Games using tangible projectile – Billiards or pool – Table or gameboard
Patent
1994-06-03
1998-10-06
Brown, Theatrice
Games using tangible projectile
Billiards or pool
Table or gameboard
473492, A63B 6900
Patent
active
058169563
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
This invention relates to a net support structure and in particular to a net support structure for supporting a tennis net, volleyball net a practice or protection net and the like.
Conventional net support for tennis nets, volleyball nets or the like generally comprise posts which are either permanently fixed to the ground or located in sockets in the ground. Both of the conventional structures require the net to be located in a predetermined position by virtue of the fixed sockets into which the posts are inserted and do not allow the net to be easily set up in other environments for use on any suitable playing surface.
The object of this invention is to provide a net support structure which is easily transportable and which can be set up on any suitable playing area.
The invention may be said to reside in a net support structure comprising;
a pair of upright frame members,
a cross frame member,
at least two joining members for joining the pair of upright members to the cross member, and
a tensioning means for joining the upright members and cross member, so that when the uprights and cross frame members are connected by the joining members the upright members and cross member are tensioned to form an erected net support structure and when disconnected from one another whilst remaining joined by the tensioning means to allow the net support structure to be collapsed and stored.
Since the net support comprises upright members and the cross member which are joined by a joining member they can be easily disconnected for transportation and storage and can be set up anywhere and will be self supporting by virtue of the tension applied by the tension means and also with the tension means. Thus, the net can be set up on any suitable playing area without the need of fixed posts or sockets in the ground for receiving posts.
Preferably the upright members and cross member comprises tubular members.
Preferably the joining members comprises a joining elbow having first and second sockets for receiving ends of the upright members and the cross member.
Preferably the joining members includes an additional pair of sockets cojoined in a plane transverse to a plane containing the first and second sockets, for receiving leg members for stably supporting the net support structure on the ground.
Preferably the tensioning means comprises a cord.
Preferably the cord is supported by the tubular members by passing through the tubular members.
In other embodiments the tensioning means could comprise springs interconnecting the upright members and the base member.
Preferably the pair of uprights include a sleeve thereon which is movable relative to the uprights.
Preferably the cross member comprises a plurality of tubular members having fixed sleeves at an end which will form the outer extremity of each when the support structure is assembled so that a plurality of tubular members can be connected together by inserting a free end of one tubular member into the sleeve of another tubular member.
The invention also provides a net support structure comprising:
a plurality of elongate frame modules;
connecting means on said frame modules for allowing the frame modules to be connected end to end to form a net support structure of a desired configuration; and
tensioning means supported by the modules for tensioning the modules when the modules are connected together to form an erected net support structure and which join the modules when disconnected from one another so that the modules can be collapsed and stored whilst nevertheless being joined by the tensioning means.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a view of a net support structure embodying the invention;
FIG. 2 is a detailed view of a joining member used in the embodiment of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view of the joining member of FIG. 2 from the opposite side;
FIG. 4 is a view of a net support structure according to another embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a view of a furth
REFERENCES:
patent: 3195898 (1965-07-01), Respini
patent: 4010951 (1977-03-01), Gronlund
patent: 4274632 (1981-06-01), Jacobs
patent: 5018746 (1991-05-01), Cardoza
patent: 5176344 (1993-01-01), Eberhard
Ellis John
Harms Christopher
Brown Theatrice
XSPORT Development Pty. Ltd.
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