EP2401861A1

EP2401861A1 - Displaying graphical information

Info

Publication number: EP2401861A1
Application number: EP09796410A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Ian Andrew Cheetham
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2009-02-27
Filing date: 2009-11-24
Publication date: 2012-01-04
Also published as: GB2468174B; GB2468174A; GB2468154B; GB0903416D0; GB0912588D0; WO2010097565A1; GB2468154A; GB0918469D0

Abstract

A method of displaying an image (201) of graphical information (100c). The method comprises obtaining a sheet of material (301) on which graphical information (100c) is provided, and attaching the sheet of material to a net (101) used for a sport; the net comprising strands defining substantially polygonal holes. A camera (105, 150) is located such that the graphical information is viewable by the camera, and configured to capture an image comprising an item (202, 203) relating to a game of the sport and the graphical information. The captured image is displayed.

Description

Displaying Graphical Information

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from United Kingdom Patent Applications: No. 09 03 416.6, filed 27 February 2009; No. 09 12 588.1 , filed 21 July 2009; and No. 09 18 469.8, filed 21 October 2009, the whole contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method of displaying an image of graphical information, apparatus for displaying an image of graphical information, and apparatus for displaying graphical information.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of displaying an image of graphical information, comprising: obtaining a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided; attaching said sheet of material to a net used for a sport, said net comprising strands defining substantially polygonal holes; locating a camera such that said graphical information is viewable by said camera, and configuring said camera to capture an image comprising an item relating to a game of said sport and said graphical information; and displaying said captured image.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for displaying an image of graphical information comprising: a net used for a sport, said net comprising strands defining substantially polygonal holes; a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided, said sheet of material being attached to said net; a camera located such that said graphical information is viewable by said camera, and said camera being configured to capture an image comprising an item relating to a game of said sport and said graphical information; and a display device arranged to provide a display said captured image.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for displaying graphical information comprising: a net for use in a sport, said net defining a plurality of holes; a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided, said sheet of material being connected to said net such that said graphical information is entirely contained within one of said holes.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for displaying graphical information comprising: a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided; and a clipping device for clipping said sheet of material to a net used for sport, wherein said clipping device has a pair of jaw parts configured to receive said sheet of material, and a separate retaining member configured to hold the pair of jaw parts together and thereby clamp said jaws against said sheet of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a sports net 101 supporting apparatus displaying graphical information;

Figure 2 shows an example of an image 201 displayed on a television set 200, produced by one of the cameras 105 located behind the net 101 of

Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a portion of the back of the net 101 that supports items of graphical information 100b and 100c in greater detail;

Figure 4 shows, separated, the clipping devices 302a and 302b and the sheet of material 301 ;

Figures 5A, 5B and 5C show clipping device main part 406a in a side, front view and rear view respectively;

Figure 6 shows the main parts 406a and 406b, a strand 600 of the net 101, the upper part of the sheet 301 and a tool 601 for separating the main parts; and Figure 7 shows an alternative clipping device 701 ;

Figure 8A shows the first jaw part 702 in an end view 801 and a side view 802;

Figure 8B shows the second jaw part 703 in an end view 803 and side view 804;

Figures 9A, 9B and 9C show the assembled clipping device 701 in a side view, an end view and a bottom view, respectively;

Figures 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D show a method of attaching a sheet of material, displaying graphical information, to a net using clipping device 701 ; Figure 11 . shows the sheet of material 1003 attached to the sports net

1001 by clipping devices 701 and 701 B;

Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of clipping device 701 attached to net strand 1002 and supporting the sheet of material 1003;

Figures 13A and 13B show the jaw parts 1302 and 1303 of an alternative clipping device;

Figure 14 shows disassembled components of an alternative clipping device 1401 ; and

Figure 15 shows a cross-sectional view through the assembled clipping device 1401.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1

A sports net 101 supporting apparatus displaying graphical information, such as items of graphical information 100a, 100b, 100c, is shown in Figure 1. In the present example the net 101 is supported by the goalposts 102 and crossbar 103 defining a goal on a football (soccer) pitch 104. The net is formed of several strands of nylon cord connected together in a conventional manner such that the strands define a plurality of similar substantially polygonal (in the present case square) holes.

Graphical information, such as items of graphical information 100a, 100b and 100c are arranged along the back of the net 101 close to the ground, so that the view of a game of football for spectators behind the net is not obscured by the graphical information. Furthermore, each item of graphical information is so small that it is entirely contained within just one hole of the net, and consequently they are not distracting to the spectators behind the net. Other similar items 10Od, 100e and 100f of graphical information are located on the sides of the net, respectively at locations: near to the back of the net and the ground; next to a post 102, near the ground; and next to the post, near to the top of the net.

Several video cameras 105 and other cameras 150, for taking still photographs, are located in and around the net 101 and set up to capture relatively close-up images of sporting action in and around the goal-mouth. Due to the placement of the cameras and the items of graphical information, the captured images also include images of the items of graphical information, such as item 100a. In contrast, the items of graphical information are so small that it is likely that the majority of the spectators present at the game will not be able to identify the information represented, and may not even notice it.

The video cameras 105 in the present example are television cameras and consequently the video sequences captured by the cameras 105 are broadcast and displayed on television sets, computer displays, mobile phone displays, etc.

The cameras 150 are typically digital cameras used to capture images that are later displayed by a printing press, which produces a printed image in a newspaper, magazine, etc.

In the present embodiment, the net is a football net having square shaped holes. However, it should be understood that the invention is also applicable to nets having other shaped holes, such as football nets having hexagonal holes.

Figure 2

An example of an image 201 displayed on a television set 200, produced by one of the cameras 105 located behind the net 101, is shown in Figure 2.

In the example image, a player 202 has scored a goal and the ball 203 has just struck the back of the net 101. Consequently, the goal is being replayed in slow motion using images from a camera 105 that provides a close-up, detailed view of the action. However, as well as providing detailed images of the player 202 and the ball 203, the camera also provides images of the items, such as 100c, of graphical information supported by the net 101. In the present example, the graphical information is a fictional logo and word mark, but, of course, this could be replaced by a logo, a word mark or both iogo and word mark relating to a well-known brand. Thus, the graphical information may be used for advertising purposes.

Figure 3

A portion of the back of the net 101 which supports items of graphical information 100b and 100c is shown in greater detail in Figure 3. The items of graphical information are all displayed using similar apparatus, and therefore, for the sake of brevity, only the apparatus that displays item 101c will be described here in detail.

The item of graphical information 100c is printed on a sheet of material 301 that extends across one of the square holes 300 of the net 101. The sheet of material in the present embodiment is transparent, and consequently an area of the sheet surrounding the item of graphical information 100c is transparent. So, the view of spectators located behind the goal is only impeded by the item 100c of graphical information itself rather than the whole sheet 301. In the present embodiment, the sheet of material 301 comprises a piece of self-cling PVC film of the type commonly used for the manufacture of window stickers. The graphical information is provided on the film by applying an opaque ink to an area of the rear of the film and applying ink of a contrasting colour to the front side of the film, which is then liquid laminated. In the present embodiment, the sheet of material 301 comprises just a single film. However in a preferred embodiment two films are used back to back to display graphical information at the rear and the front of the net 101. Consequently, a close-up view of goal-mouth action from the front of the goal also includes images of the graphical information. The sheet of material 301 is attached to the net by clipping devices

302a and 302b that are respectively fixed to upper and lower edges of the sheet.

The clipping devices have an elongate form such that they extend along one side of the polygonal hole 302 of the net 101 and along the entire length of an edge of the sheet 301. Their elongate form ensures that they do not unduly protrude into the hole 302, but have sufficient size to allow easy handling.

Further details of the sheet 301 and the clipping devices 302a and 302b are given below with reference to Figures 4, 5 and 6.

In an alternative embodiment, the sheet of material 301 is formed of a sheet of colourless, transparent silicone rubber. In this embodiment the sheet has a thickness of 0.25 mm, but material having a thickness of 05. mm is used in a further alternative embodiment. The silicone rubber sheet has a tear resistance of 125 pounds per inch (21,900 newtons per metre) when measured in accordance with international standard ASTM D 624, a tensile strength of 1000 pounds per square inch (6.9 megapascals) and an elongation of 450% when measured in accordance with ASTM D 412.

When compared with the above described self-cling PVC sheet, the sheet of silicone rubber has the advantage that it does not tend to plastically deform, or take a set, when stretched, but instead it returns to its original shape.

Whether or not the sheet of material is formed of self-cling PVC or clear silicone rubber, the graphical information 100C is applied to the sheet by printing, typically using a digital flatbed printer.

Figures 4, 5 and 6 The clipping devices 302a and 302b and the sheet of material 301 are shown separated in Figure 4. The sheet 301 is substantially rectangular in shape, and has two series 401 and 402 of spaced apertures 403. Each series of apertures is arranged in a line parallel to, and close to, one of two opposing edges 404 and 405 of the sheet 301. In the present embodiment the apertures are circular and of substantially identical diameter.

The clipping devices 302a and 302b are substantially identical in form and so only device 302a will be described in detail.

Clipping device 302a comprises two main parts 406a and 406b, and a pair of circlips (or retaining rings) 402a and 402b. In the present embodiment the two main parts 406a and 406b are themselves identical to each other, and clipping device main part 406a is shown in the side, front and rear views of Figures 5a, 5b and 5c respectively.

The clipping device main part 406a has an elongate form having a plane surface 450 having a groove 407 running along its entire length. The groove 407 is substantially semi-circular in cross-section such that when the plane surfaces 450 of the two main parts 406a and 406b are brought together the parts form a tube with a circular bore for retaining a strand of the net 101.

Several holes and the same number of posts are arranged in two lines either side of the groove 407. In the present embodiment a line of posts 408 are arranged in a line to one side of the groove 407 while a line of holes 409 are arranged in a line along the other side of the groove. The posts and holes are of substantially the same diameter and spacing, and so when the main parts 406a and 406b are brought together, it is possible to engage the posts of one part within the holes of the other part. The apertures 403 provided in the sheet of material 301 have a size and spacing that corresponds with that of the centre-most holes and posts of the main parts 406a and 406b. Thus, the posts of one main part 406a may be located within the apertures of the sheet 301.

The main part 406a also has a pair of transverse grooves 410a and 410b. Each of the grooves 410a and 410b is located near to a respective one of the two ends of the main part 406a such that when the two main parts 406a and 406b are brought together they form two grooves extending circularly around the two main parts. The circlips 402a and 402b are dimensioned to be located within these grooves in a sprung manner to hold the two main parts firmly together. In the present embodiment, the posts 409 are arranged along one side of the groove 407 and the holes along the other side. However, it will be understood that the posts and holes are interchangeable provided that when the two main parts are brought together a post is brought into co-operation with a hole. To attach the sheet of material 301 to the net 101, posts 409 of one main part 406a are located through apertures 403 in the series of apertures 401 of the sheet. A horizontal strand of the net is located within the groove 407 of the main part 406a before the second main part 406b is brought together with the first main part 406a, such that the strand of the net is located within the bore of the tube thus formed. During this process the posts 408 of one main part (406a, 406b) are located within the holes of the other main part. The circlips are then located around the grooves 410a and 410b to lock the two main parts 406a and 406b together.

The lower edge 405 of the sheet 301 is then attached to an adjacent horizontal strand of the net in a similar way using clipping device 302b.

To separate the clipping devices and sheet from the net 101, the circlips 402a and 402b are first removed. A tool is then used to prise apart the main parts.

The main parts 406a and 406b, a strand 600 of the net 101 , the upper part of the sheet 301 and a tool 601 for separating the main parts is shown in

Figure 6.

The main parts 406a, 406b have a pair of faces 451 extending along the main part parallel to the plane surface 450. Consequently, when the two main parts are brought into co-operation with one another, the faces 451 form a side-wall of a longitudinal groove 602, as shown in Figure 6.

The tool 601 has a broad handle portion 603, suitable for holding between a thumb and forefinger, and a blade portion 604 having a pair of faces in a similar configuration to a flat-bladed screwdriver. The blade portion is dimensioned to fit within the groove 602 such that when it is rotated its faces act against the side-walls 451 of the groove 602 and thereby prise apart the two main parts 406a and 406b.

In the present embodiment the clipping device is formed of two discrete main parts 406 and 406b. However, in an alternative embodiment the clipping devices are formed of two parts connected by a hinge mechanism.

In the above-described embodiment, the apparatus for displaying graphical information has been designed for use on football nets. However, it will be appreciated that the apparatus may also be designed for use on nets of other sports, and in particular where close-up images of the net are captured and displayed. For example, it is envisaged that similar, but smaller, apparatus may be used on a basketball net.

Figure 7

An alternative clipping device 701 is shown disassembled in Figure 7. The clipping device comprises a first jaw part 702, a second jaw part 703 and a retaining member 704. The jaw parts 702 and 703 each have a similar central portion having a planar clamping surface 705 and a rounded outer surface 706. The rounded outer surfaces 706 are configured such that when the clamping surfaces 705 are brought together the rounded surfaces 706 form a substantially cylindrical shape. Each of the rounded surfaces 706 is provided with a groove 717 (shown in Figure 7 on jaw part 702) which extends the entire length of the central portion of the jaw parts. The first jaw part 702 has a first protruding element 707 located at a first of its ends, and a second protruding element 708 located at the other one of its ends. The protruding elements 707 and 708 extend forwards of the clamping surface 705 of the jaw member 702. The second jaw part 703 is correspondingly shaped, so that the protruding members 707 and 708 do not prevent the clamping surfaces 705 from being brought together. Thus, for example, the central portion of jaw part 703 has end faces 709 dimensioned to fit between the protruding elements 707 and 708.

Similarly, the second jaw part 703 has protruding elements 710 and 711 that extend forward of the clamping surface 705 of jaw part 703. The central portion of the first jaw part 702 has end faces 712 dimensioned to fit between the protruding elements 710 and 711 of the second jaw part 703.

Each of the jaw parts 702 and 703 is provided with a groove 720 that runs the entire length of the jaw part and across the clamping surface 705. The grooves 720 are cylindrically shaped, in that when the clamping surfaces 705 of the jaw parts are brought together the grooves 720 form a substantially cylindrical tube.

The retaining member 704 has a substantially c-shaped cross section, having an inner surface 713 that extends partially around a cylinder having a diameter slightly larger than the cylinder formed by rounded surfaces 706. A ridge 714 extends inwardly from one end of the c-shape of the retaining member 704, while a second ridge 715 extends inwardly from the other end of the c-shape. The ridges 714 and 715 are dimensioned such that when the inner surface 713 of the retaining member 704 is located around the rounded surfaces 706 of jaw parts 702 and 703, the ridges 714 and 715 extend into grooves 717 formed in the jaw parts 702 and 703.

In the present embodiment, the c-shaped retaining member extends around a longitudinal axis through approximately 280°. The grooves 717 are correspondingly positioned such that when the two jaw parts are connected together and their outer surfaces 706 form a substantially cylindrical surface, the two grooves 717 are separated by approximately 280° (or 80° in the opposite sense).

Figure 8A and 8B

The first jaw part 702 is shown in an end view 801 and a side view 802 in Figure 8A, and the second jaw part 703 is shown in an end view 803 and side view 804 in Figure 8B. As may be seen in Figures 8A and 8B, jaw parts 702 and 703 have a very similar shape, but differ in the location of the groove 717.

Figures 9A, 9B and 9C

The clipping device 701 is shown assembled in the side view of Figure 9A, the end view of Figure 9B and the bottom view of Figure 9C, the retaining member 704 extends only partly around the rounded surfaces of the jaw parts 702 and 703. Consequently, the interface between the clamping surfaces 705 is located in the opening formed by the c-shape of the retaining member 704. However, the protruding elements 710 and 711 extend forward of the clamping surface 705 of the jaw part 703 such that the line produced by the interface of the clamping surfaces 705 is terminated by the protruding elements 710 and 711. In use, this is an important feature.

During use the clipping device 701 is used in a similar manner to the previously described clipping device, and therefore a strand of sports net material is located through the hole 101 formed by the slots 720. During use, the net undergoes many different types of forces that tend to pull the strand of net located through hole 901 out through a gap formed between clamping surfaces 705. However, because the protruding elements 710 and 71 1 extend forward of the clamping surface 705, the protruding elements prevent the strand of net from being pulled out of the clipping device.

As illustrated in Figures 9A, 9B and 9C, the protruding elements 707, 708, 710 and 711 are shaped such that, when the jaw parts 702 and 703 are assembled together, they form a truncated conical surface. Thus, during use, the outer profile of the clipping device tapers down at each of its ends to the strand of net that it encloses. Consequently, when the clipping device is struck by a ball, such as a football, the pressures applied to the ends of the clipping device are reduced.

Figures 1OA, 1OB, 1OC and 10D

A method of attaching a sheet of material, displaying graphical information, to a net using clipping device 701 is illustrated by Figures 10A, 10B, 10C and 10D. As shown in Figure 10A, the jaw part 703 is located against a net 1001 such that a strand 1002 of the net is located along the groove 720 of the jaw part 703. A sheet of material 1003 on which graphical information 1004 is provided is then located against the clamping surface 705 of the jaw part 703. The sheet of material 1003 is arranged to have excess portions at either of its ends to ease handling and allow for variation in dimension and configuration of the net. It may also be noted that the sheet of material has a width that is substantially equal to the spacing between the protruding elements 710 and 711 of jaw part 703.

The first jaw part 702 is then assembled together with the second jaw part 703 such that the clamping surfaces 705 are arranged on opposite faces of the sheet of material 1003.

As in the previously described embodiment, the sheet of material is self- cling PVC and the graphical information 1004 is screen printed onto the sheet.

With the two jaw parts 702 and 703 held together, the position of the sheet of material 1003 may be adjusted in order to centrally locate the graphical information 1004 within the hole 1005 of the net 1001.

As shown in Figure 10B, the upper end of the sheet of material 1003 is then allowed to rest around the outer rounded surface of one of the jaw parts

703 before the retaining member 704 is clipped over the jaw parts. The c- shaped material temporarily springs open during assembly around the jaw parts until the ridges 714 and 715 locate within the grooves 707 of the jaw parts. With the retaining member 704 fixed in place, the excess material at the upper end of the sheet of material 1003 may be trimmed off, for example with scissors. Thus, the upper end of the sheet of material 1003 is then neatly attached to the net as shown in Figure 10C.

A similar procedure then follows to attach the lower end of the sheet of material 1003 to the net 1001. As shown in Figure 10D, the first jaw part 702B of a second clipping device is brought up against the net 1001 such that its groove 720 is located around a lower strand of the net 1008, and the sheet of material 1003 extends downwards from clipping device 701 , against the clamping surface 705 of jaw part 702B. The second jaw part 703B is then assembled to the jaw part 702B, before the lower end of the sheet of material 1003 is wrapped upwards around the outer surface of one of the jaw parts. The retaining member 704B is then clipped around the jaw parts 702B and

703B such that the clipping device is firmly attached to the net.

Figure 11

The sheet of material 1003 is shown in Figure 11 after attachment to the sports net 1001 by clipping devices 701 and 701 B, as described above with reference to Figures 10A to 10D. In the present example, the sports net has polygonal holes that are substantially square-shaped; the sides of the square being approximately equal to the distance between the knots 1101 at the corners of the square. As indicated in Figure 11 , the clipping devices are arranged to have a length that extends substantially across the entire length of a side of the square between the knots.

Figure 12

A cross-sectional view of clipping device 701 attached to net strand 1002 and supporting the sheet of material 1003 is shown in Figure 12.

As shown in Figure 12, the sheet of material 1003 is held between clamping surfaces 705 of the first jaw part 702 and second jaw part 703. The jaw parts 702 and 703 are themselves held firmly together by the retaining member 704; the ridges 714 and 715 of the retaining member being firmly clipped into the grooves 717 of the jaw parts 702 and 703. However, it may also be noted that the sheet of material 1003 near to its trimmed end 1201 is tightly clamped within the groove 717 of jaw parts 702 and 703 by the ridge

714 of the retaining member 704.

Figures 13A and 13B

The jaw parts 1302 and 1303 of an alternative clipping device are shown in Figures 13A and 13B respectively. The clipping device to which Figures 13A and 13B relate is similar to clipping device 701 , and it has a retaining member substantially identical to retaining member 704 of clipping device 701. Consequently the retaining device will not be further described herein.

The jaw part 1302 is shown in an end view 1304 and a side view 1305 in Figure 13A, and similarly an end view 1306 and side view 1307 of jaw part 1303 is shown in Figure 13B.

The jaw parts 1302 and 1303 have central portions 1308 and 1309 respectively that are substantially the same as the central portions of the jaw parts 702 and 703. The difference from clipping device 701 lies in the design of the end portions 1310 of the jaw parts 1302 and 1303. Specifically, the end portions 1310 are each provided with a pair of protruding elements 131 1 and 1312 that extend forwards of the clamping surfaces 1315 of the jaw portions 1302 and 1303. It may be noted that the end portions 1310 are shaped such that the protruding members 1311 and 1312 do not prevent the clamping surfaces 1315 from being brought together to clamp on a sheet of material. For example, the end portion 1310 of clamping part 1303 is provided with a gap shown at 1320 for receiving the protruding element 1312a of jaw part 1302.

Thus, like the clamping device 701 , the presently described clamping device has at least one protruding element at each end of each of the jaw parts. However, in alternative embodiments, the protruding elements extend from only one of the pair of jaw parts, and in a further alternative embodiment protruding elements extend from one end only on each of the jaw parts.

However, in each case, a protruding element extends forwards such that it crosses the line of the interface between the clamping surfaces of the jaw parts. Thus, the protruding element prevents a strand of net material located within the clamping device from being pulled out through the interface between the clamping surfaces. Figures 14 and 15

A further alternative clipping device 1401 is shown disassembled in

Figure 14. The clipping device 1401 is essentially the same as clipping device

701 of Figure 7, except that each of the two jaw parts 1402 and 1403 of clipping device 1401 have two grooves 1417 extending along the entire length of the central portion of the jaw parts. Consequently, the two jaw parts 1402 and 1403 are identical in form, and so manufacture is simplified in that the clipping device 1401 only comprises two distinct types of component.

Furthermore, when the clipping devices are used, the identical jaw parts 1402 and 1403 avoid the confusion that otherwise may be caused by similar but non-identical jaw parts.

All other features of the jaw parts 1402 and 1403 are the same as those described for jaw parts 702 and 703 and therefore it will not be further described. Similarly, it may be noted that the retaining member 1404 is identical to the retaining member 704 of clipping device 701.

The clipping device 1401 is used in the same way as clipping device 701 , and a cross-sectional view through the assembled device 1401 as shown in Figure 15. As demonstrated by Figure 15, one of the grooves 1417 of each of the two jaw parts 1402 and 1403 is not used.

Claims

1. A method of displaying an image of graphical information, comprising: obtaining a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided; attaching said sheet of material to a net used for a sport, said net comprising strands defining substantially polygonal holes; locating a camera such that said graphical information is viewable by said camera, and configuring said camera to capture an image comprising an item relating to a game of said sport and said graphical information; and displaying said captured image.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said sport is soccer and said net is supported by goalposts.

3. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said camera is a video camera and said image is part of a video sequence displayed on a unit capable of displaying video images.

4. The method of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said image is displayed by printing.

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said sheet of material is attached to said net by a detachable clip.

6. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said sheet of material is attached to said net by a plurality of detachable clips, and each said clip is attached to one of the stands defining a side of one of said holes.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein said sheet of material is attached to said net by a elongated clip that extends along a side of one of said polygonal holes and along a side of said sheet of material.

8. The method of any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein said clip comprises two halves, and said sheet of material is attached to said net by bringing said two halves together to encase a portion of one of said strands.

9. The method of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said sheet of material is formed of a transparent material on which opaque ink forms said graphical information.

10. The method of any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said graphical information covers an area having dimensions no larger than the dimensions of one of said holes.

11. The method of any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein said graphical information covers an area having dimensions smaller than the dimensions of one of said holes.

12. Apparatus for displaying an image of graphical information comprising: a net used for a sport, said net comprising strands defining substantially polygonal holes; a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided, said sheet of material being attached to said net; a camera located such that said graphical information is viewable by said camera, and said camera being configured to capture an image comprising an item relating to a game of said sport and said graphical information; and a display device arranged to produce a display of said captured image.

13. Apparatus for displaying graphical information comprising: a net for use in a sport, said net defining a plurality of holes; and a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided, said sheet of material being connected to said net such that said graphical information is entirely contained within one of said holes.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 or claim 13, wherein said sheet of material is connected to said net by a clipping device.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said holes are substantially polygonal, and said clipping device extends along a side of one of said holes, substantially across the entire length of the side.

16. Apparatus according to claim 14 or claim 15, wherein said sheet of material has a length and a width and said clipping device extends the entire width of said sheet of material.

17. Apparatus according to any one of claims 14 to 16, wherein said clipping device has a pair of jaw parts configured to receive said sheet of material, and a separate retaining member configured to hold the pair of jaw parts together and thereby clamp said jaw parts against said sheet of material.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, wherein said jaw parts are formed as two separate items.

19. Apparatus according to claim 17 or claim 18, wherein said retaining member has a C-shaped cross-section, and said retaining member is locatable around said jaw parts by springing open said C-shape.

20. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein said jaw parts define a cylindrical outer surface around which said retaining member is locatable to hold the jaw parts together.

21. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein said sheet of material comprises a sheet of transparent material supporting opaque ink.

22. Apparatus according to any one of claims 12 to 21, wherein said sheet of material comprises a sheet of a silicone rubber compound.

23. Apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein said jaw parts each have a clamping surface beatable on opposing faces of said sheet of material, and at least one of said jaw parts has a protruding element located towards one end of said at least one jaw part, said protruding element extending forwards of the clamping surface of said jaw part, while the other one of said pair of jaw parts is correspondingly shaped so that said protruding member does not prevent said clamping surfaces from clamping together.

24. Apparatus for displaying graphical information comprising: a sheet of material on which graphical information is provided; and a clipping device for clipping said sheet of material to a net used for sport, wherein said clipping device has a pair of jaw parts configured to receive said sheet of material, and a separate retaining member configured to hold the pair of jaw parts together and thereby clamp said jaws against said sheet of material.

25. Apparatus according to claim 24, wherein said sheet of material comprises a sheet of transparent material supporting opaque ink.

26. Apparatus according to claim 25 or claim 26, wherein said jaw parts are formed as two separate items.

27. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 26, wherein said retaining member has a C-shaped cross-section, and said retaining member is locatable around said jaw parts by springing open said C-shape.

28. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 27, wherein said jaw parts defined a cylindrical outer surface around which said retaining member is locatable to hold the jaw parts together.

29. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 28, wherein said jaw parts each have a clamping surface locatable on opposing faces of said sheet of material, and at least one of said jaw parts has a pair of protruding elements located towards respective ends of said at least one jaw part, said protruding elements extending forwards of the clamping surface of said jaw part, while the other one of said pair of jaw parts is correspondingly shaped, so that said protruding members do not prevent said clamping surfaces from clamping together.

30. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 29, wherein said sheet of material and said clipping device are configured to mechanically interlock.

31. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 30, wherein said sheet of material is provided with an aperture and said clipping device is provided with a post configured to fit within said aperture to provide said mechanical interlocking.

32. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 31 , wherein said clipping device comprises two halves, said post extending from a first one of said halves while a hole is defined within the other one of said halves to receive said post.

33. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 32, wherein said sheet of material is provided with a plurality of spaced apertures adjacent to an edge of said sheet, and said clipping device has a plurality of similarly spaced posts, said posts being configured to fit within said apertures to mechanically interlock said material to said clipping device.

34. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein apparatus comprises a second clipping device and said sheet of material defines spaced apertures adjacent to at least two of its edges.

35. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 34, further comprising a net for use in a sport, said net defining a plurality of similar holes, wherein said graphical information covers an area having dimensions no larger than the dimensions of one of said holes.

36. Apparatus according to any one of claims 24 to 35, wherein said sheet of material comprises a sheet of a silicone rubber compound.