U.S. patent application number 15/209403 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-18 for retractable recreational net system and methods of use.
The applicant listed for this patent is THE PROPHET CORPORATION. Invention is credited to ALISON MARIE HARGUTH, AMBER J.L. ORENSTEIN, CHRISTOPHER LEE TUMA.
Application Number | 20180015343 15/209403 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 60942310 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180015343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ORENSTEIN; AMBER J.L. ; et
al. |
January 18, 2018 |
RETRACTABLE RECREATIONAL NET SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE
Abstract
A retractable recreational net system includes a first
self-supporting pole arrangement mountable on a ground surface; the
first pole arrangement having a first net storage reel; a second
self-supporting pole arrangement mountable on the ground surface;
the second pole arrangement having a second net storage reel; a net
selectively extendable between the first pole arrangement and the
second pole arrangement; and at least one retraction mechanism to
selectively retract the net onto at least one of the first net
storage reel or second net storage reel.
Inventors: |
ORENSTEIN; AMBER J.L.;
(PRIOR LAKE, MN) ; TUMA; CHRISTOPHER LEE;
(MANTORVILLE, MN) ; HARGUTH; ALISON MARIE;
(OWATONNA, MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
THE PROPHET CORPORATION |
OWATONNA |
MN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
60942310 |
Appl. No.: |
15/209403 |
Filed: |
July 13, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 69/0017 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 61/02 20130101; A63B 61/003
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 61/02 20060101
A63B061/02; A63B 61/00 20060101 A63B061/00 |
Claims
1. A retractable recreational net system for playing badminton, the
system comprising: (a) a first self-supporting pole arrangement
mountable on a ground surface; the first pole arrangement having a
first net storage reel; (b) a second self-supporting pole
arrangement mountable on the ground surface; the second pole
arrangement having a second net storage reel; (c) a net selectively
extendable between the first pole arrangement and the second pole
arrangement; (i) the first and second pole arrangement holding a
top of the net about 5 feet above the ground surface; (ii) the net
being extendable between the first pole arrangement and second pole
arrangement to at least 16 feet (iii) the net having a length
between the top of the net and bottom of the net of 2-3 feet and
(d) at least one retraction mechanism to selectively retract the
net onto at least one of the first net storage reel or second net
storage reel.
2. The net system of claim 1 wherein the at least one retraction
mechanism includes: (a) a first retraction mechanism held by the
first pole arrangement; and (b) a second retraction mechanism held
by the second pole arrangement; wherein a first portion of the net
is retractable onto the first net storage reel, and a second
portion of the net is retractable onto the second net storage
reel.
3. The net system of claim 1 wherein the first pole arrangement
includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the first net
storage reel.
4. The net system of claim 3 further comprising a first net housing
surrounding the first net storage reel.
5. The net system of claim 2 wherein the first retraction mechanism
includes a first spring-biased ratchet arrangement secured to the
first net storage reel.
6. The net system of claim 5 wherein the first spring-biased
ratchet arrangement includes a release and locking mechanism in a
first ratchet housing adjacent one end of the first net storage
reel and a spring in a first spring housing adjacent an opposite
end of the first net storage reel.
7. The net system of claim 4 wherein the first tri-pod leg
arrangement has 3 legs selectively movable between a standing
position and a storage position; the standing position including
bottoms of the 3 legs spaced apart and holding the first net
storage reel in an upright position above the ground surface; and
the storage position including the 3 legs being next to the first
net housing along the lengths of the 3 legs.
8. The net system of claim 6 wherein the first tri-pod leg
arrangement has 3 legs selectively movable between a standing
position and a storage position; a top of each of the 3 legs is
pivotably secured to one of the ratchet housing and spring housing
to pivot between the standing position and the storage
position.
9. The net system of claim 8 wherein the top of each of the 3 legs
is pivotably secured to the spring housing.
10. The net system of claim 6 wherein the first pole arrangement
includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the first net
storage reel and wherein: (a) the second pole arrangement includes
a second tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the second net storage
reel; (b) the second tri-pod leg arrangement has 3 legs selectively
movable between a standing position and a storage position; the
standing position including bottoms of the 3 legs spaced apart and
holding the second net storage reel in an upright position above
the ground surface; and the storage position including the 3 legs
being next to a second net housing surrounding the second net
storage reel.
11. The net system of claims 10 wherein the second retraction
mechanism includes a second spring-biased ratchet arrangement
secured to the second net storage reel.
12. The net system of claim 11 wherein the second spring-biased
ratchet arrangement includes a release and locking mechanism in a
second ratchet housing adjacent one end of the second net storage
reel and a spring in a second spring housing adjacent an opposite
end of the second net storage reel.
13. (canceled)
14. (canceled)
15. The net system of claim 1 wherein: (a) the first pole
arrangement includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement having 3 legs
including a first outermost radial leg remote from the net being
weighted heavier than the other legs in the first tri-pod leg
arrangement; and (b) the second pole arrangement includes a second
tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the second net storage reel
having 3 legs including a second outermost radial leg remote from
the net being weighted heavier than the other legs in the second
tri-pod leg arrangement.
16. The net system of claim 1 wherein the first self-supporting
pole arrangement and the second self-supporting pole arrangement
includes a standing position and a storage position; wherein a
height of the first and second self-supporting pole arrangements in
the storage position is less than 70% of a height of the first and
second self-supporting pole arrangements in the standing
position.
17. A kit for playing badminton, the kit comprising: (a) the net
system of claim 1; (b) at least two badminton rackets; and (c) at
least one shuttle cock.
18.-20. (canceled)
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure relates to a net system for recreational
use. In particular, this disclosure relates to a net system that is
automatically retractable and is useful for recreational games such
as badminton.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional ball games for recreational use include tennis,
volleyball, and badminton. These games require a net for separating
two opposing players or teams. It is inconvenient and takes time to
erect and store a conventional net for recreational games.
Improvements are desirable.
SUMMARY
[0003] A retractable recreational net system is provided that
improves the prior art.
[0004] In one aspect, a retractable recreational net system
includes a first self-supporting pole arrangement mountable on a
round surface; a second self-supporting pole arrangement mountable
on the ground surface; a net selectively extendable between the
first pole arrangement and the second pole arrangement; and at
least one retraction mechanism to selectively retract the net onto
at least one of a first net storage reel that is part of the first
pole arrangement or a second net storage reel that is part of the
second pole arrangement.
[0005] The at least one retraction mechanism includes a first
retraction mechanism held by the first pole arrangement, and a
second retraction mechanism held by the second pole arrangement. A
first portion of the net is retractable onto the first net storage
reel, and a second portion of the net is retractable onto the
second net storage reel.
[0006] In some aspects, the first pole arrangement includes a first
tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the first net storage reel.
[0007] In some implementations, there may further include a first
net housing surrounding the first net store reel.
[0008] The first retraction mechanism may include a first
spring-biased ratchet arrangement secured to the first net storage
reel.
[0009] The first spring-biased ratchet arrangement can include a
release and locking mechanism in a first ratchet housing adjacent
one end of the first net storage reel and a spring in a first
spring housing adjacent an opposite end of the first net storage
reel.
[0010] In one or more example embodiments, the first tri-pod leg
arrangement has three legs selectively movable between a standing
position and a storage position. The standing position includes
bottoms of the three legs spaced apart and holding the first net
storage reel in an upright position above the ground surface. The
storage position includes the three legs being next to the first
next housing along the lengths of the three legs.
[0011] In one or more embodiments, the first tri-pod leg
arrangement has three legs selectively movable between a standing
position and a storage position. A top of each of the three legs is
pivotably secured to one of the ratchet housing and spring
housing.
[0012] In some implementations, the top of each of the three legs
is pivotably secured to the spring housing.
[0013] In one or more embodiments, the second pole arrangement
includes a second tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the second net
storage reel.
[0014] The second tri-pod leg arrangement can include three legs
selectively movable between a standing position and a storage
position. The standing position includes bottoms of the three legs
being spaced apart and holding the second net storage reel in an
upright position above the ground surface, and a storage position
including the three legs being next to a second net housing
surrounding the second net storage reel.
[0015] The second retraction mechanism may include a second
spring-biased ratchet arrangement secured to the second net storage
reel.
[0016] The second spring-biased ratchet arrangement can include a
release and locking mechanism in a second ratchet housing adjacent
one end of the second net storage reel and a spring in a second
spring housing adjacent an opposite end of the second net storage
reel.
[0017] In some examples, the net system is for use with a badminton
set.
[0018] In one or more embodiments, the first and second pole
arrangements hold a bottom of the net at least 2 feet above the
ground surface.
[0019] In one or more embodiments, the first and second pole
arrangements hold a top of the net about 5 feet above the ground
surface.
[0020] In some implementations, the net is extendable between the
first pole arrangement and second pole arrangement to at least 16
feet.
[0021] In some arrangements, the net is extendable between the
first pole arrangement and second pole arrangement to at least 20
feet.
[0022] In one or more embodiments, the net has a length between a
top of the net and bottom of the net of 2-3 feet.
[0023] In some implementations, the net has a length between a top
of the net and bottom of the net of about 2 feet, 6 inches.
[0024] In one or more embodiments, the first pole arrangement
includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement having 3 legs including a
first outermost radial leg remote from the net being weighted
heavier than the other legs in the first tri-pod leg arrangement;
and the second pole arrangement includes a second tri-pod leg
arrangement supporting the second net storage reel having 3 legs
including a second outermost radial leg remote from the net being
weighted heavier than the other legs in the second tri-pod leg
arrangement.
[0025] Some examples include the first outermost radial leg being
weighted to be heavier than the other legs in the first tri-pod leg
arrangement; and the second outermost radial leg being weighted to
be heavier than the other legs in the second tri-pod leg
arrangement.
[0026] In certain aspects, the first self-supporting pole
arrangement and the second self-supporting pole arrangement
includes a standing position and a storage position; wherein a
height of the first and second self-supporting pole arrangements in
the storage position is less than 70% of a height of the first and
second self-supporting pole arrangements in the standing
position.
[0027] In another aspect, a kit is provided. The kit is for playing
badminton and includes the net system as variously characterized
above. The kit further includes at least two badminton rackets and
at least one shuttle cock.
[0028] In another aspect, a method of using a recreational net is
provided. The method includes providing a first pole arrangement
and a second pole arrangement, each of the first pole arrangement
and second pole arrangement having a net storage reel and at least
a portion of a net stored therewithin; pulling the first pole
arrangement and second pole arrangement apart from each other to
pull the net against a spring force from the net storage reels of
the first pole arrangement and second pole arrangement and extend
the net therebetween; and mounting the extended net above a ground
surface by self-supportedly standing the first pole arrangement and
second pole arrangement on the ground surface.
[0029] The step of mounting may include pivoting a tri-fold leg
arrangement of the first pole arrangement from a storage position
into a standing position and pivoting a tri-fold leg arrangement of
the second pole arrangement from a storage position into a standing
position.
[0030] The method may further include a step of storing the net in
the first pole arrangement and second pole arrangement by releasing
a lock mechanism in the first pole arrangement and second pole
arrangement to allow a spring force to wind the net storage reel in
each of the first pole arrangement and second pole arrangement and
coil a portion of the net onto each net storage reel.
[0031] The method may further include a step of pivoting a tri-fold
leg arrangement of the first pole arrangement into a storage
position and pivoting a tri-fold leg arrangement of the second pole
arrangement into a storage position.
[0032] A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth
in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate
to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be
understood that both the forgoing general description and the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only
and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which
the embodiments disclosed herein are based.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0033] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein,
constitute a part of the description and illustrate several aspects
of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is
as follows:
[0034] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a kit for
playing badminton, the kit including a net system, constructed in
accordance with principles of this disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of one portion of the
net system shown with the kit of FIG. 1;
[0036] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of one
retraction mechanism used with the net system of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0037] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of another portion of
the retraction mechanism used with the net system of FIGS. 1 and
2;
[0038] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an enlarged portion of the
net system of FIG. 1;
[0039] FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the net system of FIG.
1; and
[0040] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the pole arrangements
in a storage position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0041] A recreational net system is provided that improves the
prior art by allowing for convenient storage and fast setup of the
net. One way this is accomplished is by having an automatically
retractable net system. Another way this is accomplished is by
having self-supporting legs. The legs can be moved between a
standing position and a storage position. Another way this is
accomplished is by having the combination of the retractable net
and the self-supporting legs. The recreational net system can be
used for a variety of games that use nets. This can include, for
example, tennis, volleyball, and badminton. The example embodiment
illustrated herein shows use as a badminton set. It should be
understood that the principles herein may be applied to other games
using a net, such as tennis and volleyball.
[0042] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a kit 10 for playing
badminton. The kit 10 includes a net system 12, at least two
badminton rackets 14, and at least one shuttle cock 16. The rackets
14 and shuttle cock 16 are as conventionally known in the art. The
net system 12 incorporates inventive principles, as further
described.
[0043] The net system 12 includes a first self-supporting pole
arrangement 20 and a second self-supporting pole arrangement 22. By
the term "self-supporting", it meant that the pole arrangements 20,
22 can stand upright without being further held or supported by any
other structure. That is, the self-supporting pole arrangements 20,
22 need not be embedded within the ground or otherwise mounted to
any other holding structure. As such, the first pole arrangement 20
and second pole arrangement 22 are self-supporting and free of any
other support or mounting members. The first pole arrangement 20
and second pole arrangement 22 are mountable on a ground surface,
such as a gymnasium floor, a hard court surface, or ground, such as
clay or grass.
[0044] It should be understood that FIG. 1 illustrates both the
first pole arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22. FIGS. 2-4
show an example embodiment of each pole arrangement 20, 22. Each of
the first pole arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22 is
constructed identical to each other. As such, FIGS. 2-4 illustrate
only one of the pole arrangements, but the structure is identical
for each of arrangement 20 and 22.
[0045] FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded perspective view of pole
arrangement 20, 22. Pole arrangement 20, 22 includes a net storage
reel 24. The first pole arrangement 20 would include a first net
storage reel 24, while the second pole arrangement 22 would include
a second net storage reel 24.
[0046] A net 26 is shown in FIG. 1 as being extended between the
first pole arrangement 20 and the second pole arrangement 22. The
net 26 is selectively extendable between the pole arrangements 20,
22. By the term "selectively extendable", it is meant that the net
26 can be deliberately extended from: (i) a storage position in
which at least a portion is stored in the first pole arrangement 20
and a portion is stored in the second pole arrangement 22; and into
(ii) a use position with the net 26 extended between the poles 20,
22 and length sufficient to play a game. For example, the net 26
can be extended between the poles 20, 22 to a length of at least 16
feet, or at least 20 feet. Sixteen feet is helpful when playing a
singles game of badminton, while 20 feet is helpful when playing a
doubles game of badminton.
[0047] The net system 12 includes at least one retraction mechanism
28 to selectively retract the net 26 onto at least one of the net
storage reels 24 of the first pole arrangement 20 or second pole
arrangement 22. While it is contemplated that only a single
retraction mechanism 28 can be used, in this embodiment, there are
two retraction mechanisms 28, one associated with each pole
arrangement 20, 22. In FIG. 1, arrows A and B illustrate how the
net 26 can be extendable or retractable between the first pole
arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22. When the net 26 is
retracted, the net 26 has at least a portion stored on the net
storage reel 24 of the first pole arrangement 20 and on the net
storage reel 24 of the second pole arrangement 22.
[0048] Still in reference to FIG. 1, the first pole arrangement 20
includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement 30. The first tri-pod leg
arrangement 30 supports the net storage reel 24 associated with the
first pole arrangement 20. FIG. 1 shows the net store reel 24 for
the first pole arrangement 20 in hidden lines.
[0049] The first tri-pod leg arrangement 30 includes three legs 32,
33, 34. The legs 32, 33, 34 are selectively movable between a
standing position (FIGS. 1 and 6) and a storage position (FIG. 7,
generically depicting both tri-pod leg arrangements 30, 44). The
standing position includes base or bottoms 36, 37, 38 of the three
legs 32, 33, 34 being spaced apart and holding the net storage reel
24 of the first pole arrangement 20 in an upright position above
the ground surface. The storage position (FIG. 7) includes the legs
32, 33, 34 being pivoted next to or adjacent to the net storage
reel 24, or a housing 96 for the net storage reel 24, other along
their lengths. In other words, in the storage position, the bottoms
36, 37, 38 are adjacent to the housing 96, and the legs 32, 33, 34
are substantially parallel to each other.
[0050] Still in reference to FIG. 3, the legs 32, 33, 34 each
include a top 40, 41, 42. The tops 40, 41, 42 are pivotably secured
at hinge assembly 102 (FIG. 7) to a remaining portion of the first
pole arrangement 20. As will be described further below, the top
40, 41, 42 are pivotably secured to at least one of the housing
components (e.g., spring housing 86) of the retraction mechanism
28.
[0051] Similarly, the second pole arrangement 22 includes a second
tri-pod leg arrangement 44. The second tri-pod leg arrangement 44
includes three legs 46, 47, 48. The second tri-pod leg arrangement
44 supports the net storage reel 24 for the second pole arrangement
22. The second tri-pod leg arrangement 44 includes legs 46, 47, 48
that are selectively movable between a standing position (FIG. 6)
and a storage position (FIG. 7). The standing position includes
bottoms 50, 51, 52 spaced apart and holding the net storage reel 24
of the second pole arrangement 22 in an upright position above the
ground surface. In the storage position, the three legs 46, 47, 48
are pivoted next to or adjacent to the net storage reel 24 (or
housing 96) for the second pole arrangement 22 other along their
lengths, with the bottoms 50, 51, 52 next to the housing 96 and the
legs 46, 47, 48 substantially parallel to each other. As with the
first tri-pod arrangement 30, the second tri-pod arrangement 44 is
pivotably secured to a remaining portion of the second pole
arrangement 22. As will be described further below, the legs 46,
47, 48 have a top 54, 55, 56 that are pivotably secured to a
portion of the housing for the retraction mechanism 28 of the
second pole arrangement 22.
[0052] The base or bottoms 36, 37, 38 of the first tripod leg
arrangement 30 and the base or bottoms 50, 51, 52 of the second
tripod leg arrangement 44 each can have a rubber foot 104 to
enhance friction and a steady footing of the legs 32, 33, 34 and
46, 47, 48, especially when mounted on a gymnasium floor.
[0053] Allowing the first and second tri-pod leg arrangements 30,
44 to move between a standing position and storage position also
allows the first pole arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22
to move between a standing position (FIG. 6) and a storage position
(FIG. 7). This is convenient in that a height the first and second
self-supporting pole arrangements 30, 44 in the storage position is
less than 70% of a height of the first and second self-supporting
pole arrangements 30, 44 in the standing position. In many
arrangements, the height of the storage position is less than 60%
of the height of the standing position. For example, in the
standing position, the first and second pole arrangements 30, 44
can be about 60-65 inches, while the height in the storage position
can be about 33-38 inches.
[0054] As can be seen from reviewing FIGS. 1 and 6, one of the legs
of each tri-pod leg arrangement 30, 44 is an outermost radial leg
remote from the net 26. For the first tri-pod leg arrangement 30,
leg 33 is a first outermost radial leg, as it extends in a standing
position radially outwardly of the other two legs 32, 34. For the
second tri-pod leg arrangement 44, leg 47 is a second outermost
radial leg, as it extends in a standing position radially outwardly
of the other two legs 46, 48. In the front elevational view of FIG.
6, the legs 32, 38 are aligned and are radially inward of both net
housings 96 and the side edges of the net 26. The legs 46, 48 in
FIG. 6 are aligned and are radially inward of both net housings 96
and the side edges of the net 26.
[0055] In many preferred arrangements, the first outermost radial
leg 33 and second outermost radial leg 47 is weighted heavier than
the remaining legs 32, 34 and 46, 48. The heavier weight is helpful
to prevent tipping of the net system 12; further, the heavier
weight is helpful in holding and keeping the net 26 taught and
tight. The outermost radial legs 33, 47 can be at least 5-15 lbs.,
e.g. about 9-11 lbs., greater in weight than the other legs 32, 34
and 46, 48. The first and second outermost radial legs 33, 47 can
also be slightly shorter than the remaining legs 32, 34 and 46, 48
to help with keeping the net 26 tight.
[0056] In FIG. 6, the first tri-pod arrangement 30 includes a
flexible tie or band 106, which holds the legs 32, 33, 34 in their
standing position. Similarly, the second tri-pod arrangement 44 has
a flexible tie or band 108 which holds legs 46, 47, 48 in their
standing position. The bands 106, 108 extend tight between each leg
32, 33, 34 and 46, 47, 48 in the standing position to prevent the
legs 32, 33, 34 and 46, 47 48 from pivoting in a direction toward
the respective net housing 96. A fastener, such as a snap 110 (FIG.
6) removably secures the bands 106, 108 to each leg 32, 33, 34 and
46, 47, 48. When the first and second tri-pod leg arrangements 30,
44 to move from the standing position (FIG. 6) to the storage
position (FIG. 7), at least some of the snaps 110 are released to
allow the legs 32, 33, 34 and 46, 47, 48 to pivot about hinge 102
toward the net housing 96. Band 106 can then be wrapped around the
legs 32, 33, 34 and net housing 96; and band 108 can then be
wrapped around legs 46, 47, 48 and net housing 96 for convenient
storage, and if desired, placed in a storage bag having a length
not more than 20%, e.g. not more than 10%, longer than the length
of the net housing 96. Many embodiments are possible, and in the
example embodiment illustrated, each band 106, 108 is a continuous
band (continuous piece of material) that extends to and around each
leg as a continuous band and is held to each leg by snaps 110.
[0057] In reference now to FIGS. 2-4, the retraction mechanism 28
for each of the first pole arrangement 20 and second pole
arrangement 22 is described in further detail. The retraction
mechanism 28 includes a spring-biased ratchet arrangement 60 (FIG.
3). The ratchet arrangement 60 is secured to the net storage reel
24, shown in hidden lines in FIG. 3. The ratchet arrangement 60
includes a release and locking mechanism 62. The release and
locking mechanism 62 is held in a ratchet housing 64. The ratchet
housing 64 is adjacent one end of the net storage reel 24. In this
embodiment, the ratchet housing 64 is adjacent to the upper end or
end remote from the tripod leg arrangements 30, 44.
[0058] Many embodiments are possible. In the embodiment
illustrated, the release and locking mechanism 62 includes a pawl
66 biased by a spring 68 into a pawl holder 70. The pawl holder 70
includes a plurality of teeth 72 that engage and lock with a
projection 74 on the pawl 66.
[0059] Axially extending from the pawl 66 is an engagement button
76. The engagement button 76 extends through an opening 78 (FIG. 5)
in a cover 80 of the ratchet housing 64.
[0060] The button 76 can be accessed by the user, as it projects
through the opening 78 to an exterior portion of the ratchet
housing 64. The user can move the button 76 in a direction shown at
arrow 82, which is against the spring 68. This will move the pawl
66 and the projection 74 of the pawl 66 out of engagement with the
teeth 72 of the pawl holder 70.
[0061] The ratchet arrangement 60 further includes a winding spring
84 (FIG. 4). The winding spring 84 is stored in a spring housing 86
adjacent in opposite end of the net storage reel 24 from the end
that the ratchet housing 64 is. In the embodiment shown, the spring
housing 86 is located adjacent to a bottom of where the net 26 is
located and at a bottom of the net storage reel 24. The spring
housing 86 is also located adjacent to the tops 40, 41, 42 of the
first tripod leg arrangement 30 and of the tops 54, 55, 56 of the
second tripod leg arrangement 44.
[0062] The winding spring 84 has a first end at an inner portion 88
secured to a central hub 90 at a slot 92. A second end at an outer
portion 94 is secured, in this embodiment, to an exterior of the
spring housing 86. The winding spring 84 is secured to the net
storage reel 24, and operates to wind the net storage reel 24 to
coil the net 26 there around when released from a position in
tension.
[0063] For example, when the net 26 is pulled from the first pole
arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22, the storage reel 24
will rotate and wind the spring 84 into a tighter position in
tension. The pawl 66 will lock the net 26 and winding spring 84 in
position. When it is desired to store the net 26 within the net
storage reels 24 of the first pole arrangement and second pole
arrangement, the projection 74 is released from the pawl holder 70,
and this allows the winding spring 84 to coil, which rotates the
storage reel 24 and moves the net 26 to coil the net 26 about each
of the storage reels 24 in the first pole arrangement 20 and second
pole arrangement 22.
[0064] In reference now to FIG. 2, the net storage reel 24 is
surrounded by a net housing 96. The net housing 96 is shown as
having first and second housing pieces 97, 98 that are securable
together, such as with screws or fasteners. A first end piece 100
located adjacent to an upper end of the first and second housing
pieces 97, 98 supports the ratchet housing 64. The cover 80 fits
over the ratchet housing 64 and the net housing 96.
[0065] As can be appreciated by reviewing FIGS. 1 and 2, a top of
each of the legs in the first tripod leg arrangement 30 and second
tripod leg arrangement 44 is pivotable secured to the spring
housing 86.
[0066] The net system 12 is usable as part of badminton kit 10. As
such, the first and second pole arrangement 20 hold a bottom of the
net 26 at least 2 feet above the ground surface, preferably about 2
feet, 6 inches above the ground surface. The first and second pole
arrangements 20, 22 hold a top of the net about 5 feet above the
ground surface. The net 26 is extendable between the first pole
arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22 to at least 16 feet
for singles, and to at least 20 feet for doubles. The length of the
net 26 between a top of the net and bottom of the net is about 2-3
feet, preferably about 2 feet, 6 inches.
[0067] The net system 12 can be used as part of a method of using a
recreational net. The method includes providing first pole
arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22. Each of the first
pole arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22 have net storage
reel 24 and at least a portion of net 26 storage therewithin. The
method can include pulling the first pole arrangement 20 and second
pole arrangement 22 apart from each other to pull the net 26
against a spring force from the net storage reels 24 of the first
pole arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22 and extend the
net 26 therebetween. The method can include mounting the extended
net 26 above a ground surface by self-supportedly standing the
first pole arrangement 20 and a second pole arrangement 22 on the
ground surface. By the term "self-supportedly", it is meant that
the first pole arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22 can
stand upright without being further held or supported by any other
structure. That is, the self-supporting pole arrangements 20, 22
need not be embedded within the ground or otherwise mounted to any
other holding structure. As such, the first pole arrangement 20 and
second pole arrangement 22 are self-supporting and free of any
other support or mounting members.
[0068] The method can further include, during the step of mounting,
pivoting trifold leg arrangement 30 of the first pole arrangement
20 into a standing position. The method can include pivoting
trifold leg arrangement 44 of the second pole arrangement 22 into a
standing position.
[0069] The method can further include a step of storing the net 26
in the first pole arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22 by
releasing lock mechanism 62 in the first pole arrangement 20 and
second pole arrangement 22 to allow a spring force of winding
spring 84 to wind the net storage reel 24 in each of the first pole
arrangement 20 and second pole arrangement 22 and coil a portion of
the net 26 onto each net storage reel 24.
[0070] The method may further include pivoting the trifold let
arrangement 30 of the first pole arrangement 20 into a storage
position, and pivoting the trifold leg arrangement 44 of the second
pole arrangement 22 into the storage position.
[0071] The method may further include, after placing the first and
second pole arrangements 20, 22 into storage positions, securing
the storage positions with a surrounding tie. This step may also
include placing both first and second pole arrangements 20, 22 into
a storage bag having a length of under 40 inches.
[0072] The above represents example principles. Many embodiments
can be made using these principles.
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