Sports target device

Abstract

A sports target device having a base and a frame member projecting upwardly from the base when the device is in the use position. A panel is attached to the frame in a manner that produces a loud noise when struck by a projectile. The panel may include targeting indicia. The noise that is produce can be loud and of prolonged duration. Such a noise would be appreciated by some athletes, particularly young ones, who will thereby be encouraged to keep practicing.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports target device having a use position, the sports target device comprising:
 a base;   a frame connected to the base and projecting upward therefrom when the sports target device is in the use position;   a panel member removably connected to the frame, the panel member has a first side edge and a second side edge opposed to the first side edge, the panel member having a target surface located between the first side edge and the second side edge;   a slide mechanism connected to the frame, the slide mechanism configured to receive the panel member to contact the first side edge and the second side edge.   
     
     
         2 . The sports target device of  claim 1  wherein the frame member has a first side member and a second side member opposed to the first side member in spaced relationship thereto and at least one cross member connected to and positioned between the first side member and the second side member and wherein the slide mechanism further comprises a first rail attached to a portion of the first side member and a second rail attached to the second side member. 
     
     
         3 . The sports target device of  claim 3  wherein the panel member is releasably connected to the slide mechanism, the panel member composed of rigid material and wherein the target face is configured to facilitate rebound of a sports projectile propelled toward it when the panel member in in a use position. 
     
     
         4 . The sports device of  claim 3  wherein the panel member is a solid planar member composed of a material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, metal, or plastic. 
     
     
         5 . The sports target device of  claim 3  wherein the slide mechanism comprises at least two rail members and a stop mechanism connected to the at least two members, wherein the rail members have a panel receiving opening proximate to the upper region of the frame member and the stop mechanism is positioned proximate to the base. 
     
     
         6 . The sports target device of  claim 3  wherein the slide mechanism comprises a first rail member and an a second rail member, wherein the first rail and the second rail each have a side rib having an outwardly facing side and an inwardly facing side and a front rib, the front rib having a front facing side and a rear facing side, the panel member configured to be proximate to the inwardly facing side of the side rib, and the rear facing side of the front rib in the use position. 
     
     
         7 . The sports target device of  claim 1  wherein the base comprises a first leg member, a second leg member opposed to the first leg member and a cross bar member connected to the first and second leg members, wherein at least a portion of the first and second leg members contacts a support surface when the sports target device is in the use position. 
     
     
         8 . The sports target device of  claim 7  wherein the base further comprising at least one anchor, the anchor releasably engaging the base and a support surface underlying the base. 
     
     
         9 . The sports target device of  claim 8  wherein the first side member and the second side member of the slide mechanism are connected in overlying contacting relationship with the respective first side member and second side member of the frame member and wherein the panel member contacts the slide mechanism such that sound vibrations initiated when the sport projectile contact an outwardly facing surface of the panel member is transmitted through the slide member into the hollow chamber defined in the respective first side member and second side member. 
     
     
         10 . The sports target device of  claim 2  wherein the first side member, the second side member and the at least one cross member of the frame member are detachable relative to one another. 
     
     
         11 . The sports target device of  claim 2  further comprising at least one height adjustment mechanism connected to the frame and at least one basket connected to the frame member. 
     
     
         12 . A sports target device comprising:
 a base, the base having a forward edge and a rearward edge;   a frame member connected to the base proximate to the forward edge and projecting upward therefrom when the sports target device is in a use position, the frame member having a first side member, a second side member opposed to the first side member, and at least one cross member connected to the first side member and second side member, wherein at least one of the first side member or the second side member has a hollow interior chamber;   a slide mechanism connected to the frame member, the slide mechanism comprising a first rail attached to at least a portion of the first side member and a second rail attached to at least a portion of the second side member and at least one stop member connected to at least one of the first side member or the second side member wherein the first rail is on overlying relationship with the first side member proximate to the hollow interior chamber of the first side member and the second rail is in overlying relationship with the second side member proximate to the hollow interior chamber of the second side member; and   a rigid elongated planar panel member releasably connected to the slide mechanism in parallel relationship to the frame member, the panel member, the rigid panel member having an outwardly oriented face, the outwardly oriented face configured to facilitate rebound of a sports projectile propelled toward it when the sports target device is in a use position wherein the rigid panel member is in acoustic contact with the slide member and the frame member.   
     
     
         13 . The sports target device of  claim 12  wherein the base comprises a first leg member, a second leg member opposed to the first leg member and a cross bar member connected to the first and second leg members, wherein at least a portion of the first and second leg members contacts a support surface when the sports target device is in the use position, the base further comprising at least one anchor, the anchor releasably engaging the base and a support surface underlying the base. 
     
     
         14 . The sports target device of  claim 12  wherein the slide mechanism further comprises a stop mechanism connected to the first and second rails, the stop mechanism positioned proximate to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The sports target device of  claim 12  wherein the base comprises a first leg member, a second leg member opposed to the first leg member and a cross bar member connected to the first and second leg members, wherein at least a portion of the first and second leg members contacts a support surface when the sports target device is in the use position, the base further comprising at least one anchor, the anchor releasably engaging the base and a support surface underlying the base. 
     
     
         16 . A sports target device kit comprising:
 a base member;   a frame assembly, connectable with the base, the frame assembly having a cross member, a first side member connectable to the cross member and a second side member connectable to the cross member, wherein the first side member and the second side member are releasably connected to the base, and wherein each of the first side member and the second side member having a respective rail attached thereto; and   an elongated planar panel, the elongated planar panel having a first side edge and a second side edge, the first and second side edges configured to be slidably received in the respective rails attached to the first and second side members, wherein the planar panel member is composed of a material selected from the group consisting of fiberglass, metal, or plastic.   
     
     
         17 . The kit of  claim 16  wherein the first side member and the second side member are each elongated tubes each having a hollow central chamber. 
     
     
         18 . The kit of  claim 17  wherein the base is composed of a first leg member, a second leg member and a cross bar member, wherein the first leg member and the second leg member are releasably connected to the cross bar. 
     
     
         19 . The kit of  claim 18  wherein at least one of the first leg member, second leg member, ad cross bar member, define a hollow interior chamber in communicate with the hollow central chamber defined in the first side member and the second side member. 
     
     
         20 . The kit of  claim 16 , further comprising a basket, the basket releasably connectable to the frame member.