GB2121293A

GB2121293A - Games net post

Info

Publication number: GB2121293A
Application number: GB08212742A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Colin Tony Brown
Original assignee: LILLYWHITES CANTABRIAN Ltd
Current assignee: LILLYWHITES CANTABRIAN Ltd
Priority date: 1982-05-01
Filing date: 1982-05-01
Publication date: 1983-12-21
Also published as: GB2121293B

Abstract

A tennis net post comprises a hollow sleeve (10), an anchorage (12) within the sleeve for a net supporting wire (14), the wire passing from the anchorage over a pulley (16) to an opening (18) in the wall of the sleeve adjacent the upper end thereof, a drive mechanism (20-22) operable by a handle 24 for tensioning the wire, and a cover which normally closes the upper open end of the sleeve to provide weatherproof protection for the components (including the handle 24) located within the post. When the cover is open, the handle may be pivoted to its operative position shown. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to tennis net posts Field of Invention This invention relates to tennis net posts.

Background to the Invention -A tennis net is conventionally supported on a wire stretched between two upright posts. The wirn is anchored at one end in one of the posts and at the other end is attached to a tensioning mechanism normally operated by a winder.

The winder normally protrudes externally of the post and rain and snow can enter the interior of the post through the openings through which the winder extends.

In addition, the protruding winder can catch on clothing and represent a potential hazard (albeit a small one) to players or ground personnel or spectators who have to pass the ends of the net.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tennis net post which does not suffer from such disadvantages.

Summary of the invention According to the present invention a tennis net post comprises 1) a hollow metal sleeve one end of which is adapted to be fitted into a socket or onto an upstanding pin, so that the sleeve will occupy and remain in a generally upright attitude; 2) a spindle within the sleeve, rotatable by a drive mechanism and adapted to have an end of a net supporting wire attached thereto, to wind the wire thereon; 3) a winder, forming part of the drive mechanism and rotatable to rotate the sail spindle;; 4) pulley means over which the wire can pass from the spindle to an opening in the wall of the sleeve near the other said end thereof opposite the said one end of the sleeve, and 5) a cap, hinged to the said other end of the sleeve and adapted to be lifted to expose the said winder and lowered to cover the open end of the sleeve and provide a weatherproof protection for the winder.

Preferably the cap is in the form of a short continuation of the sleeve so that when the cap is lowered over the end of the sleeve, the sidewall of the cap is flush with the wall of the sleeve.

Preferably the winder is collapsible so that it can be folded out to allow it to be rotated to wind up or let out the net supporting wire, and after use the winder can be folded into the upper end of the sleeve, to allow the cap to be hinged down over the sleeve to cover same and protect the winder and wire take-up spindle from adverse weather.

In such an arrangement, the sleeve presents a smooth exterior with no unsightly or dangerous protrusions such as a winder.

The invention will now be described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tennis net post constructed as an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a plan of the post, with the lid open, to show the winder mechanism, and Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 with the winder folded in.

Detailed Description of the Drawings A post embodying the invention as shown, comprises a hollow sleeve 10 having a generally elliptical cross section. The lower end is open and can either fit into a socket in the ground (not shown) or over an upstanding pin (not shown) to hold the sleeve generally upright.

The sleeve contains a block 12 to which a wire 14 is attached. The wire passes around a pulley 1 6 and through an opening 1 8 in the sleeve wall.

The block 12 can be raised or lowered by turning a winder 20. The winder is carried on a drive shaft 22 which is threaded and engages a threaded hole in the block. The winder comprises a handle 24 at the end of an arm 26. The latter can be folded inwardly from the position shown to overlie the upper end of the drive shaft 22, so that the arm 26 and handle 24 are wholly contained within the cross-section of the sleeve (see Figure 3).

When so folded in, a lid 28 which is hinged at 30 to the upper end of the sleeve can be hinged over the upper end of the sleeve to protect the winder and wire take-up mechanism.

As best seen from Figure 1 , the cover is a short closed length of the sleeve 10, so that when hinged down over the sleeve end, a smooth surface is presented at the upper end of the sleeve.

Although the hinge 30 is shown protruding from the sleeve wall, it can be accommodated wholly within the cross-section of the sleeve.

1. A games net post comprising -- a hollow sleeve the lower end of which is adapted to be fitted into a socket or on to an upstanding pin, so that the sleeve will occupy and remain in a generally upright attitude, - anchorage means within the sleeve for a net supporting wire.

- a drive mechanism within the sleeve, openable by a winder for winding the wire on or off the anchorage means in use to tension or slacken the wire.

- a guide for leading the wire from the anchorage means to an opening in the well of the sleeve at or near the upper end thereof and - a cover attached to the sleeve and which is openable to expose the under and closable to provide protection for drive mechanism and winder within the sleeve.

2. A games net post according to claim 1, wherein the cover is an end cap for the upper end of the sleeve.

3. A games net post according to claim 2,

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

Claims

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Improvements in and relating to tennis net posts Field of Invention This invention relates to tennis net posts. Background to the Invention -A tennis net is conventionally supported on a wire stretched between two upright posts. The wirn is anchored at one end in one of the posts and at the other end is attached to a tensioning mechanism normally operated by a winder. The winder normally protrudes externally of the post and rain and snow can enter the interior of the post through the openings through which the winder extends. In addition, the protruding winder can catch on clothing and represent a potential hazard (albeit a small one) to players or ground personnel or spectators who have to pass the ends of the net. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved tennis net post which does not suffer from such disadvantages. Summary of the invention According to the present invention a tennis net post comprises 1) a hollow metal sleeve one end of which is adapted to be fitted into a socket or onto an upstanding pin, so that the sleeve will occupy and remain in a generally upright attitude; 2) a spindle within the sleeve, rotatable by a drive mechanism and adapted to have an end of a net supporting wire attached thereto, to wind the wire thereon; 3) a winder, forming part of the drive mechanism and rotatable to rotate the sail spindle;; 4) pulley means over which the wire can pass from the spindle to an opening in the wall of the sleeve near the other said end thereof opposite the said one end of the sleeve, and 5) a cap, hinged to the said other end of the sleeve and adapted to be lifted to expose the said winder and lowered to cover the open end of the sleeve and provide a weatherproof protection for the winder. Preferably the cap is in the form of a short continuation of the sleeve so that when the cap is lowered over the end of the sleeve, the sidewall of the cap is flush with the wall of the sleeve. Preferably the winder is collapsible so that it can be folded out to allow it to be rotated to wind up or let out the net supporting wire, and after use the winder can be folded into the upper end of the sleeve, to allow the cap to be hinged down over the sleeve to cover same and protect the winder and wire take-up spindle from adverse weather. In such an arrangement, the sleeve presents a smooth exterior with no unsightly or dangerous protrusions such as a winder. The invention will now be described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a tennis net post constructed as an embodiment of the invention, Figure 2 is a plan of the post, with the lid open, to show the winder mechanism, and Figure 3 is a similar view to Figure 2 with the winder folded in. Detailed Description of the Drawings A post embodying the invention as shown, comprises a hollow sleeve 10 having a generally elliptical cross section. The lower end is open and can either fit into a socket in the ground (not shown) or over an upstanding pin (not shown) to hold the sleeve generally upright. The sleeve contains a block 12 to which a wire 14 is attached. The wire passes around a pulley 1 6 and through an opening 1 8 in the sleeve wall. The block 12 can be raised or lowered by turning a winder 20. The winder is carried on a drive shaft 22 which is threaded and engages a threaded hole in the block. The winder comprises a handle 24 at the end of an arm 26. The latter can be folded inwardly from the position shown to overlie the upper end of the drive shaft 22, so that the arm 26 and handle 24 are wholly contained within the cross-section of the sleeve (see Figure 3). When so folded in, a lid 28 which is hinged at 30 to the upper end of the sleeve can be hinged over the upper end of the sleeve to protect the winder and wire take-up mechanism. As best seen from Figure 1 , the cover is a short closed length of the sleeve 10, so that when hinged down over the sleeve end, a smooth surface is presented at the upper end of the sleeve. Although the hinge 30 is shown protruding from the sleeve wall, it can be accommodated wholly within the cross-section of the sleeve. CLAIMS

3. A games net post according to claim 2, wherein the end cap is hinged to the sleeve.

4. A games net post according to claim 3, wherein the end cap hinge is accommodated within the cross section of the sleeve.

5. A games net post according to claim 2 or claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the end cap has a side wall in the form of a short continuation of the sleeve, and an end closure wall non-protruding beyond the periphery of the side wall.

6. A games net post according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the guide is a pulley.

7. A games net post according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the winder is retractable into the sleeve to permit closure of the cover and can be extended outside the sleeve to afford winding leverage.

8. A games net post according to claim 7, when appendantto claim 2, wherein, with the end cap opened, the winder can be pivoted about a horizontal axis between its retracted and extended positions.

9. A games net post according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the anchorage means include a retractable spindle.

10. A games net post according to claim 9, wherein the drive mechanism includes a vertical shaft retractable by the winder, and screwthread coupling means whereby rotation of the shaft produces winding of the anchorage spindle.

11. A games net post substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.