Retractable golf training apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for assisting in the training of various sporting pursuits, such as golf, is described. In some examples, the training apparatus is a retractable apparatus configured to attach to a ceiling of an indoor space in order to move a net into a suitable position via a rotatable support bar or other similar mechanism.

1 . A golf training apparatus, comprising:
 a center net section having:
 a center support bar configured to rotate about its longitudinal axis; and 
 a center net that is attached to the center support bar at a first end and is configured to wrap around the center support bar when the center support bar rotates in a first direction and is configured to unwrap from the center support bar when the center support bar rotates in a second, opposite direction; and 
   two side net sections, each of the two side net portions having:
 a side support bar pivotally attached to one end of the center support bar; and 
 a side net that is attached to the side support bar at a first end and is configured to wrap around the side support bar when the side support bar moves in a first direction and is configured to unwrap from the side support bar when the side support bar moves in a second, opposite direction. 
   
     
     
         2 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a rotation mechanism connected to the center support bar, wherein the rotation mechanism is configured to cause the center support bar to rotate in the first direction in order to retract the golf training apparatus and is configured to cause the center support bar to rotate in the second direction in order to protract the golf training apparatus.   
     
     
         3 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the side support bars are pivotally attached to the center support bar via hinges that facilitate the side support bars to move inwardly towards the center support bar such that the side support bars are positioned proximate and parallel to the center support bar when the center support bar is rotating. 
     
     
         4 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the side support bars are pivotally attached to the center support bar via hinges that facilitate the side support bars to move outwardly from the center support bar such that the side support bars are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the center support bar when the center support bar is rotating. 
     
     
         5 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a top net attached to the side support bars such that a top net section is formed when the side support bars are positioned away from the center support bar.   
     
     
         6 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a base section that includes a playing surface and securement devices that secure the base section in a configuration parallel to the center net when the center support bar is rotating.   
     
     
         7 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the center support bar is configured to be attached to a ceiling of an indoor space. 
     
     
         8 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the center net is formed of nylon. 
     
     
         9 . The golf training apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the center is formed of a material suitable to display images from a golf simulator. 
     
     
         10 . A golf training system, comprising:
 a retractable net having:
 a rotatable support bar configured to be connected to a ceiling of an inside space; and 
 a net attached to the support bar; and 
   a rotation component configured to cause the support bar to rotate in order to extend the net from the support bar to a floor of the inside space.   
     
     
         11 . The golf training system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a golf simulator configured to track movement of a golf club swung by a user associated with the golf training system and project a simulation based on the tracked movement onto the retractable net.   
     
     
         12 . The golf training system of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a side retractable net having:
 a side support bar configured to be pivotally connected to rotatable support bar; and 
 a side net attached to the side support bar. 
   
     
     
         13 . The golf training system of  claim 10 , wherein the rotation component is a motor configured to rotate the rotatable support bar. 
     
     
         14 . The golf training system of  claim 10 , wherein the rotation component is a motor configured to rotate the rotatable support bar. 
     
     
         15 . The golf training system of  claim 10 , wherein the net is formed of nylon and is longer than a length between the ceiling and floor of the inside space. 
     
     
         16 . A ball catching apparatus, comprising:
 a support bar removably attached to a structure of an inside space; and   a net attached to the support bar at a first end of the net;   wherein the support bar is configured to rotate such that the net wraps around the support bar in a first position of the ball catching apparatus and extends away from the support bar in a second position of the ball catching apparatus.   
     
     
         17 . The ball catching apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a left side support bar pivotally attached to the support bar;   a left side net attached to the left side support bar at a first end of the left side net;   a right side support bar pivotally attached to the support bar; and   a right side net attached to the right side support bar at a first end of the right side net.   
     
     
         18 . The ball catching apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a motor coupled to the support bar and configured to rotate the support bar in a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction.   
     
     
         19 . The ball catching apparatus of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a mechanical crank coupled to the support bar and configured to rotate the support bar in a clockwise direction and in a counterclockwise direction.   
     
     
         20 . The ball catching apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the structure of the inside space is a ceiling of the inside space. 
     
     
         21 . The ball catching apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the structure of the inside space is a wall of the inside space. 
     
     
         22 . The ball catching apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the structure of the inside space is a housing within the inside space.