Retractable golf enclosure

Abstract

The disclosure is directed to a sports enclosure to allow a golfer or other athlete to practice hitting a ball, puck or other object indoors. The sports enclosure includes an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from a building structure. The enclosure also includes a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame during use of the enclosure. Also included is a protective barrier material in the form of netting that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame to prevent objects from exiting the enclosure. The enclosure further includes an impact screen that extends between the upper and lower frames that is aimed at by a user. The enclosure includes a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation to a storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation to a use position.

1 . A retractable enclosure for use in a building structure to allow a user to practice hitting a ball, the retractable enclosure comprising:
 an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from the building structure;   a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame during use of the enclosure;   a protective barrier that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame;   an impact screen that extends between the upper and lower frames;   a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation to a storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation to a use position.   
     
     
         2 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the protective barrier is in the form of netting that is secured between the upper and lower frames. 
     
     
         3 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 1 , further including an anchoring system that suspends the upper frame within the building structure. 
     
     
         4 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 1  where the upper frame is suspended from the building structure with a plurality of suspension members. 
     
     
         5 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 1 , wherein the lower frame includes perimeter frame members and a series of spaced apart support members that extend across the lower frame. 
     
     
         6 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 5 , further including artificial turf positioned over the support members. 
     
     
         7 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 1 , further including a center bracket positioned above the upper frame, the center bracket including a series of pulleys. 
     
     
         8 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 7 , further including a series of elongated flexible members that are coupled to the lower frame at a first end, pass through the pulleys, and converge at a second end. 
     
     
         9 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 8 , wherein the elongated flexible members are coupled to an electric motor that is configured to simultaneously raise the first ends of the elongated flexible members when operated in a first direction to cause the lower frame to be raised from a first elevation to a second elevation and to lower the second ends of the elongated flexible members when the electric motor is operated in a second direction to cause the lower frame to be lowered from the second elevation back to the first elevation. 
     
     
         10 . A retractable enclosure for use in a building structure to allow a user to practice hitting a ball, the retractable enclosure comprising:
 an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from the building structure;   a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame when the enclosure is in a use position and brought closer to the upper frame when in a storage position;   a flexible barrier that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame;   a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation when moved to the storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation when moved to the use position.   
     
     
         11 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10 , further including a series of elongated flexible members that are each coupled to the lower frame at a first end and converge at a second end. 
     
     
         12 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 11 , wherein the second ends of the elongated flexible members are pulled by an electric motor to simultaneously raise the first ends of the elongated flexible members when the electric motor is operated in a first direction to cause the lower frame to be raised from a first elevation to a second elevation and to simultaneously lower the second ends of the elongated flexible members when the electric motor is operated in a second direction to cause the lower frame to be lowered from the second elevation back to the first elevation. 
     
     
         13 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein the flexible barrier is in the form of netting that is secured between the upper and lower frames. 
     
     
         14 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10 , further including a backstop that extends between the upper and lower frames. 
     
     
         15 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10 , further including an anchoring system that is configured to suspend the upper frame from the building structure. 
     
     
         16 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10  where the upper frame is suspended from the building structure with a plurality of suspension members. 
     
     
         17 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10 , wherein the lower frame includes perimeter frame members and a series of spaced apart support members that extend across the lower frame. 
     
     
         18 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 10 , further including a center bracket positioned above the upper frame, the center bracket including a series of pulleys. 
     
     
         19 . The retractable enclosure of  claim 18 , further including a series of elongated flexible members that are coupled to the lower frame at a first end, pass through the pulleys, and converge at a second end. 
     
     
         20 . A retractable enclosure for use in a building structure to allow a user to practice hitting an object such as a ball, the retractable enclosure comprising:
 an upper frame that is configured to be suspended from the building structure;   a lower frame that is spaced apart from the upper frame when the enclosure is in a use position and brought closer to the upper frame when in a storage position, the lower frame formed to include perimeter frame members and a series of spaced apart support members that extend across the lower frame;   a flexible barrier that extends between the upper frame and the lower frame;   a hoist mechanism that is configured to selectively raise the lower frame from a first elevation to a second elevation when moved to the storage position or lower the lower frame from the second elevation to the first elevation when moved to the use position.