Attachable Soccer Rebound Net

Abstract

This invention provides a lightweight, portable rebound net from an elastic material that can be attached to an existing regulation-sized soccer goal frame by a single person without the use of a ladder. It has the ability to be tightened quickly to create tension and prevent a ball from slipping under the net with a single mechanism. It provides a rebound net for recreational use with properties like that of a training net available to sports teams. It can be used for soccer or adapted for any other sport for which it would be useful to rebound a ball rather than retrieving it during practice or play. It can be adapted to convert to a catch net without rebound properties in situations for which that would be desirable.

1 . An apparatus that can be attached to a frame, said apparatus comprising:
 (a) a net having a top, a bottom, and two sides;   (b) a first means for attaching said top to said frame;   (c) a second means for attaching each of said two sides to said frame, wherein said second means is different than said first means; and   (d) a third means for attaching said bottom to said frame, wherein said third means is capable of creating tension on said net.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said net is substantially elastic. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said net includes an open-weave pattern. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said net includes a spider-web-weave pattern. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said net comprises a plurality of individual sections woven together. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said first means comprises a plurality of hooks. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said hooks each comprise a material selected from the group consisting of a thermoplastic, a thermoset, a metal, a composite, and wood. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said second means comprises a plurality of hook-and-loop fasteners. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said second means comprises a plurality of Velcro straps. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said third means comprises a strap and at least one self-locking connector. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said strap is at least twice the length of the width of said frame. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said third means comprises two self-locking connectors on each side of said net. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein said first means comprises a plurality of hooks, said second means further comprises at least one of said hooks on each of said two sides. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more stakes for securing the bottom of said net to the ground. 
     
     
         16 . A kit for affixing a net to a frame, said kit comprising:
 (a) a net having a top, a bottom, and two sides;   (b) a first means for attaching said top to said frame;   (c) a second means for attaching each of said two sides to said frame, wherein said second means is different than said first means;   (d) a third means for attaching said bottom to said frame, wherein said third means is capable of creating tension on said net; and   (e) a fourth means for assisting said attaching said top to said frame.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16 , wherein said first means comprises a plurality of hooks and said fourth means comprises a pole suitable for assisting a user to lift each of said hooks over said top of said frame. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17 , wherein said pole is a telescoping pole. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising a container or carrying bag. 
     
     
         20 . A kit for affixing a rebound net to a soccer goal frame, said kit comprising:
 (a) a substantially elastic net having a top, a bottom, and two sides, wherein said net is characterized by a spider-web-weave pattern;   (b) a plurality of hooks for attaching said top to said soccer goal frame;   (c) a plurality of Velcro straps for attaching each of said two sides to said soccer goal frame;   (d) a strap for attaching said bottom to said soccer goal frame, wherein said strap is at least twice the width of said soccer goal frame and wherein said strap can create tension on said net;   (e) a self-locking connector for connecting said strap to said bottom of said net; and   (f) a telescoping pole for attaching said top of said net to said soccer goal frame by interlocking with each of said hooks.