초록 ▼

A collapsible batting cage having a support base (e.g., a front end, a back end and opposite sides) and a support frame to which a protective netting is attached. The support frame includes a plurality of U-shaped frame members that are pivotally connected to the support base so as to be rotatable r

A collapsible batting cage having a support base (e.g., a front end, a back end and opposite sides) and a support frame to which a protective netting is attached. The support frame includes a plurality of U-shaped frame members that are pivotally connected to the support base so as to be rotatable relative thereto between a collapsed position, when the batting cage is not in use, to a raised position, when the batting cage is in use. A cable that is tied to the plurality of U-shaped frame members receives a pulling force from a winch for causing the U-shaped frame members to rotate from the collapsed position, where the protective netting is folded at an inconspicuous location within the support base, to the raised position, where the netting will hang above the support base. With the U-shaped frame members of the support frame rotated to the raised position and the netting hanging downwardly therefrom, the batting cage will provide a confined enclosure within which sports (e.g., baseball, golf, soccer, football, etc.) can be practiced without subjecting onlookers and property to the risk of injury or damage.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A collapsible sports enclosure within which a ball can be hit, kicked or thrown without subjecting onlookers to possible injury, said collapsible enclosure comprising:a support base having at least first and second sides that are spaced from one another; a support frame having a plurality of U-sh

1. A collapsible sports enclosure within which a ball can be hit, kicked or thrown without subjecting onlookers to possible injury, said collapsible enclosure comprising:a support base having at least first and second sides that are spaced from one another; a support frame having a plurality of U-shaped frame members that are pivotally coupled to the first and second sides of said support base so as to be rotated relative to said support base from a collapsed position lying in generally horizontal end-to-end alignment with one another between the first and second sides of said support base when the sports enclosure is not in use to a raised position lying in generally vertical spaced alignment with one another and projecting upwardly from said first and second sides when the sports enclosure is in use; a protective netting attached to and carried by the plurality of frame members of said support frame to be lifted above the first and second sides of said support base when said frame members are rotated to the raised position and folded between the first and second sides when said frame members are rotated to the collapsed position; and a cable tied to the plurality of U-shaped frame members of said support frame, said cable adapted to receive a pulling force, whereby to cause said U-shaped frame members to rotate from said collapsed position, whereby said netting is lifted above the first and second sides of said support base. 2. The collapsible sports enclosure recited in claim 1, further comprising at least one coupling bar extending between successive ones of said plurality of U-shaped frame members for causing said plurality of frame members to be rotated in unison between said collapsed and raised positions.3. The collapsible sports enclosure recited in claim 1, further comprising a pull-up rail adapted to move vertically upward and downward relative to the first and second sides of said support base, said netting attached to said pull-up rail such that said netting is lifted by said pull-up rail above said first and second sides at the same time that the plurality of U-shaped framed members of said support frame are rotated to the raised position, and said netting being folded by said pull-up rail between said first and second sides at the same time that said plurality of U-shaped frame members are rotated to said collapsed position.4. The collapsible sports enclosure recited in claim 3, further comprising a cable tied to the plurality of U-shaped frame members of said support frame and to said pull-up rail, said cable receiving a pulling force whereby to cause said U-shaped frame members to rotate from the collapsed position to said raised position, said pull-up rail to move vertically upward, and said netting to be lifted above the first and second sides of said support base.5. The collapsible sports enclosure recited in claim 4, further comprising a winch mounted on said support base and connected to said cable, said winch generating said pulling force to be applied to said cable to cause said U-shaped frame members to rotate to said raised position, said pull-up rail to move vertically upward, and said netting to be lifted above the first and second sides of said support base.6. The collapsible sports enclosure recited in claim 5, wherein said support base also includes a front end and a back end, each of said front and back ends extending between said first and second sides, said winch mounted on said support base at the front end thereof, said pull-up rail coupled to said support base at the back end thereof, and said cable running between the front and back ends of said support base to be attached to said support frame and said pull-up rail.