Game net

Abstract

A game net for playing a game involving hitting an object back-and-forth between players located on opposite sides of the net. The game net has a netting or panel that is supportable on a frame or otherwise above a ground surface and is movable from location to location. The netting or panel has an opening or window formed completely therethrough to provide passage of the object through the netting or panel when hit by one or more players located on opposite sides of the netting or panel. With the game net, players must direct the object more accurately through the window with a higher degree of precision than what is required to pass an object over existing game nets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A game net for playing a game involving players hitting an object back-and-forth between them, the game net comprising:
 a netting supported above a ground surface, the netting having an opening formed completely therethrough so as to allow an object to pass through the opening when hit by one or more players located on opposite sides of the netting, the opening having a periphery and the netting surrounding the periphery of the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The game net of  claim 1 , further comprising a border attached to the netting and extending around the periphery of the opening, the border providing support to the netting around the opening. 
     
     
         3 . The game net of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more elastic cords, wherein each elastic cord is attached at one end to the border and at the opposite end at a location that is outwardly spaced from the border along the netting. 
     
     
         4 . The game net of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a frame supported on the ground surface and wherein the netting is attached to the frame for supporting the netting above the ground surface.   
     
     
         5 . The game net of  claim 4 , wherein the frame includes one or more vertical frame members, the vertical frame members extending in a generally vertically upward direction when the frame is disposed in an upright orientation on the ground surface. 
     
     
         6 . The game net of  claim 5 , wherein the netting is attached to at least one of the one or more vertical frame members. 
     
     
         7 . The game net of  claim 6 , further comprising one or more sleeves on the netting through which one or more vertical frame members of the frame are disposed for supporting the netting on the frame. 
     
     
         8 . The game net of  claim 7 , wherein the frame further includes one or more horizontal frame member extending between the vertical frame members. 
     
     
         9 . The game net of  claim 1 , wherein the opening is rectangular shaped. 
     
     
         10 . A game net for playing a game involving players hitting an object back-and-forth between them, the game net comprising:
 a netting supported above a ground surface, the netting having an opening formed completely therethrough so as to allow an object to pass through the opening when hit by one or more players located on opposite sides of the netting, the opening having a periphery and the netting completely surrounding the periphery of the opening such that the opening is bounded on all sides by the netting;   a border attached to the netting and extending around the periphery of the opening, the border providing support to the netting around the opening; and   one or more elastic cords, wherein each elastic cord is attached at one end to the border and at the opposite end at a location that is outwardly spaced from the border along the netting.   
     
     
         11 . The game net of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 a frame supported on the ground surface and wherein the netting is attached to the frame for supporting the netting above the ground surface.   
     
     
         12 . The game net of  claim 11 , wherein the frame includes one or more vertical frame members, the vertical frame members extending in a generally vertically upward direction when the frame is disposed in an upright orientation on the ground surface. 
     
     
         13 . The game net of  claim 12 , wherein the netting is attached to at least one of the one or more vertical frame members. 
     
     
         14 . The game net of  claim 13 , further comprising one or more sleeves on the netting through which one or more vertical frame members of the frame are disposed for supporting the netting on the frame. 
     
     
         15 . A game net for playing a game involving players hitting an object back-and-forth between them, the game net comprising:
 a panel supported above a ground surface, the panel having an opening formed completely therethrough so as to allow an object to pass through the opening when hit by one or more players located on opposite sides of the panel, the opening having a periphery and the panel completely surrounding the periphery of the opening such that the opening is bounded on all sides by the panel;   a border on the panel and extending around the periphery of the opening; and   the panel constructed of a transparent material to allow players disposed on opposite sides of the panel to see one another through the panel.   
     
     
         16 . The game net of  claim 15 , wherein the panel is constructed of a rigid plastic material. 
     
     
         17 . The game net of  claim 15 , wherein the panel is constructed of flexible plastic material. 
     
     
         18 . The game net of  claim 15 , wherein the panel is comprised of a plurality of individual panels that are removably connected to form the panel. 
     
     
         19 . The game net of  claim 18 , wherein one or more of the plurality of individual panels is comprised of two or more hingedly connected sections that allow the individual panel to fold upon itself. 
     
     
         20 . The game net of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a frame; and   the panel removably attached to the frame to support the panel above the ground surface.