Amusement devices: games – Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor... – Target
Patent
1985-02-08
1987-09-15
Pinkham, Richard C.
Amusement devices: games
Aerial projectile game; game element or accessory therefor...
Target
273 26A, 273395, A63B 6940
Patent
active
046934723
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to rebound and like devices for use e.g. in the playing and/or practicizing of tennis and other ball games, and being of the kind including a net tensioned in a frame.
In the past it has often proved impossible to achieve a suitably high tension consistent with realistic rebound characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of our invention is to provide a high-tensile, simple, lightweight, portable, versatile and easily assemblable and disassemblable construction capable of withstanding and supporting a relatively high and substantially sustained net tension, and to provide, in particular, for appropriate summation of rebound forces with a multiplicative effect, and interaction and co-operation between net and frame whereby, upon appropriate "inter-tuning"between the frame, net, and ancillary components, superior rebound characteristics are combined with high efficiency and convenient adjustability to suit a wide variety of circumstances and space exigencies.
With this object in view our invention in a preferred form provides a rebound net wherein a net of tough and low-extensible material exhibiting substantial non-slip characteristics when conventionally or suitably knotted (e.g. a plastics/monofilament of suitable cross-section) is held by a means of a high-tensile and substantially non-stretch perimeter cord, such cord, being of the same, similar or compatible material with that of the net, within a tubular metal or like material framework by means of clips or other suitable attachment anchoring or constraining devices characterized in that the net and perimeter cord are tensioned to a high degree, sufficient to provide at least 80% rebound of a tennis ball (i.e., with less than a 20% loss of kinetic energy).
The net material may be "Nylon" monofilament or material of similar physical characteristics e.g. strain/stress function and/or elastic memory function. The perimeter cord may be of the same or similar material of suitably larger area cross-section. Preferably the perimeter cord is such as will not extend more than about 0.5% at maximum load whilst retaining elasticity.
The net filaments may be of double-circular, "dumbbell" or bilobular cross-section represented approximately by two circles joined by a narrower "bridge", and it is thought at this stage that the opposed "valleys" of the filament thus produced will assist the stability of knotting of such material.
The knotting may be a double-knotting or any other manner or means of non-slip or substantial non-slip connexion to prevent undue deformation of the mesh pattern and hence reduce any risk of the ball passing through the net even at the highest tensions and impact speeds permitted by the device.
Similarity or compatability of the perimeter cord material with that of the net, may tend to reduce the risk of cutting and abrasion, particularly at high-tension.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In order that the invention may be readily understood and conveniently put into practical effect an exemplary construction of rebound net made according to the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1a is a front elevation of the rebound net, mounted ready for use;
FIG. 1b shows the mounted rebound net in side elevation;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view;
FIG. 3 shows a cross-section on the line and in the direction of the arrows 3--3 of FIG. 1b;
FIG. 4 illustrates a preferred construction of attachment clip for holding the perimeter cord in relation to the frame;
FIG. 5 shows one tensioning device, for use in connecting the perimeter cord to an attachment clip or for tension adjustment purposes;
FIG. 6 illustrates a second form of attachment clip;
FIG. 7 shows a corner brace;
FIG. 8 illustrates a number of different arrangements of rebound nets, for different purposes;
FIG. 9 shows a multi-purpose connector for the members of the net frame;
FIG. 10 illustrates the construction of the net and the connection of the perimeter cord thereto; and
FIG. 11 depicts diagrammatically
REFERENCES:
patent: 1142284 (1915-06-01), Lawrence
patent: 2992002 (1961-07-01), Bingham, Jr.
patent: 3013801 (1961-12-01), Kirkconnell
patent: 3312467 (1967-04-01), Dawson
patent: 3711092 (1973-01-01), Hague
patent: 4206916 (1980-06-01), Epply
patent: 4410313 (1979-02-01), Martin
patent: 4456251 (1984-06-01), Balaz
Becker Roland
Newman Vernon H.
Brown T.
Pinkham Richard C.
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