FR3077499A1 - SPORT EQUIPMENT FOR SEPARATING TWO PLAYING AREAS - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sports equipment (1) intended to be deployed on the ground to separate two playing areas, said equipment comprising a structure comprising: - a base (2) intended, in use, to rest on the ground and to serve as a support for the sports equipment, and - two uprights (4) extending, in use, in a longitudinal direction between a first end (4a) and a second end (4b), the first ends being configured to be mounted on the base, and the second ends being adapted to cooperate with a thread (6) so that the thread extends in a vertical plane. The base (2) has a lower portion, and an upper portion removably mounted on the lower portion, the upper and lower portions defining a storage volume in the base (2). The base (2) also comprises a stabilizing means (28) configured for use, resting on the ground and extending beyond the lower portion of the base (2).

Description

Invention background

The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment and in particular the field of sports equipment intended to be deployed on the ground to separate two playing areas. More particularly, the present invention relates to structures for badminton, volleyball nets or any another type of sport with two play areas to be separated by a net.

Such equipment has been marketed in particular for several years so as to allow users to quickly install the net structure for practicing sport for a few hours, before it is stored. Thus, the equipment must be easily transportable, but also quick to assemble and disassemble.

There are in particular structures for holding a net which comprise a single base, generally central, on which are mounted two uprights which hold the net for separating the playing area. Such a structure is also configured to allow storage of its different elements in the base which thus forms a storage volume. The structure is therefore easy to store for storage or transport.

However, on such structures, the base, which generally extends on the ground in the same direction as the net so as not to encroach too much on the two play areas thus formed, constitutes the only support of the net on the ground, and the contact surface of the base with the ground is often reduced. Thus, the structure can often be caused to fall to the side, for example under the effect of the wind or a blow inadvertently struck by one of the users. In particular, the low weight of the structure, which is generally sought in order to facilitate its transport, makes it suitable for tilting when no additional ballast is provided.

Subject and summary of the invention

The present invention aims to solve the various technical problems stated above. In particular, the present invention aims to provide sports equipment making it possible to separate two play areas which is easy to install and store, and which offers better stability in particular with respect to the wind, while having a support surface on the ground. and limited weight.

Thus, according to one aspect, there is proposed a sports equipment, or delimitation installation, intended to be deployed on the ground to separate two play areas, said equipment comprising a structure comprising:

a base intended, in use, to rest on the ground and serve as a support for sports equipment, and two uprights extending, in use, in a longitudinal direction between a first end and a second end, the first ends being configured to be mounted on the base, and the second ends being intended to cooperate with a thread so that the thread extends in a vertical plane. In particular, the base has a lower part, and an upper part removably mounted on the lower part, the upper and lower parts delimiting a storage volume in the base. Furthermore, the base also comprises a stabilization means configured to, in use, rest on the ground and to extend beyond, in particular laterally, the lower part of the base.

Thus, the equipment according to the present invention comprises both a base serving as a support and storage for the equipment, in order to facilitate the mounting and storage of the equipment. Furthermore, the equipment also comprises a stabilization means extending beyond the base. The stabilization means therefore makes it possible to overcome the drawback of the central bases of sports equipment which, because of their limited dimensions for storage and space purposes, have a limited bearing surface on the ground which can lead to stability issues. Thanks to the stabilization means, a base is obtained which always has a reduced volume which is advantageous in terms of size, but with a larger bearing surface to increase the stability of the equipment. Thus, the stabilization means increases the stability of the sports equipment while retaining a storage base with a small footprint and easy to handle.

Preferably, the stabilization means is of rectilinear shape and extends in a longitudinal direction. The rectilinear shape, in a longitudinal direction, makes it possible to obtain a compact stabilization means while being particularly effective in improving the stability of sports equipment with respect to a plane perpendicular to said longitudinal direction. More precisely, when the stabilization means is installed on the ground, that is to say with its longitudinal direction extending parallel to the ground plane, it makes it possible to limit the risks of tilting of the sports equipment by rotation about an axis parallel to the ground and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the stabilization means.

Preferably, the stabilization means extends beyond the lower part of the base in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical plane. According to this embodiment, the stabilization means is provided to extend perpendicular to the vertical plane of the sports equipment. Indeed, in order to facilitate the installation of sports equipment, and improve stability, the base generally has an elongated shape extending in a longitudinal direction which is both parallel to the ground, and included in the plane vertical of sports equipment. Such sports equipment can then more easily switch out of this vertical plane, by rotation around said longitudinal direction of the base. In order to limit such tilting, the equipment according to the present invention provides that the stabilization means extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical plane, that is to say in a direction parallel to the ground and substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the base. A base is thus obtained with a stabilization means which extend, together, in two directions perpendicular parallel to the ground.

Preferably, the stabilization means is pivotally mounted on the lower part of the base. In order to limit the size of the base during its storage or transport, and in order to facilitate the installation of the sports equipment, the stabilization means is designed to be pivotally mounted on the base. Thus, the stabilization means is already mounted and does not have to be mounted by the user: the risks of loss of the stabilization means are thus avoided as well as the risks of incorrect mounting. Furthermore, the pivoting mounting makes the installation of the sports equipment intuitive and quick while allowing a reduced bulk of the equipment in the stored state since the longitudinal direction of the stabilization means can then extend according to the longitudinal direction of the base.

Preferably, the lower part of the base comprises a lower surface below which the stabilization means are pivotally mounted, and the lower surface comprises stop means defining: a storage position for the stabilization means in which the stabilization means extends in said vertical plane, and a position of use of the stabilization means in which the stabilization means extends substantially perpendicular to said vertical plane.

The stop means allow the stabilization means to be easily and quickly positioned in one or other of the positions provided by the equipment, namely: the use position and the storage position.

Preferably, the lower surface of the lower part of the base also comprises holding means, for example beads, configured to keep the stabilization means in the storage position or in the position of use. The holding means make it possible to avoid inadvertent rotation of the stabilization means relative to the base, in particular when the sports equipment is being stored or being moved. The holding means thus make it possible to define two stable positions of the stabilization means: a storage position and a position of use, the passage from one position to the other requiring voluntary action by the user by application of a force determined on the stabilizing means.

Preferably, the base is part of a rectangular parallelepiped having a length, a width and a height. The length and the height of the base extend in said vertical plane, and the width of the base extends perpendicular to said vertical plane. It is thus understood that the base extends mainly in the vertical plane, by its length, and conversely has a width perpendicular to the shorter vertical plane which can cause the equipment to tilt by rotation around the length of l 'base. This therefore justifies the use of a stabilization means extending mainly along the width of the base in order to reduce the risks of such a tilting.

Preferably, the uprights are removable or telescopic so that they can be stored in the storage volume of the base. In order to facilitate the installation of the equipment and reduce its bulk in the stored state, it can include removable or telescopic uprights: the telescopic uprights have the particular advantage of not having to assemble different upright elements according to a very specific order or orientation. It suffices to perform a rotational movement with the telescopic upright to cause, thanks to the centrifugal force, a deployment of the different portions of the telescopic upright, in a similar manner to a fishing rod. Installation is all the easier, while keeping compact equipment in the stored state.

Preferably, the sports equipment also includes a net configured to be mounted, in use, on the second ends of the two uprights, and to be stored in the storage volume of the base.

Preferably, the upper part of the base forms a cover configured to attach and detach from the lower part of the base to access the storage volume of the base. The cover thus allows easy and important access to the interior of the base, in order to store or take the various elements of the sports equipment there. It also facilitates the placement of ballasting means, such as sand or water bags, which further increases the stability of the equipment.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention and its advantages will be better understood on reading the detailed description of a particular embodiment, taken by way of non-limiting example and illustrated by the appended drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of sports equipment according to the present invention, in the position of use,

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of the base of the equipment shown in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the base, with the stabilization means in the stowed position, and

- Figure 4 is a bottom view of the base, with the stabilization means in the use position.

Detailed description of the invention

FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a sports equipment 1, or delimitation installation, intended to be deployed on the ground to separate two playing areas. In particular, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the sports equipment 1 is a badminton net.

The sports equipment 1 thus comprises a base 2 which is described in more detail below, two uprights 4, preferably telescopic and mounted by their lower end, or first end, 4a on the base 2, and a net 6 disposed on the upper end, or second end, 4b of the two uprights 4, for example via end sleeves 7.

The sports equipment 1 thus mainly extends in a vertical plane P (not shown) separating the two play areas. More specifically, the uprights 4 and the net 6 extend mainly in the vertical plane P, while the base 2, serving as a support for the sports equipment 1, extends mainly parallel to the ground so as to keep the sports equipment 1 in the vertical plane P.

The uprights 4 are of longitudinal shape. They can be dismountable, that is to say formed by several segments of uprights which can be joined to each other by their ends, for example by “push-pin” type systems, or else can be telescopic in order to be deployed or folded depending on whether the equipment 1 is installed or, on the contrary, stored. In particular, unlike removable uprights, telescopic uprights have the advantage of being easy to handle and of being in one piece each. This avoids mounting errors by mixing the segments or by reversing the orientation of the segments.

The sports equipment 1 is especially intended to be easy to assemble, disassemble, store and transport. Thus, the base 2 comprises a lower part 8 and an upper part 10 (see FIG. 2) which are fixed removably on the lower part 8, for example via one or more flexible tabs 11a of the upper part 10 which cooperate with locking lugs 11b of the lower part 8. The lower 8 and upper 10 parts of the base 2 thus delimit an interior storage volume 12 in which the user can store the uprights 4 (in the disassembled or folded state ) and the net 6, and which can be closed either to allow the practice of sport or to transport the equipment 1 stored in the base 2.

Advantageously, the lower part 8 of the base 2 can be compartmentalized, for example by walls 14, so as to provide a place for the folded uprights, and possibly for game accessories such as rackets (not shown) .

The base 2 may also include grips, for example in the form of openings 16 formed in the lower part 8 of the base 2, and possibly of openings 18 formed in the upper part 10. In addition, the parts lower 8 and upper 10 may have a streamlined, or thinned, shape at the openings 16 and 18, in order to allow a user carrying the base 2, to be able to surround the carrying portion of the base 2 thus created by the openings 16 and 18.

The base 2, and more particularly the lower part 8 of the base 2, also comprises means 20 for receiving the uprights 4. The reception means 20 may for example be cylindrical sleeves whose diameter corresponds to that of the lower ends 4a uprights 4. In combination, the upper part 10 of the base 2 may include openings or notches 22 to allow the insertion of the uprights 4 in the receiving means 20 when the base 2 is closed.

As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the base 2 has a generally rectangular shape, that is to say that the base 2 is part of a rectangular parallelepiped having a length L extending in the plane vertical P, a width I extending perpendicular to the vertical plane P and a height h (not shown) extending in the vertical plane P. The base 2 also comprises an upper surface 24 (formed by the upper part 10) and a lower surface 26 (formed by the lower part 8).

The base 2 also comprises a stabilization means 28, mounted on the lower surface 26 of the base 2. The stabilization means 28 has a generally rectilinear shape, for example the shape of a bar, preferably mounted pivotally. on the lower surface 26 of the base 2 by its central part.

Thus, in use (see FIG. 1 or 4), the stabilization means 28 is configured to rest on the ground, and extend beyond the lower part 8 of the base 2. More precisely, the stabilization means 28 is configured to, in the position of use, extend perpendicular to the vertical plane P, and has a length greater than the width I of the base 2 so as to extend, in the position of use, beyond of the base 2 laterally.

Furthermore, the stabilization means 28 also has a length which is less than the length L of the base 2 so that, in the storage position, that is to say when the stabilization means 28 ' extends in the vertical plane P, along the length L of the base 2, it no longer exceeds the base 2. Thus, depending on the orientation of the stabilization means 28, the latter extends beyond or not of the base 2. In particular, in the position of use, the stabilization means 28 makes it possible to limit the risks of tilting of the sports equipment 1 around an axis corresponding substantially to the length L of the base 2 , that is to say when a force is exerted on the sports equipment 1 perpendicular to the vertical plane P.

Sports equipment 1 is therefore obtained which is more stable than those of the prior art, while keeping a limited weight, but using only a stabilizing means 28 forming a stop block against the tilting of sport equipment 1.

The storage position, illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the stabilization means 28 is oriented along the length L of the base 2, makes it possible to reduce the size of the base 2 for its transport and / or its storage.

In order to facilitate the manipulation of the stabilization means 28, the base 2 may comprise, on its lower surface 26, abutment means 30 which block the rotation of the stabilization means 28 relative to the lower surface 26. Thus, the means stabilization 28 is free to rotate between the use position and the storage position, abutting against the stop means when it arrives in one or the other of the positions. It thus becomes easy to position the stabilization means 28 in the position of use and the storage position.

Finally, the base 2 can also comprise, on its lower surface 26, holding means 32, for example in the form of beads or rubber pads, configured to maintain the stabilizing means 28 in one of the positions, c that is to say in abutment against the abutment means 30. The holding means 32 thus form a localized resistance to the rotation of the stabilization means 28, so that the latter cannot come out of the storage or storage position. use only by application of user force. This avoids untimely and unwanted rotation of the stabilization means 28 during transport, for example.

Thus, thanks to the invention, it becomes possible to have sports equipment that can be simple and quick to install and store, while having improved stability without adding ballast, thanks to the stabilization means extending mainly perpendicularly. in terms of sports equipment.

Claims (10)

1. Sports equipment (1) intended to be deployed on the ground to separate two play areas, said equipment comprising a structure comprising: a base (2) intended, in use, to rest on the ground and serve as a support for sports equipment, and two uprights (4) extending, in use, in a longitudinal direction between a first end (4a ) and a second end (4b), the first ends (4a) being configured to be mounted on the base (2), and the second ends (4b) being intended to cooperate with a thread (6) so that the net (6) extends in a vertical plane, characterized in that the base (2) has a lower part (8), and an upper part (10) removably mounted on the lower part, the upper parts and lower delimiting a storage volume (12) in the base, and in that the base (2) also comprises a stabilization means (28) configured to, in use, rest on the ground and to extend to the beyond the lower part (8) of the base. 2. Sports equipment (1) according to claim 1, wherein the stabilization means (28) is of rectilinear shape and extends in a longitudinal direction. 3. Sports equipment (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the stabilization means (28) extends beyond the lower part (8) of the base (2) in a direction substantially perpendicular to said vertical plane. 4. Sports equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the stabilization means (28) is pivotally mounted on the lower part (8) of the base. 5. Sports equipment (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the lower part (8) of the base comprises a lower surface (26) below which is pivotally mounted the stabilization means (28 ), and in which the lower surface (26) comprises stop means (30) defining: a storage position of the stabilization means in which the stabilization means (28) extends in said vertical plane, and a position d use of the stabilization means in which the stabilization means (28) extends substantially perpendicular to said vertical plane. 6. Sports equipment (1) according to the preceding claim, in which the lower surface (26) of the lower part (8) of the base (2) also comprises holding means (32), for example beads, configured to maintain the stabilizing means (28) in the storage position or in the use position. 7. Sports equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the base (2) is inscribed in a rectangular parallelepiped having a length (L), a width (I) and a height (h) , and in which the length (L) and the height (h) of the base extend in said vertical plane, and the width (I) of the base extend perpendicular to said vertical plane. 8. Sports equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the uprights (4) are removable or telescopic so as to be able to be stored in the storage volume (12) of the base (2). 9. Sports equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, also comprising a net (6) configured to be mounted, in use, on the second ends (4b) in two uprights (4), and to be stored in the storage volume (12) of the base (2). 10. Sports equipment (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the upper part (10) of the base forms a cover configured to fix and detach from the lower part (8) of the base to access the storage volume (12) of the base.