GB2046597A

GB2046597A - Nets

Info

Publication number: GB2046597A
Application number: GB7907725A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Whittleton J A
Current assignee: Whittleton J A
Priority date: 1979-03-05
Filing date: 1979-03-05
Publication date: 1980-11-19

Abstract

A tape (1) is attached to the upper edge of a tennis net (5) by folding the tape longitudinally around the net edge and securing together the tape portions located on opposite sides of the net by means of fasteners (34) which pass through mesh openings (6) of the net. The fasteners are preferably releasable to allow easy detachment of the tape. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Nets This invention is concerned with nets which have a tape attached along an edge of the net, such as sports nets in general and, especially, tennis nets.

In the past it has been the practice to fold a canvas tape over the upper edge of a tennis net and to stitch the tape securely to the net so that the net can be suspended from a supporting wire passed through the folded tape. In addition the tape serves to define a smooth upper edge to the net. It is well known that the tape wears much more quickly than the net itself and it is usual for the tapes to be replaced periodically. When a tape is to be renewed the net must be removed from its place of use and sent away to the factory where the necessary work is carried out. The user may be without use of the net for several weeks while it is away which means that spare nets must be held in store or considerable inconvenience suffered.

The present invention aims at eliminating the above drawbacks and resides broadly in a tape for attachment to the edge of a net, comprising releasable connectors spaced apart along the tape adjacent the edges thereof whereby the tape can be folded longitudinally around the edge of a net and secured to the net by means of the the releasable connectors which pass through the meshes of the net.

The tapes of the invention can be used to replace the tapes of existing tennis nets and can be fitted easily without requiring any special skills or machines so that tape replacement can conveniently be carried out at the place of use of the net.

A better understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description given, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure lisa plan view of a portion of tape embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a section through an upper edge portion of a tennis net filled with the tape.

Referring to the drawing there is shown a tape 1 of canvas plastics, nylon plastic or other material having on one side narrower woven tapes 2 stitched along its opposite longitudinal edges. Attached to the woven tapes 2 are releasable press-stud fasteners each having one part secured to each tape 2. The two parts 3,4 of each fastener are aligned laterally of the tape 1 so that the tape can be folded over about its longitudinal centre line L, around the upper edge of a tennis net 5, to bring the fastener parts into cooperation through the uppermost meshes 6 of the net 5.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the tape is easily attached to a net simply by folding it over the edge and pressing the studs closed, and can befitted without requiring any skill or special machines. Furthermore, the time required to fit the tape is short, even when carried out by the customer to whom the tape has been supplied, and the cost of replacing a tape can be substantially less than stitching a new tape on the net. The tape is easily removed, for example for renewal, simply by releasing the fastener studs.

Those readers skilled in the art will recognise that the tape may be modified in various respects. For example it is possible to eliminate the woven tapes and employ fasteners which secure the opposite edges of the tape together directly, such as fasteners comprising two parts which screw, clip or press together and pass through holes in the tape. This construction has the added advantage that the fasteners can be reused when the tape is renewed.

Alternatively, the fastener parts can be fixed directly to the tape, such as by means of adhesive, in which case the woven tapes can again be omitted.

It is usual for tennis nets to be carried by a metal wire, but accordingly to an aspect of this invention a nylon rope 8 is used to carry the net. Much of the wear on a tennis net tape can be attributed to the wire passing through it. A nylon rope is softer and will reduce tape wear.

While it is known to use double mesh for a tennis net in the region of its upper edge where it is subject to most wear, according to this invention a tennis net is made with double mesh throughout, which has the advantage of extending the useful lifetime of the net as the net can be reversed top for bottom so that the net wears evenly throughout. The net is made by working two strands in unison and tying with ordinary braiding knots which are used in conventional nets.

1. A method of attaching a tape to an edge of a sports net, such as a tennis net, wherein the tape is folded longitudinally to extend around the edge of the net and the portions of the tape located on the opposite sides of the net are secured together by fasteners which are spaced apart along the tape and pass through respective mesh openings of the net.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein each of the fasteners is made in two parts and said parts are engaged with respective tape portions.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the fasteners parts are fixedly attached to the respective tape portions.

4. A method according to claim 1,20r3,wherein the fasteners are passed through the tape portions and clamp the tape portions together.

5. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the fasteners are releasable to permit easy detachment of the tape from the net.

6. A method of attaching a tape to the edge of a sports net substantially as herein described.

7. A flexible tape for attachment to the edge of a sports net, comprising two part fasteners spaced apart along the length of the tape for securing together opposed edge portions of the tape when the tape is folded longitudinally to extend around the net edge.

8. A flexible tape according to claim 6, wherein

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Nets This invention is concerned with nets which have a tape attached along an edge of the net, such as sports nets in general and, especially, tennis nets. In the past it has been the practice to fold a canvas tape over the upper edge of a tennis net and to stitch the tape securely to the net so that the net can be suspended from a supporting wire passed through the folded tape. In addition the tape serves to define a smooth upper edge to the net. It is well known that the tape wears much more quickly than the net itself and it is usual for the tapes to be replaced periodically. When a tape is to be renewed the net must be removed from its place of use and sent away to the factory where the necessary work is carried out. The user may be without use of the net for several weeks while it is away which means that spare nets must be held in store or considerable inconvenience suffered. The present invention aims at eliminating the above drawbacks and resides broadly in a tape for attachment to the edge of a net, comprising releasable connectors spaced apart along the tape adjacent the edges thereof whereby the tape can be folded longitudinally around the edge of a net and secured to the net by means of the the releasable connectors which pass through the meshes of the net. The tapes of the invention can be used to replace the tapes of existing tennis nets and can be fitted easily without requiring any special skills or machines so that tape replacement can conveniently be carried out at the place of use of the net. A better understanding of the invention will be had from the following detailed description given, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: Figure lisa plan view of a portion of tape embodying the invention; and Figure 2 is a section through an upper edge portion of a tennis net filled with the tape. Referring to the drawing there is shown a tape 1 of canvas plastics, nylon plastic or other material having on one side narrower woven tapes 2 stitched along its opposite longitudinal edges. Attached to the woven tapes 2 are releasable press-stud fasteners each having one part secured to each tape 2. The two parts 3,4 of each fastener are aligned laterally of the tape 1 so that the tape can be folded over about its longitudinal centre line L, around the upper edge of a tennis net 5, to bring the fastener parts into cooperation through the uppermost meshes 6 of the net 5. From the foregoing it will be understood that the tape is easily attached to a net simply by folding it over the edge and pressing the studs closed, and can befitted without requiring any skill or special machines. Furthermore, the time required to fit the tape is short, even when carried out by the customer to whom the tape has been supplied, and the cost of replacing a tape can be substantially less than stitching a new tape on the net. The tape is easily removed, for example for renewal, simply by releasing the fastener studs. Those readers skilled in the art will recognise that the tape may be modified in various respects. For example it is possible to eliminate the woven tapes and employ fasteners which secure the opposite edges of the tape together directly, such as fasteners comprising two parts which screw, clip or press together and pass through holes in the tape. This construction has the added advantage that the fasteners can be reused when the tape is renewed. Alternatively, the fastener parts can be fixed directly to the tape, such as by means of adhesive, in which case the woven tapes can again be omitted. It is usual for tennis nets to be carried by a metal wire, but accordingly to an aspect of this invention a nylon rope 8 is used to carry the net. Much of the wear on a tennis net tape can be attributed to the wire passing through it. A nylon rope is softer and will reduce tape wear. While it is known to use double mesh for a tennis net in the region of its upper edge where it is subject to most wear, according to this invention a tennis net is made with double mesh throughout, which has the advantage of extending the useful lifetime of the net as the net can be reversed top for bottom so that the net wears evenly throughout. The net is made by working two strands in unison and tying with ordinary braiding knots which are used in conventional nets. CLAIMS

8. A flexible tape according to claim 6, wherein the two parts of each fastener are fixed to the tape adjacent the edges thereof and in lateral alignment with each other.

9. A flexible tape for attachment to a sports net substantially as herein described with reference to the drawings.

10. A tennis net having a tape attached to the upper edge thereof by the method of any one of claims 1 to 6.

11. A tennis net according to claim 10, wherein a nylon rope is passed through the folded tape for suspending the net from net posts.

12. A tennis net according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the net is made with double mesh throughout its full height.

13. A tennis net substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.