Portable Pickleball Lighting

Abstract

A rigid frame comprises two opposing vertical members with a bottom end attached to a portable base and a top end, the rigid frame further comprising a bottom horizontal member spanning between the bottom ends of the two opposing vertical members. The bottom horizontal member provides crossbar support by tying together forces of the two opposing vertical members. Two rigid posts include a first rigid post detachably affixed to a first vertical member and a second rigid post affixed to a second vertical member. Each of the two rigid posts are taller than the vertical members and support a top mounted light directed towards a game court for pickleball. The vertical members support a pickleball net.

Claims

1. A portable lighting system for a pickleball court, the lighting system comprising: a rigid frame comprising two opposing vertical members with a bottom end attached to a portable base and a top end, the rigid frame further comprising a bottom horizontal member spanning between the bottom ends of the two opposing vertical members; a net disposed within the rigid frame horizontally between the two opposing vertical members and vertically between the bottom horizontal member and a top end of the two opposing vertical members, a bottom of the net attached to the bottom horizontal member; two rigid posts, comprising a first rigid post detachably affixed to a first vertical member and a second rigid post affixed to a second vertical member, each of the two rigid posts being taller than the vertical members and supporting a top mounted light directed towards a game court for pickleball; and a power cord with a plug for a power source and a least two connectors, the power cord running across the bottom horizontal member of the frame, and running up each of the two rigid posts for connection to the top mounted lights via the at least two connectors.

2. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the two rigid opposing rigid posts are collapsible to reduce a height of each post during storage.

3. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are detachable from the two opposing vertical members of the frame.

4. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are affixed to the frame with U-bolts.

5. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are detachable for storage.

6. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the bottom horizontal member of the frame provides crossbar support for the two rigid posts.

7. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the top mounted light comprises a panel LED light.

8. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are affixed to the frame with U-bolts.

9. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the two rigid opposing posts rest on a base of the frame.

10. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the two rigid opposing posts slide inside the vertical members of the frame.

11. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the bottom horizontal member of the frame is collapsible for storage.

12. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the portable base comprises wheels.

13. The lighting system of claim 1, wherein the power cord runs through an internal cavity of the rigid posts.

14. A method for providing lighting for a portable pickleball system, the method comprising: connecting a rigid frame comprising two opposing vertical members with a bottom end attached to a portable base and a top end, the rigid frame further comprising a bottom horizontal member spanning between the bottom ends of the two opposing vertical members; attaching a net within the rigid frame horizontally between the two opposing vertical members and vertically between the bottom horizontal member and a top end of the two opposing vertical members, a bottom of the net attached to the bottom horizontal member; affixing two rigid posts, comprising a first rigid post detachably affixed to a first vertical member and a second rigid post affixed to a second vertical member, each of the two rigid posts being taller than the vertical members and supporting a top mounted light directed towards a game court for pickleball; and providing a power cord with a plug for a power source and a least two connectors, the power cord running across the bottom horizontal member of the frame, and running up each of the two rigid posts for connection to the top mounted lights via the at least two rigid posts.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the two rigid opposing rigid posts are collapsible to reduce a height of each post during storage.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are detachable from the two opposing vertical members of the frame.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are affixed to the frame with U-bolts.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are detachable for storage.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein the top mounted light comprises a panel LED light.

20. The method of claim 12, wherein the two rigid opposing posts are affixed to the frame with U-bolts.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] In the following drawings, like reference numbers are used to refer to like elements. Although the following figures depict various examples of the invention, the invention is not limited to the examples depicted in the figures.

[0014] FIGS. 1A, 1B are schematic drawings of a lighted temporary pickleball court on a garage driveway and a schematic drawing of the garage driveway with the lighted temporary pickleball court removed, according to some embodiments.

[0015] FIG. 2 is a more detailed schematic diagram showing integration of lighting and a pickleball net frame of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 3A is a more detailed schematic diagram showing attachment of lighting supports to a pickleball net frame of FIG. 1, according to an embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3B is a more detailed schematic diagram showing the different types of pole extensions for the light posts, according to an embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a high-level flow diagram illustrating a method for a method of providing portable pickleball lighting, according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Systems and methods for a portable pickleball lighting system are described herein. The following disclosure is limited only for the purpose of conciseness, as one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize additional embodiments given the ones described herein.

I. Systems for a Portable Pickleball Lighting System (FIGS. 1-3)

[0020] FIG. 1A is a schematic drawing of a lighted temporary pickleball court 100 on a garage driveway, according to an embodiment. The pickleball court 100 generally includes a court surface 110, a portable net 120 and portable lighting 130. Other embodiments of the pickleball court 100 can include additional components that are not shown in FIG. 1, such as portable bleachers or audience chairs, a portable referee chair, permanent boundaries, and the like. Additionally, there can be multiple playing courts having separate or common lighting. In some embodiments, processing hardware, software and networking modules are integrated with the pickleball court 100 for centralized control and management of lighting features.

[0021] FIG. 1B shows the lighted temporary pickleball court 100 removed from the driveway for a car to park. In one embodiment, components of the pickleball court 100 are set up and torn down on a regular basis. This mobility can benefit weekend tournaments, picnics, and other special events and dual use areas. For example, pickleball courts can be temporarily placed in a garage driveway, a tennis court, a patio, a parking lot, a sidewalk, a basketball court, or any other appropriate indoor or outdoor venue for temporary use. In other embodiments, the pickleball court 100 remains in place with the potential to be moved, similar to trailer home (for example, after a pickleball season ends). In more detail, the court surface 110 typically persists in place while the portable net 120 is rolled out and the portable lighting 130 is connected, as needed. Thus, the portable lighting 130 can be separately set up and torn down on a regular basis. The portable components can be stored inside a garage or in the backyard when not in use. Some implementations have higher mobility with hinges and collapsible parts that fold down to a minimal form factor. One implementation can be loaded into one or more cases with handles and wheels to be easily carried away, loaded onto an SUV, and be quickly set up at a different location.

[0022] The lighting system 100, in one embodiment, includes light fixtures mounted on posts supported by a rigid frame for netting. The rigid frame is rectangular-shaped with two opposing vertical members separated by a horizontal member connecting the two opposing vertical members onto a common chassis. The rigid frame provides significantly more support to the combination of posts individual support of a single post by a single base. In more detail, each of those vertical members of the rigid frame have a bottom end attached to a portable base and a top end. The base can have wheels, and stoppers to anchor the wheels during gameplay. The rigid frame can further include a bottom horizontal member spanning between the bottom ends of the two opposing vertical members, thereby providing crossbar support for more stable lighting. In one embodiment, dimensions of the bottom horizontal member and the two opposing vertical members are sized to support 22 feet wide and 3 feet high net, according to USA Pickleball (USAPA) regulation size nets. The lighting system 100 can be integrated with the portable net 120 during manufacture (e.g., sold with or without lighting), or added separately off the shelf after manufacture by a third-party.

[0023] The portable net 120, in an embodiment, is disposed within the rigid frame, horizontally between the two opposing vertical members, and vertically between the bottom horizontal member and a top end of the two opposing vertical members. A bottom of the net can be attached to the bottom horizontal member. A horizontal support for the net can stretch from a top of the first and second posts, for instance, a cord, a rope, or other material suitable for pickleball net support. In one embodiment, the net is detached from the supports and stored separately. Dimensions of the net can be 22 feet wide and 3 feet high, in one embodiment. Other dimensions are possible. During storage or movement to a new location, the net 120 can be detached and rolled up to fit compactly into a bag.

[0024] The two rigid posts comprise a first rigid post detachably affixed to a first vertical member of the rigid frame, and a second rigid post affixed to a second vertical member of the rigid frame (see FIG. 3A). Each rigid post is preferably taller than the vertical members (e.g., 10 feet high or adjustable between a range of appropriate heights). The posts provide support for a top mounted light directed towards a game court for pickleball. In other embodiments, the posts support multiple mounted lights at one or more heights (for example, one light pointed to each side of the pickleball court, or a post between two courts having a light for each court or 360-degree lighting). Support is needed for the weight of lights and potential wind. The posts can be cylindrical-shaped or square-shaped, for instance, and composed of steel, aluminum, fiberglass, rubber, plastic, or any combination of appropriate materials to provide support.

[0025] In one embodiment, the bottom horizontal member provides crossbar support by tying together forces of the two opposing vertical members. The bottom horizontal member, in a fully integrated system, can be designed for larger sizing to provide additional crossbar support beyond normal pickleball requirements.

[0026] One embodiment of the two rigid posts collapse down from, for example, 10 or 25 feet down to 3 feet, for easy storage. More particularly, smaller-diameter concentric inner sections of a post can fold down into larger-diameter outer sections having a larger diameter. The rigid post can be attached to the vertical member with a row of spaced-out U-bolts 310A, 310B, 310C, as shown in FIG. 3A. In one implementation, U-bolts also connect the portable net 120. Four different example types of pole extensions are shown in FIG. 4B, internally collapsible sleeves 320A, clamp connectors 320B, twist connectors 320C, and spin connectors 320D. In a different embodiment, the rigid posts are integrated with the first and second vertical members and collapse inside or screw on top of the members. In one optional implementation, an additional support crossbar spanning between the two posts is attached and slid up the rigid posts towards the lights.

[0027] The mounted lights illuminate the pickleball court during play. In some embodiments, the mounted lights have a rechargeable power source for use when too far away from an outlet, and for recharging during storage. Other embodiments rely upon a power cord for power. The lights can be 100 Watt, 150 Watt or 300 Watt with 105,000 Lumen with a bright white or daylight color, for instance. The light type can be outdoor or indoor, stadium or parking lot type lights. A color appearance of lighting can be, for instance, 4000K or 5000k. In one implementation, a mounted LED light supplies 30 footcandles with a maximum or minimum ratio of 2.0 or under, for players to see the pall moving at a high speed. Lighting can be glass free for safety. A photocell can sense current lighting conditions and automatically turn on mounted lights when ambient lighting has waned due to cloudiness or sundown.

[0028] In other embodiments, additional infrared sensors can be attached to the mounted lights for assistance on in and out calls. In another embodiment, strip LED lighting around the court can be plugged into the lighting system 100. A remote control or mobile app can control the mounted lights wirelessly.

[0029] A power cord can be integrated within the portable net frame 120 and lighting support posts. For example, channels can have a built-in power cord, or allow a power cord to be inserted through the channel. Alternatively, the power cord can be weaved externally around the frame. In other embodiments, the power cord can support Internet connectivity or Wi-Fi support.

[0030] The court surface 110 can be any type of firm surface, indoors or outdoors, such as asphalt, concrete, brick, grass or artificial surf. In one case, dimensions of a playing area are 20 foot wide and 44 foot long, over the court surface 110. Permanent boundary lines can be painted on the surface 110, or temporary boundary lines can be taped. Multiple playing courts can be configured on the court surface 110. Lighting can be directed at just the court or to other areas outside the court as well.

II. Methods for Temporarily Lighting a Pickleball Court (FIG. 4)

[0031] FIG. 4 is a high-level flow diagram of a method 400 for providing temporary lighting to a pickleball court, according to an embodiment. The method 400 can be implemented by, for example, system 100 of FIG. 1. The specific grouping of functionalities and order of steps are a mere example as many other variations of method 400 are possible, within the spirit of the present disclosure. Many other variations are possible.

[0032] Specifically, at step 410, a rigid frame comprising two opposing vertical members is connected with a bottom end attached to a portable base and a top end. The rigid frame further comprises a bottom horizontal member spanning between the bottom ends of the two opposing vertical members. a net is attached within the rigid frame horizontally between the two opposing vertical members and vertically between the bottom horizontal member and a top end of the two opposing vertical members. A bottom of the net is attached to the bottom horizontal member.

[0033] At step 420, two rigid posts, comprising a first rigid post detachably affixed to a first vertical member and a second rigid post affixed to a second vertical member, are each of the two rigid posts being taller than the vertical members and supporting a top mounted light directed towards a game court for pickleball. The rigid post can be broken down or folded down to smaller segments. Other embodiments can include a single rigid post, or more than two rigid posts for multiple courts.

[0034] At step 440, a power cord with a plug provides a power source and at least two connectors. The power cord can run across the bottom horizontal member of the frame, and run up each of the two rigid posts for connection to the top mounted lights via the at least two rigid posts.

[0035] This description of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical access applications. This description will enable others skilled in the art to best utilize and practice the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to a particular use. The scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.