Apparatus for catching a projectile

Abstract

Apparatus for catching a projectile such as a golf ball that has been directed to a selected location includes a cup mounted in a basket and a pole to support the cup and basket. A plurality of straps are arranged to adjust the position of the cup and basket relative to the pole.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . Apparatus for catching a projectile such as a golf ball that has been directed to a selected location, comprising: 
 a basket;    a pole extending outward from the basket; and    a support structure connected between the basket and the pole, the support structure being arranged to support the basket and adjust its angle relative to the pole.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the basket comprises a ring and a fabric mounted to the ring.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein the support structure comprises a plurality of straps connected between outer portions of the basket and the pole.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising: 
 a cup; and    a support apparatus arranged to suspend the cup in the basket.    
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a cup; and    a support apparatus arranged to suspend the cup in the basket.    
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5  wherein the cup comprises a second ring having a second fabric connected thereto.  
     
     
         7 . Apparatus for catching a projectile such as a golf ball that has been directed to a selected location, comprising: 
 a basket and cup assembly that includes: 
 an outer ring;  
 a first fabric having an outer edge connected to the outer ring and arranged to form a basket supported by the outer ring;  
 an inner ring arranged inside the basket and supported by the outer ring;  
 a second fabric connected to the inner ring and arranged to form a cup having an edge bounded by the inner ring, the cup being formed to catch a projectile directed thereto, the basket being formed to catch projectiles that have missed the cup by a selected distance;  
 a pole extending outward from the basket and cup assembly; and  
 a plurality of support members connected between the basket and cup assembly and the pole, the plurality of support members being arranged to support the basket and cup assembly and adjust its angle relative to the pole.  
   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7  further including a plurality of bands connected between the inner ring and the outer ring, the plurality of bands being arranged to support the inner ring inside the basket.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8  wherein the plurality of bands are connected to corresponding members of the plurality of support members.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the plurality of support members are comprised of a plurality of straps connected between the outer ring and the pole.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the pole extends through a central region of the cup and basket assembly.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the pole has a lower end that extends through the basket and cup assembly, wherein the lower end includes a spike that may be inserted into the earth to mount the pole in a generally vertical orientation.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein the pole has a lower end that extends through the basket and cup assembly, further comprising: 
 a base having a hole therein; and  
 a spike located at the lower end and formed to extend into the hole to mount the pole in a generally vertical orientation.  
 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus for practicing directing a projectile such as a golf ball to a selected location, comprising: 
 a basket;    a cup mounted in the basket to form a target for the projectile;    a pole arranged to support the basket and cup; and    apparatus for adjusting the position of the basket and cup relative to the pole.