GB2503757A

GB2503757A - Connector

Info

Publication number: GB2503757A
Application number: GB1300293.6A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jeffrey Bromley Williams
Original assignee: ZSIG SPORTS Ltd
Current assignee: ZSIG SPORTS Ltd
Priority date: 2013-01-08
Filing date: 2013-01-08
Publication date: 2014-01-08
Anticipated expiration: 2033-01-08
Also published as: GB201300293D0; GB2503757B

Abstract

A connector 2 comprises a first leg support 4 defining a first axis and a second leg support 6 defining a second axis. The first axis and. the second axis together define an obtuse angle. The connector further comprises a protrusion 22 positioned between the first and second leg supports 4, 6. The connector 2 can be used as part of a net (e.g. for sport) , screen or display board assembly.

Description

CONNECTOR AND ASSEMBLY

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a connector for collapsible structures. The connector can fonn part of an assembly for supporting a net, screen or display board.

Background

Support structures that can be assembled at any location to support a net in a vertical orientation are known. WO-93/01866A discusses a net support structure which provides for easy assembly and disassembly at any location. The support structure includes a plurality of modules which are joined together by an elastic cord.

The modules are connected together to tension the elastic cord and form a support for a net. The support structure has two elbows that join a horizontal base member to upright members. The elbows include additional sockets for leg members that form an obtuse angle with the horizontal. In use, when leg members are inserted into the additional sockets of the elbows, the leg members are splayed outwardly to support the elbows above the ground. This produces a structure that this more stable than if the leg members are coplanar with the horizontal base member.

Summary

According to the present invention, a connector is provided with a protrusion extending between two leg supports that define an obtuse angle. This provides additional support in the event that the connector is forced towards the ground and reduces the likelihood of damage. For example, the connector may be stood on when it is part of an assembled structure and the connector or legs supported by the leg supports may be damaged or broken.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a connector comprising a first leg support defining a first axis and a second leg support defining a second axis. The first axis and the second axis together define an obtuse angle. The connector further comprises a protrusion positioned between the first and second leg support and configured to extend in a downward direction in use. In use, the obtuse angle between the leg supports means that legs supported by the connector arc splayed outwards. In use, lcgs supported by the leg supports extend partially in a downward direction so that the connector is supported in a position above the ground by the legs. Providing a protrusion positioned between the leg supports and extending in a downward direction enables the protrusion to contact the ground and provide additional support if the connector is forced downwards in use, reducing the risk of damage. The protrusion acts to limit the amount of downward travel through which the connector can move if forced downwards in use.

The protrusion can have a length which means it is normally positioned above the ground in use or a length which means it is normally positioned in contact with the ground in usc. It is not necessary for the protrusion to be in contact with thc ground at all times in use, it still provides the benefit of providing additional support should the connector be forced downwards in use and reduced the degree of downward travel of the connector.

The protrusion can have various configurations. For example, it can extend at least partially in the plane containing the first axis and the second axi& This is advantageous when the plane containing the first axis and the second axis is oriented partially or substantially vertically in use.

In some embodiments, the protrusion defines an axis which intersects with the first and second axis at the same point This reduces internal moments within the connector arising from the reaction forces with the ground in the event that the connector is forced downwards. For example, the protrusion may define an axis which bisects the obtuse angle in some embodiments. This positions the protrusion at the centre point between the leg supports to provide additional support evenly spread throughout the connector.

The protrusion may have a substantially flat end, which helps to spread any load that passes through the protrusion in the event the connector is forced downwards in use. The flat end can be oriented so that it is generally horimntal in use.

The first and second leg supports can be configured to receive leg members in any suitable way. For example, the first leg support may delimit an opening extending along the first axis for receiving a first leg member and the second leg support may delimit a second opening extending along the second axis for receiving a second leg member. The leg supports can be substantially tubulat In alternative embodiments thc lcg supports can be integrally formed with leg members, for example the leg support can be a portion of enlarged cross sectional area to support a leg member extending from the leg support.

The connector may further comprise an upright support defining a third axis and a base support defining a fourth axis. In that case the protrusion can extend at least partially in the direction of the third axis, away from the upright support. As with the leg supports, the upright support may delimit an opening extending along the third axis for receiving an upright member. The base support may delimit an opening extending along the fourth axis for receiving a base member.

Thc connector can also comprise a flat portion positioncd generally oppositc to the base support for attachment to a corresponding flat portion of a second connector.

For example, the flat portion may be in a plane parallel to the plane containing the leg supports and the upright support or in a plane substantially perpendicular to the fourth axis. In further embodiments, the protrusion defines a fifth axis which is coplanar with the third axis and the fourth axis.

At least one of the first leg support, second leg support, base support and the upright support may delimit an opening comprising one or more internal ridges.

These can provide an improved fit with the connector. The one or more internal ridges can be aligned with the axis defined by the support and may also be tapered along their length.

The connector of the invention can form part of an assembly for supporting a generally planar or sheet-like member in a vertical orientation. For example it can be used in a sports net, a safety net, a display stand or screen. Thus, the generally planar member can be a poster, board, sheet, screen or net in some embodiments. An assembly using the connector will generally have two connectors, one at each side.

A sports net assembly using the connector described above can be part of a sport kit including at least one additional item of sporting equipment. For example the sport kit may include one or more rackets, balls, shuttlecocks and other equipment.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of prefened embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a connector according an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows a side view of the connector of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a rear view of the connector of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a bottom view of the connector of Figure 1; and Figure 5 shows an example sports net using the connector of Figure 1.

Detailed Description

Figure 1 depicts a perspective view of a connector 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The connector forms part of an assembly for supporting a sports net, as will be described below in more detail with reference to Figure 5. Figures 2, 3 and 4 depict the connector from the side, rear and bottom, respectively to allow its geometry to be understood more clearly.

The connector 2 comprises four supports for receiving and connecting the members making up a net assembly. There are two leg supports 4, 6, a base support 8 and an upright support 10.

Each of the leg supports 4, 6, base support 8 and upright support 10 is generally tubular and defines an axis. The first leg support 4 defines a first axis 12 (depicted in Figure 3). The second leg support 6 defines a second axis 14 (also depicted in Figure 3). The upright support 10 defines a third axis 16 and the upright support 10 defines a fourth axis 18 (depicted in Figure 2). As can be seen from Figure I the first axis, third axis and fourth axis form a set which is substantially orthogonal but not exactly orthogonal. Likewise, the second axis, third axis and fourth axis form a set which is substantially orthogonal but not exactly orthogonal. In particular the first axis 12 and the second axis 14 together define an obtuse angle 20. This obtuse angle 20 means that when leg members are inserted into the leg supports 4, 6 the leg members are splayed outwardly, increasing stability of the structure. The first axis 12 and the second axis 14 are oriented partially downward in use. As can be seen in Figure 2, the angle between the third axis 16 and the fourth axis 18 is also an obtuse angle, although only slightly larger than 90 deees, for example no greater than 100 degrees. The obtuse angle between the third axis 16 and fourth axis 18 assists in tensioning the net when assembled, however this is not essential and alternative embodiments may have a third axis which is perpendicular with the fourth axis.

Within each of the leg supports 4, 6, base support 8 and upright support 10, ridges 21 are formed parallel to the respective axis. These can be seen most clearly in Figure 1. The end of the ridges 21 adjacent to the open end of each support is tapered, so that the distance of the surface of the ridge from the axis decreases, narrowing the effective diameter of the tube of the support. The ridges provide a better fit when a member is inserted to the support in use. In alternative embodiments the ridges can be omitted.

The internal diameter of the tubes of the supports and the effective diameter (defined by the distance that the ridges extend towards the axis) is dependent on the diameter of the members received in the tubes. For example, the effective diameter may be around 0.75 inches (about 19.1 mm) or around 0.875 inches (about 22.2 mm).

The outer diameter of the supports is determined by the material properties for a desired strength, for example it may be around 30 mm.

A foot, stand, projection or protrusion 22 is positioned between the first leg support 4 and the second leg support 6. The protrusion 22 defines a fifth axis 25, depicted in Figure 3. The fifth axis intersects the first axis 12 and the second axis 14 at the same point as depicted in Figure 3. The protrusion 22 extends in a downward direction when the connector is used to form an assembly, it thus extends generally in the direction of the third axis 16. A flat surface 24 is formed at the bottom of the protrusion 22. The flat surface is circular in this embodiment but can have other shapes in other embodiments. The remainder of the protrusion comprises a cross shaped body 26, although the body may have alternative forms in other embodiments.

A flat portion 28 is provided generally opposite to the base support 28. This flat portion can be configured to allow connection to a corresponding flat portion of another connector. For example, the flat portion may be provided with one side of a hook and loop fastener or any other suitable means of fixation or attachment.

The connector also includes a reinforcement 30 provided between the upright support 10 and the base support 8.

Notches 32 arc provided in the end of each of the first and second leg supports 4,6, and the base support 8. These can be seen in Figures 1 and 2.

The connector 2 is can be manufactured firnn any suitable material, including polymers, metals and metal alloys. In this embodiment the connector is manufactured from a Nylon and glass fibre composite material.

In use, the connector 2 forms part of an assembly for supporting a tennis net 34. The assembly is depicted in Figure 5 and includes a connector 2 at each side.

Tubular members that are received in each of the leg supports, base support and upright support. A respective leg member 36 is received in each the leg supports.

Each upright support rcccivcs a respective upright member 38. Each base support receives a respective base member 40. To improve the ease of assembly and disassembly, all the members have a resilient cord running through them. This cord acts to tension the net 34 and retain the members in the supports in a manner as described in WO-93/01866A. The notches 32 facilitate the compact disassembly of the members from the connector 2, allowing the members to be fblded perpendicular to the support with the cord passing through the notch. To allow the base member to be collapsed into smaller sections it comprises two end portions 40 which are received in the base support and a central portion 42. The central portion 42 is connected to the end portions 40 by collars 44, again in a similar way as described in WO-93/01866A.

Alternative embodiments may not include the resilient cord and instead use individual members to form two side supports connected by a base member with uprights to which a net can be attached in a conventional manner.

In use, the protrusion 22 is positioned slightly above the ground, so that the net is supported by the ends of the four leg members 36. However, should the connector 2 be forced towards the ground, for example by being stood on, the protrusion 22 will contact the ground and provide additional support to the connector. This reduces the likelihood of the connector or leg members being damaged or breaking.

The flat portion 28 is positioned at the side of the assembled net and therefore allows the effective width of the net to be increased by attachment to a flat portion on the side of another assembled net.

The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. For example, other embodiments may have alternative shapes than tubes, such as alternative shapes with a constant cross section along an axis. The depicted embodiment is for a tennis net, but it will be appreciated that further embodiments can be used with other sports nets, including badminton and volley ball nets.

Although the embodiment of Figure 5 has been described above in relation to a connector forming part of an assembly supporting a sports net, alternative embodiments can use the connector to support any other suitable item. For example thc connector can be uscd in an assembly to support a display board or poster, which can be advantageous for promotional material. These embodiments can substitute the sports net of Figure 5 for the display board or poster. Further embodiments may use the connector in an assembly to support a portable screen, for example to screen things from view. These embodiments can substitute the sports net of Figure 5 for a screen, which is preferably flexible for easy storage.

it is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing flum the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.

Claims

Claims I. A connector comprising: aflrstlegsupportdeflningafltstaxis;and a second leg support defining a second axis; wherein the first axis and the second axis together define an obtuse angle; and the connector further comprises a protrusion positioned between the first and second leg support and configured to extend in a downward direction in use.
2. A conncctor according to claim 1 or 2, whcrcin thc protrusion cxtcnds at Icast partially in the plane containing the first axis and the second axis.
3. A connector according to claim I or 2, wherein the protrusion defines an axis which intersects with the first and second axis at the same point
4. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the protrusion has a substantially flat surilce at its end.
5. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: anuprightsupportdeflningathirdaxis;and a base support defining a fourth axis; wherein the pmtrusion extends at least partially in the direction of the third axis, away fIx,m the upright support.
6. A connector according to claims, further comprising a flat portion positioned generally opposite to the base support for attachment to a corresponding flat portion of a second connector.
7. A connector according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the protrusion defines a fifth axis which is coplanar with the third axis and the fourth axis.
8. A connector according to claim 5, 6 or 7, wherein at least one of the base support and the upright support delimit an opening comprising one or more internal ridges
9. A connector according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the first leg support and the second leg support delimits an opening comprising one or more internal ridges.
10. A connector according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the one or more internal ridges arc aligned with the axis defined by the support.
11. A connector substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.
12. A spoils or safety net comprising a connector according to any one of the preceding claims.
13. A sport kit including a sports or safety net of claim 12 and at least one item of sporting equipment.
14. A display stand comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11.
15. A screen comprising a connector according to any one of claims 1 to 11.