Collapsible, compact, portable, lightweight net systems

Abstract

[The proposed invention consists of a dividing-net and a lightweight frame which can be rapidly and easily assembled and disassembled repeatedly with the use of multiple pole segments which are fully or partially connected when expanded and collapsed. The net system can be stored and carried in a compact configuration. This net system can be applied to the design of net systems for numerous sports including pickleball, tennis, badminton and other sports with similar net-system requirements including all where the net-system divides a court or any space into two pieces. The net system can come in variable lengths such as one which could divide a standard court or portion thereof, or a shorter length to create net systems that can collapse and fit in piece of luggage or even a backpack.

Claims

1. A lightweight net system comprising a frame, a dividing net and court expanders; a. the frame is comprised of two side poles, four feet, two joints, a support beam, cords and methods of attachments to hold the cords in place at a given end of a given cord; i. the side poles consist of a pole segment-inner male and a straight pole segment where both are joined by a cord that runs through the two pole segments such that in the expanded state pole segments pull together, and in the collapsed state they pull a part and can be folded parallel to each other; ii. the support beam consist a straight pole segment in the center and multiple pole segment-inner male which are all joined together with a cord which also feeds through a frame joint at each end such that it creates a subassembly; iii. two feet at each end of the support beam go into opposing cavities in the frame joint and these one foot, frame joint then other foot are joined together with a cord and methods of attachment; b. said net system left border and right border provide a channel to hold the net divider; c. said net system is able to collapse to a length that is 15 to 30 percent the expanded width of the net system. d. said pole segments and frame joint cavities provide tight fitting male-female unions; e. the net system incorporates at least one court expander for the purpose of joining at least two adjacent net systems; 2. A lightweight net system comprising two side poles, a dividing net and a bottom subassembly consisting of four feet and a support beam connecting two feet on each side. a. Said bottom subassembly is suspended by a cord to facilitate assembly of ajoining poles and joints b. Said side poles are suspended by a cord to facilitate assembly for ajoining pole segments. c. Said feet poles are suspended by a cord to facilitate assembly of ajoining pole segments and joints. d. In one embodiment, the poles may be preferably suspended a cord internally such as rope, string, wire, or elastic, or externally. e. In one embodiment, the internal cord may be suspended or attached to the pole segments by an anchor such as a knot, clip, plug, or washer. f. In one embodiment, the anchor may be positioned at the end of the pole segment or at internal junctions within the pole segment. g. In one embodiment, the anchor may be positioned at the end of the joint or at internal junctions within the joint. h. In one embodiment, the cord may be loosely attached or preloaded with tension in the expanded or collapsed state to facilitate assembly of the net system. i. In one embodiment, the cord may facilitate organization of the pole segments and joints in a collapsed configuration of the system. 3. A lightweight net system of two adjacent net systems joined by a court expander clip, comprising four side poles, two dividing nets and two bottom subassembly consisting of four to eight feet and support beams connecting the feet. a. In one embodiment, the court expander loop of one net system may be attached to an adjacent net system. b. In one embodiment, the court expender clip may be used to attach side poles of one net system to an adjacent net system.

Description

PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0040] In the preferred embodiments discussed, a 6-foot net system used for pickleball drills, general warmup or general recreation is envisioned. For compact storage, the pole segments are 13 to 20 inches. The side poles are 34 to 38 inches and the dividing net is 30 inches. The completed packaged collapsed configuration is less than 25-inches and likely 20-inches and weights 2 to 3 pounds. A rubber end cap approximately one-inch in length and with a closed top is used at the top of each side pole to assist in identifying and securing the dividing net height. Further, a court expander in the form of an elastic loop is built into the dividing net for ease of joining net systems in order to expand a court.

[0041] First Preferred Embodiment. In the first preferred embodiment, a 6-foot net system used for pickleball drills, general warmup or general recreation is envisioned. For compact storage, the pole segments are 13 to 20 inches. The side poles are 34 to 38 inches and the dividing net is 30 inches. For ease of setup and storage, the side beams and dividing net create one net system subassembly (Upper Net System Subassembly); and the two feet and support beam create with the two junctures created another net system subassembly (Lower Net System Subassembly). This may have a court expander built into the dividing net and another one that clips to adjacent net systems. The clip can be a hard plastic that also can be used to hold portions of the collapsed frame together such as two poles segments folded next two each other from a side pole.

[0042] Upper Net System Subassembly. Each side pole is comprised of two pole segments whose opposing ends nest together with a male and female ends mating and together forming a side pole with a constant diameter. An internal elastic cord runs through the side poles and is permanently attached at the top and the bottom the side pole to provide a bias force in order to hold the two pole segments together in the expanded configuration. Each side pole is inserted in the sleeves/channels on each side of the dividing net. If the pole segments are pulled apart laid adjacent to each other, the dividing net similarly be folded over and rolled for storage. The roll creates a compact soft roughly cylinder collapsed subassembly ready for storage.

[0043] Lower Net System Subassembly. The pole segments of the two feet and support beam are all connected with elastic cords and two junctures. On each side of the frame, the toes each are inserted into two opposing sides of a juncture and a cord joins both toes through the juncture (i.e. the juncture is between the toes) where cord attachment points are at the ends of both toes. The support beam consists of multiple pole segments (for example, five) which are connected with male-female opposing ends and each end of the support beam fits into one of two junctures. A cord transverses the inside of the multiple pole segments and is attached and held within a juncture on each side.

[0044] Second Preferred Embodiment. In this second preferred embodiment, all aspects of the first preferred embodiment is the same expect the dividing net does not join the two separate side poles such that the collapsed net system comes in four subassemblies.

[0045] Third Preferred Embodiment. In this third preferred embodiment, the entire frame is connected by elastic cords such as a shock cord. A single shock cord threads through (i) two pole segments creating one side pole; (ii) a juncture entering a cavity for a side pole and exiting a cavity for the support beam; (iii) five pole segments creating the support beam; (iv) a juncture entering the cavity for the support beam and exiting the cavity for the side pole; and (v) two pole segments creating the side other pole. A second shock cord threads through (vi) a toe (e.g. typically one pole segment); and (vii) a juncture entering a cavity for a toe and exiting a cavity for the opposite toe. A third shock cord repeats that of the second but for the opposite frame foot. In this embodiment, the dividing net is provided separately in the packaged configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] FIG. 1. Example of expanded net system (a) Digital rendering of entire assembly with four pole segments in support beam and two pole segments in each side pole. Side edge is discontinuous; (b) Photo of entire assembly with five pole segments in support beam, two pole segments in each side pole. side edge is continuous. Not visible: (i) elastic cordsOne through pole segments forming support beam; one through each of the two tubes that form each of the two frame feet; (ii) attachments at ends of elastic cords.

[0047] FIG. 2. Examples of junctures for frame feet, side pole and supporting beam

[0048] FIG. 3. Digital rendering of juncture in use. Four pole segments are shown adjoining in juncture. Two pole segments are each a toe and form a frame foot. One pole segment is the bottom of a side pole. One pole segment is the left side of the support beam as shown.

[0049] FIG. 4. Example of juncture showing two opposing views. (a) Isometric View 1: Left and right cavities are for toes (together a frame foot). Top cavity is for a side pole. Center bottom cavity is for one end of the support beam. Cord which controls toes (not shown) runs from bottom left to top right through center of frame foot and attached at both ends. (b) Isometric View 2: opening in back allows for means to provide and internal Method of Attachment for cord which provides controls pole segments of support beam (pulls them linearly inward).

[0050] FIG. 5. Example of a juncture; three views (side, top, front). Insertion points for two sides of frame foot (toes), side pole and one side of support beam are shown.

[0051] FIG. 6. Examples of Pole Segments. All ends of pole segments described herein can be used as either male or female ends. In general, a female end fits over a male end (nestles together). Specific descriptions are given as an example for possible uses as male or female ends. 6a. Pole Segment consisting of straight cylindrical tube A. 6b. Pole Segment consisting of straight cylindrical tube A with straight cylindrical tube B permanently attached in A and extending out of A by length C creating a male end. 6c. Pole Segment consisting of straight cylindrical tube A with straight cylindrical tube D permanently attached over A and overhanging pastA by lengthE creating a female end.

[0052] FIG. 7. Two examples of Methods of Attachment, L1 and L2, which are internal and external cord attachments/anchors, respectively. The pole segment on the left is similar to that shown in FIG. 6b. The short inner tube used to create this pole segment within the longer tube creates an internal ridge used to create a cord anchor. The pole segment on the right is similar to that shown in FIG. 6a. The external method of attachment is created with a washer or a plug to create the anchor at the end of the cord. Subsequently and in this rendering, on both ends of the cord a knot is made to prevent the cord from slipping out of position.

[0053] FIG. 8. Schematic of possible frame and effect of angle to apply taunt force to dividing net. Individual elements (pole segments, cords, etc) not shown. (a) Prior to assembly with Dividing Net, absolute angle between support beam and side pole is greater 90 degrees. (b) After assembly with dividing net (not shown), absolute angle between support beam and side pole is approximately 90 degrees. Frame applies load across at least part of the dividing net.

[0054] FIG. 9. Example of dividing net with open channels. Section 1 shows channel for side pole (example given is side pole). Section 2 shows end of shock cord or end loop used as court expander. Shown for six-foot net system.

[0055] FIG. 10. Photo of one net system embodiment (collapsed). Top: Collapsed supporting beam and frame feet (all connected with internal elastic cords and related attachments). Bottom: Collapsed side poles with dividing net rolled around folded side poles.

[0056] FIG. 11. Possible pole segments for side poles controlled with an internal cord. Similar configurations can be used for other frame subassemblies. For example, the support beam could consist of pole segments from FIG. 6 such as: 6b-6b-6a-flipped 6b-flipped 6b with each end going into a juncture all controlled with an internal cord.