EP0689472B1 - Table tennis type sports device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to leisure and especially sporting activities and, in particular, to a device consisting of two table halves (1, 1') mounted on foldable or non-foldable legs assembled together by means of an attachment device secured to each side of the table halves which form, on the assembly line, two circular recesses, wherein are inserted the studs of two posts (7, 7') for a net (6). The two table halves (1, 1') have several circular openings (3) which can be closed by disks (4, 4') having substantially the same diameter and removable by means of a median opening. Used for racket and bull type sports.

Description

The present invention relates to distractions and in particular to sports activities.

More particularly, it has for object, a new playful device allowing to practice sports activities.

It specifically relates to a playful device in particular for sporting purposes, which comprises two rigid plates mounted on feet, unfoldable or not, adjustable in height possibly, assembled by fixing lugs to ensure the rigidity of the assembly, having on each of them, several circular orifices arranged symmetrically with respect to the assembly plane and the two assembled plates of which are surmounted by two rigid uprights which hold a flexible mesh net stretched between them, said uprights being held in place in a recess arranged in the edge of each tray.

An improved table tennis game described in US Pat. No. 3,001,791 was already known, in which each player must try to fit the ball into a tank or into a pocket placed at the end of the opposing player's table. The purpose of this basket or tank is to prevent the opposing player from being able to return the ball. It is therefore simply a table tennis table provided with an additional device allowing the game of table tennis.

On the contrary, the device according to the present invention allows a multiplicity of modes of execution which differ or which deviate from the practice of the game of table tennis. Thus, it is possible to practice other sports games.

The device according to the invention further comprises pucks having a central circular hole. Through this central hole passes a fixing device, such as a chain or a ribbon, connected to the edge of the circular opening. The pucks are intended to close off said circular orifices and the fixing device is used to install or remove, if necessary, the puck from the circular orifice. The circular hole can also remain free so that it can be inserted on a hook or a peg.

Each orifice includes, in addition, a flexible mesh basket intended to collect the bale when it has passed through the circular orifices. We can thus retain the balls and recover them easily, preventing them from going too far.

Each tray has a section plane so that it is possible - when a tray is removed - to fold them into two symmetrical parts. On the contrary, they can be assembled by fixing lugs and thus kept securely assembled.

The feet which support the trays are preferably foldable and / or removable so that they can be removed in order to be able to fold, in two halves, the tray or, on the contrary, fold the feet below the surface of the tray.

The circular orifices arranged on the plate are in variable number ranging from 4 to 8, preferably 5 plus or minus 2, arranged on each plate, in a predetermined manner. Preferably, the number of circular orifices is odd and very particularly of five, namely: two orifices along the thread, an orifice in the center of the plate and two orifices arranged parallel to the bottom line.

Each post of the net is formed by a cylindrical or parallelpipedic rod, terminated by a circular pin fixed to the end part of the post which allows the introduction and fixing in each of the recesses. The positioning of the plates blocks the pin in each of the recesses so that the net can no longer move once the two plates are in place and secured.

The device according to the invention is used to exercise a sporting activity which consists in sending a ball using a racket of a particular shape and of an appropriate flexibility, over the net and in bringing it into a chosen orifice.

The racket, an essential means for putting the playful device according to the invention into practice, is formed of a handle and an ovoid body. The body is made of a slightly elastic material such as plywood or impact polystyrene. It is perforated with holes of variable diameters going from the widest, at the periphery, to the narrowest in the center of the racket. The racket handle is short but rigid enough.

The bale recovery baskets are arranged below each hole. The net attached to it is long enough to receive the ball and flexible enough so that it does not interfere with folding. We can also extract the bullet that would be there.

The recovery baskets can be replaced by a central chute in communication with a conduit allowing the recovery of bales.

The pucks which close the orifices have an approximately cylindrical shape having, in the center, a hole of small section which allows them to pass a gripping means and in particular the hand or a tool, so as to extract or put them easily in place.

The holes can be arranged two by two on a straight line parallel to the axis of the net, or each at a different distance from the longitudinal axis of the net. Furthermore, the lateral circular orifices are arranged symmetrically along two longitudinal axes, joining on each side the orifice close to the thread and the orifice placed on the bottom line.

The central hole can be placed in the center of the plate or more or less offset from the center of the plate formed by the point of intersection of the diagonals.

The two posts of the net are arranged on either side of the two plates, in symmetrical recesses, of semi-circular shape determined by the assembly of the two plates edge to edge and secured by an assembly hook disposed at the junction on each side of the tray.

The invention, for a better understanding, will be defined more precisely by the embodiments shown in the drawings in the appendix.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in drawing n ° 1, there is shown, seen from above, the two plates (1) and (1 '), each divided in two by the articulation line (2 ) and (2 ') and having on each plate, in total, five circular orifices (3). There is also shown in section the pucks (4) and (4 '), disengaged from the orifices, suspended on either side of the plates. Also shown is the net (6) seen from above, and the two uprights (7) and (7 '), engaged in their housing.

Figure 2 shows, seen from above, each of the two plates (1) and (1 '), the line of articulation (2) and (2') as well as the method of assembling the two plates by a series pins (8) (8 ') and (8' ') distributed regularly along the edge of the plate as well as the semicircular recesses (9) and (9') arranged symmetrically on the outer edge of each of the plates to form , when the two plates (1) and (1 ') are assembled, a channel in which the pins of the amounts of the net are inserted in a non-removable manner, as long as these plates are held in place. We have also shown the circular orifices each closed, by a puck (10) crossed in its center by an orifice (11).

Figure 3 shows, seen from the side, the device according to the invention comprising the two plates (1) and (1 ') rigidly assembled as well as the net (6) whose uprights (7) are engaged in their recess, the articulation line (2) and (2 ') of each of the trays, the vertical uprights (12) (12') (12 '') and 12 '''), arranged at each angle of each of the trays and reinforced by a spacer (13) (13 ') (13'') and (13'''), also inserted in the thickness of the plate. The tray also includes, at its lower part, the baskets (14) (14 ') and (14''), arranged under the tray (1) and the baskets (15) (15') and (15 '') arranged under the plate (1 '), intended to collect the balls when they have penetrated into the circular orifices. The shutter pucks (17) and (17 ') are shown suspended and inserted on a peg with a horizontal branch (16) and (16').

Figure 4 shows the front plate (1) with the net (6), presented engaged in its recesses by its uprights (7) and (7 '). We also showed the five ball collection nets (14) (14 ₁ ) (14 ₂ ) (14 ₃ ) (14 ₄ ) and, on either side of the tray, a shutter puck (17) and (17 ') suspended on the stud (16) and (16') via their central orifice (18) and (18 '). The vertical uprights (12) and (12 ') have also been shown with the unfolded spacer (13) and (13'). The vertical uprights can be mounted in a vertical plane perpendicular to the plane of the platform (1) or (1 ') or so as to form an obtuse angle to widen the base of support and thus ensure better balance. The number and position of the uprights under the tray (s) may vary depending on the dimensions.

Preferably, the shutter discs (17) are circular in shape with a diameter of 7 to 20 cm and preferably 15 cm, with a hole 1.5 cm in diameter in the center allowing a finger to pass through. to facilitate their handling. The horizontal hook (16) has a rod of a slightly lower section to allow convenient threading. It is articulated so that during folding, it ends up inside the tray.

The amounts of the net have a height which ranges from 20 to 30 cm, while the net itself has a decreasing height towards the center. The height of the net varies from 8 cm to 20 cm and preferably from 13 to 21 cm. The bale collection baskets have a height can vary from 10 to 20 cm, preferably 15 cm.

The dimensions of the boards (1) and (1 ') can vary depending on the nature and number of players and the difficulty of the game. Conveniently, each board will consist of a rigid folding table 100 cm long on 96 cm wide. The feet give a height of 73 cm. Each plate (1) and (1 ') preferably carries 5 circular orifices 15 cm in diameter. The thickness of each plate is chosen so as to guarantee good rigidity to the assembly. It is of the order of 4 to 12 mm.

Each tray further comprises an outer belt ensuring the solidity of the assembly.

However, it is possible to use the device according to the invention with trays of larger dimensions or on the contrary of smaller dimensions.

Each tray (1) and (1 ') can be easily articulated and folded, into two panels, for example 96 cm x 50 cm each having a thickness of 8 cm in total.

According to another embodiment, the folding feet can have a significantly reduced height to be able to adapt this game to the size of the players and allow young children to participate. The articulated feet can be replaced by fixed or telescopic feet with locking or height adjustment.

It goes without saying that the dimensions of the plates (1) and (1 ') can also be reduced for young children.

The two assembled boards can be doubled when the game is played in duplicate, so as to form a larger field with a doubled surface. In this case, the two nets are replaced by a double net with additional central upright in order to maintain the symmetry of the net slopes.

Figure 5 shows, in perspective, the plates (1) and (1 ') comprising on either side, five circular holes (3) on which are fixed, by means of a hook, the retention baskets. The net (6) is arranged at the intersection of the two plates which are held in place by a hook (22). The pucks (17) are fitted on the horizontal articulated hook. However, the fixing of the retention baskets can also be carried out using a ring fitted around the periphery of the orifice.

The orifices can be replaced by sensitive circles with an audio or light electrical contact.

Figure 6 shows the same device but of which only three circular holes on the plate (1) and two on the plate (1 ') are shown open, the others being closed by the pucks.

Figure 7 shows the special racket, necessary to use the device according to the invention, having holes (21) whose diameter increases from the center to the periphery and arranged on concentric circles.

Figure 8 shows the same racket seen in profile with the handle (19) and the body of the racket (20) seen by the edge.

The balls are made of foam rubber, and are 4 to 10 cm in diameter, preferably 7 cm.

The device according to the invention is used in the following way: it is used by two or more players. Each player takes turns to send a ball. It is the service which determines the order of departure. The game consists of scoring points by putting the ball in one of the holes in the table, opposite side of the net. According to a particular method, when a ball enters the designated circular orifice, this orifice is then closed for the remainder of the game by a puck called a stopper. A game is won by the player who, the first will have plugged all the holes on the board, on the opponent's side

The invention has been described in general terms. It should be understood that variants or other embodiments can be envisaged without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. Sports device which includes an ensemble constituted by several rigid plates mounted on foldable back or fixed foots, which are adjustable or not as its height, which shows on each of the plates several openings disposed in a predetermined manner symetrically as regard to the assembly plane, wherein each plate (1) (1') bears circular openings (3), in the number of 4 to 8, arranged in parallel rows, wherein the said plates after assembly are surmounted by two rigid posts (7) (7') which keep streched a net with supple meshes, the said posts being secured to both plates after joining by a bearing (8) set at the end of each post, introduced in a circular hollow determined by two notches disposed on each of the plates and wherein each of the openings (3) is accompanied with a circular disc (11) assuring the handling, each disc being intended to be accurately inserted in the opening (3).
2. Sports device according to claim 1 wherein each circular opening (3) is fitted with at its base, a basket with supple meshes (14).
3. A device according to one of the claims 1 or 2, which consist in that each plate (1) include a median section plane (2) allowing folding back of said plate in two symetrical halves, either alternatively unfolding them.
4. A device according to one of claims 1 to 3 which consist in that the post (7) of the net (6) are formed of a cylindrical or parallelepipedic shaft having at its end a circular bearing (8).
5. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 4 which includes a net (6) with supple meshes of decreasing height to the center.
6. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 5 wherein the two plates (1) (1') are assembled in a rigid wanner by mears of a solidariging means arrange on either sides, along each lateral edge either underneath the plates.
7. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 6 wherein each plate includes five circular openings (3) arranged in three successive lanes.
8. A device according to one of the claims 1 to 6 which further includes a bat fitted with a nearly cylindrical handle (17) and an ovoid plane body (20) drilled with openings (21) of increasing diameter to the periphery and arranged in concentric circles.
9. Use of the device according to one of the claims 1 to 8 in view of practising a game, mainly for sport calling which consist in that one utilizes for this purpose a ball and at least one supple bat as defined in claim 8.

Images