Portable Multipurpose Ball Rebounding Assembly

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

In general, the present invention relates to rebound assemblies that are used to rebound a ball in a particular direction after a ball impacts the rebound assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to self-standing rebound assemblies that contain more than one rebound surface for rebounding balls.

2. Prior Art Description

Many sports require the throwing, kicking, and/or passing of a ball. However, it is difficult for one person to practice any of these skills alone since there is no one available to return the ball once it is thrown, kicked, or passed. If a player is practicing alone, a player must either retrieve the ball or utilize some sort of rebounding assembly to return the ball after the throw, kick, or pass. Some balls, such as tennis balls can be rebounded by being directed against a hard surface, such as a wall. However, for many balls, such as baseballs, footballs, soccer balls, a separate rebound assembly is typically utilized to rebound the ball. Such rebound assemblies are traditionally small trampolines that are mounted to adjustable support bases. The ball impacts the resilient trampoline and is rebounded. Such prior art rebound assemblies are exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,234 to Vavala and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0060309 to Smith.

However, not every rebound assembly is suitable for every kind of ball. Rebound assemblies for hard balls, such as baseballs, lacrosse balls, and field hockey balls, must be very strong. Furthermore, such rebound assemblies cannot use large mesh rebounding surfaces, since hard balls can pass through such mesh surfaces if they have sufficient velocity. Additionally, rebounders for hard balls must have relatively low resiliencies so as to return a ball at a safe velocity. A safe return velocity is approximately 10-20 kilometers per hour. A lacrosse ball being thrown at over 100 kilometers per hour, would therefore need most of its impact energy to be absorbed by the rebound assembly in order to be rebounded safely. Conversely, rebounders for larger balls, such as basketballs and footballs, need rebound surfaces with much higher resiliencies. A typical basketball or football is thrown at a speed under 40 kilometers per hour. In order for a rebounder to be effective, the rebounder must rebound the ball at a velocity that is at least fifty percent of the impact speed.

No one rebound surface is optimal for all balls and all training drills. In order for one rebounder to be effective in rebounding a wide variety of balls, the rebounder must have different rebound surfaces. In the prior art, there are rebounders that have different rebounding surfaces. However, the rebounding surfaces are identical in shape, size, and resiliency. The only differences in the rebound surfaces are the angle of inclination. Such prior art rebound assemblies are exemplified by U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0129633 to Chen. Accordingly, such rebounders may be useful for different training drills. However, the rebounders are not useful in training for different sports with different balls.

A need therefore exists for a rebound assembly that has multiple rebound surfaces, wherein each of the rebound surfaces has a different shape, a different size, and a resiliency appropriate for rebounding a specific type of ball. This need is met by the present invention as described and claimed below.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a rebound system for rebounding a ball. The rebound system has a first rebound section and a second rebound section that each can rebound a ball. The two sections can have different shapes and different rebound bounce efficiencies to effectively rebound different types of balls or to rebound the same ball in different ways.

The first rebound section has a first peripheral frame that defines a first open central region. A first rebound surface is supported by the first peripheral frame, wherein the first rebound surface is suspended over the first open central region. Likewise, the second rebound section has a second peripheral frame that defines a second open central region. A second rebound surface is supported by the second peripheral frame, wherein the second rebound surface is suspended over the second open central region.

An adjustment mechanism that engages both the first rebound section and the second rebound section is used to adjust and lock the angle of inclination between the first rebound section and the second rebound section. The overall rebound system can rest upon the first rebound section in a first configuration or on the second rebound section in a second rebound configuration. In this manner, either of the two bound surfaces can be positioned for use while the other serves as a stable base. Alternatively, the assembly can rest on its side, therein exposing both of the rebound surfaces for use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following description of an exemplary embodiment thereof, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a rebound assembly in a first orientation;

FIG. 2 is perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in a second orientation;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the first rebound section;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the second rebound section;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in an open configuration showing the angle of inclination between the first rebound section and the second rebound section; and

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 in a closed configuration showing the orientation between the first rebound section and the second rebound section.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Although the present invention rebound assembly can be embodied in many ways, only one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The exemplary embodiment is being shown for the purposes of explanation and description. The exemplary embodiment is selected in order to set forth one of the best modes contemplated for the invention. The illustrated embodiment, however, is merely exemplary and should not be considered a limitation when interpreting the scope of the appended claims.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a rebound assembly 10 is shown. The rebound assembly 10 includes two rebound sections 12, 14 that are joined to each other at pivot joints 16. Both of the rebound sections 12, 14 are capable of rebounding various balls. The overall rebound assembly 10 can rest upon either of the two rebound sections 12, 14 or on its side. FIG. 1 shows the rebound assembly 10 resting on the second rebound section 14. FIG. 2 shows the rebound assembly 10 resting on the first rebound section 12. Accordingly, one of the rebound sections 12, 14 serves as a base while the adjacent rebound assembly 12, 14 can be elevated into an orientation usable for rebounding balls. The two rebound sections 12, 14 can have different shapes, different areas, and/or different resiliencies. Furthermore, each of the rebound sections 12, 14 can contain a different rebounding surface. In this manner, the rebound section 12, 14 most appropriate for a given situation can be placed in the elevated position.

It will also be understood that the rebound assembly 10 can be set on its side. When set on its side, both the first rebound section 12 and the second rebound section 14 are exposed and can be used to rebound balls at the same time.

Referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 in conjunction with FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, it can be seen that the rebound sections 12, 14 include peripheral frames 20, 22 that define open central areas 28, 30. Rebound surfaces 24, 26 are suspended from the peripheral frames 20, 22 over the open central areas 28, 30. Each of the rebound surfaces 24, 26 in the illustrated embodiment is a segment of elastic netting. However, it will be understood that a solid sheet of elastic material can be used in place of the netting. Likewise, a sheet of non-elastic material can be used, provided the material is attached to the peripheral frame 20, 22 with springs, in the same manner as a trampoline. Regardless of the construction technique used, the rebound surfaces 24, 26 are capable of rebounding an impacting ball at a rebound bounce efficiency that is appropriate for the mass and impacting velocity of the ball in use.

As shown in FIG. 3, the first peripheral frame 20 is circular in shape and can be made of square and/or round metal tubing. The first peripheral frame 20 defines the first open central area 28. Accordingly, the first peripheral frame 20 and the first open central area 28 are both circular in shape. However, it should be understood that other shapes, such as polygonal shapes, and elliptical shapes can also be used. The first rebound surface 24 is suspended across the first open central area 28 from the first peripheral frame 20. The first rebound surface 24 is a fine mesh netting 32 that defines openings of less than 0.5 and 2 centimeters squared. Such a rebound surface 24 is preferred in rebounding smaller hard balls, such as baseballs, lacrosse balls and the like, since such balls cannot pass through the fine mesh netting 32. Small hard balls, such as baseballs, softballs, lacrosse balls, field hockey balls, and even hockey pucks all have very similar masses in the range of 0.145 kg to 0.170 kg. Such small hard balls are typically thrown at speed ranging from 100 km/hr to 200 km/hr. The fine mesh netting 32 and its mountings are preferably designed with a rebound bounce efficiency that rebounds the ball at a speed under 50 km/hr. The first rebound surface 24 can also contain visible graphics, which are particularly visible on the fine mesh netting 32. The visible graphics can be a traditional target bullseye.

As is shown in FIG. 4, the second peripheral frame 22 has a square shape and can be made of square and/or round metal tubing. The second peripheral frame 22 defines the second open central area 30 that is the same shape as the second peripheral frame 22. Accordingly, the second peripheral frame 22 and the second open central area 30 are both square in shape. However, it should be understood that other shapes, such as polygonal shapes and rectangular shapes can also be used. The second rebound surface 26 is suspended across the second open central area 30 from the second peripheral frame 22. The second rebound surface 26 is a larger mesh netting 36 that defines an opening from five to ten square centimeters. Such a rebound surface 26 is preferred in rounding larger air-filled balls, such as basketballs, soccer balls and the like. Large air-filled balls, such as footballs, basketballs, and all have very similar masses in the range of 0.420 kg to 0.620 kg. Such air-filled balls are typically thrown at speeds under 50 km/hr. The larger mesh netting 36 and its mountings are preferably designed with a rebound bounce efficiency that rebounds the ball at a speed that is at or near half of the impact velocity.

Referring to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in conjunction with FIG. 1, and FIG. 3, it can be seen that curved arms 35 are attached to the first peripheral frame 20. The curved arms 35 are generally J-shaped or L-shaped. Each curved arm 35 has a first end 37 and a second end 38. A short section 40 extends from the first end 37 to a bend 42. A long section 44 extends from the bend 42 to the second end 38. The long section 44 of each curved arm 35 is attached to the first peripheral frame 20 near the second end 38 of the curved arm 35. The first end 37 of each curved arm 35 is attached to the second peripheral frame 22 at one of the pivot joints 16. This enables the first peripheral frame 20 and the second peripheral frame 22 to be selectively rotated, therein creating a variable angle of inclination A1. The angle of inclination A1 is preferably adjustable from a zero degree angle to a ninety degree angle. At the zero degree angle, the first rebound surface 24 and the second rebound surface 26 are generally parallel and the rebound assembly 10 is in a closed configuration for easy storage.

Two adjustment mechanisms 48 are provided to selectively adjust the angle of inclination A1. Each adjustment mechanism 48 is a telescoping pole 50 that can be adjusted through a range of lengths. A manual lock 52 is provided on each telescoping pole 50 to selectively lock each telescoping pole 50 at a selected length. The first end 54 of each telescoping pole 50 is attached to the first peripheral frame 20. The second end 56 of each telescoping pole 50 is attached to the second peripheral frame 22. As each telescoping pole 50 is elongated, the first peripheral frame 20 is rotated away from the second peripheral frame 22 at an increasing angle of inclination A1.

In use, either the first rebound section 12 or the second rebound section 14 is placed flush against the ground. Alternatively, the rebound assembly 10 can be set on its side, wherein the assembly 10 rests upon the peripheral frames 20, 22. The adjustment mechanisms 48 are manually engaged to elongate or shorten the telescoping poles 50. As the telescoping poles 50change in length, the angle between the first rebound section 12 and the second rebound section 14 changes. This angle of inclination can be adjusted from zero degrees to at least 90 degrees., The manual locks 52 are engaged and the rebound assembly 10 is ready for use. A person can then toss a ball against either the first rebound section 12 or the second rebound section 14 depending upon the needs of the user. The two rebound sections 12, 14 can be substituted for the other simply by tipping the rebound assembly 10.

In FIG. 6, the first rebound section 12 is parallel to the second rebound section 14. This configuration can be used to play sports such spikeball and similar games that require a horizontal rebounding surface. In such a configuration, either the first rebound surface 12 or the second rebound surface 14 can be positioned as the top surface, while the other serves as the base.

It will be understood that the embodiment of the present invention that is illustrated and described is merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make many variations to that embodiment. For instance, the size and shape of the rebound frames can be varied. All such embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined by the claims.