Portable pickleball training apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus for simulating the game of pickleball and for use in practicing pickleball gameplay. The apparatus may include a center panel coupled to a first side panel and a second side panel, and optionally a net coupled to the first side panel and the second side panel. Each of the center panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel may be adjustably mounted to a footer for stabilizing the respective panels. The panels may be formed of a core and cover layers on the core, where the core is provided as a honeycomb material for causing a rebound effect to a pickleball that is similar to a pickleball paddle.

1 . An apparatus comprising:
 a center panel adjustably mounted to a central footer, the central footer projecting in a direction of a back surface of the center panel;   a first side panel coupled to a first side of the center panel and adjustably mounted to a first side footer, the first side footer projecting in a direction of a back surface of the first side panel; and   a second side panel coupled to a second side of the center panel and adjustably mounted to a second side footer, the second side footer projecting in a direction of a back surface of the second side panel.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central footer, the first side footer, and the second side footer each comprises an L-shape bracket. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the center panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel are each provided on top of the respective central footer, first side footer, and second side footer. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first side footer is positioned on the first side panel off-center relative to a width extension of the first side panel and the second side footer is positioned on the second side panel off-center relative to a width extension of the second side panel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or both of the center panel and the central footer comprise corresponding slots configured to receive a connecting element therethrough. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein each of the center panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel comprise a honeycomb core and a cover layer. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the honeycomb core comprises aluminum, Nomex®, and/or polypropylene. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the cover layer comprises carbon fiber, graphite, or vinyl. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel is coupled to the first side of the center panel with one or more first hinges; and
 wherein the second side panel is coupled to the second side of the center panel with one or more second hinges.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more first hinges comprise ratcheting hinges or locking hinges. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central footer has a width of 12 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the central footer has a height of 4 inches and a depth of 4 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a combined width of the central footer, the first side footer, and the second side footer is less than a width of the center panel. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a combined width of the central footer, the first side footer, and the second side footer is at least 60% of a width of the center panel. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel are configured to fold against the center panel in a substantially flat, closed orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the center panel, the first side panel, and the second side panel include wheels on a front or back surface thereof. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a net is adjustably coupled to the first side panel and the second side panel. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a processor and sensors configured for tracking gameplay at the apparatus and providing a corresponding output to a user by a user interface. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the user interface comprises one or more of a display, a touch screen, a speaker, and a light. 
     
     
         20 . A pickleball simulator kit comprising:
 a center panel configured for adjustably mounting to a central footer, the central footer projecting in a direction of a back surface of the center panel;   a first side panel configured for coupling to a first side of the center panel and adjustably mounting to a first side footer, the first side footer projecting in a direction of a back surface of the first side panel;   a second side panel configured for coupling to a second side of the center panel and adjustably mounting to a second side footer, the second side footer projecting in a direction of a back surface of the second side panel; and   optionally a net configured for adjustably coupling to the first side panel and the second side panel.