Method of constructing an energy absorbing and golf ball returning golf net

Abstract

A method of constructing a tight mesh golf net with a support frame that returns a ball to a user, comprising routing the net around the support frame from a forward section that returns the golf ball to the user, under and around a rod between side supports, toward the forward section and upward toward top ends of the side supports.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a mesh golf net that returns balls hit into the net to a user, the method comprising; creating a forward section of the net, for returning the balls, forward of an upright portion of the net, the forward section of net being a starting point for the net's installation; utilizing return rods inserted into a sleeve of the net, where the return rods are attached to side supports and then run through the sleeve ending at the forward section of the net; incorporating the side supports to hold the net upright, the side supports rising to a top of the upright portion of the net and being substantially 10% longer than a height of the net; wherein the side supports have front legs, which rise less than 25% of a total height of the side supports; utilizing a rod that connects lower back portions of the side supports; incorporating a connecting apparatus on a top end of each side support and on a top of each of the front legs to hold a top of the net; routing the net from the forward section of the net, under the rod that connects the side supports, then wrapping the net back over the rod that connects the side supports, then pulling the net toward the starting point, then attaching the net to the connecting apparatus on the front legs of the side supports, and then raising the net and attaching the connecting apparatus to the top ends of the side supports; whereby the routing of the net from the forward section of the net, with the net held in place with the return rods, under and around the rod that connects the side supports, creates extra tension on the net, and added tension is created by the side supports being flexed outward in order to attach the top of the net, which is shorter than the side supports.

2. The method of claim 1 where additional net tautness is created by adding fasteners on two sides of the net, a distance away from an edge that is less than 25% of a total net width, the fasteners then being attached to the side supports.

3. The method of claim 1 where a banner is placed above the rod that connects the side supports, with one end of the banner attached to one side support and another end of the banner attached to another side support.

4. The method of claim 1 where the connecting apparatus on the front legs and on the top ends of the side supports are defined by top portions of the front legs and of the side supports that are larger in diameter than respective body diameters of the side supports and front legs, and cylinders are added below the top portions of the side supports and the front legs, leaving a space between the cylinder and the top portions for a fabric loop to be inserted.

5. The method of claim 1 where the connecting apparatus are connected to the net by fabric loops.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 shows the net without the mesh for a better view of the net frame.

(2) FIG. 2 shows a back view of the golf net.

(3) FIG. 3 shows the connections of the return rods and the bar that extends between the two side supports.

(4) FIG. 4 shows the connection between the fabric loops and the side supports, but it also an identical arrangement of looped fabric connectors and the front legs of the side supports.

(5) FIG. 5 shows how a fabric attachment device can be included, attaching to the net within 25% of the edge of the net, 25% equates to of total net distance from one side support to the other side support.

(6) FIG. 6 shows a side view of the golf net, showing how the net after starting at the user, wraps under and then over the bar extending between the two side supports before going up to where the net ends, the top of the net attached to the top of the side supports with the use of fabric loops.

PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION

(7) 1. The energy absorbing golf ball returning net

(8) 2. Net material

(9) 3. Rear support bar

(10) 4. Front leg of support bar

(11) 5. Bar extending between the two support bars

(12) 6. Apparatus that allows looped material from net to attach net to top of rear support bars.

(13) 7. Optional banner that can go behind the net.

(14) 8. Top edge of net that extends between the two rear support bars

(15) 9. Return bars that fit into a sleeve of the netting edge on ball return netting

(16) 10. Support bar on the front edge of the ball return portion of the net.

(17) 11. Apparatus that holds net where it turns from going forward to going upward at the top of the front leg.

(18) 12. Top with larger diameter than the post to hold the loop

(19) 13. Fabric loop attached intertwined with the net edge to loop around post below the top (12)

(20) 14. Cylinder that is attaches to the post leaving a gap between the top and the cylinder to hold the fabric loop.

(21) 15. Net edge material

(22) 16. Junction method for the rear support bar, the bar that travels between the two support bars, and the bars that integrate with the return support bars.

(23) 17. Hole or slot in the support bar for connection the return support bars, a similar hole is used to attach the bar the extends between the two side supports to the side supports.

(24) 18. Fabric attachment device that is attached to the net in the outer 25% of the edge and then attached to the side support.

(25) 19. Connecting ends to the bar connecting the two side supports 5, and on the return rods 9 to fasten the bar and rods to the side supports 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(26) FIG. 1 shows the energy absorbing golf ball returning net 1 without the net material 2, but with the net edging material 15. The side supports 3, the front legs of the side support 4 and rear bar connecting the two side supports 5 are the keys for the upright structure of the golf ball retrying net. The net starts at the support bar 10 at the front of the ball return section of the net, the net then flows away from the user, with two return rods that are in sleeves in the net edge 9 holding the net in place, and the net then goes to the underneath side of rod extending between the two support bars 5. Next the net goes over the top of the bar that connects the two side supports 3 and goes toward the user until it is connected to the front legs 4 of the side supports 3 with a connecting apparatus 11, which is detailed in FIG. 4, and is taken to the top of the side supports 3 and attached to the top of the side supports 6, which is detailed in FIG. 4. The connection apparatus 11 of the side supports 3, the bar connecting the two side supports 5, and the two returning rods 9 are detailed in FIG. 3.

(27) FIG. 2 Shows the net from the rear, and includes the net material 2 and the optional banner that extends between the side supports 3 and is above the bar connecting the two side supports 3. The figure also shows the connecting point 6 where the top of the net 8 connects to the side supports and the connecting point 11 where the net connects to the front legs 4.

(28) FIG. 3 shows the junction method for the side supports 3, the bar connecting the two side supports 5, and the return bars 9, the side supports 3 having holes or slots 17 to connects with connecting tops 19 of the bar that connects between the two side supports 5 and the return rods 9.

(29) FIG. 4 details the connecting apparatus used at the top of the side supports 3 and the fabric loop 13. The top of the side supports 4, as well as the top of the front legs 4 have a top 12 that has a larger diameter than the side support 3 or front leg 4. A cylinder 14 is placed below the top 12 positioned to leave room for the fabric loop 13 to fit between the top 12 and the cylinder 14.

(30) FIG. 5 shows how the wings are created, by using a fabric fastener 18 that is attached on the outer section of the net, within 25% of the outer edge, 25% of the entire net width between the two side supports, and then attached one of the side supports 3, the process is then repeated on the other side of the net, with the other side support.

(31) FIG. 6 shows the net from a side view, showing just one side support 3. It demonstrates how the net comes from right before the user's position, goes underneath the bar connecting the two side supports 5, than comes over the bar connecting the two side supports, goes to the apparatus that attaches the net with a fabric loop and then rises to the top of the side support 3 where it is attached with the apparatus at the top of the side support 6 allowing the top to stretch taut between the two side supports 3.