Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-11
2001-08-21
Pierce, William M. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S492000, C473S495000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06277039
ABSTRACT:
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
Not Applicable.
REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX
Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
This invention relates to tennis net ball-catchers. More particularly the invention involves a novel design of a ball-capturing tennis net assembly which works in conjunction with a standard tennis net and existing court structures. This invention wraps under a standard tennis net forming a double sided ball-catching device which utilizes brackets to expand the sides and to attach the catch-net to the standard net posts. This ball-capturing net device catches errant tennis balls which would otherwise strike the standard tennis net and rebound back onto the playing surface causing the player(s) potential injury or interruption of play. This invention is designed to be used for instructional, recreational, and competitive tennis.
2. Prior Art
There are several patents shown in the prior art. While the basic structure of catching apparatus for receiving tennis balls off of a net is taught in prior art, the present specification addresses a novel method of structuring a ball-catcher so that it may be attached to an existing net with a minimum amount of expense and a minimum amount of time in order to make the use of the product a more viable undertaking.
The problem of the prior technology is that it either requires a specialized net and/or accessories to be produced or it requires a complex and unworkable solution and as a result this type of technology has not been widely accepted or produced.
The present invention seeks to improve on this by providing a catch-net which may be attached to existing tennis court structures and later be removed quickly and easily or attached to existing tennis court structures and left permanently. It is also a purpose to provide for a net which is easily stored.
Several patents in the prior art show mechanisms retaining balls at a tennis net. The most pertinent prior art in this case from the cite prior art includes the Langslet Patent '268, the Moore Patent '715, the Clark Patent '376, the Zak Patent '711 and the Thaxton Patent '547.
The Langslet Patent shows a ball-capturing tennis net assembly which has similar features to this patent. However, Langslet has specified using either two separate nets or one continuous net looped around (not under) the standard tennis net with end and middle brackets designed to hold the catch-net away from the standard tennis net.
The '715 Patent shows essentially the same technology wherein a catch-net is located on either side of a standard tennis net although there is negligible separation between the catch-net and the main net.
The Thaxton, Zak and Clark Patents show similar mechanisms in the prior art including the use of multiple catch nets to the same end.
3. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention, the ball-capturing tennis net assembly, consists of four major pieces: two end brackets which are attached to the standard net posts on either side of a standard tennis net, a ball-catching net which extends across the length of the court under the standard tennis net and/or attached to the standard tennis net, and at least one center spacer unit which is attached to the ball-catching net. It is possible to have two or more center spacer units.
To assemble the ball-catching net apparatus the end brackets are attached to each standard net post. Next, the standard tennis net center clip is detached from the tennis court. The ball-capturing net is extended across the tennis court and centered flat on the court under the standard tennis net. There is a hole in the center of the catch-net through which the center clip will later be re-attached to the tennis court. The v-shaped members (the middle brackets) of the center spacer unit are assembled by inserting a cross-bar piece from each of the at least two middle brackets into one another and attaching said assembled center spacer unit to the ball-capturing net. The attachment of the center spacer unit to the catch-net may be by way of straps from the capturing net to the center spacer unit and/or through holes in the ball-capturing net into which extensions from the center spacer unit enter or by way of holes in the ball-capturing net into which stabilizing legs from the center spacer unit fit. Next, the top bars of (or the alternate top tubes of) each of the middle brackets of the center spacer unit are attached to the catch-net inner attachment bindings. These inner attachment bindings may also be straps from the capturing net or holes in the capturing net into which the top bars fit. Next, the center clip of the standard tennis net is re-clipped onto the tennis court through the hole in the center of the catch-net. Finally, the end and side adjustable end straps protruding from each end of the capturing-net are attached to the end brackets and tightened.
Where more then one separate center spacer unit is used, a crossbar piece may be used to connect the separate center spacers together or they may be independent from other center spacer units.
The end brackets and the middle brackets of the center spacer unit are designed to bold the side bindings
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of the catch-net parallel to and at a pre-determined width from each side of the net. This is accomplished by having each end bracket top arm and the middle bracket top arms at a desired height and width from each other.
The specification shows a combination of brackets and netting which may be easily attached to an existing standard tennis net in order to catch tennis balls which hit the net. In order to accomplish this a catch net which is preferably approximately 25″ wide is attached underneath/or to an existing standard net so that approximately 12″ of netting protrude on either side of the standard net at an angle bisecting the perpendicular plane of the standard net and tennis court. This catch-net preferably extends along the entire length of the standard net. End brackets are attached to both the net posts and the catch-net and one or more center spacer units are attached to the catch-net. These end brackets and the middle brackets of the center spacer unit(s) are designed to receive straps or other attachment means from the catch-net so that the netting is held in a v-shape under and around the existing standard net.
The novel design and function of the catch-net and brackets allows for anyone to quickly attach and remove the catch-net if they do not own the court; however, this design may also be incorporated into a standard net to provide a permanent net system for tennis courts with a built in catch-net by sewing the catch-net to the standard tennis net.
The invention reduces the likelihood of injury by reducing the number of balls which would be present on the court.
The invention also allows for the balls to be more easily collected.
It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a catch-net for the standard tennis net which can collect tennis balls which strike the standard tennis net preventing them from entering the area of play.
It is a further object of the invention to reduce injuries by reducing the number of tennis balls which are on the court during play.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a catch-net which can be used in instructional, recreational, and competitive tennis.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become better understood hereinafter from a consideration of the specification with reference to the accompanying drawings forming part thereof, and in which like numerals correspond to part throughout the several views of the invention.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4886268 (1989-12-01), Langalet
patent: 4919421 (1990-04-01), Vandeveld
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