U.S. patent application number 13/815444 was filed with the patent office on 2014-08-28 for adjustable flexible sports net system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Tremaine Whalen, Sean Tremaine Whalen. Invention is credited to Robert Tremaine Whalen, Sean Tremaine Whalen.
Application Number | 20140243119 13/815444 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51388706 |
Filed Date | 2014-08-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140243119 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whalen; Robert Tremaine ; et
al. |
August 28, 2014 |
Adjustable flexible sports net system
Abstract
And adjustable sports net system comprising a plurality of
ground anchors (105), two standard assemblies (108), elastic guy
line assemblies (107) connecting the ground anchors to the
standards, and a net fabric (101) disposed between the two standard
assemblies. The net fabric (101) is adjustable in length and
height, independent of initial placement of the standard assemblies
(108). The standard assemblies (108) may deflect substantially upon
impact from a game object (503) but return to a nominal position
because of the elastic spring elements (110) in the guy line
assemblies (107). The energy from such impact is absorbed over a
longer time period, and the peak forces are kept lower for use of
cheap, light materials, for system that is lightweight, fast to set
up by a single person, and cost effective to manufacture. A safety
structure provides protection to the consumer from inadvertent
pullout of each ground anchor (105).
Inventors: |
Whalen; Robert Tremaine;
(Los Altos, CA) ; Whalen; Sean Tremaine; (Los
Altos, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whalen; Robert Tremaine
Whalen; Sean Tremaine |
Los Altos
Los Altos |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51388706 |
Appl. No.: |
13/815444 |
Filed: |
February 28, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/493 ;
473/494 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 61/02 20130101;
A63B 2071/026 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 2209/10
20130101; A63B 2071/024 20130101; A63B 2225/09 20130101; A63B
2225/093 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/493 ;
473/494 |
International
Class: |
A63B 61/02 20060101
A63B061/02; A63B 61/00 20060101 A63B061/00 |
Claims
1. A stabilization system for stabilizing an object in a nominal
position relative to a surface, said stabilization system
comprising: a) at least one stabilization assembly, each said
stabilization assembly comprising at least one spring element, said
spring element able to elongate and contract in reaction to an
impact on said object, said stabilization assembly further
comprising a first attachment means for attaching at least a first
portion of said stabilization assembly to said surface, and a
second attachment means for attaching a second portion of said
stabilization assembly to said object, whereby said stabilization
system restores said object substantially to said nominal position
relative to said surface without additional intervention.
2. The stabilization system of claim 1 wherein the object is a
standard of a net game system, and a net is disposed between a
plurality of said standards and held taught with an initial net
tension force.
3. The net game system of claim 2 wherein said standards are made
of elastically deformable material.
4. The net game system of claim 2 wherein said standards comprise a
height adjustment means for vertically adjusting the height of said
net, and said initial net tension force is substantially maintained
across a height adjustment range by said stabilization system.
5. The net game system of claim 4 wherein said height adjustment
means comprises a height adjustment guide, said net slidably
attaching to said height adjustment guide and a movable stop
attached above and a movable stop attached below said net whereby a
user may slide said net and said movable stops along said height
adjustment guide continuously across said height adjustment
range.
6. The net game system of claim 4 wherein said second attachment
means fixes said stabilization assembly to said standard below a
maximum height of said standard and to a non-adjustable portion of
said standard.
7. The net game system of claim 4 wherein said spring element is
made of bungee cord between about 1/4 and about 1/2'' in diameter,
and said net may translate from a minimum height of about 24'' to a
maximum height of about 8 ft.
8. The stabilization system of claim 1 further comprising a safety
means, said safety means safely dissipating energy stored in at
least one said stabilization assembly, whereby said safety means
prevents harmful effects to a person should said stabilization
assembly inadvertently release from said surface.
9. The safety means of claim 8 further comprising: a rigid tube
comprising a first tube end and a second tube end, said rigid tube
encompassing a length portion of said stabilization assembly, said
second tube end fixed substantially near said second portion of
said stabilization assembly, where said stabilization assembly is
allowed to translate through said rigid tube; and a blocking means
secured to said first tube end for preventing said first attachment
means from translating past said first tube end.
10. The safety means of claim 9 wherein said blocking means
comprises a rigid tube opening that is smaller than said first
attachment means, thereby providing mechanical interference between
said first tube end and said first attachment means.
11. The safety means of claim 8 further comprising: a) a fabric
sleeve disposed around said stabilization assembly, said fabric
sleeve comprising a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, said
second sleeve end attached substantially near said second portion
of said stabilization assembly; b) a rigid member constrained by
said fabric sleeve, said rigid member running substantially the
length of said fabric sleeve, and blocking means to prevent said
first attachment means of said stabilization assembly from
translating past said first sleeve end.
12. The safety means of claim 8 wherein a safety connecting member
is disposed between said object and said first attachment means of
said stabilization assembly, and a tertiary attachment means is
connected along the length of said safety connecting member for
securing said safety connecting member to said surface.
13. The tertiary connecting means of claim 12 being a safety
stake.
14. The safety means of claim 8 wherein a bar comprises a first
penetrating end pressed into said surface and a second penetrating
end pressed into said surface, and at least on of said
stabilization assemblies is disposed between said object and said
first penetrating end and a second of said stabilization assemblies
is disposed between said object and second penetrating end whereby
a pullout force on said first penetrating end causes said second
penetrating end to be pressed tighter into said surface.
15. The safety means of claim 8 wherein a height limiting member is
disposed between a base of said object and said stabilization
assembly, said height limiting member connecting substantially near
said first attachment means.
16. A method of stabilizing an object in a nominal position
relative to a surface comprising: a) providing at least one
stabilization assembly, each said stabilization assembly comprising
at least one spring element, said spring element able to elongate
and contract in reaction to an impact on said object, said
stabilization assembly further comprising a first attachment means
for attaching at least a first portion of said stabilization
assembly to said surface, and a second attachment means for
attaching a second portion of said stabilization assembly to said
object, whereby said stabilization system restores said object
substantially to said nominal position relative to said surface
without additional intervention
17. A continuously length adjustable net for attachment between a
plurality of standards of a net support structure, said
continuously length adjustable net comprising: a) a net fabric
spanning at least a predetermined maximum usable length; b) a first
net end with net attachment means for connecting to a first
standard; and a second net end with said net attachment means for
connecting to a second standard, whereby said net may span any of a
desired length continuously up to said maximum predetermined usable
length.
18. The net attachment means of claim 17 wherein said first net end
is attached to said standard with hook and loop fastener and said
second net end wraps around said second standard, doubles back, and
connects to said net fabric with hook and loop fastener.
19. The continuously length adjustable net of claim 17 wherein the
length of the net may be adjusted from about 9 ft to about 18
ft.
20. The continuously length adjustable net of claim 17 wherein a
width of said net may range from about 4'' to about 24''.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application No. 61/634,427, filed Feb. 29, 2012 and U.S.
Provisional Application No. 61/848,374, filed Jan. 2, 2013 each
filed by the present inventors.
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0002] Not applicable
SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM
[0003] Not applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to portable sports net assemblies,
and more specifically to a portable, horizontally and vertically
adjustable assembly which uses flexibility in the design to
dissipate energy from impact plus a safety mechanism to limit the
potential harm of the stored energy to the user or bystanders,
allowing for a light weight, cheap construction.
[0005] Sports nets are used in a variety of sports such as
volleyball, tennis, badminton, soccer tennis, etc. In the interest
of brevity, the invention shall be described as how it relates to
the sport of soccer tennis, but the constructions and inventions
described and claimed in this specification may be used in any such
game which requires one or more nets or net substitutes such as a
barrier or wall that marks a horizontal boundary above ground
level.
[0006] Soccer tennis is a game played on a field created with two
halves of a court with equal dimensions and a net separating the
two halves similar to tennis or volleyball. The object of the game
is to play a ball over the net and have it land in the opponent's
court without them returning the ball into the first player or
team's court. Typically a player or team will have one or more
touches allowed on the ball with which to return the ball to the
opponent's side; for example three touches may be allowed as in
volleyball. Many variations of the game are played, including
allowing the ball to bounce one or more times prior to declaring a
point over (as in tennis), or no bounces allowed at all, such as in
volleyball. One important aspect of the game is the rules may be
altered to teach a specific skill. Allowing bounces will teach the
ability to receive a ball off the ground with the body, whereas a
rule set where bounces are banned teaches the player to receive the
ball in the air. Soccer tennis is played without use of the hands,
and is used to develop touch, meaning the ability to hit the ball
with the correct direction and velocity, with various parts of the
body other than the hands. As previously stated, sports involving
hands also benefit from the inventions described, and the
application of the inventions and sports net system described
herein shall be understood to one skilled specifically in the art
of those sports.
[0007] Soccer tennis is a game which can be played by 2 persons, or
sometimes played 11 against 11, which would involve all players
typically on a soccer team's roster. Soccer tennis can be played by
young children, for example 8 or 9 years old, up to adults. Because
of the greatly varying characteristics of the players, such as
quantity, physical size, and skill level, it is important that the
equipment used to play the game be adjustable in height and length.
A field for use in a 1 vs. 1 game must be much smaller than a field
for 11 vs. 11. Likewise the net height for an 8 year must be much
lower in general than the net height for an adult. Even within a
given age group, net adjustability changes the dynamics of the game
such that a higher net typically creates a slower game and may be
played without allowing the ball to touch the ground, like
volleyball, whereas a lower net creates a much faster, direct, game
as in tennis. A single net system which can be adjusted allows
greater flexibility and utility in developing various skills of the
players. Adjustability also makes the net useful for other sports
than soccer tennis. For example, a typical soccer tennis net may be
4 ft high, but a net that could extend up to 8 ft could also be
used to play volleyball. Not only is adjustability important, but
speed and real time adjustability is also crucial. A coach may wish
to have a warm-up game with the net in a lower position, and raise
the height to transition the skill level to more of an aerial game
as players warm up or improve in skill. Alternatively a large
gathering of people of different ages, sizes, etc. and skill level
may wish to play a tournament (for example a family reunion) and a
net that is quickly and easily adjusted in height and/or length
allows for quick transition between a junior bracket where a net
would be in a lower position, and an adult bracket where the net
would be in a higher position. Without this fast adjustability in
length and height, and therefore the need to fully or partially
take the net down each time, such a tournament becomes cumbersome,
which limits the scope of usefulness and therefore the advantage of
the system to the end user. Finally, the size, weight, and
portability are essential characteristics of the sports net system.
For use in a team setting, a coach will typically need to carry to
the field and set up multiple net systems so having something
lightweight, compact and fast to set up is crucial. If a net system
is too cumbersome to carry around, then a coach will not take the
time to incorporate the game into the session. Likewise if a net
system is too heavy or unwieldy for a young player to carry on a
bicycle for example, this again limits the utility of the system as
the child needs someone to take them around to set up the game.
[0008] Many examples of prior art, in particular the Kwik Goal.TM.,
Bownet.TM. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,156,408 to Hall et al, do not
provide any means for height or length adjustment, limiting the
utility of such a system to a particular type and quantity of
player as described above. Other patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,415,163 to
Schoenig, U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,157 to McCord, U.S. Pat. No.
4,720,112 to Stettner et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,885,176 to Wong et al,
U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,539 to Watterson et al, U.S. Pat. No. 7,731,610
to Hun Im, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,109 to Robl, all discuss the
desire for height adjustment with either telescoping members,
discrete positions along the vertical length of a right and left
standard for attaching the net, or a combination of both.
Telescoping poles have the inherent disadvantage that they increase
manufacturing costs and assembly complexity by requiring tubing of
different sizing that must stay straight along the length that is
to be in contact between the inner and outer member. With respect
to telescoping systems, portability is a common desirable theme of
much of the prior art, however a tube can easily get bent in
transit, in the back of a car, or from a small child stepping on it
while on the ground. A bent tube ruins the entire system because
the tubes can no longer slide within each other. To resist such
bending, tube dimensions must be increased and a heavier duty
material used which adds cost and weight to the system, and still
doesn't fully protect against bending. Indeed Stettner mentions the
diameter of such tubing being 2'' compared to the 1/2'' PVC tube
discussed in the preferred embodiment of this application. Kessler
mentions the tolerance of such pipes to be between 0-0.015'' on the
diameter, which is a tighter tolerance than most common plastic
tubing extrusions, meaning a custom extrusion, which is more
expensive to manufacture. Indeed, this tolerance must be maintained
along the entire telescoping length which is quite difficult to
achieve cheaply, even in metal. Kessler and others who discuss the
need for low cost and portability recognize that plastic is a far
cheaper option. However with a telescoping design, Kessler and
others fail to realize that plastic warps in the sun and deforms
over time, which will ruin the telescoping ability and lead to
binding. Thus, the best chance a telescoping system has of being
functional is to be made of metal which is heavier and more costly
than a plastic alternative that doesn't telescope. Additionally, as
described in McCord, Schoenig, Wong, and Watterson by example,
telescoping standards are described that are under inward forces on
the upper member of the standard from the net tension. This inward
force causes a binding friction between the inner and outer members
of the standard, and to some degree will bend the standards when
the net is tensioned, making real time height adjustment in situ
virtually impossible without releasing the tension in the net. The
tension in the net must first be released by detaching the net, the
standards adjusted, and then the tension re-applied by attaching
the net again. Once the net is detached, the guy lines will pull
the standard to the ground because there is no counterforce. To
prevent this, a user must hold the standard in place while
adjusting the height and while re-attaching the net. This makes
adjustment a two person job, one to manage the standard and one to
manage the net. Requiring two people is problematic in a setting
where a coach is setting up a training session by themselves.
Further, Wong, Kessler, Stettner, and Schoenig all describe
telescoping systems with vertical height adjustment systems that
require some degree of re-tensioning of two or more guy lines
post-vertical adjustment to maintain tension in the system in
addition to requiring additional bodies to adjust the height
without the system collapsing. This is because the upper section of
the standard, where the guy lines are attached, is moved downward,
decreasing the length of the guy line. Because there is no elastic
element in the guy line, the guy line becomes slack and net tension
is lost. McCord describes a telescoping scheme where a collar
slides around a standard of fixed height, the guy line is attached
to the top of the standard, and therefore does not change its
position vertically on height adjustment. However, McCord fails to
realize that it is virtually impossible for the user to put the
standards in perfectly parallel when applying tension, so
inevitably the net will be tensioned for a given net height, when
the net is adjusted in situ, the distance between the standards
will change and the net tension will change, and in some cases
decrease and lead to a drooping net. This problem would be
alleviated by flexible standards which could deflect to provide the
extra distance to make up for lack of parallelism, however this
would mean the standards bend slightly, and this would not prevent
McCord's sleeve to translate along the standard. Therefore,
McCord's design is not able to guarantee net tension over a wide
range of heights without readjusting guy lines or repositioning
standards. Vertical telescoping height adjustment described in the
prior art therefore is a cumbersome process compared to the
inventions in this specification, which disclose methods of height
adjustability without taking apart any components of the system.
Additionally, telescoping systems have superfluous material in the
system by virtue of requiring a minimal amount of overlap between
the two tubes. A minimal section of overlap (in the extended
position) is required on the inner member and the outer member,
however if the two members are simply joined, and the height
adjusted by other means, this extra overlap in material does not
exist. Additionally, telescoping systems, by their nature are not
optimized for the forces put on them, because a standard will have
a given set of dimensions (wall thickness and diameter) for a given
maximum force, and because the inner and outer members must be
different sizes, the larger member will, by necessity, be
over-designed (the smaller member must be designed to take the
force, yet fit inside the larger member). Both this overlap and the
non-optimal use of tube dimensions means the system will be heavier
and more costly by material use alone than an optimized system that
did not rely on telescoping members for height adjustment. Finally,
most of telescoping systems described do not have a guard to
prevent from inadvertently pulling one member out of the other
during adjustment, which would delay setup time. Such a provision,
which would be required of a practical telescoping system, would
add to the complexity, cost, and number of adjustment operations to
change the height of the system.
[0009] Systems such as the FootTennisSoccer.TM., Wong et al.,
Watterson et al., rely on discrete height adjustment positions, and
are non-optimal as they require the net to be disconnected in at
least two points, in most cases four corners of the net, moved, and
then reconnected. In the case of Wong et al, changing height
requires threading a strap through a slot, then threaded through a
buckle, which can be difficult, frustrating, and time consuming
depending on the stiffness of the strap. In the case of
FootTennisSoccer.TM., two settings are available at 1 meter and 1.6
meters. An extra length is required to be attached on top of the
base standards, and then the net re-attached. This is not practical
if the setup is to be changed quickly in the middle of a training
session because the tension must be released to remove the net,
then the height extenders put on, then the net re-attached. This
takes unnecessary time, and setup/adjustment time is a critical
operating parameter for a coach who has limited time, and needs to
quickly change the dynamics of the training session. In reality,
coaches or players either will not adjust the initial height, or
not use the system, both of which reduce or eliminate the potential
utility of the system. Discrete vertical height positions also, by
their nature add more complexity with attachment points, and mating
elements that increase manufacturing part count, operations, and
cost. At the same time discrete height adjustment systems also
limit the amount of possible positions the net can have to the
number of height adjustment spots. For FootTennisSoccer.TM., the
two positions are almost double one another meaning there are a lot
of possible heights that are missed. Because of the inherent
limitations, increased manufacturing cost, and increased
setup/adjustment time in telescoping and discrete position net
height adjustment systems, a system in which the net is
continuously and quickly adjusted in the vertical direction is big
advantage to increasing the utility of the system and its
incorporation into coaching sessions or events where large variance
in users want to use the same field.
[0010] As discussed above, it is also an important aspect of a
sports net system to be simply and quickly adjustable in length to
accommodate a varying quantity of players. Prior art, such as the
existing soccer tennis systems on the market (Kwik Goal.TM.,
Bownet.TM., FootTennisSoccer.TM.), don't provide for length-wise
adjustment, probably because most games are played with a fixed
dimension according to the rules of the game. Bownet.TM. and Kwik
Goal.TM. describe placing multiple nets together, however this
requires multiple systems and more cost to the consumer. Further,
if the desired length is actually 1.5.times. a Bownet.TM. or Kwik
Goal.TM. net length, this is not achievable with their products. It
is an added benefit of the system for all sports, volleyball,
badminton, soccer tennis, etc. to be length adjustable to maximize
the enjoyment of the game by preventing a situation where a single
player has to run around a court that is too large, or conversely
too many players need to cram into a court that is too small.
Because of the nature of the operating environment of these
systems, parks, backyards, etc. there may not be space for a full
size court. Such a situation would render a product useless if it
can't be adapted to fit the available space. Therefore a net that
can adapt in length to the environment is beneficial and opens up
the range of settings in which the sports net system can be used.
Furthermore, it is always much easier to find one person with free
time to play 1v1 than to find 6 people to play 3v3. However,
without a system that is functional for games with varying
quantities of players, a larger system, such as the
FootTennisSoccer.TM. (7 m in length), will not be used to the full
extent it should be unless a minimum number of players are brought
together to play. U.S. Pat. No. 5,303,932 to Kessler in particular
has no means of length adjustment so if the bases are not placed
just right, the user will have to move heavy, ballasted bases to
try and put tension on the net. This may not be possible in the
case children using the system who don't have sufficient strength.
Watterson et all, discusses a system for discrete length adjustment
using a net with four attachment straps, one of which has a series
of hooks. However this system keeps the length of the actual net
portion a fixed length, meaning the sides are left open and
ambiguous as to whether the ball or object has gone over or under
the net. The wider the standards are placed, the more of the length
without a portion of the net is present and the less effective the
system becomes. Watterson's design also ends up with superfluous
material hanging and the hooks may get tangled on the net and cause
a mess in the packaging process, or float into the court on a windy
day. Watterson's design also relies on heavy well secured standards
to the ground. Because of the discrete length adjustments, it is
necessary to move the distance between the standards when adjusting
the net length, and this is not trivial given how securely they
must be planted into the ground. U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,956 to Ellis
et al shows a net that can be disconnected in a portion and allowed
to droop down which again interferes with the look and function of
the system, and would blow into the field of play on a windy day.
Both Watterson and Ellis describe only discretely length adjustable
systems. In a quick setup a player does not want to have to measure
the length precisely, therefore, in the case of a system with
separable standards like Watterson, there must either be a lot of
length adjustment hooks (increased cost and complexity), or the
standard must be able to bend to accommodate changes in length.
Watterson's requirement and depiction of stiff telescoping poles
relies on straightness, which is counter to this flexibility
requirement. In the case of Ellis, the support apparatus is of a
fixed net length so the support structure must be the maximum
desired length that will ever be used. Ellis' design also requires
a cross member to hold the tension in the net, which adds
significant material and cost. Indeed for a tennis court as Ellis
mentions, there is so much extra material the system is not really
even portable anymore. Ellis describes the structure being made of
aluminum tubing meaning a significant added cost in terms of
material, connecting joints, etc. that is typically not required as
the system will likely not be used at the maximum net length most
of the time. Additionally the fixed net length of the support
tubing structure in Ellis necessitates a larger playing area which
is detrimental in a situation where a coach may want to have
multiple nets set up side by side, but only be allocated a limited
amount of space on a training field. It is therefore desirable a
net system adjusts in length continuously to take up the minimal
amount of surface area required for any given available field size,
and eliminate the need for precise placement of the standards in
the case of separable standards, enabling fast and simple setup by
a single person, and ability to make fields of substantially
different net lengths.
[0011] For systems that incorporate guy lines such as Kellams,
Stettner, Robl, and McCord, guy lines are attached to the top of
the standards. To achieve an acceptable angle with the ground, the
guy lines must be anchored a greater distance from the base than if
the guy lines were attached lower on the standard. Current designs
using guy lines are configured this way because they must carry the
net tension directly from the net at the top of the standard to the
ground. However this creates a larger footprint for the guy lines
and makes the guy lines more likely to be accidentally pulled out
by someone tripping on them. This can pose a dangerous situation as
the person may then fall on the exposed ground stake. It is
therefore desirable that a net assembly not require guy line
attachment at the top of the standard, but at a lower point as
described in the disclosed invention.
[0012] Net games, like soccer tennis, are frequently played in
parks and small fields between a group of friends or family getting
together to have fun. Therefore it is important for the net to be
very light and portable and require minimal setup time. Increased
portability increases the utility of the system as it makes it less
of a hassle for the players to transport and therefore more likely
they will use the system. Specifically for soccer tennis, it is the
object of the system that a pair of 8 year olds can take a system
on their bicycle and set up at a local field to play. Furthermore,
a coach or trainer with a roster of 24 players for example, may
want to use 6+ systems during training sessions for 2v2 or 3v3
tournament play and therefore must be able to easily carry these
systems without having to take multiple trips back to the car.
Existing products such as the Kwik Goal.TM. (11 lbs),
FootTennisSoccer.TM. (13 lbs) are heavier than they need to be due
to construction design such as an added cross bar in the example of
the Kwik Goal.TM., and too large of a net and metal side posts in
the case of the FootTennisSoccer.TM.. These systems are 2-3 times
heavier than the system described herein and not really portable in
quantities of 4 or more. Systems relying on ballast such as Kessler
have bases that are required to cover a large surface area to
provide a solid enough base, so while they may be light without the
ballast, they are physically large and difficult to carry. The
ballast material, typically water or sand, may also be difficult to
source onsite once the system is setup. Systems such as Watterson,
which rely on heavy plates that cover larger surface areas for
stability, also contradict portability. Telescoping systems such as
Schoenig require more material than is necessary to carry a given
force as described above and also are prone to bending. If the
telescoping system is to resist bending, it must be made of
substantially higher gauge steel or other material which increases
weight.
[0013] One crucial aspect of many net systems is that they
inherently involve contact between the net and the player or the
game object (like a volleyball). This contact puts a stress on the
system which must be absorbed and transmitted to the ground without
displacement of the equipment, which would require putting the
equipment back into place to maintain the integrity of the field
boundaries. Weights are commonly used to anchor a system to the
ground. However, this contradicts the goal of compactness,
portability, and low carrying weight. Designs such as Kessler et
al. remove the weight from the system, but require the user to
source the weight at the place where the system is to be setup, for
example sand on a beach, which is not feasible in the case of a
public park. This limits the utility of such designs primarily to
beaches. Ellis and the Kwik Goal.TM. ignore the need to secure the
system to the ground all together, most likely because they are
designed to operate on hard surfaces like artificial turf which
can't receive any sort of stakes or ground anchors. This is a big
oversight however; these systems use a net that will absorb the
entire impact of the ball, yet have nothing but the friction on the
ground to secure it into place. In reality, the entire net system
ends up tipping over or sliding on the surface of the grass which
requires the players to reposition it after every net impact,
slowing down the pace of the game. Other systems, such as Hall and
Watterson et al. require implantable ground supports, or supports
with bases with large surface areas that are staked into the
ground. In the case of implantable ground supports this requires
digging a hole, which is not practical when low setup time, net
length adjustment, and portability are crucial requirements. With
regard to a flanged support base as depicted in Watterson, to
prevent the standard from tipping over, the diameter or outer
dimension of such a flange needs to be significant to absorb the
torque put on the standard if the ball hits the top of the
standard, reducing portability. Hall mentions the material for the
support structure to be plastic, but this will not provide
sufficient weight to keep the support from moving. If only the
standard is plastic, it risks breaking from high impact as the
standard acts as a long lever arm for an impact at the top of the
standard. In all systems prone to movement or loosening in the
ground, the net will lose tension after impact with the player
and/or ball, and repositioning will be required to restore tension
to the net. Weighted or large diameter bases unnecessarily increase
the physical size and weight of the system for transport. Therefore
it's important that a system be designed to flexibly absorb this
energy and transmit to the ground surface.
[0014] While the designs described above do not address the need to
transmit forces to the ground, Schoenig et al., McCord, Stettner et
al., Kellams, Robl, and Wong et al, FootTennisSoccer.TM., anchor
their systems to the ground with stakes and guy lines with
tensioning devices. A typical configuration is two guy lines coming
from the top of a standard to two stakes on the ground, the same on
the opposite side, and a net connecting the two standards. However,
in all of these systems, there is no compliance built into the
system. The guy lines are all tensioned and locked during setup,
and therefore not able to change their length. This means the net
has very little compliance. A force from the ball or a person
running into the net is transmitted directly down to the stakes in
the ground without any dissipation of this energy. A high enough
force, or a small child running around the field who kicks the rope
connected to the ground stake, means the stake comes dislodged and
the entire net collapses and must be set up again. Additionally,
after repeated impacts into either the net or the standard from the
ball or player, the standard and stakes will tend to loosen in the
ground. This reduces the tension in the system causing the net to
droop, and requires the game to stop so the net can be
re-tightened. The FootTennisSoccer.TM. system illustrates exactly
this problem as the net will frequently absorb the full impact of
the ball, not to mention the standards are prone themselves to
impact from the ball. It only takes a few impacts for the standard
to no longer remain substantially upright. Wong et al, offers a
built in re-tensioning solution, but it is very difficult to
manufacture because it requires welding or gluing inside of a long
narrow tube. Further, Wong's design does not offer flexibility in
the tensioning system so it will still result in net droop as the
posts and stakes loosen over time in the ground. Kellams recognizes
the deficiency of just using ropes and stakes to locate and keep
tension on a sports net system by providing extra base support.
However, Kellams' solution is to add more parts, cost and weight to
the system. Kellams also fails to take into account impacts at the
base support, parallel to ground, will cause the base support to
slide out from under the net and the system will collapse.
Furthermore, Kellams' design helps to spread the force to the
ground, but the system is still rigid and therefore, impacts which
pull the standards inward, i.e. a ball crashing into the middle of
the net, transmit forces directly to the stakes, causing the stakes
to loosen and eventually pull out. Robl's solution is similar to
Kellams by providing a substantial base support of 6 square inches
with a 6 inch spike. Not only is such a design dangerous in
transportation (a small child riding a bike with a 6 inch spike for
example), but it is unnecessarily large and costly when compared to
the invention described herein. Intentional compliance in the
system as described and claimed herein maintains net tension
through impacts, and drastically reduces the chance of net
loosening and stake pull out as there is far more physical movement
allowed by all system components without exceeding the pullout
force of the stakes. This reduced force on the stakes also means
that the stakes can be shorter which makes them easier to put in,
and less dangerous/more convenient to carry around and package up
(no tangling). Indeed, a system built according the this
specification was battered with a ball and left erect for over one
week with no appreciable loss in net tension. Some patents
referenced herein such as Schoenig et al, rely on stakes, and
acknowledge the need for a hammer to put the stakes in the ground.
This again adds setup hassle and weight to the system. A net system
with built in compliance therefore allows for a smoother operation
of the game, with fewer instances of re-tensioning required, more
flexibility in net length setup, and a better overall user
experience.
[0015] In an elastic system, most of the energy from impacts goes
into deforming the elements of the system, whereas in an
non-elastic system the energy is transmitted to the anchoring
elements through high peak forces which will cause loosening or
pullout from the ground. This allows for shorter ground spikes, and
lighter weight materials because of the lower peak forces each
member must carry. Indeed, prototype nets functioned well with
3.5'' ground spikes whereas a typical spike for a volleyball net
would be 4-5''. A shorter stake is in general safer to the
consumer, and lighter weight materials are cheaper to fabricate and
lighter to carry around. While it is a great benefit that an
elastic system will reduce peak forces on the ground anchors, a
flexible, elastic system will store energy when a force is put on
the net or standards. A mechanism therefore is required to
dissipate this energy in a safe manner without the chance of injury
to a player or bystander. All references herein, lack any type of
safety mechanism against stake or standard pullout, primarily
because they do not incorporate elastic members, and therefore are
incapable of storing energy. In an elastic system, as described and
claimed herein, the energy stored in the elastic members can be
transmitted to a ground anchor/stake and, should the ground
anchor/stake release, force it to fly upwards with an appreciable
velocity, posing a safety risk. A further aspect of the safety
mechanism should be that it absorbs energy without limiting the
stretch or bending of the elastic member(s). For example, a rope
overlapping and secured to either end of a shorter section of
bungee cord is used in sailing applications to limit the amount of
possible stretch in the bungee cord. This is perfectly suitable for
sailing applications where the purpose is mainly to prevent a
catastrophic failure of the bungee cord from a gust of wind on the
sail. This would not work in a flexible sports net system however.
Such a safety mechanism limits the stretch, so a user can
theoretically stretch/bend the elastic member to the maximum amount
during initial setup, and therefore any further impacts on the
system would not be absorbed by further compliance (because the
elastic limit was reached during setup), and these forces would be
transmitted directly to the stakes, causing loosening and loss of
net tension. The compliance of the system would have effectively
been bypassed. Furthermore, for elastic members that change
properties over time (such as bungee cords), it is also detrimental
to limit the amount of stretch with the safety mechanism, since
over time, more stretch may be required to produce the same
compliance force and net tension. Therefore, with a elastic system,
a safety mechanism which dissipates the stored energy from the
elastic member(s) without limiting the amount of compliance that
can be achieved should be incorporated as described herein.
[0016] Finally, it will be noted that systems which use a
traditional net structure may over complicate what is actually
required to fulfill the object of the game. A net that is the
traditional size of a volley ball, or soccer tennis net as
described in the referenced patents, or sold with the Kwik Goal.TM.
or FootTennisSoccer.TM., adds weight to the system by virtue of the
amount of material. Such a net also increases the chance of
entanglement with other parts of the system in the netting during
packaging, increasing frustration on setup/teardown. In the case of
soccer tennis, or tennis systems, the net also blocks the ball from
traveling through to the other side which requires a player to walk
up to the net and retrieve the ball. This slows down any game
played, and is typically not required to tell if the ball went over
or under the net. A net which is much shorter in height, or doesn't
go all the way to the ground, accomplishes the goal of allowing
players to determine if a shot went over or under, yet allows the
ball to travel through to the other player with the energy it
already has and prevents a player from having to retrieve the ball.
This is or particular relevance in relation to the Kwik Goal.TM.
and FootTennisSoccer.TM. systems.
Objects and Advantages
[0017] Accordingly, besides the objects and advantages of elastic
adjustable sports net system described in this specification,
several objects and advantages of the present invention are: [0018]
a) to provide a sports net system that accommodates varying height
settings along a continuous vertical adjustment path without the
net to detach the net or re-tension or re-tighten any components;
[0019] b) to provide a sports net system that accommodates varying
length settings along a continuous length-wise adjustment path;
[0020] c) to allow the adjustments described in a) and b) to be
made by a single person and in real time without the need for
disassembly of parts of the system to minimize time required to
make the adjustment; [0021] d) to provide a sports net system that
is light in weight; [0022] e) to provide a sports net assembly that
is easily collapsible, portable, and compact; [0023] f) to provide
a sports net assembly that is cheap and simple to manufacture;
[0024] g) to provide a sports net assembly that is flexible and
resilient to absorb impact from an object, ball or player for
example, and deflect sufficiently to transmit this impulse of
energy to the ground without permanent movement or loosening or
ground attachment points, and then return to a nominal position
without the need for readjustment by a user; [0025] h) to provide a
sports net assembly that absorbs the energy stored in its elastic
member(s) without posing a safety risk to the player(s) or
bystander(s); [0026] i) to provide a sports net assembly that has
easily interchangeable nets for embroidering of a logo; [0027] j)
to provide a system where a single person may independently place
the standards into a penetrable surface at any reasonably length,
and then string a net between them so setup does not take multiple
players, and the length does not require precise location or
preassembly; [0028] k) to provide a sports net system whose net
tension does not loosen under impacts to the system; [0029] l) to
provide a sports net system that is adjustable to take up the
minimum required footprint for a given field size while maintaining
resiliency, flexibility, portability, and adjustability; [0030] m)
to provide elements a)-l) in a single system that is simple and
easy and safe to transport, durable, and fast to setup.
[0031] Still further objects and advantages will become apparent
from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
SUMMARY
[0032] In accordance with the present invention, an adjustable
sports net assembly comprises two standards, vertical guides
running a portion of the length of each standard, a net connected
to and disposed between each of these guides with cord stops to
secure the vertical position of the net for continuous vertical
adjustment of the net. The net is adjustable in length via doubling
back on itself using strips of hook and loop fastener, to allow for
continuous adjustment in net length of the assembly. Each standard
is connected to the ground via a guy line incorporating a spring
element two guy line elements connected each to a ground stake. The
spring elements absorbs impact of an object on the net, allowing
each standard to deflect about its base in any direction, yet
return to a nominal position once the full impact has been absorbed
and transmitted to the ground stakes. A safety system is attached
to each stabilization assembly to limit the height each stake could
reach should it inadvertently pull out of the ground.
DRAWINGS
Figures
[0033] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a sports net system in
accordance with the present invention
[0034] FIG. 2 shows perspective view of one standard of a sports
net system with an additional intermediate section for height
extension
[0035] FIG. 3 shows an anchor design
[0036] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a packaging configuration
of the sports net system shown in FIG. 1
[0037] FIG. 5 shows a deflection path of the sports net system from
FIG. 1 from an impact of a game object on the net
[0038] FIG. 6 shows a side view of the sports net system from FIG.
1 and a force diagram indicating the sports net system's reaction
to impact from a game object on one standard
[0039] FIG. 7 shows an exaggerated side view of the flexibility
provided by the sports net system from FIG. 1
[0040] FIG. 8A shows a perspective view of alternate configuration
of the safety mechanism from FIG. 1
[0041] FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of an alternate
configuration of the stabilization assembly from FIG. 8A
[0042] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of another alternate
configuration of the stabilization assembly from FIG. 8A
[0043] FIG. 10 shows a side view of an alternate configuration of
the sports net system of FIG. 1 with an alternate guy line
configuration and optional flexibility in the standard
[0044] FIG. 11A shows perspective view of an alternate
configuration of the safety mechanism of the standard assembly in
FIG. 10, the safety mechanism incorporating a staple design for
safely preventing dangerous inadvertent pull out of the anchors
[0045] FIG. 11B shows a detailed side view of the staple in FIG.
11A
[0046] FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of an alternate safety
scheme for the standard assembly of FIG. 1 using stiff tubes
inserted or surrounding the guy line to block the path of the
anchor upon inadvertent pullout
[0047] FIG. 13 shows a perspective view of an alternate safety
mechanism for the standard assembly of FIG. 10 in the event of
inadvertent pull out of the anchors using stiff tubes attached the
base of the standard assembly
[0048] FIG. 14 shows in side view an alternate safety scheme of the
standard assembly in FIG. 10, illustrating a height limited pullout
path of a weighted anchor
[0049] FIG. 15A shows a perspective view of an open position of an
alternate safety mechanism for protecting the user from inadvertent
anchor pullout
[0050] FIG. 15B shows a perspective view of a closed position of an
alternate safety mechanism for protecting the user from inadvertent
anchor pullout
[0051] FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an alternate safety
scheme of the standard assembly from FIG. 10 using a loose weight
for guiding the pull out path and then restricting the anchor
[0052] FIG. 17A shows perspective view of an alternate length and
height adjustment scheme for the sports net of FIG. 1 using springs
attached to the net and sliding collars along the standards
[0053] FIG. 17B shows perspective view of an alternate length and
height adjustment scheme for the sports net of FIG. 1 using a
single spring element for connecting the two standards and a
weighted net bottom and sliding collars along the standards
[0054] FIG. 17C shows a perspective view of an alternate length and
height adjustment scheme for the sports net of FIG. 1 using a rope
slack take up device and sliding collars along the standards
[0055] FIG. 17D shows a perspective view of an alternate length and
height adjustment scheme for the sports net of FIG. 1 using hooks
and grommets, and sliding collars along the standards
[0056] FIG. 17E shows a perspective view of an alternate length
adjustment scheme for the sports net of FIG. 1 using springs with
hooks and grommets, and sliding collars along the standard
assembly
[0057] FIG. 17F shows a perspective view of an alternate length
adjustment scheme using snaps for the sports net of FIG. 1
[0058] FIG. 17G shows a perspective view of an alternate length and
height adjustment scheme for the sports net system of FIG. 1 using
a coiled spring connecting one end of the sports net to one
standard and a receptacle in the opposing standard to secure the
other end of the sports net
[0059] FIG. 17H shows a perspective view of an alternate length and
height adjustment scheme for the sports net system of FIG. 1 using
hook and loop fasteners attached to each standard and to the length
of the sports net for adhesion of the sports net to either standard
at any point along the length of the sports net, and the height of
each standard
[0060] FIG. 18A shows a perspective view of an alternate height
adjustment scheme for the sports net system of FIG. 1 with a loop
of cord running through a top and bottom loop, a tensioner to apply
and release tension on the cord, and the net being hooked to
section of cord opposite the tensioner. When tension is applied the
cord is difficult to move and net height is fixed, when released
the cord is easy to move and height may be easily adjusted
[0061] FIG. 18B shows a perspective view of an alternate height
adjustment scheme for the adjustment mechanism of FIG. 18A where
pulleys are used for smooth movement of the cord, and a locking
grip on the pole is used to lock the height position of the
net.
[0062] FIG. 19A shows a perspective view of an alternate safety
mechanism for the sports net assembly of FIG. 1 incorporating a
fabric sleeve for branding, and stiffening rod and webbing to limit
anchor pullout height
[0063] FIG. 19B shows a top view of the fabric safety mechanism of
FIG. 19A laid out flat after sewing
[0064] FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of an alternate sports net
assembly to that of FIG. 1 using fiberglass rods and tip
protectors
[0065] FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of an alternate solution
for securing a standard perpendicular to a playing surface allowing
for placement of the standards prior to applying tension to the
spring elements
TABLE-US-00001 [0066] DRAWINGS - REFERENCE NUMERALS 100 -
adjustable and elastic sports net system 101 - net fabric 102 -
paired hook and loop fastener 103 - ground spike 104 - base plate
105 - anchor 106 - height adjustment guide 107 - stabilization
assembly 108 - standard assembly 109 - guy line 110 - spring
element 111 - movable cord stop 112 - first overlap flap 113 -
immovable cord stop 114 - length adjustment overlap flap 115 -
safety tube 116 - safety tube connector 117 - height limiting
member 118 - NA 119 - anchor angle 120 - upper tube 121 - lower
tube 122 - coupling 123 - upper hole 124 - lower hole 125 - half
court line 126 - cord clamping fastener 200 - extension tube 201 -
extension coupling 301 - connection point 400 - packaged length 401
- packaged height 402 - packaged width 403 - bag 500 - deflection
angle 501 - rocking angle 502 - initial standard position 503 -
game object 504 - deflected position 505 - elongated spring element
506 - contracted spring element 600 - FS 601 - VB1 602 - VB2 603 -
NA 604 - FG 605 - FT1 606 - FT2 800 - standard assembly with safety
stake 801 - single spring element 802 - safety stake 803 - safety
stake connecting member 804 - standard assembly with single spring
element 900 - standard assembly with interim spring element 901 -
first guy line 902 - intermediate spring element 903 - second guy
line 1000 - standard assembly with spring post 1001 - central guy
line 1002 - lower spring element 1003 - optional spring element
1004 - lower spring tube 1005 - upper spring tube 1100 - staple
1101 - staple attachment point 1102 - anchor point 1200 - standard
assembly with inline safety members 1201 - rigid guy line 1202 -
maximum height 1203 - end terminating spring element 1204 - rigid
guy line coupling 1205 - pull-out position 1301 - rigid lower
safety member 1302 - lower tube collar 1303 - stiff tube short
anchor connector 1401 - initial position 1402 - maximum height
position 1403 - resting position 1404 - weighted anchor 1405 -
maximum weighted anchor height 1500 - guy line attachment point
1501 - protecting hemisphere 1502 - spring biased hinge 1503 - open
position 1504 - closed position 1601 - loose safety weight 1602 -
pullout angle 1603 - initial distance 1604 - guide loop 1700 -
plain net 1701 - net spring element 1702 - short net connector 1703
- set screw 1704 - sliding tube collar 1705 - collar connection
point 1706 - weighted net 1707 - single net spring 1708 - net
weight 1709 - net bottom tension line 1710 - optional net collar
1711 - net cord 1712 - net cord adjustment clip 1713 - net cord
adjustment loop 1714 - grommet 1715 - grommet hook 1716 - hook and
grommet net 1717 - Spring hook and grommet net 1718 - male snaps
1719 - female snaps 1720 - net end plug 1721 - adjustable net
receptacle 1722 - net end receptacle slot 1723 - coiled spring net
holder 1724 - coiled spring 1725 - net strapping 1726 - hook
fastener 1727 - loop fastener 1728 - net channel 1800 - continuous
loop height adjustment scheme 1801 - height adjustment cord 1802 -
cord connection point 1803 - upper ring 1804 - lower ring 1805 -
tensioner 1806 - lower pulley 1807 - tube clamp 1808 - NA 1809 -
upper pulley 1900 - fabric safety sleeve 1901 - stiffening rod 1902
- safety webbing 1903 - safety sleeve stabilization assembly 1904 -
optional sleeve reinforcement patch 1905 - pole through hole 2000 -
NA 2001 - NA 2002 - NA 2003 - NA 2004 - NA 2005 - NA 2006 - NA 2007
- NA 2100 - fiberglass two pole system 2101 - movable tube stop
2102 - lower fiberglass tube 2103 - upper fiberglass tube 2104 -
fiberglass ferrule 2105 - movable tube stop set screw 2106 - tip
protector 2200 - tri spring collar post 2201 - tri spring collar
2202 - tri spring collar plunger 2203 - upper adjustment hole 2204
- tri spring element 2205 - taught position 2206 - slack
position
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Preferred Embodiment
Description
[0067] A preferred embodiment of an adjustable elastic sports net
system 100 is shown in FIGS. 1-7. FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view
of the adjustable and elastic sports net system 100 which consists
of two standard assemblies 108, the standard assembly erected by
connecting an upper tube 120 to a lower tube 121, via a coupling
122 and standing on a penetrable ground surface with a net fabric
101 disposed between and connecting the two standard assemblies.
The reader shall note that two safety tubes 115 and a safety tube
connector 116 are hidden from view on the left standard assembly
for easier viewing of the internal components, but that the
construction of each side of the adjustable and elastic sports net
system 100 is intended to be identical to what is depicted in the
right standard assembly. The coupling 122 may be fully separable or
fixed to the upper tube 120 or lower tube 121 with suitable
attachment means including, but not limited to, friction fit, glue,
threading, bolts, set screws, etc. It is suggested for the game of
soccer tennis, the upper tube 120 is approximately 24'' in length
and the lower tube 121 also is 24'' in length, and each are 0.5''
schedule 80 PVC tubing. It shall be noted however that the upper
tube 120 and lower tube 121 may be solid rods, or scaled to any
length, material, or diameter as suitable for a multi-purpose net.
As one example, a net for use in volleyball in addition to soccer
tennis may need to be a slightly thicker PVC tube and each section
of tube may be 48'' in length. The upper tube 120 holds a height
adjustment guide 106. The height adjustment guide is preferably
1/8'' polypropylene rope and is fed through an upper hole 123 and a
lower hole 124 and fixed on the outside on each end by an immovable
cord stop 113. It shall be noted that any material, such as
aluminum tube, steel cable, etc and diameter is suitable which
serves the function of vertically guiding and securing a net 101 to
set a specific height for game play. The cord stop 113 may
alternatively be removable, or may be crimped, glued, tied in a
knot etc, at the end of the height adjustment 106 to secure it in
place on the upper tube 120. Likewise, where discussed elsewhere
immovable cord stops 113 may simply be a knot, in the case when the
member in question is a polypropylene or other flexible rope or
cable. It shall be recognized that many generic cord stops are
readily known and any such suitable material which prevents a
member from passing through a hole may be used. The net fabric 101
may be made of any suitable material, for example 400 denier pack
cloth, rope mesh, medium poly mesh, sail cloth, or even a single
small diameter rope or string. The net fabric 101 may also be of
any height and length as to maximize utility for the game to be
played. The suggested net fabric 101 width for soccer tennis is 6''
and the suggested length is 18 ft, but the game of soccer tennis
may for instance be played with a single piece of rope spanning the
two standard assemblies 108. The length of the net fabric 101 may
be adjustable as described later. It shall be recognized that many
nets and banners are readily known and any such suitable material
which denotes a boundary and is visible and useful to the players
as such may be used. Likewise any suitable means of connecting
height adjustment guide 106 to the upper tube 120, other than
passing through an upper hole 123, may be used. Such examples
being: an eye bolt, welding in the case of a metal upper tube and
metal height adjustment guide, etc.
[0068] Two movable cord stops 111 are attached onto each height
adjustment guide 106. The movable cord stops 111 for example are
spring loaded clamps, such as those used to synch and hold a duffle
bag closed. Any mechanism which has a closed position for gripping
the height adjustment guide 106 preventing vertical travel along
the height adjustment guide, and an open position for movement
along the height adjustment guide may be used. The net fabric 101
is disposed between the two standard assemblies 108, and located on
the height adjustment guide 106, held in place vertically between
the two movable cord stops 111. The net fabric 101 is attached by
wrapping a first overlap flap 112 around one of the height
adjustment guides 106. A length adjustment overlap flap 114 is
wrapped around the other height adjustment guide 106. In the
preferred embodiment the first overlap 112 and length adjustment
overlap flap 114 are secured by doubling back attachment means in
the form of strips of paired of hook and loop fasteners 102 (e.g.
Velcro), so that the net fabric 101 attaches to itself around each
of the height adjustment guides 106. Continuous strips of paired
hook and loop fasteners 102 are preferred, but any suitable means
of attachment such as zippers, magnets, snaps, buttons, grommets
and hooks may be used. Other net length adjustment designs are
discussed later. The first overlap flap 112 can alternatively be a
sewn loop so that it is not separable from the height adjustment
guide 106, and would require placing around its respective height
adjustment guide prior to assembly with the upper tube 120.
[0069] Each standard assembly 108 comprises a base plate 104 and at
least one ground spike 103. The base plate 104 may be any suitable
shape, for example a 4.5'' diameter circle, that covers enough
surface area to prevent the lower tube 121 from moving extensively
and loosening in the ground too much during play. Diameters down to
2'' have been tested and deemed usable. The base plate 104 is
connected to the lower tube 121 by suitable means including but not
limited to glue, threads, set screws, friction fit, slotted pins,
welding, etc. This connection may be separable or permanent. Each
ground spike 103 is connected to the base plate 104 via suitable
permanent or separable means including but not limited to glue,
threads, welding, bolt with a nut etc. Each ground spike 103 may be
for example, a 1/4-20 by 2'' threaded bolt, either threaded into
the base plate 104 or fixed with a nut (not shown) on the opposite
side of the base plate. Alternatively the lower tube 121, base
plate 104, and ground spike 103, or some combination thereof, may
be made as one piece in an injection molding process.
[0070] In one form, a stabilization assembly 107 is made of at
least one guy line 109 connected in line with at least one spring
element 110, means of connecting a first end of the stabilization
assembly 107 to a first object, such as an anchor 105, means of
connecting a second end of the assembly to a second object such as
the standard assembly 108, and a means for incorporating with an
optional safety mechanism as characterized below. Such connection
means to the first object and connection means to the second object
may be made with a knot, crimp, glue, friction grip, looped end,
hook or otherwise described elsewhere in this specification as
related to connecting items to the anchor 105 or the standard
assembly 108. Further, if used, the optional safety system is fixed
relative to one end of the stabilization assembly 107, but allows
the components of the stabilization assembly to translate relative
to the safety system as described below. In its most basic form,
the stabilization assembly 107 may omit the guy line 109, and
consist therefore of only a spring element 110 and the connection
means mentioned as shown in FIG. 8B. In addition to the base plate
104, it shall be noted that at least two ground connections for the
standard assembly 108, for example anchors 105, are required to
stabilize each standard assembly of the adjustable elastic sports
net system 100 from impacts. To accomplish this, the stabilization
assembly 107 may consist of two legs, which if separated, would
each individually constitute itself a stabilization assembly as
defined. To reduce parts and cost, it is preferred that a single
stabilization assembly 107 consist of two legs, each leg providing
one of the two required ground connections, but the reader shall
recognize that this configuration could be broken into two separate
stabilization assemblies 107, each having one ground connection and
each attaching to the same standard assembly 108. For connecting to
the standard assembly 108, the stabilization assembly 107 may be
attached to the upper tube 120, for example by looping the spring
element 110 around upper tube 120, and closing the loop with cord
clamping fastener 126 such as a knot, clamp, hog ring or other
suitable means. The stabilization assembly 107 may include a second
guy line 109 which leaves an equal amount of the spring element on
each side of the loop. Each guy line 109 and the spring element 110
are connected for example by interlocking loops where the guy line
is crimped to itself with an immovable cord stop 113 after running
through a loop in the spring element. The loop in the spring
element is created by overlapping itself and crimping with a cord
clamping fastener 126 such as a hog ring. It shall be understood
that many ways of connecting two cord-like members are known and
suitable in this application, and accordingly, further detail
repeating the description of this type of junction is not provided
in all figures. FIG. 1 shows the stabilization assembly 107 on the
left standard assembly 108 where components of the safety system
described below have been hidden from view to make visible the
respective stabilization assembly. The guy line 109 is preferably
1/8'' polypropylene rope, but may be any material such as nylon
rope, solid plastic or metal rod, metal or plastic rigid or
flexible tube, so as to allow the system to function as described
in the operation below. The spring element 110 is preferably 8 mm
bungee cord, but may be any metal extension spring, rubber band,
air cylinder, or other spring-like material of any length or size
which gives sufficient strength and flexibility for the system to
function as described below in the operation. The spring element
110 may shall be long enough to accommodate the intended elongation
from deflections in the standard assembly 108 without surpassing
its maximum recommended percent of stretch. This is estimated at a
length of approximately 10'' per side with intended elongation of
4'' for a stretch of 140 percent. Alternative connection means are
acceptable such as creating a hole in the coupling 122 and running
the spring element through the hole, then securing the spring
element from translating further through the hole with stops, such
as crimps or knots, on each side. In this case, the stabilization
assembly 107 is preferably attached through both the coupling 122
and the upper tube 120, or lower tube 121, for reinforcement of
this joint. Connection points of stabilization assembly 107 may
also be created with eye bolts threaded into upper tube 120 and the
stabilization assembly looped around the eye bolt. Other such
methods for attaching guy lines to a pole are known and shall be
considered within the scope of this specification. As stated
previously, stabilization assembly 107 may be broken into multiple
similar discrete assemblies for attachment to different points on
upper tube 120, though this adds part count and is therefore not
preferred. Each side of each stabilization assembly 107 runs
through a safety tube 115 and the two safety tubes are connected on
one end by a safety tube connector 116. The safety tube connector
116 wraps around the upper post 120 and prevents the safety tubes
115 from slipping down the stabilization assembly 107. The safety
tube connector 116 may have a hole, slit or other provision for
allowing the spring element 110 to wrap tightly and connect to
itself around upper tube 120 with the cord clamping fastener 126 as
described above. The safety tube connector is preferable a flexible
material, such as a rubber tube, to allow bending of the safety
tubes parallel to the lower tube 121 or upper tube 120 for compact
packaging. The safety tube connector may also be a stiff material
which has added benefits as described in FIG. 12. Alternatively,
the safety tube connector 116 may be eliminated and the safety
tubes allowed to translate along the length of the guy line 109 and
spring element 110. The safety tube 115 may be made of fiberglass,
metal, plastic, fabric with a sewn in stiffener or any stiff
material combination that resists buckling. The safety tube
connector 116 may be rubber, metal, plastic, but is preferably
flexible and connects to the safety tubes via suitable means such
as friction, glue, crimped ferrules, etc. A height limiting member
117 is attached to the end of each safety tube 115 opposite the
safety tube connector 116 via suitable means. The attachment may be
done by tying the height limiting member 117 through a loop (not
shown) on the end of the safety tube 115, buckled into a clip (not
shown) protruding from the safety tube, or other suitable means.
The height limiting member 117 is also fixed at its midpoint to the
base 104 via suitable means such as looping through a hook, hole,
snap, hook and loop fastener, bolt through hole, etc. The height
limiting member 117 may have a grommet at its midpoint and one of
the ground spikes 103 going through the grommet prior to connection
to the base 104, therefore holding the grommet in the height
limiting member tight against the upper surface of the base. The
anchor 105 is attached to the end of each guy line 109 for pressing
into the ground. The anchor 105 may be any form of rigid or semi
rigid material such as an aluminum or steel spike or tent stake, or
preferably plastic. The anchor 105 may be made of the same tubing
as the upper tube 120 and the lower tube 121 to increase
manufacturing efficiency. It will be known that there are many
different shapes and materials already in use to penetrate the
ground and this invention shall not be limited to the specific
anchor designs illustrated or referenced herein. The anchor is
fixed to the end of the guy line by suitable connection means, such
as passing through a connection point 301 shown in FIG. 3, and
fixing an immovable cord stop 113 on the opposite end. Other
suitable means for terminating a guy line on an anchor are known
and shall be considered within the scope of this invention.
Alternatively the anchor 105 may clip onto a loop on the end of the
guy line 109 and be removable, allowing for anchors of different
lengths to be used for different conditions.
[0071] FIG. 2 shows how a standard assembly 108 may increase in
length and consist of more than just two tubes by adding one or
more extension tubes 200 and extension couplings 201. The second
standard assembly is omitted for clarity but the reader shall
realize how to erect the system as previously described. By adding
the extension tube 200, the net fabric 101 may cover a broader
height adjustment range for use in low net sports like soccer
tennis and tennis, to higher net sports like volleyball or
badminton. The quantity and length of additional sections may be
optimized to make the system short enough for portability yet tall
enough when assembled to serve the use of a particular game.
Preferably the extension tube 200 and extension coupling 201 are
identical with the upper tube 120 and coupling 122 such that
economies of scale are achieved in manufacturing, but this is not a
requirement. It is preferred that the guy line assemblies 107
remain attached near the top of the lower tube 121 such that
downward force from the spring element 110, when stretched,
compresses the standard assembly 108 against the penetrable ground
surface, while minimizing the footprint the stabilization assembly
uses. For example to maintain a proper angle to the ground, a
stabilization assembly 107 that attaches higher on the standard
assembly 108, should have the anchors 105 placed further from the
base 104, which takes up more space and is undesirable. However,
the stabilization assembly 107 may be attached anywhere along the
height of the standard assembly 108 and still function properly,
thus the invention must not be limited by this lower attachment
position. The height adjustment guide 106 may be long enough to
accommodate the additional height and may be secured at either or
both ends by a movable cord stop 111 after passing through the
upper hole 123 or lower hole 124. If the extension tube 200 is not
used, the height adjustment guide 106 is pulled further through one
of the holes so that tension is maintained in the height adjustment
guide, and the extra length can dangle by the side of the standard
assembly 108 or be tied of to the standard assembly. When assembled
with the extension tube 200, tension in the height adjustment guide
106 ensures that the upper tube 120 and coupling 122 remain pulled
tight against the extension tube 200, and can't be knocked off from
an impact. When the extension tube 200 is not used, the height
adjustment guide may be removed to allow attachment of the
stabilization assembly 107. Alternatively, the coupling 122 may be
fixed to the top of the lower tube 121 with a provision for fixing
the stabilization assembly permanently. In this case, the extension
coupling 201 would be placed on the top of the extension tube 200
and the upper tube 120 would fit into that. Any order, mix or match
that accomplishes the goal of inserting one or more extension tubes
shall be considered within the scope of this invention. Connection
of extension tube 200 is preferably a friction fit, with tension in
the height adjustment guide 106 providing the locking force, but
may also be via screw, clamp, or other suitable removable
means.
[0072] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a packaging
configuration. The upper tubes 120 lay longitudinally next to the
lower tubes 121. The net fabric 101 may be wrapped around the two
upper tubes 120 and two lower tubes 121 to hold everything
together, or the net may be wrapped separately. A wrapping or bag
403 may be placed over the packaged assembly. Many such bags are
known such as duffle bags, tent bags, etc.
[0073] Just to reiterate, the dimensions discussed in this
preferred embodiment are for a system specifically designed and
optimized for the game of soccer tennis. For other games, or a
multipurpose net that functions for various types of net games (for
example a single net for volleyball, tennis, badminton, etc.) the
dimensions of the components discussed above may be increased,
decreased, thickened, thinned, lengthened, shortened, as necessary
without taking away from the invention of a sports net assembly
that allows for continuous vertical and horizontal adjustment, with
flexibility to absorb impact without moving position relative to a
fixed place on a court or field. Similarly members which are
described as stiff, may be flexible, and vice versa, if the goals
of the inventions are accomplished. Further, connection points
described as fixed may be removable, and vice-versa, without
departing from the spirit of the invention described herein.
Preferred Embodiment
Operation
[0074] The setup of the adjustable and elastic sports net system
100 discussed above may be achieved by a single person or by
multiple people. A single person can assemble the adjustable and
elastic sports net system 100 because there is no preassembly of
the net fabric 101 and standard assemblies 108, which would
otherwise require multiple people to lift such an assembly and
plant into the penetrable ground surface simultaneously; an
operation by its nature not possible with a single person.
[0075] First the contents of the carrying bag 403 are removed. The
components for the standard assemblies 108 are then separated. The
net fabric 101 may be loose or attached around one of the height
adjustment guides 106. Each base plate 104 is preferably left
connected to its respective lower tube 121 and the ground spikes
103 at all times. In an alternate embodiment these pieces may be
assembled and disassembled for each use and more compact storage.
The base plate 104 is pressed into the penetrable ground surface,
where the ground spikes 103 hold the lower tube 121 approximately
perpendicular to the ground surface. The upper tube 120 and
coupling 122, which hold the stabilization assembly 107 are
attached to the top of the lower tube 121, forming a single
standard assembly. The stabilization assembly 107 is then stretched
in the direction away from the field of play, at an anchor angle
119 of approximately 30-45 degrees on either side of the halfway
court line 125 as shown in FIG. 1. The exact angle is not very
important, however the displacement on either side of the half
court line should be approximately the same as to equalize the
forces in the system. The height limiting member 117, which should
be non-elastic, indicates the correct amount of stretch in the
spring element 110 because as the stabilization assembly 107 is
stretched and placed in the ground, a point is reached where a
triangle is formed by the safety tube 115, lower tube 121, and
taught height limiting member 117. While the stabilization assembly
107 may be stretched further, this causes the guy line to bend
outward at the end of the safety tube and rub on the edge, which
alerts the user they shouldn't stretch the stabilization assembly
any more. At this maximum stretch distance, each anchor 105 is then
pressed into the penetrable ground surface, resulting in a
triangular prism shape with the standard assembly 108 tilting
slightly towards the anchors 105 and the spring element 110 is
un-stretched. At this point, if desired, extension tubes 200 and
extension couplings 201 may be added to the system to increase the
height. For simplicity these components are not shown in all the
figures. Any order of operations that accomplishes this final setup
of the standard assembly 108 is acceptable.
[0076] The desired distance between the two standard assemblies 108
is measured or estimated according the needs of the players and the
game for that session and the same procedure is repeated to erect a
second standard assembly 108. As would be obvious to a player, the
two standards are oriented such that they line up along the half
court line 125 with the axis of each upper tube 120, height
adjustment guides 106, and net fabric 101 all being substantially
co-planar.
[0077] At this point, the field consists of two standards, both of
which have pivoted around the ground spikes 103, slightly leaning
away from one another, outward from a line perpendicular to the
penetrable surface. This is because each standard assembly 108 is
being pulled by the spring elements 110 which are in the contracted
state until the two standard assemblies 108 are connected with the
net fabric 101. If it was not already connected to one of the
height adjustment guides 106, the net 101 will now be connected to
one height adjustment guide with a first overlap flap 112 as
described below. The movable cord stops 111 are separated to a
width greater than the width of the net fabric 101 and then
collapsed to hold the net in position on the height adjustment
guide 106. The net fabric 101 is looped around the height
adjustment guide 106 and the overlap flap 112 is doubled back on
itself and one side (preferable the hook side) of paired hook and
loop fastener 102 is attached to a mating patch of pair of the hook
and loop fastener to secure one side of the net around the height
adjustment guide 106. As mentioned above, the height adjustment
guide 106 may be other than a rope with spring loaded cord stops.
For example, a threaded rod could be used with nuts and washers on
either side of the net 101 to control the height. The invention
shall not be limited specifically to the constructions described
herein.
[0078] On the other standard assembly 108, the two movable cord
stops 111 are similarly separated to a width greater than the width
of the net fabric 101. The net fabric 101 is then pulled across the
length of the field along the half court line 125 and the length
adjustment overlap flap 114 is looped around the other height
adjustment guide 106, between the two movable cord stops 111. The
length adjustment overlap flap 114 is doubled back on the net
fabric 101, and the net pulled taught until the standard assemblies
108 are standing upright axially along a line substantially
perpendicular to the penetrable surface. The initial net tension
force in the net fabric 101 may be increased if desired by pulling
the standard assemblies 108 slightly inward further, causing them
to bow as shown in exaggerated fashion in FIG. 7. Such bowing is
insignificant and will not interfere with the performance or
function of the adjustable and elastic sports net system 100. Once
the desired net tension force is achieved, the length adjustment
overlap flap 114 is pressed to the mating paired hook and loop
fastener 102 on net fabric 101 completing the assembly and keeping
the tension in the system. Lastly, the movable cord stops 111 on
both height adjustment guides 106 are adjusted to place the net
fabric 101 at the desired height, evenly on both standard
assemblies 108. For disassembly the above steps are simply reversed
and the packaging configuration of FIG. 4 replicated for easy,
simple transport.
[0079] After setup, if needed, minor adjustments may be made if
alignment is not exactly correct because the base plates 104 may be
easily picked up off the penetrable surface past the height of the
ground spikes 103 for repositioning. The nature and flexibility of
the system and ability to keep tension without requiring precise
placement of any of the components is a big benefit over prior art.
The nets with rope guy lines described in prior art cannot be
lifted off the surface for example without also pulling up the
stakes as well. Additionally, the setup may be easily created by a
single person, which is not possible with many of the prior art
systems that require the net and standards to be assembled prior to
lifting the assembly and placing perpendicular to the playing
surface, which takes two people at a minimum.
[0080] The independent nature of the height adjustment design on
each standard assembly 108 allows for a horizontal net fabric 101
regardless of levelness of the penetrable surface. Furthermore,
during play, the dynamics of the game may be very quickly changed
as the net height is very easily movable up and down on each side
by sliding the position of the movable cord stops 111. A coach
wishing to emphasize aerial play may move the net fabric 101 to a
higher position in a matter of seconds. Or, if emphasizing a more
direct and faster play, the coach may place the net fabric 101 at a
lower position in a matter of seconds. Additionally, if on a team
there are players of varying skill levels, the net 101 may be
placed lower for some and higher for others. If the coach sees the
game is two easy or too hard, he can again adjust the height within
seconds to change the dynamics of the game. Finally, a net
configuration may also be achieved where one side is higher than
the other, which is useful in a fitness drill where players must
jump over the net fabric 101 that is changing in height along the
length of the court. Likewise, changing the length involves simply,
removing adjustable overlap flap 114, and repositioning one of the
standard assemblies 108, and then reconnecting the net fabric 101
at a different length.
[0081] FIG. 5 shows the operation of the adjustable and elastic
sports net system 100 in reaction to impact from a game object 503.
As the game object 503 impacts the net fabric 101, the net fabric
bends backward to accept the impact of the game object. This causes
both standard assemblies 108 to deflect from an initial standard
position 502 at a deflection angle 500 to a deflected position 504.
For simplicity, FIG. 5 only depicts a deflection in one standard
assembly 108, but it shall be understood that in reality, both
standard assemblies deflect some amount. The deflection angle 500
will increase the closer the point of impact of the game object 503
is to the corresponding standard assembly 108. As previously
mentioned the material for the upper tube 120 and lower tube 121 is
preferably PVC, which is, by its material properties, flexible.
Thus, some of the deflection angle 500 will be taken up simply by
the bending of the upper tube 120 and lower tube 121. The remainder
of the deflection angle 500 will be allowed via the pivoting of the
standard assembly 108 around the ground spikes 103 at a rocking
angle 501. During the deflection process, one side of spring
element 110 will become a elongated spring element 505, increasing
the tension its corresponding guy line 109, and the other side of
the spring element will become a contracted spring element 506,
decreasing the tension its corresponding guy line 109. The
deflection will be limited once the momentum from the game object
503 has been absorbed and stored in the extension of the elongated
spring element 505. At this point the spring element 110 will
recoil and pull the standard assembly 108 back from the deflected
position 504 to the initial standard position 502. Of course some
minimal overshoot will be expected, but the opposing side of spring
element 110 will counteract this, and the standard assembly 108
will quickly settle and remain stationary in the initial standard
position 502 where the tension forces on each side of the guy line
assemblies 107 are once again equal. It is well known in physics
that for a first object striking a second object with a given
amount of momentum, the longer the impact reaction takes and the
more the second object can cushion the impact and the lower the
peak force seen by either object. This is significant as the peak
impact force is transmitted to the anchors 105 via the
stabilization assembly 107. The compliance of the system reduces
the peak force trying to pull out the anchor 105, meaning a much
smaller risk of pull out and ability to use a smaller anchor, which
is generally safer to the consumer. A lower peak force also reduces
the amount of loosening of the anchor 105 within the penetrable
surface that happens over time with repeated impacts. This
translates to a safer, more durable, and reliable adjustable and
elastic sports net system 100 over time, maintaining net tension
better and being more tolerant to inevitable impacts than the prior
art.
[0082] FIG. 6 shows a force illustration and force diagram of the
standard assembly 108 upon impact from the game object 503 in two
positions corresponding to velocity vectors VB1 601 and VB2 602.
For an impact at the top of the standard assembly 108 associated
with velocity VB1 601, spring element 110 and standard assembly 108
will both deform to reduce considerably the peak impact force. A
transient shear reaction force will act upon the base plate 104 and
spikes 103 in addition to the shear reaction force FS 600 normally
present as part of the balance of forces that stabilize the
standard assembly 108 during normal operation. For a direct hit at
the bottom of the standard assembly 108 associated with velocity
vector VB2 602, the force of impact is transmitted directly to the
base plate 104 and spikes 103. This means that the ground spikes
103 must be sufficient to handle an impact from a game object 503
or player for an impact at the lowest point corresponding to a
force VB1 601 on the standard assembly 108. In the preferred
embodiment the ground spikes may be 1/4'' rods, 2'' in length, but
shall not limited to this shape, length or diameter.
[0083] The entire assembly can be considered a cantilevered system
with one end of the standard assembly 108 fixed to the ground
through the base plate 104 and ground spikes 103, and the other end
free to displace. The ground spike 103 resist shear forces and
therefore prevent slipping of the base plate 104 and constrain the
standard assembly 108 in place on the ground. The ground spikes 103
alone only provide a small resistance to rotation of the standard
assembly 108 with respect to the ground. Thus, for the purpose of
an approximate structural analysis, the base can be considered
simply supported, or pinned. The standard assembly 108 resists
rotation by a balance of forces applied to the standard assembly
108, which include a tensile force FN (not shown because it is into
the page) applied to the standard assembly 108 by the net fabric
101, the tensile forces FT1 605 and FT2 606 applied to the standard
assembly 108 by the spring element 110, the shear FS 600, and
vertical ground reaction force FG 604 applied to the ground spikes
103 and base plate 104.
[0084] An effective sports net system is one that maintains it
shape and position, and if displaced, for example as shown in FIG.
5, will return to its original shape and position, while minimizing
peak forces in any of its components. When the system is stressed
from an impact, if the forces and energy can be absorbed over a
longer period of time, the peak forces seen by the components will
be lower. For example, a lower spring element 110 forces FT 1 605
and FT2 606, and proportionally lower shear FS 600 and normal FG
604 ground reaction. In contrast, if a higher force in the spring
element 110 is transmitted to the ground anchor 105, then more
elastic energy is stored in the spring element 110, which increases
the hazard if the anchor inadvertently dislodges from the ground.
Higher spring element tensile forces and higher shear ground
reaction forces will require longer anchors 105 and longer ground
spikes 103, and/or firmer ground to hold the system in place during
normal play, which work against the goals of safety, compactness,
and portability.
[0085] A unique feature of this system is it robustness and
resilience compared to a rigid or stiff system as described in the
prior art; that is, 1) its ability to reduce peak forces internal
to the system from incidental impact or contact, 2) its ability to
absorb energy from incidental impact or contact, and 3) and its
ability to rebound to its original unperturbed position after
incidental impact or player contact. An optimally designed sports
net system will take into account the force versus displacement
properties of the various elastic elements in the system in
relation to the overall size and mass of the net system. While all
materials deform and exhibit some elastic recovery, in describing
the restoring capacity of this system, only the spring elements
110, upper tubes 120, and lower tubes 121 are considered to absorb
energy and store it as strain energy. Proper selection of stiffness
and elastic properties of the spring element 110, upper tube 120,
and lower tube 121 facilitate routine net height adjustment and
improve system response to incidental ball impact or player contact
as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 7 illustrates a compliant system
where both spring elements 110 and both standards assemblies 108
contribute to the total system deformation such that a fixed-length
net (not shown) can be accommodated at different heights by a
sharing of deformation between the spring element and standard
assembly. Alternatively, a rigid standard assembly 108 requires the
spring element 110 alone to deform until the two standard
assemblies are the correct distance apart to attach the
fixed-length net. This configuration will create higher forces in
the spring element 110, with all stored energy in the spring
element 110 resulting in an increased chance of anchor 105 pullout,
creating a more hazardous condition. It is therefore desirable,
albeit not necessary, that the standard assembly 108 also be
flexible and elastic.
[0086] The stiffness of the spring element 110 is also important.
If the spring element 110 stiffness is too low for the size and
mass of the sport net, then the system will be sluggish, deform
excessively on impact, and will not have a sharply-defined restored
position after game object 503 impact or player contact.
Conversely, if the spring element 110 stiffness is too high for the
size and mass of the sport net system, then the system will
approximate the behavior of a rigid net system such as described in
the prior art. On game object 503 or player impact, higher forces
will be transmitted to the anchors 105, causing pullout or
necessitating better anchorage.
[0087] In addition, a robust and resilient system must also have
enough combined spring element 110 and standard assembly 108
elastic deformation to account for--without significant change in
dynamic response characteristics--small non-recoverable changes in
length from anchor 105 loosening and/or non-recoverable stretch of
the net fabric 101 or guy line 109 etc. A stiff, non-elastic,
system as described in the prior art, is not capable of fully
absorbing impacts, and thus susceptible to loosening of the anchors
and loss of tension in the net after repeated impact. It was found
in testing that for a 4 ft high system using 0.5'' schedule 80 PVC
pipe for the upper tube 120 and lower tube 121, and 8 mm bungee
cord for the spring element 110 created an optimal set of response
characteristics: deflections at the top of the standard assembly up
to 2+ feet, consistent return to nominal vertical position, and
3.5'' long anchors 105. It shall be noted and understood that these
materials and size shall in no way limit the scope of this
invention and that scaling would likely be needed for taller or
wider net systems.
[0088] Finally, it is important to note that at all times, the
tension forces FT1 605 and FT2 606 have a vertical downward facing
component, which pull the upper tube 120 and coupling 122 down on
top of the lower tube 121 against the penetrable surface with a
force vertical force FG 604 (shown as a ground reaction force on
the standard assembly). This is important because the compression
prevents the upper tube 120 from being knocked off the top of the
lower tube 120 from impact of the game object 503. As the force
associated with velocity vector VB2 602 from the game object
increases, the corresponding tension force also increases and pulls
the two tubes even tighter together, increasing FG 604. It shall be
noted that although not illustrated, if additional extension tubes
200 and extension couplings 201 are added, as long as guy line
assemblies 107 are attached above the lower tube 121 the
compression of the standard assembly 108 under impact is
preserved.
[0089] The safety structure provided consists of safety tubes 115,
safety tube connector 116, and height limiting member 117. If one
of the anchors 105 releases from the ground, the stretched spring
element 110 will recoil and pull the guy line 109 into the safety
tube 115 at a high velocity, pulling the anchor with it. The safety
tube 115, which is a stiff material, will act as a stop and block
the anchor from moving further vertically. The anchor 105 will
crash into the tip of the safety tube, ricochet, and fall to the
ground harmlessly. In most cases the safety tube 115 alone is
sufficient to dissipate the energy from a flying anchor 105 and the
height limiting member 117 can be omitted, however, due to the
elastic and flexible nature of the system and safety tube connector
116, it may be possible for the safety tube 115 to pivot about its
connection to the safety tube connector, and send the anchor 105
flying higher vertically. The height limiting member 117 is
non-elastic and connects the end of the safety tube 115 to the base
104, such that the amount of vertical pivot is minimal. As the
safety tube 115 attempts to pivot upward about the connection point
with the safety tube connector 116, the height limiting member 117
is pulled taught, putting the safety tube in compression. But since
the safety tube 115 is a stiff material, it jams into the safety
tube connector 116 and stops its movement. Thus, the height the
anchor can achieve due to rebound and pivot of the safety tube 115
about its connection to the safety tube connector 116 is greatly
minimized.
[0090] An added benefit of the design, which was discovered in
testing, is that the when an anchor 105 releases from the
penetrable surface, the standard assembly 108 immediately begins to
fall down, pulling the flying anchor down with it. This is
particularly beneficial in a simplified system that doesn't include
a height limiting member 117 as discussed later. A standard
assembly 108 that holds firmly into the penetrable surface will
flex under stress, then when the anchor 105 releases, will act as a
catapulting arm for the anchor, and will be quite dangerous if it
doesn't incorporate some form of additional hardware for
protection. Much of the prior art relies upon a deep and firm
junction with the penetrable surface because the systems are
non-elastic and therefore must transmit all forces through the
standard assembly's 108 connection with the penetrable ground
surface without falling down or loosening too much.
[0091] For packaging, as shown in FIG. 4, for each standard
assembly 108, the upper tube 120 and coupling 122 are disconnected
from the lower tube 121 at the coupling and the tubes laid side by
side longitudinally. The two disassembled standard assemblies 108
are then lain side by side, forming a bundle as shown clearly in
FIG. 4. The net fabric 101 may be wrapped around the two upper
tubes 120 and two lower tubes 121 to hold all tubes together. A
wrapping or bag 403 may be placed over the packaged assembly. The
packaged length 400 is limited to the length of the lower tube 121
plus two ground spikes 103 plus the coupling 122 length. The
packaged width 402 is approximately limited to the diameter of the
base plate 104. The packaged height 401 is also limited to
approximately the diameter of the base plate 104. In the packaged
configuration, the other components (not shown for clarity) are
loosely placed around the assembly shown in FIG. 4 for insertion
into bag 403. In some cases the base plate 104 diameter may be
shrunk to approximately 2'', and therefore the diameter of the
upper tube 120 and lower tube 121 protrude slightly past the edge
of the base plate. Therefore the minimum dimensions would be
determined by the diameters of the tubes. A test product was built
and packaged easily in a 3.5''.times.3.5''.times.30'' package
weighing under 5 lbs, which is significantly smaller and lighter
than Kwik Goal.TM., Bownet.TM., or other net systems on the
market.
Alternate Embodiment--#1
[0092] FIG. 8A shows one standard assembly with safety stake 800 as
an alternate embodiment of the standard assembly 108 of FIG. 1.
Instead of a height limiting member (not shown), a safety stake 802
similar in size and shape to the anchor 105, is connected in line,
or fixed along a portion of a safety stake connecting member 803.
The safety connecting member may be for example 1/8'' nylon cord,
metal cable, etc. The safety stake connecting member 803 may pass
through a hole in the safety stake 802 similar to the connection
point 301 on the anchor described earlier. There may be immovable
cord stops 113 disposed on both sides of the safety stake 802 to
lock the position of the safety stake on the safety stake
connecting member 803. The midpoint of the safety stake connecting
member 803 is fixed the base 104 and extends outward and holds a
second safety stake 802, fixed along the length similarly with
immovable cord stops 113. The connection to the base 104 may be
achieved with a hook, a bolt running through a hole in the safety
stake connecting member 803, a knot tied through a hole in the
base, or any connection means generally known that prevents
translation of the safety stake connecting member relative to the
base. Each end of the safety stake connecting member 803 is further
extended and connected a corresponding anchor 105 via suitable
connection means as previously described. The addition of a safety
stake 802 and accompanying components eliminates the need for a
safety tube, safety tube connector, or height limiting member as
described in FIG. 1.
[0093] The operation of the system is generally the same, however
the safety mechanism is different. During setup, the spring element
110 is stretched away from the base 104 until the safety stake
connector 803 is pulled taught. The anchor 105 is then placed in
the ground, and its corresponding safety stake 802 is similarly
pressed into the ground. The geometry of placement is similar to
that of the preferred embodiment. When the anchor 105 releases from
the ground, the maximum height it will achieve will be limited by
the distance between itself and the corresponding safety anchor
802. Upon release, the spring element 110 will recoil and pull the
anchor 105 upward along the axis of the guy line 109 until the
section of safety stake connecting member 803 between the safety
stake 802 and released anchor 105 is pulled taught, which
translates further load to the safety stake 802. However, by the
time this section is pulled taught, most of the energy will have
been absorbed and the further forces on the safety stake 802 will
not be sufficient to pull it from the ground. In testing this
distance was estimated to ideally be about 10'', leading to a
maximum vertical height of the anchor 105 of about 10'' plus
potentially the length of the anchor. The length of the short
safety member 116 just must be long enough to allow the spring
element 110 to contract and dissipate its store energy before too
much force is transferred to the safety anchor 117, yet short
enough to provide minimal vertical travel.
Alternate Embodiment--#2
[0094] FIG. 8B shows a standard assembly with single spring element
804 as an alternate embodiment of the standard assembly with safety
stake 800. The guy lines 109 have been eliminated and a single
spring element 801 connects to the anchor 105, wraps around an
upper tube 120 and/or coupling 122 and translates down and to
connect to a second anchor 105. The single spring element 801 is
fixed around the upper tube 120 similarly to the spring element 110
in FIG. 1. Alternatively the single spring element 801 maybe run
through either upper tube 120, lower tube 121, and/or coupling 122
and be secured on each side by an immovable cord stop (not shown).
The single spring element 801 is preferably a long length of 8 mm
bungee cord but may be any similar material which has sufficient
elasticity as discussed previously. Additionally, the single spring
element 801 may be split into two identical pieces and terminated
on either side of the upper tube 120 with suitable attachment means
such as an eye bolt, hook, etc.
[0095] The operation of the standard assembly 800 is substantially
similar to that of FIG. 8A, but involves fewer components and
connection joints, which reduces manufacturing and assembly costs.
If the single spring element 801 is run through the upper tube 120,
lower tube 121, and or coupling 122, the design may require
reinforcement provisions where the single spring element 801 goes
through those elements.
Alternate Embodiment--#3
[0096] FIG. 9 shows a standard assembly with interim spring element
900, which describes an alternate configuration of stabilization
assembly from FIG. 8A. In this embodiment an intermediate spring
element 902 is disposed between a first guy line 901 and a second
guy line 903. The first guy line 901 may be a single piece going
through upper tube 120 and/or coupling 122, or may be two discrete
parts on either side, fixed to the upper tube as described
previously with eye bolts, hooks, loops, etc. The second guy line
903 connects on one end to the intermediate spring element 902 and
on the opposite end to the anchor 105. Such connection means have
been described previously and are not shown for clarity. In the
case the first guy line 901 is a single element, the first guy line
901 shall be secured on either side of the upper tube 120 and/or
coupling 122 with immovable cord stops 113, which prevent the first
guy line from translating through the upper tube 120 and/or
coupling 122. The first guy line 901 and second guy line 903 are
preferably 1/8'' nylon cord, but may be any suitable material as
previously discussed. Likewise, intermediate spring element 902 is
preferably 8 mm bungee cord, but may also be any material as
discussed in this application. The intermediate spring element 902
may be placed at any point between first guy line 901 and second
guy line 903 and shall be long enough to accommodate the intended
elongation from deflections in the standards without surpassing its
maximum recommended percent of stretch as previously discussed.
[0097] The operation of the standard assembly 900 is substantially
similar to that of FIG. 8A, the difference being the different
placement of the elastic section. The intermediate spring element
902 provides the same function and behaves substantially similar to
spring element 110 from FIG. 8A, from impacts.
Alternate Embodiment--#4
[0098] FIG. 10 shows a standard assembly with spring post 1000,
which is an alternate embodiment of the standard assembly 108 from
FIG. 1. Safety tubes 115 and safety tube connector 116 are not
shown for clarity, but are recommended and function in the same
manner as described in the preferred embodiment. A central guy line
1001 is connected to a lower spring element 1002, wrapped around or
run through the upper tube 120 and/or coupling 122 and secured as
previously described, and extended down to a second lower spring
element 1002. Each lower spring element 1002 is further connected
to an anchor 105 with means previously described. The central guy
line 1001 and lower spring elements 1002 would all run inside the
safety tube and safety tube connector (not shown) if such elements
are provide. The central guy line 1001 may be a single piece,
preferably 1/8'' nylon cord, or may be two discrete pieces. An
optional spring element 1003 may be added into the system along the
axis of the upper spring tube 1005 and lower spring tube 1004. The
optional spring element 1003 is connected to the upper spring tube
1005 and lower spring tube 1004 by any suitable means of clamping
an extension spring to the end of a tube, for instance in using a
compression spring to overlap the end of the tube and clamped
around the perimeter of the tube at the end of the tube with a
radial clamp. The optional spring element may alternatively be a
section of rubber hose that is clamped onto the ends of upper
spring tube 1005 and lower spring tube 1004. Other attachment means
may be used.
[0099] The operation of the standard assembly 1000 is substantially
similar to the preferred embodiment. Where optional spring element
1003 is used, the upper tube 120, upper spring tube 1005 and lower
spring tube 1004 may be made of inflexible material, such as metal,
and the system may still retain the beneficial flexibility and
elasticity of the preferred embodiment made of PVC. The optional
spring element 1003 may be placed at any location along the length,
but is more functional lower to the base plate 104 because impacts
with the standard assembly with spring post 1000 will mostly occur
above the optional spring element 1003, therefore allowing the
spring element to flex and aid in deflection, reducing the force
transmitted to the ground spikes 103.
[0100] It shall further be noted that any positional combination
for guy line and spring elements, or multiple spring elements in
series or parallel, shall be considered under the scope of this
specification and claims. Further, it shall be noted that while the
discussion of guy line material and spring elements is typically
referred to as a rope, cable, or bungee material in this
specification, solid members such as tubes or rods will also
suffice in the case of guy lines and air cylinders or axial or
torsion springs shall suffice in the case of spring elements.
Alternate Embodiment--#5
[0101] FIG. 1 shows a preferred embodiment with safety tubes 115, a
safety tube connector 116, and a height limiting member 117. It
shall be noted that for the system to function, these components
are not actually required. The components are provided for the
purpose of limiting the height the anchor 105 can fly up should it
ever pull out. However, in proper installation, and disassembly,
the anchor 105 is designed to never dislodge from the penetrable
surface until the sports net assembly is taken down. Therefore an
alternate embodiment is the same as the preferred embodiment, but
without these safety items.
[0102] The operation of this alternate embodiment is substantially
the same as the preferred embodiment, but the part count and cost
are reduced. However, the safety protections are no longer present,
but as mentioned, with proper use, the system is designed to absorb
all reasonable impacts without pull out of the anchor 105. It shall
further be noted that other designs which incorporate additional
components for the added benefit of safety, these added components
may be eliminated to reduce the cost and complexity further, all
the while relying on the user to properly set up and use the
adjustable sports net system.
Alternate Embodiment--#6
[0103] FIG. 11A,B show an alternate embodiment of a safety system
to protect from the anchor 105 flying out based around standard
assembly with spring post 1000 depicted in FIG. 10. The safety
mechanism is formed by joining the two anchor elements 105 into a
single bar that resembles a staple 1100. The safety tubes 115,
safety tube connector 116, and height limiting member 117 are
removed. The staple 1100 is connected to the upper tube 120 via
lower spring element 1002 coupled to central guy line 1001 as
described in FIG. 10. Each lower spring element 1002 attaches to
the staple 1100 at attachment points 1101. The rest of the system
is assembled and connected as described in FIG. 10 without the
optional spring element (not shown). The staple 1100 has anchor
points 1102 on each end which are designed to penetrate into the
ground surface. The anchor points 1102 may be folding and locking,
removable, or fixed substantially perpendicular to the section
which joins them. The staple 1100 may also be a single molded
piece.
[0104] The operation of this alternate embodiment is slightly
different than that of FIG. 10 and the preferred embodiment. The
staple 1100 is pulled away from the base 104 such that the midpoint
between the two anchor points 1102 lies on a line coplanar with
each standard assembly with spring post 1000 and height adjustment
guide 106. The staple is extended to provide the desired stretch in
the lower spring elements 1002. One side is stepped on and pressed
into the ground. Then the other side of staple 1100 is pressed into
the ground. The staple 1100 makes it easier for the user to gauge
the position and angle as it serves as an easy eye ball reference
because of its size and the fact that the anchor points 1102 are
coupled. Only the orientation and distance in relation the lower
tube 121 must be gauged and this is simple to do accurately by eye.
Additionally, there is the added advantage that more tension can be
applied to the net by stretching the lower spring elements as much
as needed. As a force is applied to the standard assembly 1103, one
of the lower spring elements 1002 increases in tension and pulls at
the corresponding end of the staple 1100, trying to dislodge the
corresponding anchor point 1102. However, this force tries to pivot
the staple 1100 about the opposite anchor point 1102, pushing this
opposite anchor point further in the ground. Because the staple
1100 is rigid, it is therefore not able to release from the ground.
Once the impact energy is absorbed and dissipated by the lower
spring elements, the original position is restored and the forces
on the staple 1100 are once again balanced. The staple 1100 is
preferably made of a single piece of material as shown in FIG. 11B,
however it may be made out of the same tube material as the upper
tube 120 and lower tube 121, the material being either bent, or in
the case of PVC, elbows being glued on the ends and additional
anchor point 1102 sections glued into the end facing vertically
downward. Alternatively the staple 1100 may be separable along the
length and connectable during assembly to reduce the packaging
length if the length of assembled staple (not shown) would be
longer than the length of the lower tube 121 plus the length of two
ground spikes 103. Alternatively the staple 1100 made be made of
flat bar stock with anchor points connected to the ends via
bolting, welding, glue, bending or other suitable means. Other
staple designs shall be considered within the scope of this
specification if they accomplish the goal of grabbing the ground to
prevent dislodgment of the staple 1100. An advantage of this
embodiment is that many parts are eliminated, which reduces
manufacturing and assembly time, and cost. Further, setup is
simplified as the two anchor points 1102 are connected and the user
does not have to think about where to place them relative to one
another.
Alternate Embodiment--#7
[0105] FIG. 12 shows an alternate safety mechanism for limiting the
pull out height of anchor 105. A standard assembly with inline
safety members 1200 is constructed similar to standard assembly 108
of FIG. 1, however a rigid guy line 1201 replaces and serves the
function of safety tube 115. The rigid guy line 1201 connects an
end terminating spring element 1203 to a rigid guy line coupling
1204 via suitable means such looping the end terminating spring
element through a hole in the rigid guy line and doubling back and
clamping with a cord clamping fastener 126, or as otherwise
discussed elsewhere in this application. The end terminating spring
element 1203 is further connected to a corresponding anchor 105.
The rigid guy line coupling 1204 replaces the coupling 122 of FIG.
1, but serves the same purpose of connecting the upper tube 120 to
the lower tube 121 in the manners previously described. The rigid
guy lines 1201 and rigid guy line coupling 1204 may be a single
molded piece or the rigid guy lines may be separable and assembled
during setup for more compact packaging. The connection between the
rigid guy lines 1201 and the rigid guy line coupling 1204 is
preferably stiff and does not allow the rigid guy line to pivot or
move once connected. In this configuration the safety tubes 115,
safety tube connector 116, guy lines 109, height limiting member
117, and coupling 122 are all removed, which reduces part count,
simplifies the construction and assembly, and decreases cost.
Alternatively the rigid guy line 1201 may be attached to the rigid
guy line coupling 1204 via hooks and loops, welding, glue,
injection molding, etc. If the junction between the rigid guy line
1201 and rigid guy line coupling 1204 allows movement and rotation,
it may be desirable to add in the safety height limiter 117 for
reasons described previously to limit the recoil height of the
anchor 105.
[0106] The safety mechanism operates as follows. When the anchor
105 pulls out of the ground, the anchor will retract rapidly until
the contracted length of the end terminating spring element 1203 is
reached. The maximum height 1202 the anchor 105 is allowed to reach
is the contracted length of the end terminating spring element 1203
plus the length of the anchor 105 above the end of the rigid guy
line 1201. This height is shown via the alternate pull-out position
1205 in FIG. 12. By using a rigid guy line 1201 connects immovably
to rigid guy line coupling 1204, the rigid guy line cannot itself
fly upward as there is no vertical movement allowed.
[0107] Alternatively, the position of the end terminating spring
element 1203 and the rigid guy line 1201 may be switched so that
the rigid guy line is attached to, or part of the anchor 105, and
the end terminating spring element is attached to the standard
assembly 108 of FIG. 1. In effect, this is the same configuration
as in FIG. 1, where the guy line is a solid member instead of the
preferred 1/8'' nylon cord. This has the advantage of requiring
only one spring element 110, which would run through or attach
around, the upper tube 120. An added benefit in the operation of
the safety mechanism is the spring element 110 will pull the rigid
guy line 1201 and anchor 105 along the line of the spring element
until the rigid guy line collides with the upper tube 120. At this
point, the momentum in the system will transition from an axial
trajectory to a rotary motion about the collision point of the
rigid guy line 1201 and the upper tube 120. The momentum of the
rigid guy line 1201 plus the downward motion from gravity as the
rigid guy line initially begins to move will cause the rigid guy
line to rotate down toward the ground (like a pendulum swinging),
and this will pull the anchor 105 toward the ground. This would
further limit the maximum height 1202 of the anchor 105. This
phenomenon was observed in prototype testing. Height limiting
member 117 may subsequently be added as in FIG. 1 to assist with
this downward motion and guarantee the maximum height 1202 of the
anchor 105.
Alternate Embodiment--#8
[0108] FIG. 13 shows an alternate safety mechanism for standard
assembly in FIG. 10 for limiting pull out height of anchor 105. A
standard assembly 1000 is constructed similar to that described in
FIG. 10, however instead of safety tubes 115, safety tube connector
116, and height limiting member 117, a pair of rigid lower safety
members 1301 are disposed between a lower tube collar 1302
encompassing the lower tube 121 near the base 104, and between a
stiff tube short anchor connector 1303 on each end. The stiff tube
short anchor connector 1303 is preferably 1/8'' nylon cord, or
other suitable material, and is connected via a suitable method
previously described. The stiff tube short anchor connector 1303 is
further connected to the anchor via a suitable method previously
described. The lower tube collar 1302 is preferably locked to the
lower tube 121 with a set screw, glue, or other means. Each rigid
lower safety member 1301 is connected to the lower tube collar 1302
in a stiff immovable fashion such as insertion into a tight hole,
glue, set screw, etc. The connection between the rigid lower safety
member 1301 and lower tube collar 1302 may be permanent or
removable, but should not allow rotation about the juncture.
Alternative the lower tube collar 1302 may be eliminated and holes
placed in the lower tube 121 for insertion of the rigid lower
safety members 1301. In this case, suitable locking mechanism, such
as a cap on the end of the rigid lower safety members 1301 should
be provided to fix them to the lower tube 121.
[0109] The operation of this alternate embodiment is very similar
to the preferred embodiment. If the anchor 105 is dislodged from
the ground, the travel is limited to the length of the stiff tube
short anchor connector 1303 plus the length of the anchor 105. In
the case of a loose connection between the lower tube 121 and the
rigid lower safety member 1301, some slight vertical movement may
occur from the momentum of the anchor 105, but such displacement
will be minimal as the mass of the anchor is insignificant.
Alternate Embodiment--#9
[0110] FIG. 14 shows an alternate safety mechanism for the
adjustable sports net. A standard assembly with spring post 1000 is
constructed substantially similar to the standard assembly of FIG.
10, except a weighed anchor 1404 is attached in place of the
standard anchor 105, and the safety tubes 115, safety tube
connector 116, and height limiting member 117 are eliminated. While
this adds weight to the system, it eliminates parts and
manufacturing and assembly complexity. Alternatively, the anchor
105 can be increased in size and weight and the weight anchor 1404
eliminated from this embodiment, or a provision may be provided on
the anchor such as a hook and loop fastener band, for connection to
a separate weighted object such as a sports bag.
[0111] In operation, it follows that the maximum weighted anchor
height 1405 of the weighted anchor 1404 is limited by the size of
the weighted anchor. As the weight anchor 1405 pulls out of the
ground, the lower spring element 1001 contracts and pulls the
weighted anchor diagonally upwards along the axis of the lower
spring element. The weighted anchor 1404 goes from an initial
position 1401 to a maximum height position 1402 with the
corresponding lower spring element 1002 fully contracted and the
energy transferred to potential energy of the height of the
weighted anchor 1404, and finally to a resting position 1403. The
weighted anchor 1404 is sized to minimize the weight while
maintaining a maximal weighted anchor height 1405 that is safe.
Alternate Embodiment--#10
[0112] FIG. 15A,B show an alternate safety mechanism for the
adjustable sports net in replacement of the safety mechanisms
described elsewhere in this application. Two protecting hemispheres
1501 are attached to each half of a spring biased hinge 1502 via
suitable means such as screws, welding, gluing, etc. Each
protecting hemisphere should be soft and deformable such as a
rubber shell like a tennis ball. The spring biased hinge 1502 in
turn is attached to the anchor 105 via suitable means such as
screwing, gluing, etc, and also to the guy line 109 (or equivalent)
at guy line attachment point 1500. The spring biased hinge 1502 may
also be incorporated in the protecting hemispheres via molding, and
thus, an extra part eliminated. The spring biased hinge 1502 is
biased to force the two protecting hemispheres together to
encompass the anchor 105. Termination methods for guy lines or
their equivalents have been previously discussed and any suitable
method, separable or permanent, may be used. Use of this safety
mechanism eliminates the need for other safety provisions discussed
in this application and may simplify construction and costs. Other
hinge mechanisms such as a spring loaded door hinge may be applied
to accomplish this same concept.
[0113] The operation of this alternate embodiment is similar to
those discussed above, however the height the anchor 105 can reach
upon pull out is limited only by the length of the attaching
members, vertically oriented, which can be quite high. To protect
the players, the protecting hemispheres 1501 close over the anchor
105 on pull-out to a closed position 1504, forming a softer barrier
which cannot injure a person. The protecting hemispheres 1501 are
opened by the user to an open position 1503 when pressing the
anchor 105 into the ground. As the anchor 105 begins to dislodge,
the spring biased hinge 1502 of the protecting hemispheres 1501
begin to close around the anchor, eventually enclosing it entirely
before it can injury a person.
Alternate Embodiment--#11
[0114] FIG. 16 shows an alternate safety mechanism for the
adjustable sports net. A standard assembly with spring post 1000 is
constructed substantially similar to that of FIG. 10, except a
loose safety weight 1601 is placed on the ground, and the lower
spring element 1002 passes through a guide loop 1604, or other
connection means, in the loose safety weight before extending up
towards the upper tube 120. Additionally the safety tubes 115,
safety tube connector 116, and height limiting element 117 are
eliminated. The loose safety weight 1601 may be fixed to the lower
spring element 1002, but is preferably left loose. The loose safety
weight 1601 shall be sized such that it remains on top of the
ground at an appreciable initial distance 1603 from the anchor 105.
Additionally, instead of a loose safety weight 1601, a shoe bag or
other weight component (not shown) that may be available can be
connected to the lower spring element 1002 and simple connection
means such as a band of hook and loop fastener supplied. In such a
configuration any connection means such as a spring clip, rope,
etc. shall be provided to connect this external weight to the lower
spring element 1002.
[0115] The safety mechanism operates in a few distinct ways. First,
the loose safety weight 1601 reduces the pullout angle 1602 by
turning the tension force on the anchor 105 to more of a horizontal
force than a vertical force. This transition is significant as the
anchor 105 is much stronger in resisting horizontal forces than
vertical forces regarding pull out. Second, the anchor 105 must
pass through the loose safety weight 1601, which is impossible if
the guide loop 1604 or connection means is sized or configured
properly to prevent this action. Thus the anchor 105 will rapidly
dislodge, travel substantially horizontally as the lower spring
element 1002 contracts, and stop when it impacts the loose safety
weight 1601. In this manner, the maximum pull out height of the
anchor 105 is kept to virtually at the level of the ground because
of the trajectory path along the reduced pull out angle 1602. The
downside is the need to carry more weight with the system, though
this may not be a burden if weights are carried already for other
purposes as can be common with a sports team.
Alternate Embodiment--#12
[0116] FIG. 17A-H show alternate means of net length and height
adjustment designs for the adjustable sports net. In some cases the
illustrations provide both a new height adjustment scheme and a new
net length adjustment scheme. It shall be noted at this point that
where a height and net length adjustment scheme are discussed
relating to the same figure, the net length and system height
adjustment designs are not mutually inclusive. Indeed, throughout
this entire description section, the designs discussed may be
interchangeable, meaning a sports net system may incorporate one of
a many system height and/or net length adjustment combinations to
function within the spirit of the inventions disclosed.
Additionally, FIG. 17A-H only illustrate the upper section of a
standard assembly. Many different standard designs have been
previously discussed and for brevity, only the net length and
system height adjustment schemes depicted in FIG. 17A-H shall be
discussed in this alternate embodiment. It shall be assumed that
one skilled in the art can combine one of the system height and let
length designs of FIG. 17A-G with a standard design discussed
elsewhere in this description to create an adjustable sports net
system. This standard interchangeability shall also apply to other
alternate embodiments described herein.
[0117] FIG. 17A shows sliding tube collars 1704 disposed in an
upper and lower position for connection to a plain net 1700 via net
spring elements 1701 and collar connection points 1705. Collar
connection points 1705 may be a hole, hook, or other general means
for terminating a spring element like a bungee cord or metallic
spring. It shall be noted that only the top collar 1702 is required
and the bottom of plain net 1700 may be loosely dangling, dangling
but weighted as in FIG. 17B,C, or attached to upper tube 120 via a
string, bungee and hook as shown in FIG. 17B,C,D, or other suitably
means to introduce tension into the bottom of the net. The sliding
tube collars 1704 are fixable to the upper tube 120 via a set screw
1703. Alternatively a pin, clamp, high friction fit, or other
suitable means for grabbing a tube to fix a position of the sliding
tube collar 1704 may be used. Preferably the net spring elements
1701 are made of 3/16'' bungee cord, but any suitable material such
as rubber bands, metal extension springs, etc. may be used. FIG.
17A shows the net spring element 1701 on one side only of the net,
with the other side of the net being connected via short net
connectors 1702 which may be nylon cord for example; however it
shall be recognized that short net connectors may also be made of
other suitable material including net spring elements 1701, or even
rigid material such as metal or plastic tubes or rods. The plain
net 1700 is attached to the short net connectors 1702 and net
spring element 1701 via any suitable means including stitching (as
shown in the figure), hooks and grommets, stapled, knots etc.
Further it is desired that the tension on the top of the plain net
1700 is always greater than the tension on the bottom of the net,
therefore the upper net spring element 1701 shall be sized or
stretched more such that it pulls tighter on the top of the net
than the net spring element 1701 on the bottom of the net. This is
advantageous as it provides a straight line on the upper edge of
the net which is the boundary line.
[0118] The net system described in FIG. 17A operates by allowing
varying net length because of the stretch in the net spring
elements 1701. The plain net 1700 may be separable at one end, or
both ends from the collar connection points 1705, or alternatively
separated at the junction between the plain net and the net spring
elements 1701 and/or short net connectors 1702 if such separation
means is provided. Two standard assemblies (full standard assembly
not shown as stated above) are placed on the playing surface. The
plain net 1700 is attached to one standard assembly via sliding
tube collars(s) 1704 and stretched until it can be hooked to the
other standard assembly via the other set of sliding tube collar(s)
1704. The sliding tube collars 1704 may be vertically adjusted by
loosening, moving, and then retightening set screw 1703, and this
operation may be done before or after plain net 1700 is attached.
The tension in the plain net 1700 is thus kept by the tension in
the net spring elements 1701. The net spring elements 1701 shall be
sized such that in the minimal net length position there is
sufficient tension in the net spring elements to make the plain net
1700 sufficiently taught, but the spring elements have sufficient
length as to stretch far enough to accommodate the greatest net
length desired.
[0119] FIG. 17B shows an alternate version where a single net
spring element 1707 is used to span the distance of the two
standard assemblies. A weighted net 1706 is placed on the single
net spring element 1707 by stringing the single net spring element
through a net channel 1728 stitched in the top of the net as shown
in FIG. 17B. Instead of stitching the loop may be created with
overlapping Hook and loop fastener or other suitable means. The
bottom of the weighted net 1706 may be held straight and vertical
by attaching a net weight 1708 by stitching the net weight to the
net. The net weight 1708 may likewise be placed in one or more
pockets sewn in the weighted net 1706, or alternatively may clamp
to the weighted net. The net weight 1708 is preferably flexible to
provide for easy packaging and made of any material that provides
suitable downward force to keep the weighted net 1706 hanging
vertical against wind forces. In place of, or in addition to the
net weight 1708, a net bottom tension line 1709 may connect
weighted net 1706 to the upper tube 120 via optional net collar
1710. Alternatively, the net bottom tension line 1709 may hook
around the upper tube 120, and may be connected to weighted net
1706 via permanent or detachable means such as stitching, a hook
and grommet, etc. The net bottom tension line 1709 is optional, and
preferably 3/16'' bungee cord but may be made of any suitable
material which stretches to provide tension to the bottom edge of
the weighted net 1706. The net bottom tension line 1709 may further
attach to any point on the edge of weighted net 1706. A stiffener
(not shown) may be clamped along the vertical end edge of the
weighted net 1706, the stiffener then attached to the net bottom
tension line 1709, so that the force from the bottom tension spring
is transmitted to the entire edge of the net pulling the full net
taught.
[0120] The net system described in FIG. 17B operates with its
length-wise adjustment derived from the stretch in single net
spring element 1707, whose length shall be such that a minimal
tension is applied in the shortest net configuration. Such minimal
tension must be sufficient to hold the weighted net 1706 in place
against the weight of the net. The single net spring element 1707
shall similarly be flexible enough so as to expand to allow for the
largest desirable net length. Similar to FIG. 17A, the weighted net
1706 may be detachable at one or both ends via detachment of the
single net spring element 1707 and net bottom tension line 1709 (if
it is used). The height adjustment is as described in the operation
of FIG. 17A above. The optional net collar 1710 is loose to move up
and down on the upper tube 1712 so only the sliding tube collar
1704 must be adjusted and fixed to the upper tube 120 to fix the
height. The weighted net 1706 can be sized at any length between
the minimal length and maximal length required. In the case of the
minimal length, the weighted net 1706 will not stretch the full
length of the court, however the single net spring element 1707 may
serve as the boundary line in this case on either side of the net.
In the case of the maximal length, the weighted net 1706 may be
scrunched up to accommodate shorter lengths. In this scenario the
bottom tension springs would not be used. In the case of the use of
the net weight 1708 instead of the net bottom tension line 1709, it
shall be noted that an advantage is the net is free to deflect and
rotate along the single net spring element 1707. This swinging
motion absorbs impact of a game object (not shown) without
transmitting the full force to the base and anchors of the sports
net system, and this reduces the strength and material requirements
of the rest of the system. The impact is partially absorbed by
movement of the net weight 1708, but the majority of the energy
passes through the net assembly as the game object moves past and
is deflected by the net weight.
[0121] FIG. 17C shows a similar setup to FIG. 17B. In this
configuration the single net spring element 1707 is replaced with a
net cord 1711, or cable. A net cord adjustment clip 1712 is
provided to pull a required amount of net cord 1711 through to form
a net adjustment loop 1713, and to hold this net adjustment loop
secure and prevent it from slipping. Many such net adjustment clips
1712 are known in activities such as climbing and boating. FIG. 17C
shows the net cord 1711 running through the net channel 1728, and
the weighted net 1706 being freely movable along the length of the
net cord. As in FIG. 17B, optional net bottom tension lines 1709
may be served to pull the bottom edge of the weighted net 1706
tight, in place of or in addition to a net weight 1708. Instead of
net cord 1711 running through the net channel 1728, the net cord
may be fixed to the end of the net, the net being the minimal
length required, and the net cord adjusted to allow expansion of
the length. In this case net cord 1711 forms the remainder of the
upper boundary as an extension of the top of the weighted net 1706.
To cover the section without a net present under the net cord 1711,
additional sections of material (not shown) could be wrapped or
affixed to this empty space. Alternatively, overlapping sections
(not shown) of the net could allow telescope axially outward to
cover the empty length. Finally, similarly to FIG. 17B, the
weighted net 1706 could be made the maximum length and simply
bunched up along the net cord 1711 to create a shorter court with
components net bottom tension lines 1709 and optional net collar
1710 not used.
[0122] FIG. 17D shows a length and height adjustment means similar
to the preferred embodiment, and the height adjustment scheme is
the same as the preferred embodiment. For means of length
adjustment, the hook and grommet net 1716 does not use hook and
loop fasteners for the length adjustment overlap flap 114, but
instead uses grommets 1714 and grommet hooks 1715 to attach the
overlap flap and apply tension. The first overlap flap 112 may be
attached as previously described in other embodiments. The grommets
1714 are spaced axially along the hook and grommet net 1716 at a
distance long enough as to minimize the number of grommets, but
short enough that the flex in the rest of the system, as described
above, is adequate for allowing the grommet hooks 1715 to reach a
grommet which provides adequate net tension. A small elastic member
(not shown) may be added between the grommet hook 1715 and the hook
and grommet net 1716 to provide some additional adjustment.
Essentially, if the grommet hook 1715 does not quite reach a
grommet 1714, the net can be pulled slightly tighter and the system
flexes until the hook reaches the grommet to secure the standard
assemblies 108 together. In such a manner, the standard assemblies
108 may be placed independently of precise distance measurements
and the system of grommet hook 1715 and grommet 1714 tensioning
will compensate regardless. Such grommet 1714 spacing of 12'' is
suggested.
[0123] FIG. 17E shows a spring hook and grommet net 1717 as another
length and height adjustment method similar to FIGS. 17A-C. In FIG.
17E, a pair of sliding tube collars 1704 is used in conjunction
with net spring elements 1701, each terminating in a grommet hook
1715, to grab a grommet 1714 sewn into the net fabric 101. Sliding
tube collars 1704 are provided for hooking to a grommet 1714 in
each corner of the net fabric 101. The sliding tube collars 1704
may alternatively be made of high friction material, such as
rubber, to grip the upper tube 120 under tension to prevent
vertical movement. The grommets 1714 are axially spaced frequently
enough that the spacing, plus the additional flex standard
assemblies (i.e. from the flex in the standard and the ability to
tilt inward from the flex in the guy line assemblies as discussed
previously), plus the stretch in the net spring element, allow for
continuous horizontally length adjustment, and correspondingly,
independent placement of each standard assembly without regard to
precise distance measurements for initially placing the standards.
Such spacing of grommets 1714 is suggested to be every 12'' for
example.
[0124] FIG. 17F shows a net design almost identical to FIG. 17D,
however the grommet hooks 1715 are replaced with female snaps 1719
and the grommets 1714 are replaced with male snaps 1718 and the
male and female snaps being attachment means for securing the first
flap overlap flap 112 and length adjustment overlap flap 114. Such
a configuration may be cheaper to manufacture and lower profile.
Also grommet hooks 1715 may tend to get tangled during packaging.
Otherwise the operation is the same as FIG. 17D. It shall be noted
that other means of connecting a portion of net fabric 101 to
itself shall be considered within the scope of this
specification.
[0125] FIG. 17G shows an alternate form of height and length
adjustment. A coiled spring 1724 is wrapped inside a coiled spring
net holder 1723. One end of the coiled spring 1724 is fixed to the
coiled spring net holder 1723, while the other end is fixed to a
net strapping 1725. The coiled spring 1724 may be a spring steel
material or material with similar properties. The net strapping
1725 is attached via suitable means such as stitching, clamping,
rivets, or the like. Attached to the other end of net strapping
1725 is net end plug 1720. The coiled spring net holder 1723 slides
vertically and locks to upper tube 120, as well as resist rotation
and unwinding on the upper tube, for example by use a sliding track
(not shown) or a set screw (not shown). A mating adjustable net
receptacle 1721 is disposed and vertically slides and locks along
the opposite upper post 120. The net end plug 1720 may be placed
and secured in a net end receptacle slot 1722 to connect the two
standard assemblies and form the net boundary.
[0126] To operate, the standards are independently placed at a
desired distance relative to one another. The adjustable net
receptacle 1721 and coiled spring net holder 1723 are adjusted to
the desired height and locked into place. The net strapping 1725 is
then pulled out of the coiled spring net holder 1723 and the net
end plug 1720 placed and secured in the net end receptacle slot
1722. The height may further be adjusted as this point due to the
flexible nature of the net strapping 1725 and the coiled spring
1724. The tension in the net strapping 1725 is determined by the
strength of the coiled spring 1724, and it is desirable the tension
of the coiled spring 1724 be strong enough to hold the two standard
assemblies together and perpendicular to the playing surface
against the outward force from spring elements 110 (not shown in
this figure).
[0127] FIG. 17H shows another height and length adjustment system.
The net fabric 101 is disposed between two upper tubes 120. Each
upper tube 120 is covered in a hook fastener 1726. The net fabric
101 has attachment means in the form of a strip of loop fastener
1727 on the top and the bottom along the length (only the length
needed for overlap needs the Hook and loop fastener but the entire
length is shown for simplicity). Alternatively the net fabric 101
could be made entirely of loop fastener 1727. At each end of net
fabric 101 is a section of hook fastener 1726. The two standard
assemblies are placed independently at a desired distance. One end
of the net fabric 101 is wrapped around one upper tube 120, the
loop fastener 1727 on the net fabric, sticking to the hook fastener
1726 on the upper tube. The net fabric 101 is then pulled tight and
the desired tension put in to the system. Finally the net fabric
101 is wrapped around the second upper tube 120, doubled back and
attached to itself, and the second end patch of hook fastener 1726
placed on the loop fastener 1725 of the net fabric 101. In this
manner the height is fixed by the stickiness of the Hook and loop
fastener and the tension and length is retained as well by the
stickiness of the Hook and loop fastener.
Alternate Embodiment--#13
[0128] FIG. 18A,B show an alternate height adjustment design in a
continuous loop height adjustment scheme. An upper tube 120 is
provided with an upper ring 1803 attached at the top of the height
adjustment range and lower ring 1804 attached near the bottom of
the height adjustment range. A height adjustment cord 1801 is
looped around the upper ring 1803 and down around the lower ring
1804. In between the upper ring 1803 and lower ring 1804, the net
fabric 101 is connected to the height adjustment cord 1801 at cord
connection points 1802. A tensioner 1805 is placed into a section
of the height adjustment cord 1801, the position being such that
the net fabric 101 has full vertical adjustment without the
tensioner interfering with the upper ring 1803 or lower ring 1808.
The tensioner 1805 may be a turnbuckle or other mechanism for
adjusting the tension in a cable or rope. To operate, the two
standards are independently placed on either side of a court at a
desired distance. The net fabric 101 may be connected to the height
adjustment cord 1801 as described in the preferred embodiment or
the net fabric is connected to each height adjustment cord 1801 at
or between connection points 1802. Such connection could be a hook
through a grommet, a button, or other known means. Alternatively
the net fabric 101 may be fixed or sewn onto one of the height
adjustment ropes 1801 and attachable at the other height adjustment
rope, with length adjustment via other means discussed in this
specification. Once connected, the net fabric 101 is moved to the
desired vertical position and the tensioner 1805 is tightened,
pulling the height adjustment ropes 1801 tight against the upper
ring 1803 and lower ring 1804. The sharp angle turned by the height
adjustment rope 1801 around the upper ring 1803 and lower ring 1804
causes significant enough friction that the net 1800 does not move
vertically under impact. The tensioner 1805 may be further loosened
to allow changing the position of the net fabric 101.
[0129] FIG. 18B shows an alternate version of FIG. 18A, where
instead of an upper ring 1803 and lower ring 1804, there is an
upper pulley 1809 and lower pulley 1806. Also, instead of a
tensioner 1805 there is a tube clamp 1807. The tube clamp 1807 may
be an active clamp such that it prevents the height adjustment cord
1801 from moving vertically unless the grip is pulled away from the
surface of the upper tube 120. The tube clamp 1807 is required
because of the low friction rotation ability of the pulleys. Setup
is the same as described in FIG. 18A, but to adjust the height, the
tube clamp 1807 loosened and pulled away from the surface of the
upper tube 120, the height adjusted, and the tube clamp
re-tightened to once again contact the upper tube. The tube clamp
1807 may be also a collar (not shown) that can be fixed to the
upper tube 120 similar to shown in FIG. 17A. Other means of fixing
a portion of the height adjustment cord 1801 to the upper tube 120
such as weaving through a metal cork screw (not shown) or a cord
grip (not shown), etc shall be considered within the scope of this
specification.
Alternate Embodiment--#14
[0130] FIGS. 19A-B show an alternate safety sleeve stabilization
assembly 1903 to the safety scheme of standard assembly 108 of FIG.
1. The safety tubes 115, safety tube connector 116, and height
limiting member 117, are removed and replaced by a fabric safety
sleeve 1900 enclosing stabilization assembly 107, and incorporating
stiffening rod 1901, and connected the base 104 via safety webbing
1902. The safety sleeve passes around the upper tube 120, which
runs through pole through-hole 1905, and through an optional sleeve
reinforcement patch 1904, which may be added to reinforce this
opening. FIG. 19B shows the fabric safety sleeve 1900 laid out
flat. The safety webbing 1902 is sewn to each end of the fabric
safety sleeve 1900, and the stiffening rod 1901 is sewn into and
along substantially the full edge of the fabric safety sleeve to
provide resistance to buckling, as the safety tubes 115 did in the
preferred embodiment. The safety webbing 1902 may have a hole at
its midpoint which one of the ground spikes 103 may run through to
fix the midpoint of the safety webbing to the base 104. The guy
line 109 is fed through each side of the fabric safety sleeve 1900
and attached to the corresponding anchor 105 as in FIG. 1. The
fabric safety sleeve 1900 rests atop the coupling 122 and is
prevented from moving down the standard assembly via mechanical
interference with the top surface of the coupling. The stiffening
rod 1901 may be fiberglass, plastic, metal, etc. The fabric may be
600 denier nylon for example, and the webbing may be 2'' heavy duty
pack webbing.
[0131] When the anchor 105 pulls out of the ground, the guy line
109 retracts into the fabric safety sleeve 1900 until the anchor
runs into the end of the stiffening rod 1901. The momentum carries
the stiffening rod 1901 back toward the upper tube 120 where it is
prevented from moving further due to being sewn into the fabric
safety sleeve 1900. Because the fabric safety sleeve 1900 is
flexible, the stiffening rod 1901 may begin to pivot with its
corresponding section of fabric safety sleeve about the connection
of the fabric safety sleeve and the coupling 122, rotating the
anchor upward. The safety webbing 1902 is added to limit to amount
of travel of the end of the fabric safety sleeve 1900 similar to
the height limiting member 117 in FIG. 1. Thus the height the
anchor can reach, is minimal and not harmful to the consumer. A
benefit of this flexibility using fabric for the safety sleeve is
that the assembly folds well for packaging and transport, which is
an important design aspect. Further, fabric provides a convenient
and inexpensive area for imprinting of a logo.
Alternate Embodiment--#15
[0132] FIG. 20 shows an alternate adjustable sports net assembly,
fiberglass two-pole system 2100, made of fiberglass tube or rod.
Like the system described in FIG. 1, this figure illustrates one
example, but any of the height and/or length adjustment or
flexibility designs discussed in this specification may be
incorporated in lieu of the design shown. The fiberglass two-pole
system 2100 consists of two standard assemblies, each based off a
lower fiberglass tube 2102 connected to an upper fiberglass tube
2103 by a fiberglass ferrule 2104. The lower fiberglass tube 2102
is further fixed to a base plate 104 and terminated with at least
one ground spike 103, which is driven into the ground. Attached to
the upper fiberglass tube 2103 are two movable tube stops 2101
which grip the fiberglass tube via suitable means, for example but
not limited to, a movable tube stop set screw 2105, spring loaded
friction, etc. The net fabric 101 is looped around the each upper
fiberglass tube 2103 and doubled back on itself via the first
overlap flap 112 and length adjustment overlap flap 114, to be
attached as described previously in other embodiments, preferably
with hook and loop fastener 102, but may also be hooks and
grommets, snaps, etc. Other means of connecting a length adjustable
net as discussed previously, may also be used. A single spring
element 801 may connect the upper fiberglass tube 2103 to anchors
105. Although not shown, the various safety mechanisms described in
this specification for protecting against inadvertent pullout of
the anchor 105 may be applied to this design. The main advantage of
the design is simplification of parts, and even more light weight
and minimalistic than the PVC tubing suggested earlier. Also, PVC
material may be brittle, while fiberglass is very strong, yet
flexible to assist in absorbing impacts from a game object (not
shown). The components for the fiberglass ferrule and tubing are
readily available parts already in use in items like corner flags
for soccer fields, kites, etc. and because fiberglass is stronger
and more resilient than PVC, a smaller diameter tube or rod may be
used and this system kept even more light-weight and compact for
increased portability. Finally, the elimination of height
adjustment cord 106, movable cord stops 111, and immovable cord
stops 113, further reduces part count and assembly/manufacturing
costs. The operation of the system is substantially the same as in
the preferred embodiment of FIG. 1 with the exception that the net
is connected directly to the upper fiberglass tube 2103 instead of
the height adjustment cord 106. Real time height adjustment is
likewise performed by releasing movable tube stops 2101, adjusting
the height, and releasing or fixing the movable tube stops to the
upper fiberglass tube 2103. Finally a tip protector 2106 is
provided to guard against eye injuries because of the smaller
diameter of the upper fiberglass tube 2103 or rod.
Alternate Embodiment--#16
[0133] FIG. 21 shows an alternate embodiment for the lower half of
the standard assembly 108 from FIG. 1. The basis of the standard
assembly 108 remains the same as the preferred embodiment of FIG.
1, with tri spring collar post 2200 being connected to base 104,
which in turn is holds ground spikes 103. However the tri spring
collar post 2200 provides for a tri spring collar 2201 to move
vertically from a slack position 2206 to a locked taught position
2205. The sliding tri spring collar 2201 has a loose fit over the
tri spring collar post 2200 and provides connection means for three
tri spring elements 2204 which in turn each connect to an anchor
105. Such connections means may include but is not limited to be
hooks, loops, knots, glue, etc. The tri spring elements 2204 are
aligned such that one tri spring element is co-linear with the half
court line (not shown) and the other two tri spring elements are
positioned 120 degrees apart from the half court line. A tri spring
collar plunger 2202 is attached to, or made part of tri spring
collar 2201. Tri spring collar plunger 2201 is preferably spring
biased inward against tri spring collar post 2200 and self-locks
when aligned in the locked taught position 2205 with upper
adjustment hole 2203 in the tri spring collar post.
[0134] To operate, the tri spring collar post 2200, base plate 104,
and ground spikes 103 are pressed into the ground. The anchors 105
are then pressed into the ground at an equal distance from the tri
spring collar post 2200 at the degree spacing and orientation
mentioned above. Although not shown, any of the safety mechanisms
for preventing inadvertent pull out of the anchors 105 may be
incorporated and/or modified to fit the three spring system shown.
At this stage the tri spring elements are all loose and the tri
spring collar 2201 is in the slack position 2206 with tri spring
collar plunger 2203 in contracted position, but pressing against
the tri spring collar post 2200 because of the spring bias. The
sliding tri spring collar 2201 is moved from the slack position
2206 to an upper position vertically until the tri spring collar
plunger 2202 aligns with the upper adjustment hole 2203 and is
extended into the upper adjustment hole, holding the tri spring
collar in the taught position 2205. This sets the standard assembly
vertically and self-aligning, contrary to previously discussed
designs where the tension in the guy lines biases the standard
assembly outward toward the anchors 105. This design may be
advantageous in a design such as shown in FIG. 17G where it may be
difficult to develop a large force from the coiled spring 1724 due
to the need for compactness and ease of fabrication. In such a
system, it is better not to rely on the coiled spring 1724 to hold
the standard assemblies vertically, but rather have the standards
vertically self-aligning as in FIG. 21, and rely on the coiled
spring 1724 only for net tension, length, and height
adjustment.
CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, SCOPE
[0135] To reiterate, none of the designs described are mutually
exclusive or inclusive and many if not all of the height
adjustment, length adjustment, and system flexibility, and safety
concepts may be intermingled to create a fully functioning sports
net system in the spirit of the inventions disclosed herein. One
skilled in the art will recognized any minor modifications that
would be needed for such an intermingling and such modifications
shall be considered within the scope of this specification and
claims. Further, it shall be recognized that many of the components
described may be combined into a single object via different
manufacturing processes such as welding, injection molding,
casting, etc. While the applicant discusses some of these options
briefly in the application, it shall be recognized any and all
combinations of the components discussed herein shall be considered
within the scope of this application and covered by the claims
written. Similarly, it shall be recognized that many components in
the system and their connection points, or connection means, may
also be interchanged or rearranged to achieve the same effect as
the disclosed configurations. Similarly, where components are
discussed as being flexible and/or tubular, such components may
also be solid if this accomplishes the same function as described
in this specification. While the applicant discusses and
illustrates several of these configurations, this application and
claims shall not be limited solely to the different configurations
discussed and other derivations shall be considered understood.
[0136] The reader will see that the adjustable sports net system of
this invention is compact, portable, and easy to assemble by one
person. The net may be used for many sports, not just soccer
tennis, but badminton, tennis, volleyball, etc for example. Further
the reader will recognize that the system has significant
advantages over prior by broadening the utility of the system for
different uses and inclusion in training schedules where setup time
and adjustment time are crucial factors to whether a piece of
equipment is used or not. Further still the reader shall recognize
that the above is made possible because of the unique inventions
described and combined to create a system that is continuously
adjustable in length and height, and uses designed in flexibility
to absorb impact, reducing forces on the system, and therefore
component size and material requirements, all while maintaining
tension in the system in manner that is safe to the consumer.
Further still the reader shall recognize that the inventions
described herein are useful in other areas than sports nets, for
example building compliance into a tent stake system to avoid a
person tripping over a tent stake rope and pull the stake out,
leading to collapse of the tent. A elastic stake attachment would
alleviate this problem. Another example where an elastic element
would be useful is in tying trees and plants which are typically
tied to stakes in the ground. This restricts their ability to grow
as it prevents them from swaying in the wind which would normally
stress the branches and trunk, which promotes growth. Instead of a
stake, if one or more elastically deformable guy lines with a
safety mechanism were used to secure the tree upright, the tree
would be allowed to sway in the wind, deforming the guy lines, but
not pulling them out of the ground. A safety mechanism in this case
would be important to protect the gardener from inadvertent stake
pullout, for example on a really windy day where stake pullout
force could potentially be exceeded. The reader shall also
recognize that height adjustment markings may be added to various
components to create a height setting guide to ensure levelness of
the game net.
[0137] Although the description above contains many specifications,
these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the
presently preferred embodiments of this invention. Thus the scope
of this invention should be determined by the appended claims and
their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.
* * * * *