U.S. patent application number 14/770460 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-07 for table-tennis net apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Eric Harvey. Invention is credited to Eric Harvey.
Application Number | 20160001151 14/770460 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48237145 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-07 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160001151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harvey; Eric |
January 7, 2016 |
TABLE-TENNIS NET APPARATUS
Abstract
Table-tennis net apparatus comprises two net-supporting devices,
a suspension element extending between the two net-supporting
devices, and a table-tennis net supportable by the suspension
element and attachable to the two net-supporting devices. Each
net-supporting device includes an upright post having an at least
substantially hollow tubular cartridge holder and an elongate
cartridge receivable in the cartridge holder. The cartridge holder
includes a longitudinal slot through which the net extends, and the
suspension element includes a flexible elongate element and a
spring element which is engagable with a said cartridge. The net is
suspendable from the flexible elongate element, and the flexible
elongate element is automatically tensionable by the in use spring
element. A table-tennis net-supporting device, and a method of
automatically tensioning a flexible elongate element for a
table-tennis net using such apparatus are also provided.
Inventors: |
Harvey; Eric; (Hampshire,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Harvey; Eric |
Hampshire |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
48237145 |
Appl. No.: |
14/770460 |
Filed: |
March 6, 2013 |
PCT Filed: |
March 6, 2013 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2013/050551 |
371 Date: |
August 25, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/493 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 67/04 20130101;
A63B 67/045 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 67/04 20060101
A63B067/04 |
Claims
1. Table-tennis net apparatus comprising two net-supporting
devices, a suspension element extending between the two
net-supporting devices, and a table-tennis net supportable by the
suspension element and attachable to the two net-supporting
devices, each net-supporting device including an upright post
having an at least substantially hollow tubular cartridge holder
and an elongate cartridge receivable in the cartridge holder, the
cartridge holder including a longitudinal slot through which the
net extends, the suspension element including a flexible elongate
element and a spring element which is engagable with a said
cartridge, the net being suspendable from the flexible elongate
element, and the flexible elongate element being automatically
tensionable by the in use spring element.
2. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the
cartridge includes a longitudinal recess in which the spring
element is located.
3. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the
cartridge includes a tapered opening to releasably wedgingly engage
the flexible elongate element following engagement with the spring
element.
4. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein one
end of the flexible elongate element is directly engaged with the
spring element.
5. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein the
other end of the flexible elongate element is directly releasably
wedgingly engagable with the other said cartridge.
6. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein an in
use upper end of each cartridge includes a lateral guide slot
having a reduced opening for captively retaining the flexible
elongate element.
7. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each
cartridge is height-adjustably engagable within its respective
cartridge holder.
8. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each
net-supporting device includes a rotatable-plate cartridge
connector for retaining the cartridge in the cartridge holder.
9. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the
rotatable-plate cartridge connector is a height adjuster for
adjusting a longitudinal position of the cartridge in its
respective cartridge holder whilst maintaining retention within the
cartridge holder.
10. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the
height adjuster includes a rotatable cam surface and the cartridge
includes a slot in which the cam surface is slidably received, so
that rotation of the height adjuster causes relative displacement
of the cartridge, and wherein the rotatable cam surface is
non-continuous for releasably receiving a slotted end of the
cartridge.
11. (canceled)
12. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein each
net-supporting device includes an over-centre clamping mechanism
comprising a pivotable lever handle, a biasing element offset from
a pivot point of the lever handle so as to be movable from a
release condition to an over-centre locked condition, and a movable
clamping jaw engagable by the biasing element to move from a
release position to a clamping position.
13. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 12, further
comprising a second biasing element for biasing the movable
clamping jaw into positive engagement with the first said biasing
element.
14. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the
pivotable lever handle is slidably engaged with a clamp body of the
net-supporting device, so that a pivot axle of the lever handle is
movable relative to the clamp body.
15. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein the
movable clamping jaw is slidably engaged with the lever handle, so
that the pivot axle of the lever handle is slidable relative to the
clamping jaw.
16. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein each
net-supporting device further comprises a position adjuster for
adjusting a position of a pivot axis of the pivotable lever
handle.
17. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 16, wherein the
position adjuster includes a rotatable cam spacer for supporting a
pivot axle of the lever handle at a plurality of different
displacements from the rotational axis of the cam spacer.
18. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein the
cam spacer includes a plurality of angularly spaced-apart notches
in its perimeter edge, whereby a position of the pivot axle of the
lever handle can be indexed step-wisely.
19. Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein a
rotational axis of the cam spacer is movable relative to a clamp
body of the net-supporting device between a raised position and a
lowered position, wherein the position adjuster includes a
rotatable spacer for supporting an axle of the cam spacer at
different relative positions on the clamp body, and wherein the
rotatable spacer includes at least one notch for engagement with a
lug on the clamp body, thereby defining a said lowered
position.
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. A table-tennis net-supporting device comprising a clamp body,
an upright post having an at least substantially hollow tubular
cartridge holder and an elongate cartridge receivable in the
cartridge holder, the cartridge holder including a longitudinal
slot for a table-tennis net to extend therethrough, a cartridge
connector for retaining the cartridge within the cartridge holder,
and an adjustable over-centre clamping mechanism for attaching the
device to a table-tennis table.
24. A method of automatically tensioning a flexible elongate
element for a table-tennis net, the method comprising the steps of:
a] locating a net-supporting device either side of a table-tennis
table; b] providing a flexible elongate element spanning between
upright posts of the net-supporting devices, a table-tennis net
being suspended from the flexible elongate element; and c] using a
spring element in at least one of the upright posts to
automatically tension the flexible elongate element.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to table-tennis net apparatus,
and to table-tennis net-supporting device forming part of the
apparatus.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The governing body for table-tennis, the International Table
Tennis Federation or ITTF, stipulates strict parameters which a
table-tennis net assembly to be used with a table-tennis table must
adhere to. Consequently, although advancement and innovation is
specifically encouraged in the rules, little progress has been made
over the years.
[0003] With traditional screw-clamp post bodies, the design is very
basic, involving an upright post to which the table-tennis net is
attached, and a manual tie-off point for a net suspension cord. To
attach the body to a table tennis table, a basic screw-threaded
clamp is provided.
[0004] The deficiencies with the traditional design are that the
table-tennis net must be set up and the net cord manually
re-tensioned each time it is erected in order to meet ITTF
requirements. This involves the use of a heavy tension gauge and
manual adjustment of the tie-off of the net cord, and is thus
time-consuming.
[0005] Furthermore, the height of the net cord above the
table-tennis table must be re-set each time. This involves the use
of a light net gauge and manual adjustment of the upright post.
Again, this is time consuming.
[0006] The net cord often slips off the upright post, requiring
re-setting and possible re-tensioning.
[0007] With the traditional screw-clamp, over tightening is a
common issue leading to wear and damage of the net post and
table-tennis table.
[0008] Additionally, the traditional arrangement typically requires
two people to set up the net assembly correctly to fully meet ITTF
requirements.
[0009] The present invention seeks to overcome all of these
problems.
SUMMARY
[0010] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is
provided table-tennis net apparatus comprising two net-supporting
devices, a suspension element extending between the two
net-supporting devices, and a table-tennis net supportable by the
suspension element and attachable to the two net-supporting
devices, each net-supporting device including an upright post
having an at least substantially hollow tubular cartridge holder
and an elongate cartridge receivable in the cartridge holder, the
cartridge holder including a longitudinal slot for the net to
extend therethrough, the suspension element including a flexible
elongate element and a spring element which is engagable with a
said cartridge, the net being suspendable from the flexible
elongate element, and the flexible elongate element being
automatically tensionable by the in use spring element.
[0011] Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of
the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 22, inclusive.
[0012] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is
provided a table-tennis net-supporting device comprising a clamp
body, an upright post having an at least substantially hollow
tubular cartridge holder and an elongate cartridge receivable in
the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder including a longitudinal
slot for a table-tennis net to extend therethrough, a cartridge
connector for retaining the cartridge within the cartridge holder,
and an adjustable over-centre clamping mechanism for attaching the
device to a table-tennis table.
[0013] According to a third aspect of the invention, there is
provided a method of automatically tensioning a suspension element
for a table-tennis net, the method comprising the steps of: a]
locating a net-supporting device either side of a table-tennis
table; b] providing a suspension element spanning between upright
posts of the net-supporting devices, a table-tennis net being
suspended from the suspension element; and c] using a spring
element in at least one of the upright posts to automatically
tension the suspension element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The invention will now be more particularly described, by
way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
[0015] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view from one side of
table-tennis net apparatus, in accordance with the present
invention and in part assembled and without a table-tennis table
for clarity;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from a post end of the
net-supporting device, and showing a cartridge holding an end of a
net of the apparatus in FIG. 1, and shown removed from a cartridge
holder of a net-supporting device;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a view from an upper end of the cartridge, shown
in FIG. 2, and showing a slot for captively holding a net
suspension cord;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view, similar to FIG. 2, but showing
the other side of the cartridge;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2, but showing a
height-adjuster connector of the apparatus, used for retaining the
cartridge;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the height-adjuster connector,
body of the net-supporting device, and cartridge;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a modification of the cartridge, showing
quick-release means for tying off the net-suspension cord;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a clamp end view of the net-supporting device of
the apparatus; and
[0023] FIG. 9 is an exploded view of an over-centre clamp mechanism
of the apparatus.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] Referring to the drawings, there is shown one embodiment of
table-tennis net apparatus 10 which comprises a table-tennis net
12, a net-supporting device 14 to hold each end of the table-tennis
net 12, and an elongate flexible suspension element 16 from which
the table-tennis net 12 is suspendable and which is also engagable
with each net-supporting device 14.
[0025] Each net-supporting device 14 includes a, preferably
plastics moulded or metal, clamp body 18, an adjustable over-centre
clamping mechanism 20 at or adjacent to a clamp end 22 of the clamp
body 18 for releasably attaching the device 14 to an edge of a
table-tennis table, and an upright post 24 at or adjacent to a post
end 26 of the clamp body 18 which is opposite the clamp end 22.
[0026] The upright post 24 comprises two parts, being a, preferably
plastics or metal, elongate cartridge 28 and an at least
substantially hollow tubular cartridge holder 30 in which the
cartridge 28 is slidably receivable. The cartridge holder 30, which
again may beneficially be plastics or metal, is preferably
integrally formed or permanently fastened to an upper land 32 of
the clamp body 18 at or adjacent to the post end 26.
[0027] The cartridge holder 30 has an open upper end 34 and an open
lower end 36, along with a linear net slot 38 which extends along
at least a majority of a longitudinal extent thereof from the upper
end 34. A lateral extent of the net slot 38 is dimensioned to
receive the table-tennis net 12 therethrough, and the longitudinal
extent is sufficient to receive at least a majority of the height
of the table-tennis net 12.
[0028] The elongate cartridge 28 comprises a, preferably solid,
body 40 having a first elongate recess 42 on one side, a second
elongate recess 44 on the other side, a lateral guide slot 46 in
its upper end, and a height-adjustment slot 48 at its lower
end.
[0029] The first elongate recess 42 communicates with the lateral
guide slot 46, and opens out partway therealong to receive a spring
element 50 of the suspension element 16. An engagement element 52,
in this embodiment being a pin or peg, is provided at or adjacent
to the closed end of the first elongate recess 42. The engagement
element 52 is adapted to engage the spring element 50 at one end. A
depth of the first elongate recess 42 is sufficient to fully or
substantially fully receive the spring element 50.
[0030] The lateral guide slot 46 is dimensioned to receive as a
close sliding fit a flexible elongate element 55 of the flexible
suspension element 16, which in this case is a net-suspension cord.
The guide slot 46 is open at both lateral ends and includes a
reduced-width longitudinal opening 54 for captively retaining the
flexible elongate element 55 therein. This prevents or limits
unintentional disengagement of the flexible elongate element 55
from the cartridge 28 whilst still enabling removal when
necessary.
[0031] The second elongate recess 44 is, in this case, closed at
both lateral ends and is dimensioned to receive a removable locking
pin 56. The locking pin 56 is a rigid straight elongate bar, either
being plastics, metal or possibly wood, which is slidably
receivable in a pocket 58 extending the height of the table-tennis
net 12 and formed at each end of the table-tennis net 12.
[0032] With the locking pin 56 received in the table-tennis net 12,
the table-tennis net 12 and locking pin 56 are located in the
second elongate recess 44. With the flexible elongate element 55
received in the lateral guide slot 46 and connected to the upper
end of the spring element 50, which in turn is mounted in the first
elongate recess 42 and connected to its engagement element 52, the
cartridge 28 can be slid into the cartridge holder 30 so that the
table-tennis net 12 extends through the net slot 38.
[0033] Beneficially, the cartridge 28 may also include a key 60 for
preventing or limiting angular displacement of the cartridge 28
within the cartridge holder 30. The net slot 38 therefore also acts
as a keyway 62 for slidably receiving the key 60.
[0034] Although it is possible to provide each net-supporting
device 14 with a spring element 50 to which the flexible elongate
element 55 is engaged, the spring element 50 only needs to be
provided on one of the net-supporting devices. To this end, to
reduce manufacturing costs, each cartridge 28 preferably includes a
quick-release tie-off element 64 in or adjacent to the first
elongate recess 42.
[0035] By way of example, FIG. 7 shows a modified version of the
cartridge 28 with the quick-release tie-off element 64. The
quick-release tie-off element 64 comprises two closely spaced-apart
apertures which extend from the first elongate recess 42 to the
second elongate recess 44. The first aperture 66 is or includes a
taper 68 and the second aperture 70 in this case is substantially
circular. With the flexible elongate element 55 captively received
in the lateral guide slot 46, the end of the flexible elongate
element 55 is fed through the second aperture 70, and then back
through the first aperture 66 so as to be wedged in position. The
end is then returned through the second aperture 70 for neatness
and to prevent or inhibit the wedgingly engaged portion of the
flexible elongate element 55 working free.
[0036] It may be beneficial that the second aperture 70 is or
includes a tapered portion to provide a secondary wedging
engagement of the flexible elongate element 55 on its return.
[0037] Furthermore, a further set of first and second apertures 66,
70 may be included towards the other end of the first and second
elongate recesses 42, 44, again to improve the releasable
securement of the flexible elongate element 55.
[0038] To simplify engagement of the flexible elongate element 55
with the spring element 50, the end of the flexible elongate
element 55 may be looped through a hooked or looped end 72 of the
spring element 50 and tie-off to the cartridge 28 via the
quick-release tie-off element 64.
[0039] To retain the cartridge 28 in the cartridge holder 30, a
rotatable-plate cartridge connector 74 is provided adjacent to the
lower end of the cartridge holder 30. A lower end of the cartridge
28 includes a hooked tail 76 defining the height-adjustment slot
48. The hooked tail 76 extends from the open lower end 36 of the
cartridge holder 30 so that the height-adjustment slot 48 faces
outwardly in the direction of the post end 26 of the clamp body
18.
[0040] The cartridge connector 74 in this embodiment is a height
adjuster 80 for adjusting a longitudinal position of the cartridge
28 in its respective cartridge holder 30 whilst maintaining
retention within the cartridge holder 30. As best seen in FIGS. 5
and 6, the height adjuster 80 includes a rotatable plate-like dial
82 having a circumferentially extending cam surface 84 engagable
with a surface of the height-adjustment slot 48. The cam surface 84
is conveniently provided by offsetting the rotational axis 88 of
the dial 82 from its centre. The offset is typically in the order
of a few millimetres, and preferably no more than ten
millimetres.
[0041] The arcuate cam surface 84 is not continuous, thereby
allowing a gap 90 for the hooked tail 76 of the cartridge 28 to be
received as the cartridge 28 is slid home into the cartridge holder
30.
[0042] Advantageously, the dial 82 may include an indicator 92
indicating an amount of longitudinal displacement imparted to the
cartridge 28 relative to the cartridge holder 30 as the dial 82 is
turned.
[0043] The height adjuster 80 may include an indexer to step-wisely
adjust height of the cartridge 28. For example, the rotational axis
88 of the dial 82 extends perpendicularly or substantially
perpendicularly to the longitudinal extent of the cartridge holder
30. As such, opposing interdigitatable crowns or castellated
elements may be provided with spring biased interengagement. The
dial 82 may be slightly axially displaced to release the
interdigitated interengagement, thereby allowing free rotation. The
spring biasing into engagement would prevent or limit unintentional
adjustment once set.
[0044] The indicator 92 may also include a display area 94 for
displaying a logo or other indicia 96. For example, if meeting the
ITTF requirements, the ITTF logo may be displayed.
[0045] If height-adjustment is not required, then the dial 82 of
the connector 74 may be replaced by a simple circular or
rectangular rotatable or pivotable plate having a protrusion to
releasably engage the hooked tail 76 of the cartridge 28.
[0046] The over-centre clamping mechanism 20, as shown in FIGS. 8
and 9, comprises a pivotable lever handle 98, a biasing element 100
offset from a pivot point 102 of the lever handle 98 so as to be
movable from a release condition to an over-centre locked
condition, and a movable clamping jaw 104 engagable by the biasing
element 100 to move from a release position to a clamping
position.
[0047] The clamp body 18 includes a fixed jaw 106 which is opposite
the movable clamping jaw 104. The fixed jaw 106 is intended to lie
on a top surface of a table-tennis table, and as such may be
padded. The movable clamping jaw 104 is intended to lie on a bottom
surface or bottom edge of the table-tennis table, and is also
preferably padded to prevent or limit wear and damage.
[0048] The movable clamping jaw 104 is slidably received in the
clamp body 18 at or adjacent to the clamp end 22. The movable
clamping jaw 104 is also slidably engaged with the lever handle 98,
so that a pivot axle 108 of the lever handle 98 is slidable towards
and away from a clamping surface 110 of the movable clamping jaw
104.
[0049] The biasing element 100 in this case is a projecting roller
which is mounted at or adjacent to one end of the lever handle 98,
close to the pivot axle 108, and which has a rotational axis 112
parallel with and offset from the pivot axis 114 of the lever
handle 98.
[0050] Due to the roller 100 being offset from the pivot axle 108,
with the lever handle 98 moved upwardly from a release condition
towards or into the clamp body 18 and therefore to a locked
condition whereby the clamp is engaged, the roller 100 forces the
movable clamping jaw 104 from a release position towards the fixed
jaw 106 and thus a clamping position. Once the rotational axis 112
of the roller 100 moves beyond or over the pivot axis 114 of the
lever handle 98, the lever handle 98 is retained in the clamping
position and is thus effectively locked, thereby maintaining the
movable clamping jaw 104 in its clamping position.
[0051] Although dispensed with in this embodiment, a second biasing
element for biasing the movable clamping jaw 104 into positive
engagement with the roller 100 may be included. For example, the
second biasing element may be a spring so that, when the lever
handle 98 is in its release condition, the movable clamping jaw 104
is biased into engagement with the roller 100.
[0052] Although a roller 100 is suggested, any other suitable
rollable element, such as a ball bearing, may be utilised.
Alternatively, the rollable element may be dispensed with
altogether and the biasing element 100 may be a protrusion of the
lever handle 98.
[0053] To allow for table-tennis tables of different thicknesses,
the pivot axle 108 of the lever handle 98 is slidably engaged with
the clamp body 18. To adjust a position of the pivot axle 108, and
thus the spacing of the movable clamping jaw 104 from the fixed jaw
106, a position adjuster 118 is provided.
[0054] The position adjuster 118 includes a rotatable cam spacer
120 for supporting the pivot axle 108 of the lever handle 98 at a
plurality of different displacements from a rotational axis 122 of
the cam spacer 120. The cam spacer 120 is a rotatable disk, in this
case, with the rotational axis 122 being off centre. Beneficially,
a perimeter edge 124 of the rotatable disk 120 includes a plurality
of angularly spaced apart notches 126 to complementarily fit the
pivot axle 108 of the lever handle 98. In this way, a position of
the pivot axle 108 of the lever handle 98 can be step-wisely
adjusted by rotating the cam spacer 120.
[0055] Advantageously, it is preferable that the notches 126 in the
perimeter edge 124 of the cam spacer 120 represent a space between
the movable clamping jaw 104 when in its clamping position and the
fixed jaw 106.
[0056] So that a wider variety of table-tennis table thicknesses
can be accommodated, the cam spacer 120 itself may conveniently be
slidably adjustable on the clamp body 18. Consequently, ends of a
supporting axle 128 of the cam spacer 120 are received in
respective elongate slots 130 in the clamp body 18. Rotatable
spacers 132 are also provided on the ends of the supporting axle
128, and a lug 134 is provided at or adjacent to the bottom of the
elongate slots 130.
[0057] Each rotatable spacer 132 includes at least one notch 136
complementarily shaped to fit the associated lug 134. With the lug
134 located in the notch 136 of the rotatable spacer 132, the
supporting axle 128 is at its lowest position. From here, the cam
spacer 120 can be adjusted as required to set the spacing between
the movable clamping jaw 104 and the fixed jaw 106. Beneficially, a
graded display 138 is provided on one side of the cam spacer 120
indicating to a user the spacing of the jaws 104, 106 applicable to
a given notch 136.
[0058] If the notch 136 and lug 134 are disengaged by sliding the
supporting axle 128 along the elongate slot 130, the rotatable
spacer 132 can be turned so that the lug 134 engages the perimeter
edge 124 of the rotatable spacer 132 or another slot if different
depth. This results in the cam spacer 120 adopting a raised
condition. Beneficially, a further graded display can be provided
on the other side of the cam spacer 120 indicating to a user the
spacing of the jaws 104, 106 applicable to a given notch 136 whilst
in this condition.
[0059] With the thickness of the table-tennis table determined, the
rotatable spacer 132 can be set to its lowered condition or its
raised condition. The cam spacer 120 can then be rotated to the
closest applicable dimension, and then the pivot axle 108 of the
lever handle 98 can be re-seated on cam spacer 120, effectively
locking it in place via notches 126.
[0060] With the lever handle 98 lowered, the edge of the
table-tennis table is slid between the movable clamping jaw 104 and
the fixed jaw 106. The lever handle 98 is raised, thereby causing
the movable clamping jaw 104 to move towards the fixed jaw 106 and
thus clamp the edge portion of the table-tennis table therebetween.
Once the biasing element 100 moves over-centre, the jaws 104, 106
become effectively locked relative to each other and the lever
handle 98 is retained in its raised position.
[0061] Once set, the net-supporting device 14 can be very quickly
released and re-attached to the table-tennis table, simply by
operating the lever handle 98.
[0062] In use, and with the net-supporting devices 14 attached
either side of the table-tennis table, the flexible elongate
element 55 is tensioned via the engagement with the cartridge 28.
The spring element 50 thereby automatically tensions the flexible
elongate element 55 when the apparatus 10 is removed and then
reattached without requiring further setup.
[0063] The same goes for the height setting of the net. Once the
height is set via the tensioning of the flexible elongate element
55 and the height adjuster 80, no further adjustment should be
necessary following removal of the apparatus 10 and
re-erection.
[0064] It may be possible to utilise the above-described automatic
tensioning system for the net independently of the above described
over-centre clamping mechanism, and vice versa.
[0065] It is thus possible to provide table-tennis net apparatus
which, once initially set up for a particular table-tennis table,
will then take only moments for one person to re-erect when
required. It is also possible to provide such apparatus which meets
all of the requirements and regulations of the ITTF.
[0066] The embodiments described above are provided by way of
examples only, and further modifications will be apparent to
persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of
the invention as set forth in the accompanying claims.
* * * * *