Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Reexamination Certificate
1998-12-23
2001-04-03
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
C273S395000, C473S435000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06209877
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of Invention
This device is an improved recreational practice device which will rebound a playground size ball such as a soccer ball, kick ball, or a basketball which has been propelled against the device.
2. Discussion of Prior Art
There have been many ball rebound devices previously patented which attempt to rebound a ball to the user who tosses or kicks a ball to the device. These devices may be each grouped into one of the following four categories. Reference the applicable patents in each category:
1) Pre-Woven fabric or net stretched taut within a frame,
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4264070
4456251
4489941
4615528
4650189
4693472
4948147
5048844
5431411
5549304
5772537
2) Rigid rebound panel,
3752476
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4421318
4588190
5054791
5524900
5556104
3) Rigid rebound panel with springs, 4553751
4) Modified trampoline—stretched fabric or net within a spring assisted frame, 4119311 5007638
1) Pre-Woven fabric or net stretched taut within a frame: These devices rebound a ball which has been tossed, kicked or otherwise propelled to it by a simple pre-woven fabric or net which has been stretched across a frame. The rebound surface provided by this class of devices has a limited capacity for rebounding a ball with appreciable speed. This is believed to be due to the inherent design and construction of a net. For example, a net is primarily designed to “trap” or “stop” an object which strikes it. A net is a pre-woven assembly of stings which are sewn or connected with knots, usually in a zigzag pattern and usually has a perimeter routed cord or piece of fabric which is used to attach it to a frame. When impacted by the ball this zig-zag assembly of connected strings quickly dissipates the kinetic energy of the ball across the entire expanse of the net. This is why nets are excellent applications when used as backstops at baseball fields, batting cages, tennis courts, etc. No matter how taut a net is stretched, it still has a limited ability to efficiently rebound a ball due to its inherent design and construction. There are many types of materials and variations of nets. However, they all face the same severe limitation—they absorb and dissipate an appreciable amount of energy from the ball instead of efficiently storing and then re-administering the energy to the ball.
2) Rigid rebound panel: These devices each consist of large solid panels which serve as a backboard to rebound a ball which has been tossed or kicked to it. This is another simple approach to a ball rebound system. However, since the panels are solid and do not react at all in response to the ball, the rebound velocity depends largely upon the compression of the ball upon impact with the panel and the inherent tendency of the ball to quickly achieve the expanded condition. In other words, this class of devices takes an inactive role in the rebound of the ball upon impact.
3) Rigid rebound panel with springs: These devices are a modification of the rigid rebound panel in that springs have been attached to the rigid panel to provide some ability of the panel to absorb to energy from the ball upon impact of the ball and return energy to the ball as it is rebounded from the panel. This concept is a rudimentary improvement to the rigid panel ball rebound system, but the rebound velocity of the ball is still largely dependent upon compression of the ball and the inherent tendency of the ball to quickly return to its expanded condition. These devices may also contain other parts such as fasteners connecting the springs to the panel and a frame which inherently introduce undesirable friction into the ball rebound device.
4) Modified Trampoline: In this device, a pre-woven fabric is stretched taut within a frame by a series of springs around its perimeter. In this case, the fabric is usually inelastic, and depends primarily upon the springs to collect and re-administer the energy absorbed from the ball. Due to the fact that the fabric is relatively inelastic, and is largely an assembly of loosely woven strings, it tends to act in the same way as the net stretched taut within a frame. Much of the kinetic energy of the ball is quickly dissipated throughout the fabric as it is a pre-woven assembly of thread or string material—like the net, and therefore cannot re-administer the energy to the ball during the rebound. In some cases a net has been substituted for the fabric with springs attaching its perimeter to the frame.
OBJECTS, ADVANTAGES, AND SUMMARY
Accordingly, my ball rebound device has several objects and advantages:
It is an object of my ball rebound device to rebound a large playground ball such as a soccer ball, basketball, or kick ball propelled there-against by the user with increased speed and distance to enable the user to more quickly increase his ball handling skills. It is further an object of my ball rebound device to more efficiently utilize the kinetic energy of a playground size ball which strikes the device, so that the ball is rebounded from the device with a velocity not appreciably less than the velocity of the ball before impact, thereby providing the user with a more fruitful practice session with minimal effort.
My ball rebound device does not use a net, rigid rebound panel, nor a modified trampoline. My ball rebound device is able to rebound a playground size ball such as a soccer ball, basketball, or kick ball with higher speed and greater distance by the use of monofilament nylon cords which are individually strung taut within a frame. The cords are similar to tennis racket string. Each cord is preferably strung individually back and forth within the frame in a basket weave fashion—as a tennis racket is strung, enabling the device to convert a high percentage of the kinetic energy of the ball to a powerful rebound back to the user. By rebounding the ball back at a higher speed and for a greater distance, the user is provided with more challenging practice sessions in the skills of kicking, throwing, passing, catching, trapping and controlling the ball.
It is further an object of my ball rebound device to be easily oriented to a desired angle of orientation so that the ball will be rebounded back to the user at the desired angle and forward speed. The angle of orientation also provides the user flexibility depending on the type of ball used, and the skill for which the user wishes to practice.
In two of the three embodiments of the invention, the ball rebound device is able to rebound a playground type ball back to the user with a variety of angles and forward speeds. This is due to the ability of the device to be easily set at any one of several predetermined angles of orientation from vertical to a 45 degree reclined position. This flexibility allows the user to focus on practicing a variety of ball skills. This also enables users of different skill levels to have a productive practice session. For instance, a user with advanced ball skills would likely use the device in its vertical position to rebound the ball straight back with greater speed and distance. However, a user with lesser skills would likely use the device in a reclined position, which will rebound the ball back with some vertical angle (ie., more vertical angle translates to a slower forward speed) thus giving the novice user more time to react to catching or trapping the ball.
It is further an object of my ball rebound device to be quickly rolled to the desired location on a practice field or yard and quickly adjusted for use.
My ball rebound device is easily rolled from one practice location to another. To this end, my device has a roller assembly consisting of a pivoted mounted wheel on each side of the device which is easily engaged by one user to enable the user to move the device to the desired location. The wheel assembly is then easily disengaged to fix the device into position for use.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3229976 (1966-01-01), Allen, Jr.
patent: 3341201 (1967-09-01), Ryan
patent: 3427026 (1969-02-01), Mahoney
patent: 3502330 (1970-03-01), Cheftel
patent: 4613133 (1986-09-0
Chambers M.
Chapman Jeanette
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