Pickleball training net, kit and method of use

Abstract

A pickleball training net includes a first, fixed lower net and a second adjustable upper net and a collapsible frame for holding the nets. The nets may be adjustable with respect to one another to provide an adjustable opening.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pickleball training net comprising:
 a first, lower net having a top end with a fixed height and a second, upper net, the second, upper net being disposed above the first, lower net, the second, upper net having a top and a bottom and wherein a distance between the top end of the first, lower net and the bottom of the second, upper net is adjustable so as to selectively leave an opening of changeable height between the bottom of the second, upper net and the top end of the first, lower net.   
     
     
         2 . A pickleball training net of  claim 1 , comprising a frame, the frame having a first lower vertical frame member, a first upper vertical frame member, and a top cross frame member, the top cross frame member engaging the top of the second, upper net, and wherein the first upper vertical frame member has a height which may be extended so as to raise the top upper cross frame member and thereby raise the top of the second, upper net. 
     
     
         3 . The pickleball training net of  claim 2 , wherein the first upper vertical frame member has at least one tube and wherein the height of the first upper vertical frame member is increased by adding one or more additional tubes to the at least one tube forming the first upper vertical frame member. 
     
     
         4 . The pickleball training net of  claim 2 , wherein the first upper vertical frame member comprises a plurality of tubes which telescope with respect to one another to selectively raise or lower the top cross frame member. 
     
     
         5 . The pickleball training net of  claim 2 , wherein the first upper vertical frame member telescopes from the first lower vertical frame member to selectively adjust a height of the top cross frame member. 
     
     
         6 . The pickleball training net of  claim 2 , wherein the lower vertical frame member is between 2.5 and 3.5 feet high. 
     
     
         7 . The pickleball training net of  claim 6 , wherein the upper vertical frame member is between 1.5 and 4.5 feet tall. 
     
     
         8 . The pickleball training net of  claim 2 , wherein the frame further comprises a second lower vertical frame member and a second upper vertical frame member and wherein the first lower vertical frame member is attached to the second lower vertical frame member by a middle cross frame member, the middle cross frame member having an adjustable length. 
     
     
         9 . The pickleball training net of  claim 8 , wherein the first lower frame member and the second lower frame member are attached by a base cross frame member, the base cross frame member having an adjustable length. 
     
     
         10 . The pickleball training net of  claim 9 , wherein the first, lower net is adjustable so as to cover an area between the first lower vertical frame member, the second lower vertical frame member the base cross frame member and the middle cross frame member. 
     
     
         11 . The pickleball training net of  claim 1 , further comprising a first connector attached to the first lower vertical frame member, the frame having a first foot member and the first connector having a first attachment location for attaching the first foot member so that the first foot member extends outwardly away from the net, the frame having a second foot member, the first connector having a second attachment location for attaching the second foot member, such that the second foot member is held to extend generally parallel or coplanar to the first member, the first connector further comprising a third attachment location wherein the second foot member may be attached such that when the second foot is attached to the third attachment location, the second foot member extends generally perpendicular to the first foot member. 
     
     
         12 . The pickleball training net of  claim 11 , wherein the frame comprises a second lower vertical frame member, a second connector, a third foot and a fourth foot, and wherein the second connector has a first attachment location, a second attachment location and a third attachment location for attaching the second and third foot, and wherein the third attachment location holds the third foot or the fourth foot perpendicular from an orientation at which the third foot or fourth foot is held when attached to the first attachment location and the second attachment location. 
     
     
         13 . The pickleball training net of  claim 1 , comprising a frame for holding the first, lower net and the second upper net, wherein the frame has a first connector having first attachment location for attaching a first foot member to the frame, a second attachment location for receiving a first lower vertical frame member, a third attachment location for receiving a second foot member for receiving and holding the second foot member in a first orientation and a fourth attachment location oriented generally perpendicular from the third attachment location for receiving and holding the second foot member in a second orientation perpendicular to the first orientation. 
     
     
         14 . The pickleball training net of  claim 13 , wherein the first attachment location the second attachment location, the third attachment location, and the fourth attachment location comprises openings into which the first foot member, the second foot member and other portions of the frame may be inserted. 
     
     
         15 . The pickleball training net of  claim 13 , wherein at least two of the first attachment location, the second attachment location, the third attachment location and the fourth attachment location have a spring pin disposed therein. 
     
     
         16 . The pickleball training net of  claim 13 , wherein the connector is made of a housing and wherein the channel extends through an exterior wall of the housing from the third attachment location to the fourth attachment location. 
     
     
         17 . The pickleball training net of  claim 16 , wherein the second foot member is attached to the first foot member by a resilient cord. 
     
     
         18 . The pickleball training net of  claim 1 , further comprising a frame, the frame having a top cross frame member for holding the second, upper net, the top cross frame member being expandable so to expand a width of the second, upper net which is supported by the frame. 
     
     
         19 . A method for training in pickleball, the method comprising:
 assembling a training net having a collapsible frame, a first, lower net having a top disposed on the collapsible frame and a second, upper net having a bottom disposed on the collapsible frame, the first lower net having a first, fixed height;   adjusting the position of the second, upper net relative to the first lower net to selectively leave an opening between the top of the first net and bottom of the second net and   hitting a pickleball through the opening and adjusting the opening to change the size of the opening.   
     
     
         20 . The method for training in pickleball of  claim 19 , wherein the method comprises positioning the training net adjacent to a wall and repeatedly hitting a ball through the opening and against the wall so that the ball bounces back through the opening. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the frame has a foot extending therefrom and wherein the method comprises moving the foot from a horizontal position to a vertical position prior to positioning the net adjacent to the wall. 
     
     
         22 . A connector for forming a frame, the connector having a housing defining a first attachment location, a second attachment location, a third attachment location and a fourth attachment location, opening and a second opening disposed generally opposite the first opening, a third opening disposed generally perpendicular to the second opening and the first opening, and a fourth opening disposed generally perpendicular to the first opening, the second opening and the third opening. 
     
     
         23 . The connector for forming a frame of  claim 22 , wherein the housing of the connector defines a fifth opening disposed generally parallel to the fourth opening. 
     
     
         24 . The connector for forming a frame of  claim 23 , wherein the housing of the connector defines a sixth opening disposed generally parallel to the fourth opening. 
     
     
         25 . The connector for forming a frame of  claim 24 , wherein the housing has a slot formed along the first opening and extending along a portion of the housing 
     
     
         26 . The connector for forming a frame of  claim 25 , wherein the housing has a slot formed along the second opening and extending along a portion of the housing.