Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Means for dividing field or court into compartments; element...
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-11
2001-06-19
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Means for dividing field or court into compartments; element...
C473S490000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06248030
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to regulating features of a post for tensioning a tennis net. More specifically the present invention is directed to a calibrated tensioning apparatus in combination with support post apparatus in combination with a tennis net that permit selectively setting characteristics of a tennis net for tournament and recreational play.
Tennis courts typically are equipped with a tennis net supported on a rope or cable stretched between two posts, at least one of which includes a cable tightening device such as a ratchet which are well known in the art. Positioning the height of the net has generally been accomplished by cranking the ratchet and engaging a cog. While such an arrangement is adequate to achieve a certain degree of repeatability of height setting, other factors contribute to variations in the setting of the net including stretch of the cable, moisture and player stretching the cable to lower the height of the net. The net result is that the net often is either too high or too low. In order to control this condition and achieve a more accurate setting and positioning of the net has led to the use of straps placed at the center of the net to fix the maximum height of the net.
Historically the game of tennis has been characterized by good manners. White attire was the rule of the day, and language and activity on the court were expected to be courteous. There was a time when the height and tension of a tennis net could be selected at the discretion of the players. More recently with the advent of tournaments intended to be viewed by large Television audiences rather club premises such as Longwood Mass or Merion Pa. with large tournament purses, tennis tournaments have been characterized by poor manners, adversarial behavior and worse language; the MACINROE effect in brief This has placed most rules in the zone of dispute, especially line calls and let calls leading to disputes or arguments between officials and players and also disputes between players themselves. Coincidentally the popularity of the game has been seriously eroded, in part in all probability due to this hassle factor.
The governing bodies of the Game of Tennis are well aware of the need to reestablish a sense of certainty and good order in the sport., Reference is made to the now pending rule changes before the ITF Tennis Commission. In brief the ITF now considers time is now right to implement a change to the Rules Of Tennis for the benefit of the game. In particular the ITF is considering implementing the so-called “No-Let” rule, that is Rule 14 is being considered for a change as set forth below;
Rule 14—The “Let” In Service-the ITF has under consideration an amendment to Rule 14 regarding abolition of the “Let” In Service. The rule currently provides;
“The Service is a Let:
a. If the ball touches the net, strap or bank, and is otherwise good, or, after touching the net, strap or band, touches the Receiver or anything which he wears or carries before hitting the ground.
b. If a Service or a fault is delivered when the Receiver is not ready (see Rule 12). In the case of a let, that particular service shall not count, and the Server shall serve again, but a service let does not annul a previous fault.
Report of the Rules of Tennis Commission
The possible abolition of the “Let” In Service has been considered for some years and been subject for discussion at the AGM both in 1996 and 1997. The main reasons have been and still are:
The abolition of the “Let” would reduce interruptions and make the game more continuous.
Also It would eliminate any disputes or arguments between officials and players and also disputes between players themselves. (It should be remembered that the great majority of all matches played worldwide at different levels are played without umpires).
It would for many tournaments save the costs of one official (of which tennis already have numerous).
It would eliminate the threat of injury to the net umpire who is located in a dangerous position.
Experiments with the abolition of the “Let” have been carried out quite successfiflly over two years in the lower divisions of the Davis Cup and in official ITF Junior team events. The great majority of the players very quickly adjusted to the new concept.
The Commission also feels that the abolition of the “Let” In Service would be an easy and logical step forward to develop the sport and that time is now right to implement this change to the Rules Of Tennis and therefore recommends acceptance of the amendment of the rule.
NOTE 1: All experiments carried out suggest that the “Lets” turn out some 65% neutral or playable, i.e. to no advantage to the Server or the Receiver, some 25% in favor of the Receiver.
Posts and Nets
The “Let” In Service. Trials at ITF events had shown that no significant advantage by server or receiver would result from the deletion of the let. Lax Kessler (USTA Technical Committee) recommended that a net tension specification be developed prior to the Let being dropped. Andrew Coe confirmed that this had been discussed at the previous days Technical Commission meeting, and it had been agreed to develop a test method and specification for net tension as a matter of urgency.
Speaking on behalf of the Industry, Dave Haggerty (Dunlop Slazenger) was greatly encouraged and excited that the ITF was proceeding to make such radical rule changes to promote the growth of the game and therefore providing exciting new opportunities for manufacturers. Rick Margin (Prince) agreed that these Rule amendments signaled an ability to modernize the game and suggested that there was perhaps an opportunity to publicize these proposals to the general public for the benefit of tennis.
Facilities. At the new ITF headquarters in Roshampton, London, a purpose-built laboratory has been created where the ITF can undertake research on products. Research will initially focus on balls and court surfaces, and then we intend to look at rackets and lighting in depth. The FIT in conjunction with the ISSS (a group of commercial laboratories who test court surfaces) is holding a seminar in Paris in May, looking at the technical aspects of court surfaces. It is the objective of the ITF Technical Commission to develop a classification system for tennis court surfaces, and other tennis court facilities, including engineering ball specifications to suit a particular court surface, also in conjunction with this, they will look at tennis shoe development, so we can have shoes to suit each specific surface.
The prior does not show the unique combination of a calibrated tensioning apparatus in combination with support post apparatus in combination with a tennis net that permit selectively setting characteristics of a tennis net.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tension regulating features of a post for tensioning a tennis net. More specifically the present invention is directed to a calibrated tensioning apparatus in combination with support post apparatus and tennis net. that permit standardizing of characteristics of tennis net for tournament and recreational play. A general feature of the invention is the combination of a tightening mechanism for adjusting the tension on the cable, and a tension indicator for sensing and giving an indication of the tension on the cable, thus enabling the cable to be easily and accurately adjusted and readjusted to achieve and maintain a desired tension, assuring uniform playing characteristics over time for a given net, and from net to net.
Preferred embodiments of the invention include the following features:
The tension indicator has central feed screw apparatus on which is mounted a slideable guide, helical spring connected to a net cable or tightening and a tension indicator.. The spring element applies a measured transverse force on the cable which is opposed by a corresponding restoring force exerted by the cable (the magnitude of the restoring force is dependent on the tension on the cable); and the spring element responds to the combination of the
Chambers M.
Chapman Jeanette
Kahrl. Esq. Thomas A.
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