DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] In describing a preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

[0024] With reference to the drawings, in general, and to FIGS. 1 through 5 in particular, a sports practice net embodying the teachings of the subject invention is generally designated as 10. With reference to its orientation in FIG. 1, the sports practice net is being used by a golfer 12 swinging a club 14 to loft a ball 16 into the air. After contacting the net 10, the ball will fall to the floor section 18 as evidenced by other balls 20, 22.

[0025] As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 through 5, the overall dimensions of the assembled sports practice net 10 include a width A of approximately 12 feet, a height B of approximately nine feet and a depth D of approximately six feet. The rearmost portion of the floor section 18 has a width C of approximately six feet. At a rear wall 24 of the frame assembly is an integral driving target 26 for assisting in aiming a ball at a specific location on the rear wall 24.

[0026] As best shown in FIG. 4, the frame assembly includes two shock-corded poles 28, 30. These poles are threaded through a series of loops 32, 34, respectively, before engaging in sleeves 36, 38, respectively. The loops 32 and sleeve 36 are similarly color coded to aid in proper threading of the shock-corded poles into position. Loops 34 and sleeve 38 are of the same color but of different color from the loops 32 and sleeve 36 to differentiate the threading path for the other pole 30.

[0027] After insertion of the poles through their respective loops and sleeve, the pole 28 forms a forwardly projecting, cantilever frame portion 29, particularly useful in trapping golf wedge shots. The rearward extending pole 30 helps in supporting the rear wall section 24 having the target 26. A section 31 of the netting is draped to curve downwardly between the poles 28 and 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the poles 28, 30, cross at an angle β of approximately 70 degrees.

[0028] The height E of the uppermost portion of pole 30 extending through sleeve 38 is approximately eight feet. The length G of pole 30 from the floor section 18 to its intersection with pole 28 is approximately five feet. Similarly, the height H of pole 28 to the intersection with pole 30 is approximately five feet. Also, the length F of sleeve 38 as shown in FIG. 3 is approximately 14 feet. The separation I of the sleeves 36, 38 in section 31 as shown in FIG. 5 is approximately six feet.

[0029] Extending forwardly from the rear wall 24 are opposed wing sections 40 and 42 having a bottom length of approximately six feet as well as a height along the rear wall section of approximately six feet and extending above the floor section at its forwardmost edge for approximately six feet. The wing sections 40, 42 diverge from the rear wall section 24 by an angle α of approximately 145 degrees.

[0030] With reference to FIGS. 6 through 9, additional details of the frame assembly are shown. In FIG. 7, shock cord sections 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d are shown interconnected by couplings 44a, 44b, 44c. Running through the hollow interior of the shock cord sections is an elastic cord such that the shock cord sections may be disengaged from interconnecting couplings 44a, 44b, 44c by movement of the shock cord sections away from each other. For interconnection of the sections 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d, while overcoming the resistance of the internal elastic cord passing through the interior of the sections, the various shock cord sections are positioned in the couplings and are held in place by the elasticity of the internal elastic cord.

[0031] In FIG. 6, shock cord pole 30 is shown extending through loop 34 which is connected to wing section 42, for example. The connection of the pole 30 to the wing section 42 is accomplished by passing a toggle 46 through a D-ring 48 with an end of the loop 50 interconnected between the wing section 42 and toggle 46. Similarly, the loop 34 terminates at one end in D-ring 48 with the opposite end being secured to the wing section 42. The pole 30 is thereby retained in position prior to entry into elongated sleeve 36 (with reference to pole 30).

[0032] FIG. 8 illustrates a corner of wing section 42 interconnected by loop 52 to a ring 54. A steel ground stake 56 may engage the ring 54 for anchoring the frame assembly during high wind conditions.

[0033] In FIG. 9, the end of pole 28, adjacent to rear wall 24, is shown secured within loop 58 for anchoring the pole 28. A steel ground stake arrangement as shown in FIG. 8 may be implemented if necessary due to high wind conditions.

[0034] The foregoing description should be considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.