US3593998A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tennis practice device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-07-07
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Granted: 1971-07-20
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Expires: 1989-07-07
Abstract
Abstract Indoor tennis practice apparatus including a hollow unpressurized ball hung on an inelastic tether from an overhead support to be stroked toward an energy-absorbing target including a pliable fabric rectangle having two opposite edges freely suspended from the overhead support along spaced parallel lines to form a draped catenary surface. Both the horizontal spacing between the suspended edges of the fabric rectangle and the horizontal spacing between the target and the ball are adjustable to vary the character of the rebound after the ball is struck. The support can take the form of a single or double target stand or a simple beam structure for home installation.
Inventors
- 👤 Louis W Pattyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 00:02
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0079; A63B71/00; A63B71/02; A63B71/023; A63B2071/025
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: overhead support means, an energy-absorbing target including a quantity of pliable fabric hAving two opposite edges suspended from the support means along horizontally spaced substantially parallel lines to form a draped catenary surface, a ball, and tether means for suspending the ball from the support means at a point horizontally spaced from the target along a line perpendicularly intersecting said edges such that the ball may be struck and propelled toward the target in an arcuate path and returned to the striking point.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
92 words
Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: overhead support means, an energy-absorbing target including a quantity of pliable fabric hAving two opposite edges suspended from the support means along horizontally spaced substantially parallel lines to form a draped catenary surface, a ball, and tether means for suspending the ball from the support means at a point horizontally spaced from the target along a line perpendicularly intersecting said edges such that the ball may be struck and propelled toward the target in an arcuate path and returned to the striking point.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the tether means is an inelastic cord.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the ball is hollow and unpressurized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means on the support means for adjusting the horizontal spacing between the suspended edges of the target.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 4 including eyelets formed in the material along the suspended edges and a plurality of hooks disposed at spaced points along the support means perpendicular to the suspended edges.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 including means for adjusting the horizontal spacing between the tether means and the target.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 6 wherein the adjusting means includes a fixed member mounted on the support means, a displaceable member slidably mounted on the fixed member and means for locking the fixed and displaceable members in any of a plurality of relative positions, the tether means being connected to the displaceable member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the support means comprises a stand having a base, at least one upright member connected to the base, and a rectangular frame portion connected to the upright member, the frame portion including means for receiving the opposite edges of the target in suspended relationship therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
77 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8 including a fixed member mounted on the frame portion and extending horizontally therefrom perpendicular to the suspended target edges, and a displaceable member slidably mounted on the fixed member and carrying the tether means at one end thereof thereby to permit adjustment in the horizontal spacing between the ball and the target, and means for locking the displaceable member in any of a plurality of positions relative to the fixed member.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the support means includes at least two beam members spaced in parallel spaced relationship, each of the beam members having a plurality of longitudinally spaced hooks disposed thereon for receiving the target.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 10 further including a ball support member disposed between the beam members in parallel spaced relationship thereto, displaceable means mounted in the ball support member and longitudinally displaceable relative thereto, the tether means being connected to the displaceable means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: a support stand including a base, at least one upright member mounted on the base, first and second frame portions mounted on the upright member and extending horizontally therefrom in opposite directions, a pair of rectangular targets of pliable fabric material, each of the frame portions including means for receiving and supporting opposite parallel edges of a target in parallel spaced relation to form a draped cantenary surface, first and second ball support members mounted on the first and second frame portions, respectively, in horizontally spaced relationship with the targets, so that a tethered ball supported by one of said support members may be struck and propelled against one of said targets.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
121 words
Apparatus for practicing tennis strokes and the like comprising: a support stand including a base, at least one upright member mounted on the base, first and second frame portions mounted on the upright member and extending horizontally therefrom in opposite directions, a pair of rectangular targets of pliable fabric material, each of the frame portions including means for receiving and supporting opposite parallel edges of a target in parallel spaced relation to form a draped cantenary surface, first and second ball support members mounted on the first and second frame portions, respectively, in horizontally spaced relationship with the targets, so that a tethered ball supported by one of said support members may be struck and propelled against one of said targets.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2305187A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-19 | 1975-01-18 | 1975-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-19 | 1979-01-18 | 1979-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-19 | 1983-01-18 | 1983-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |