Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-12
2001-06-26
Graham, Mark S. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
C473S435000, C473S454000, C473S471000, C273S12700D
Reexamination Certificate
active
06250634
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Conventional bounce back nets and targets for use in sports have been constructed of nylon or fibre nets suspended within a frame by springs or other elastic members. A disadvantage of such nets is that they are relatively expensive and require unnecessary labor to manufacture. An example of such a net is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,706,451.
A low profile rebounding apparatus for use in hockey is also known in the art. This apparatus uses an elastic band stretched in a triangular shape around three vertical supporting members with a rather elaborate tensioning mechanism. Such apparatus is unusable for anything other than low passes during hockey practice. An example is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,045.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Among the objects of the present invention are to provide improved sports bounce back apparatus which are lightweight and inexpensive to manufacture yet are durable and resistant to the weather; to provide improved sports bounce back apparatus made from a single sheet of perforated elastomeric material; to provide improved sports bounce back apparatus which absorbs the shock of being struck by a sports object at higher speeds and which tends to more consistently return the sports object along a more defined path; to provide improved sports bounce back apparatus which do not require separate springs or pulleys; to provide improved sports bounce back apparatus which are easily adjusted in the field; and to provide improved sports bounce back apparatus which are easy to manufacture and maintain.
Generally, one form of the invention is a bounce back hockey net for use with a hockey puck. 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.
Another form of the invention is a sports apparatus for bouncing back a sports object after the sports object strikes the sports apparatus. 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. The elastomeric sheet is secured to the frame. The sheet flexes upon being struck by the sports object and bounces the sports object back from the sports apparatus.
Still another form of the invention is a hand-held sports racket for striking a sports object. The hand-held sports racket 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. The sheet is secured to the frame.
Yet another form of the invention is a method of building a sports apparatus for bouncing back a sports object after the sports object strikes the sports apparatus. The method includes the steps of determining a size and a weight of the sports object and selecting a perforated elastomeric sheet of material as a function of the size and weight of the sports object. The method further includes the steps of selecting a frame defining an opening therethrough and stretching the perforated elastomeric sheet of material about the frame to cover the opening. The method also includes the step of securing the perforated elastomeric sheet of material to the frame.
Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.
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McMaster-Carr Catalog, “Foam Rolls & Strips,” pp. 2448-2460, (pre 1995).
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Milligan Joseph W.
Strain Joseph W.
Graham Mark S.
Senniger Powers Leavitt & Roedel
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