Sports Wall Securing Structure

Abstract

A securing structure and/or mechanism that is attached to a portable sports wall or panel to enable the panel to be anchored to a surface on which the panel is placed. The securing structure takes the form of a securing member, e.g., a clip that can be removably attached to the panel, such as to the frame of the panel. The clip includes an engagement member, e.g., a stake that is movably secured to the clip and can be engaged with the surface on which the panel is placed. The ability of the stake to move on the clip enables the stake to be moved into and out of a use position that allows the stake to engage the surface and hold the panel in the desired position.

1 . A securing structure for a sports wall panel, the structure comprising:
 a) a securing member adapted to be secured to a frame member of a sports wall panel; and   b) an engagement member attached to the securing member and adapted to be engaged with a surface on which the sports wall panel is supported.   
     
     
         2 . The securing structure of  claim 1  wherein the securing member is selectively securable to the panel. 
     
     
         3 . The securing structure of  claim 2  wherein the securing member comprises:
 a) a body having a pair of opposed ends; and 
 b) a fastener engaged between the opposed ends of the body. 
 
     
     
         4 . The securing structure of  claim 1  wherein the engagement member is pivotally attached to the securing member. 
     
     
         5 . The securing structure of  claim 4  wherein the engagement member is formed as a stake. 
     
     
         6 . The securing structure of  claim 5  wherein the stake includes a hook extending outwardly from the stake. 
     
     
         7 . The securing member of  claim 6  wherein the hook forms an annular shoulder on the stake that defines a surface generally perpendicular to the stake. 
     
     
         8 . The securing member of  claim 1  further comprising a retaining feature disposed on the securing member and operable to retain the engagement member on the securing member in a non-use position. 
     
     
         9 . A method of engaging a panel with a surface on which the panel is supported, the method comprising the steps of:
 a) providing the securing structure of  claim 1 ; and   b) engaging the engagement member with the surface on which the panel is supported.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of moving the engagement member from a non-use position into a use position prior to engaging the engagement member with the surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising the step of disengaging a retaining feature securing the engagement member to the securing member prior to the step of moving the engagement member from a non-use position into a use position. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  further comprising the step of engaging the securing member with a frame of a sports wall panel prior to engaging the engagement member with the surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of engaging the securing member with the frame comprises the steps of:
 a) positioning a body of the securing member around the frame to align opposed ends off the boy with one another; and 
 b) engaging the aligned opposed ends with one another. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the step of engaging the aligned opposed ends comprises inserting a fastener through openings in each of the aligned opposed ends. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the engagement member is formed as a stake having a hook extending outwardly from the stake that forms an annular shoulder on the stake that defines a surface generally perpendicular to the stake, and wherein the step of engaging the engagement member with the surface comprises the steps of:
 a) engaging the stake with the surface in a first plane; and 
 b) engaging the annular shoulder on the hook with the surface in a second plane. 
 
     
     
         16 . A sports wall panel comprising:
 a) a support frame;   b) a rebounding wall attached to the support frame; and   c) a securing structure attached to the support frame the securing structure including a securing member attached to the support frame and an engagement member attached to the securing member.   
     
     
         17 . The sports wall panel of  claim 16  wherein the securing member is releasably secured to the support frame. 
     
     
         18 . The sports wall panel of  claim 16  wherein the securing member is a hinge connected between the support frame and the engagement member. 
     
     
         19 . The sports wall panel of  claim 16  wherein the engagement member comprises:
 a) a stake connected to the hinge at one end; and 
 b) a hook disposed on the stake and spaced from the opposite end, the hook extending outwardly from the stake to forms an annular shoulder on the stake that defines a surface generally perpendicular to the stake.