Catch and throw folding racket assembly

Abstract

Described is a catch and throw folding racket assembly. The racket assembly is formed of a first and second frame member, each having a rotatable handle attached thereto. The frame members are connected with one another with an elastic connected to frame out a catch area. Connected with and between the frame members is a net that is adapted to catch an object within the catch area, such as a ball. In use, a user can catch the ball within the net. When the frame members are pulled apart, the ball is brought out of the frame assembly in a throw motion as the net straightens and is pulled taut to expel the ball.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A catch and throw folding racket assembly, comprising:
 a first frame member, the first frame member having a first rotatable handle attached thereto;   a second frame member, the second frame member having a second rotatable handle attached thereto;   one or more connectors connecting the first and second frame members; and   a net connected with and between the first and second frame members.   
     
     
         2 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frame members are U-shaped frame members terminating in ends, such that when the ends face each other, the first and second frame members form a catch area therebetween, with the net connected with and between the first and second frame members to fill the catch area. 
     
     
         3 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein each of the first and second frame members having a middle portion, with the first and second handles being rotatably attached to the first and second frame members such that the first and second handles freely rotate 360 degrees around the middle portion. 
     
     
         4 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the one or more connectors are formed of elastic or non-elastic cords connecting the first and second frame members. 
     
     
         5 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 4 , wherein the first and second frame members are U-shaped frame members terminating in ends, and wherein the one or more connectors are formed of flexible elastic cords connecting the ends of the first and second frame members. 
     
     
         6 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 5 , wherein the one or more connectors are formed of elastic cords having a maximum expansion distance, and wherein the net is affixed between the first and second frame members such that when the first and second frame members are pulled away from one another so that the net is taut, the elastic cords are expanded to a distance that is less than the maximum expansion distance. 
     
     
         7 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 6 , wherein the net is formed of multiple parts having dissimilar materials. 
     
     
         8 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 7 , wherein the net is formed of a first net part, a second net part, and a central net part positioned with and between the first and second net parts, wherein the central net part is formed of an elastic mesh while the first and second net parts are formed of an inelastic material. 
     
     
         9 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 8 , wherein the net has a center, with a shaped pocket formed within the center of the net. 
     
     
         10 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein each of the rotating handles has a scoop attached thereto, each scoop being formed with a cavity to receive material therein. 
     
     
         11 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the scoops are attached with the rotating handles such that when the racket assembly is a closed position, the cavities of each scoop are facing each other. 
     
     
         12 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 11 , wherein when the racket assembly is in a closed position, the scoops are placed together to collectively form a spherical shell. 
     
     
         13 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 12 , wherein a racket assembly axis spans between the two handles, and wherein the handles are U-shaped handles having a handle axis that is orthogonal to the racket assembly axis. 
     
     
         14 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second frame members having a middle portion, with the first and second handles being rotatably attached to the first and second frame members such that the first and second handles freely rotate 360 degrees around the middle portion. 
     
     
         15 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more connectors are formed of elastic or non-elastic cords connecting the first and second frame members. 
     
     
         16 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frame members are U-shaped frame members terminating in ends, and wherein the one or more connectors are formed of flexible cords connecting the ends of the first and second frame members. 
     
     
         17 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the net is formed of multiple parts having dissimilar materials. 
     
     
         18 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the net is formed of a first net part, a second net part, and a central net part positioned with and between the first and second net parts, wherein the central net part is formed of an elastic mesh while the first and second net parts are formed of an inelastic material. 
     
     
         19 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the one or more connectors are formed of elastic cords having a maximum expansion distance, and wherein the net is affixed between the first and second frame members such that when the first and second frame members are pulled away from one another so that the net is taut, the elastic cords are expanded to a distance that is less than the maximum expansion distance. 
     
     
         20 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the net has a center, with a shaped pocket formed within the center of the net. 
     
     
         21 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , where a racket assembly axis spans between the two handles, and wherein the handles are U-shaped handles having a handle axis that is orthogonal to the racket assembly axis. 
     
     
         22 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , each of the rotating handles has a scoop attached thereto, each scoop being formed with a cavity to receive material therein. 
     
     
         23 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the scoops are attached with the rotating handles such that when the racket assembly is a closed position, the cavities of each scoop are facing each other. 
     
     
         24 . The racket assembly as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein when the racket assembly is a closed position, the scoops are placed together to collectively form a spherical shell. 
     
     
         25 . A method for catching and throwing with a racket assembly, comprising acts of:
 holding a pair of rotating handles of the racket assembly such that a net is in an open position in a catch area as framed out by opposing frame members;   receiving a ball within the catch area of the net while rotating the rotating handles toward one another and bringing the opposing frame members together into a closed position to catch the ball within the net; and   rotating the rotating handles away from one another while simultaneously pulling the opposing frame members apart into an open position, thereby stretching the net and causing the ball to be ejected from the net and thrown from the racket assembly.