Multiple-plane or user-enclosing rebound surfaces for practicing soccer or other sports

Abstract

A sports device consisting of rebound surfaces facing in different directions, which will rebound a ball or other projectile propelled in one direction and also rebound a ball or other projectile propelled in at least one other different direction. The multiple rebound surfaces may form an enclosure consisting of four vertical surfaces with a rectangular footprint (see FIG. 1 ), usable for soccer practice, with multiple net surfaces ( 10 ) that rebound a soccer ball ( 16 ) kicked in any direction from the interior of the enclosure, back to the kicker.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A device for use in sports practice or games, including one or more surfaces that will cause a ball or other projectile to rebound from the surface, said device having at least one such rebound surface or portion of a rebound surface that is in a different plane from at least one other such rebound surface or portion of a rebound surface of the device, whereby a user of the device may propel a ball or other projectile against one surface or portion of a surface of the device, and upon the return of the ball or other projectile from said surface or portion of a surface of the device, the user may then propel said ball or other projectile in a different direction against a second rebound surface or portion of a rebound surface of the device, said second rebound surface or portion of a rebound surface being in a different plane from the first surface or portion of surface struck by the ball or other projectile.  
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of substantially vertical rebound surfaces, or portions of a rebound surface, are arranged in a substantially closed geometric shape, whereby a user of the device may enter and be substantially laterally surrounded by such rebound surfaces.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of substantially vertical rebound surfaces, or portions of a rebound surface, are arranged in the shape of a rectangular solid, whereby a user of the device may enter and be substantially laterally surrounded by such rebound surfaces.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of rebound surfaces, or portions of a rebound surface, are arranged in the shape of a triangular solid, whereby a user of the device may enter and be substantially laterally surrounded by such rebound surfaces.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the rebound surface is in the shape of a cylinder, whereby a user of the device may enter and be substantially laterally surrounded by such rebound surface.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle made by the intersection of (a) the plane in which one or more rebound surfaces lies and (b) the plane in which the ground underneath the device lies, may be adjusted by the user, whereby a ball or other projectile struck at the rebound surface returns to the user at a different angle.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 2 , wherein the substantially closed geometric shape formed by the vertical rebound surfaces, is covered by a net or other device that along with said vertical rebound surfaces forms an enclosure preventing escape of a ball or projectile.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the rectangular solid shape formed by the vertical rebound surfaces is covered by a net or other device that along with said vertical rebound surfaces forms an enclosure preventing escape of a ball or projectile.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the triangular solid shape formed by the vertical rebound surfaces is covered by a net or other device that along with said vertical rebound surfaces forms an enclosure preventing escape of a ball or projectile.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the cylindrical shape formed by the vertical rebound surface is covered by a net or other device that along with said vertical rebound surface forms an enclosure preventing escape of a ball or projectile.  
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein at least one rebound surface is a net.  
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter of at least one rebound surface is bounded by a solid frame.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein the frame of at least one rebound surface is made of aluminum, galvanized steel or poly vinyl chloride.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 12 , wherein 
 (a) the elements of the frames of the rebound surface or surfaces consist of tubing;    (b) said tubing frame elements are interconnected by inserting a smaller-diameter portion of one tubing frame element into a larger-diameter sleeve of another tubing frame element;    (c) said smaller-diameter portion of said first tubing frame element bears a retractable button perpendicular to the surface of the tubing;    (d) said smaller-diameter portion of said first tubing frame element also bears a spring that exerts outward pressure on the retractable button; and    (e) said larger-diameter sleeve of said second tubing frame element contains a hole through which said retractable button can fit;    whereby once said smaller-diameter portion of the first tubing frame element is inserted to the properly assembled position within said larger-diameter sleeve of said second tubing frame element, said spring causes said retracted button on said first tubing frame element to emerge through the corresponding hole in said larger-diameter portion of said second tubing frame element, thereby locking the two tubing frame elements into place.    
     
     
         15 . A method of training for a sport involving the kicking, throwing, striking or other propelling of a ball or other projectile, in which: 
 (a) the athlete positions himself or herself between a plurality of surfaces or portions of surfaces that will cause a ball or other projectile struck against them to rebound from such surfaces or portions of surfaces; and    (b) at least one such rebound surface or portion of a rebound surface is in a different plane from at least one other such rebound surface or portion of a rebound surface;    whereby the athlete sequentially propels a ball or other projectile in at least two different directions against such surfaces or portions of surfaces.    
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15  in which said sport is soccer and said ball is kicked.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 15  in which said sport is soccer and said ball is struck with the athlete's head.