of the portable net. The frame is configured such that a person may put the frame into a folded configuration by deforming the first and second frame members into a plurality of generally concentric rings. A retainer such as a strap is provided for selectively retaining the frame in the folded configuration.

Abstract: A portable sports goal (20) comprising a net (22), multisectional resilient poles (24), a connector (26), a support (30) and retainers (32). Corners of the net are connected in easily removable way to outer ends of the resilient poles. Resilient poles, connected together by the connector, exert stretching force along diagonals of the net. A net-poles-connector assembly (31) is maintained in a generally upright position by the support, attached to the connector. Two bottom corners of said assembly are secured to a playing surface by the retainers. A size of the goal can be changed by varying the number of the sections of the resilient poles. The support has adjustable length so, that the net-poles-connector assembly can be set with any of its sides on the playing surface. The angle between the net and the playing surface is adjusted by varying the length of the support and its position relatively to the net. Several goals can be easily connected together to form a goal or a backstop of a larger size.

Abstract: A sport target apparatus has a target on a back panel disposed at a down angle for stopping the travel of a ball directed at the target. The apparatus includes a bottom panel which defines a ball retention area for collecting the balls, and one or more flaps for receiving the balls. The apparatus is lightweight, portable, easy to set up and take down, durable, and resistant to environmental effects.