GB2575737A

GB2575737A - Portable tennis apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2575737A
Application number: GB1910206.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Hill Greg
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-07-17
Filing date: 2019-07-16
Publication date: 2020-01-22
Also published as: GB201820528D0; GB201811675D0; WO2020016541A1; GB201910206D0

Abstract

A portable tennis apparatus 1000 comprising two arms 1002, two base modules 1001 and a net 1003. The arms 1002 support the net 1003 in an extended position and are movable to a collapsed position in which they can be stored. Bases 1001 support one arm 1002 respectively and are connectable forming a single base unit for ease of storage or portability. The base modules 1001 can each have a cavity in which one arm 1002 in its collapsed position and net 1003 can be stored. Arms 1002 may comprise a plurality of hollow tubular arm elements kept together by a guide line. Further, the arms 1002 can be telescopic and each arm element may have locking feature to allow locking with consecutive elements. The arms 1002 may be foldable with consecutive arm elements provide with pivots to permit folding. The bases 1001 may be semi-circular in cross section and have first and second coupling elements to connect to respective elements on further bases. These may be a protrusion-catch configuration or magnets. The bases 1001 may be stackable and retained in a similar way. Further, the bases 1001 may have at least one wheel or a wheelie unit.

Description

PORTABLE TENNIS APPARATUS

The invention relates to a portable tennis apparatus.

A known tennis net arrangement comprises a net; two rigid arms to support respective sides ofthe netand a base to hold each ofthe arms. Together, these items have a large volume and can be unwieldy and difficult to carry, manoeuvre, set up, take down and store away. Existing apparatus can also struggle to hold its position when set up on court, particularly in windy weather conditions, and may be prone to damage and breakage. Existing net arrangements may offer little or no opportunity for modifications or adaptations which may be desirable during training sessions or between matches.

Embodiments ofthe invention address at least some of these problems.

The invention is set out in the appended claims.

Embodiments ofthe invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a portable tennis apparatus according to an embodiment;

Figure 2 shows an arrangement of portable tennis apparatus;

Figure 3a shows two base modules;

Figure 3b shows two base modules connected to form a base unit;

Figure 4a shows two base units;

Figure 4b shows two base units stacked to form a base column;

Figures 5a to 5c show a first example of an arm for holding a tennis net;

Figures 6a and 6b show a second example of an arm for holding a tennis net;

Figure 7 shows a detailed embodiment of two base modules;

Figure 8a shows a base unit with a stackable ball bucket;

Figure 8b shows the upper surface of a base unit a lower surface of a ball bucket configured for stacking with the base unit;

Figure 9a shows a base unit has wheels;

Figure 9b shows a ball bucket stacked with the base unit of Figure 9a;

Figure 10 shows portable tennis apparatus comprising a shape aid; and

Figure 11 shows portable tennis apparatus comprising a target net.

As described herein, there is provided an arm for supporting a tennis net, the arm being movable between an extended configuration in which to support the tennis net and a collapsed configuration in which to be stored, and a base module for supporting the arm in its extended configuration, the base module being connectable with anothersuch base module to form a single base unit for ease of storage and portability.

As described herein, a portable tennis kit is provided, comprising: a tennis net; a first arm for supporting the tennis net, the first arm being movable between an extended configuration in which to support the net and a collapsed configuration in which to be stored; a first base module for supporting the first arm in its extended configuration; a second arm for supporting the tennis net, the second arm being movable between an extended configuration in which to support the net and a collapsed configuration in which to be stored; a second base module for supporting the second arm in its extended configuration; wherein the first and second base modules are connectable to form a single base unit for ease of storage and portability.

In use, the first base module supports the first arm in an extended configuration in which the first arm supports the first side of the net. The second base module supports the second arm in an extended configuration in which the second arm supports the second side of the net. The net is thereby extended between the two arms and held in place and stabilised by the base modules. Each base module has an outer shell and an inner cavity, wherein the inner cavity is configured to store an arm in its collapsed configuration. In embodiments, the cavity is configured to store at least one tennis net in addition to an arm. In embodiments, a stabilising post and/or one or more tennis accessories such as spare nets and training aids may be stored inside a base module. A base module may comprise one or more storage cavities.

The firstand second base modules are configurated to connect together to provide a single base unit. In embodiments, all the apparatus needed to set up a tennis court is provided by way of a single base unit containing arms, a net and, optionally, accessories. Embodiments therefore provide a means of easily and compactly storing and transporting otherwise various and cumbersome equipment in the form of a single self-contained unit.

Apparatus described herein allows modularisation and easy adaptation of a tennis court set-up. For example, a single net apparatus may be easily converted into a wider two-net apparatus by connecting a second net apparatus. In such an arrangement, a second net apparatus comprising two base modules, two arms and a net is connected to a first net apparatus, itself comprising two base modules, two arms and a net, by attaching a base module of the second apparatus to a base module of the first apparatus. In another example, a first net may be replaced by a different net without the need to modify or replace the arrangement of base modules and arms. For example, a standard tennis net may be replaced by a mini tennis net or a training net, such as a rebound net. A variety of nets may be stored within one or more base modules to facilitate easy adaptation. This may assist the provision of diverse and bespoke tennis sessions.

In embodiments, two or more base modules may be stacked togetherto form a column of bases. This allows apparatus for multiple tennis courts and/or modulartennis courts to be stored and moved as a single physical entity.

In embodiments, there is provided a ball bucket which is configured to be stacked with a base unit or a column of base units. The bucket may, in use, house balls, one or more nets and other equipment for a match or training session. The bucket, having a handle, provides a way of carrying one or more base units, any apparatus therein, and any apparatus in the bucket at the same time. This provides a compact and easy way of carrying a potentially wide range of tennis (orsimilar, e.g., pickle ball) equipment. It may also reduce the need to bend down to pick up equipment. Health and safety benefits may thereby be provided.

In an embodiment, the base modules have a semi-circular cross section. The base modules are connectable togetherto form a base unit having a circular cross section. Such a base unit may be easily connectable with a stackable ball bucket. The semicircular base units may also, in use, have a smaller footprint on the tennis court than known rectangular bases. This may reduce the extent to which the base may interfere with play by deflecting balls landing in the court but hitting the base.

Apparatus described herein provides a modular sports system which may save time, money, space and effort. The apparatus described herein may provide a plurality of different nets suitable fora range of court sizes, such as standard tennis, mini tennis and the emerging sports of pickle ball and touch tennis. Specialist nets may also be provided for training exercises. Such nets may include target nets for improving players”ball placementand rebound nets forsingle-playertraining. The modular bases described herein increase the ease with which users may transport, set up and adapt bespoke courts.

The ability of base modules to connect together into base units improves the ease with which the apparatus can be transported and stored away. The base units can be easily carried via a stackable bucket or simply carried by hand or in a standard sports bag.

The stackable quality of the apparatus may be particularly beneficial to sports centres and clubs, who may hold significant quantities of equipment, by potentially significantly reducing the footprint of stored apparatus. This may save or reduce the need for expensive storage space.

The modular nature of apparatus described herein allows a plurality of nets to be connected side by side. An array of nets, connected by respective bases, may have improved stability compared to a conventional arrangement with a single wide net supported only at its outer edges. This may be particularly beneficial during windy weather conditions, where the instability of conventional net arrangements can interrupt play.

As described herein, various nets, arms, stabilisers, training aids, scoring systems and accessories can be provided as part of the modular system, in particular by being housed in a cavity of a base module and/or in a stackable ball bucket. This may allow coaching and training to be more dynamic.

FIGURE 1 shows portable tennis apparatus 1000 comprising two base modules 1001, two arms 1002, a net 1003 and two stabilisers 1004.

A first one of the base modules 1001 supports a first one of the arms 1002 in an extended configuration. The first arm 1002 supports a first edge of the net 1003. A first of the stabilisers 1004 extends from the first base module 1001 in a direction orthogonal to that of the first arm 1002. The second base module 1001 supports the second arm 1002 in an extended configuration. The second arm 1002 supports the second edge of the net 1003. The second stabiliser 1004 extends from the second base module 1001 in a direction orthogonal to that of the second arm 1002. The net 1003 is thereby suspended between the first and second arms 1002, each of which arms is supported by a respective base module 1001, each of which base modules is stabilised by a respective stabiliser 1004.

Figure 7 shows a detailed embodiment of a base module. In general, each base module 1001 has an upperface, a lowerface and a sidewall connecting the upperand lowerfaces. The upperface of each has a recess for receiving an end of an arm 1002 to support the arm in an extended upright position in use. The sidewall of each has a recess for receiving a stabiliser 1004, such that the stabiliser extends, in use, parallel with the lowerface of the base unit 1001 and along the ground to provide stability by increasing the footprint of the base module 1001.

The stabilisers 1004 in the illustrated embodiment are provided by stabilising rods. In other examples, the stabiliser may have a different geometry suitable forextending the footprint of the base module. In some examples, a plurality of stabilisers is provided for each base module 1001.

The net may be a conventional tennis net or a mini tennis net. In other examples, the net may be a touch tennis net, a pickle ball net or a training net, such as a target net or rebound net.

FIGURE 2 shows two sets of portable tennis apparatus 1000a, 1000b in an arrangement that provides two tennis nets in series.

First and second base units 1001a respectively support extended first and second arms 1002a, the arms 1002a supporting opposing sides of a first tennis net 1003a (as in Figure 1). Stabilisers 1004a are coupled to and serve to stabilise the firstand second base modules 1001a respectively.

Third and fourth base modules 1001b respectively support extended third and fourth arms 1002b, the arms 1002b supporting opposing sides of a second tennis net 1003b.

Stabilisers 1004b are coupled to and serve to stabilise the third and fourth base modules 1001b respectively.

The first and second sets of apparatus 1000a and 1000b are connected together via connection of the third base module 1001b to the second base module 1001a. As pictured, the second and third base modules 1000a, 1001b are connected to form a single base unit 1005.

By coupling two sets of apparatus 1000a, 1000b in this way, an adapted net arrangement is provided without the need to move, adjust or dispense with the first apparatus 1000a. The added net 1003b may serve as an extension of the first net 1003a, thereby effectively providing a wider court. Because the extended net arrangement is supported by bases at multiple points along its length (in this example, at each side and in the middle), the net arrangement may have more stability than a single wide net supported only at its edges. The net arrangement may alternatively be used to provide adjacent courts, which are well stabilised on a common base 1005.

The sizes of the nets 1003a, 1003b may be selected to provide a desired overall width. The nets 1003a, 1003b may have the same dimensions as one another or different. This allows bespoke net arrangements to be easily set up and, if desired, adjusted during training sessions or between games. It will be appreciated that further sets of apparatus 1000 may be coupled to the arrangement at either end.

FIGURE 3a shows two base modules, such as the second and third base modules 1001a, 1001b of Figure 2.

Each base module 1001a, 1001 b has an upper face 1010, a lower face 1012 and a sidewall 1011 connecting the upperand lowerfaces. The upperface 1010 has a recess 1014 for receiving an end of an arm 1002 to support the arm 1002 in its extended configuration.

A first coupling element 1018 is provided at a first extremity of the curved sidewall 1011. A second coupling element 1020, complementary to the first coupling element 1018, is provided at the other extremity of the curved sidewall 1011. When the two base modules 1001a, 10001b are moved together, bringing the straightedges of their profiles into contact the first coupling element 1018a of base module 1001a cooperates with the second coupling element 1020b of base module 1001b, and the second coupling element 1020a of base module 1001a cooperates with the first coupling element 1018b of base unit 1001b. Cooperation of the respective coupling elements 1018, 1020 connects the base modules 1001a, 1001 b together into a single base unit 1005, as shown in Figure 3b. In this embodiment, the base unit 1005 has a disk-shaped geometry (of circular cross section).

The first and second coupling elements 1018, 1020 may respectively comprise a protrusion and a catch configured to connect over the protrusion in a secure fit. In another example, they may respectively comprise a recess and a catch configured to secure into the recess. In another example they may comprise one or more magnets. Various implementations will be apparent to one skilled in the art. An example is shown schematically in Figure 7.

The base unit 1005 may provide improvements in portability and storage compared to two separate base modules 1001.

FIGURES 4a and 4b illustrate how two base units 1005a, 1005b may be stacked to form a single column of base units.

Each base unit 1005 is provided with an arrangement of first and second stacking elements, 1022, 1024 for connecting the base units 1005a, 1005 b together. Firstand second stacking elements 1022, 1024 are complementary and are co-operable to provide a secure physical connection.

Two first stacking elements 1022 and two second stacking elements 1024 are evening spaced apart in an alternating sequence around the lower circumference of base unit 1005a. This arrangement of stacking elements allows identical base modules 1001 to be connected in mirror-image fashion and may provide an overall connection of improved stability.

Two first stacking elements 1022 and two second stacking elements 1024 are evenly spaced apart in an alternating sequence around the upper circumference of base unit 1005b.

When the base units 1005a, 1005b are arranged as shown, with the lower surface 1012a of the first 1001a facing the upper surface 1010b of the second 1005b with their centre lines aligned, the pattern of stacking elements on the lower surface 1012a of the first base unit 1005a complements the pattern of stacking elements on the upper surface 1010b of the second base unit 1005b. When the two base units 1005a, 1005b are brought into contact, so that respective lower and upper surfaces touch, with their centre-lines in alignment, the complementing stacking elements cooperate to connect the firstand second base units 1005a, 1005b into a single column of bases 1050.

It will be understood that further base units 1005 may be stacked with the column 1050 in the manner described.

The first and second stacking elements 1022, 1024 may respectively comprise a protrusion and a catch configured to connect over the protrusion in a secure fit. In another example, they may respectively comprise a recess and a catch configured to secure into the recess. In another example they may comprise one or more magnets. Various implementations will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

The single column may provide improvements in portability and storage compared to a plurality of separate base units 1005a, 1005b.

Figures 5a to 5c show a first example of an arm 1002 which is movable between an extended configuration in which to support the tennis net 1003 and a collapsed configuration in which to be stored.

In general, the arm may have a total height of approximately 75cm.

FIGURE 5a shows an exploded view of an arm 1002 comprising a plurality of arm elements 1040. Each arm element 1040 comprises an elongate tube. A first end of each tube 1041 has a first diameter and a second end of each the tube 1042 has a second diameter, the second diameter being smaller than the first diameter. The second end 1042 is configured to fit into the first end 1041 of an adjacent arm element 1040 and to be secured therein by a frictional fit. In other examples a coupling element such as a twist element, may be provided.

FIGURE 5b shows a portion of an arm 1002 in its extended configuration, formed of the arm elements 1040 connected in series.

FIGURE 5c shows the arm 1002 in a collapsed configuration in which the arm elements

1040 are detached from one another. This may be achieved simply by pulling consecutive arm elements 1040 apart with enough force to overcome the frictional force holding them together.

In an embodiment, the arm elements 1040 are hollow along their entire length and an elastic string memberruns through theircore, coupling consecutive arm elements 1040 together. This holds all of the arm elements 1040 together and may help prevent loss or misplacement of individual arm elements 1040 when the arm is in its collapsed configuration.

Figures 6a and 6b show an example of an arm 1002which is telescopically collapsible.

FIGURE 6a shows the arm 1002” in an extended configuration. The arm 1002” comprises arm elements 10047 being cylindrical tubes, connected in series. Adjacent tubes have sequentially decreasing diameters. The tube with the smallest diameter is retractable inside the core of the adjacent tube, which is itself retractable inside the core of the next tube, and so in in sequence, sothatthe arm elements 1040”may be condensed into an arrangement in which the largest diameter element 1040” houses all of the others inside its core, as shown in Figure 6b. Figure 5b represents a collapsed configuration of the arm 1002”in which the elements 1040”are fully retracted.

This may provide a smaller overall volume for the contracted arm 1002) which may have handling and storage advantages.

In embodiments, adjace nt a rm elements 1040 in the telescopic array have cooperating couplings to secure the elements 1040 in place in the extended configuration. The cooperating couplings may for example provide a twist-element coupling.

In other examples, a collapsible arm 1002 may comprise a series of arm elements connected by pivotable couplings which allow the arm 1002 to be folded into a collapsed configuration.

FIGURE 7 shows an embodiment of two base modules 1001a, 1001 b in more detail.

Each of the base modules 1001 has an outer shell comprising an upper surface 1010 and a lower surface 1012. (The upper surface of base module 1001b is not shown in the Figure.) The upper surface 1010 and the lower surfaces 1012 are joined by a sidewall 1011. In the pictured embodiment, the upper and lower surfaces 1010, 1012 are semi-circular. The sidewall connecting them is a circumferential wall connecting their curved edges. In embodiments, the sidewall also joins their straight edges.

The outer shell encloses a cavity 1030. The cavity 1030 is configured to store an arm 1002 in its collapsed configuration. In the pictured embodiment an arm 1002 comprising severable tubular arm elements, such as shown in Figure 5, is housed within the cavity 1030.

The upper surface 1010 of the shell has a cylindrical recess 1014 for receiving and holding an arm 1002 in its extended configuration. The diameter of the recess 1014 is marginally bigger than the diameter of the arm 1002 for holding the arm 1002 in place with a frictional fit. In other examples, a catch or coupling element may be provided to secure the extended arm in place.

The sidewall 1011 of the shell has a stabiliser recess 1016 for receiving and holding the stabiliser 1004. The stabilising recess 1016 is provided near the lower side of the sidewall 1011 and orientated such that the stabiliser 1004, when inserted, extends outwardly from the base module 1001 so as to, in use, extend the footprint of the base module 1001. The diameter of the stabiliser recess 1016 is marginally biggerthan the diameter of the stabiliser 1004 so that the stabiliser 1004 may be held securely by a frictional fit. In other examples a coupling element may be provided.

Each base module 1000 has coupling elements 1018, 1020 for coupling the base modules 1001a, 1001b together to form a single base unit 1005 (as described in relation to Figure 3). In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling elements 1018, 1020 are provided respectively by a protrusion 1020 and a cooperating catch 1018, which catch 2018 is configured to click into a secure connection over the protrusion.

Stacking connectors 1022, 1024 are provided atthe interface of the sidewall 1011 and the upper surface 1010, and corresponding features are provided on at the interface of the sidewall 1011 and the lower surface 1012. In use, the upper connectors 1022,

1024 of one base module 1001 couple with the corresponding lower connectors 1024,

1022 of a second base module when stacked on top of and in alignment with the first.

The upper surface of each base module 1000 is provided with upper alignment aids 1013. The alignment aids provide an embossed pattern on the upper surface 1010.

The lower surface of each base module 1000 (not shown) is provided with lower alignment aids. These provide a recessed pattern on the lower surface 1012. The upper and lower alignment aids correspond. That is to say, they each provided the same pattern, one in an embossed format and one in a recessed format.

These alignment aids may help a user align upper and lower base units so that cooperating pairs of stacking elements line up so that the base units may be reliably stacked into a column 1050.

Each base module 1001 may have a diameter of approximately 30cm and a height of approximately 7 cm.

In some embodiments, a base module may be provided with one or more slots or recesses on its other surface for holding score cards, teaching cards or scoring devices.

In embodiments, the storage capability and ease of portability ofthe portable tennis apparatus may be further assisted by the provision of a bespoke ball bucket which is connectable to a base unit 1005 or base column 1050. The bucket may be configured to house tennis balls, nets and other accessories.

FIGURE 8a shows a ball bucket 1060 having an internal volume contained by a circular base 1062 and a tapering circumferential sidewall 1064. A handle 1066 spanning a diameter of the bucket allows the bucket 1060 to be lifted and carried in the usual manner. A lid may be provided to allow the bucketto be sealed to protect any contents.

The buckets circular base 1062 has a diameter equivalent to the diameter of a base unit 1005 so that it may neatly sit on top of a base unit 1005 (or base tower 1050).

Stacking elements 1022, 1024 are provided on the lower edge of the buckets circumferential sidewall 1064, which stacking elements correspond to the stacking elements 1022, 1024 of the base unit 1005. By alignment of the base of the bucket

1062 and the upper surface of the base unit 1005, the bucket may be connectedly stacked with the base unit 1005.

In use, when the bucket 1060 is connectedly stacked on the base unit 1005, the handled bucket allows the base module, and any equipment stored therein, such as arms and stabilising rods, to be easily lifted and carried. Furthermore, the bucket itself may house tennis balls and other equipment including one or more nets and score cards. All the equipment needed for a tennis game or training session may thereby be stored and carried as a single item.

The arrangement of stackable bucketand base modules therefore coalesces a plurality of different items, including base units, arms, nets and balls, which individually are unwieldy and cumbersome (difficult to carry), into effectively into a single item which can be easily lifted, moved and stored.

This may make the equipment more easily storable and portable. It may encourage a coach to carry variants of equipment which can be added to a cavity in the base or the bucket, rather than being put off by added unwieldiness. The arrangement may also reduce the need to bend down to lift base units and other components from the floor. This may provide health and safety benefits.

FIGURE 8b shows a plan view of the base 1062 of the ball bucket 1060. The base has lower alignment aids 1068. These provide a recessed pattern on the base 1062.

It will be understood that various alignment aids, comprising protrusions, recesses or a combination of both, may be provided on surfaces of components described herein to assist the stacking of components.

Transportation of the apparatus may be further assisted by the provision of wheels on, or couplable to, one or more base modules.

FIGURE 9a shows a base unit 1005 having two wheels 1070. One wheel 1070 is provided on each of the base modules 1001 constituting the base unit 1005. The wheels 1070 are positioned symmetrically about the centre line of the base unit 1005.

The wheels may project outward from the circumference of the base module 1005, so that they may connect with the ground when the base unit 1005 is tilted.

In other examples, four wheels may be provided, two on each base module 1001. Various arrangements of wheels are possible, as will be appreciated by one skilled in the art.

FIGURE 9b shows the base unit 1005 connected with a stacked bucket 1060. The base unit-bucket combination may be wheeled as a single entity simply be holding and pulling on the handle in the direction indicated by the arrow. This may reduce the need to lift the apparatus to move it around. This may in particular allow young users and those with back problems to easily and safely move the apparatus. Health and safety benefits may be provided to all users.

It will be appreciated that the base unit 1005 shown in Figure 9b could equally be a base column 1050.

In embodiments, a wheelie-cart may be provided for transport of portable tennis apparatus comprising base modules 1001 or any stacked combination of base units 1005, base columns 1050 and buckets 1060. In general, a wheelie-cart has a tubular carriage with a wide enough diameterto receive the portable tennis apparatus. Wheels are provided on the bottom of the carriage. The wheel-cart may be provided with one ormore handles so that it can be pulled or pushed along irrespective of its cargo. When a ball bucket arrangement is seated in the carriage, the entirety may be wheeled around using the handle of the bucket 1060.

The portable tennis apparatus described herein may also allow various tennis accessories to be provided and easily stored and transported in a compact and convenient manner. In general, accessories, such as those shown in Figures 10 to 13, may be housed in a cavity of a base module or in a ball bucket described herein.

In Figures 10 to 13, a variant of the base modules described above. With reference to Figure 10, an example of a base module 1001 is show in which the arm-receiving recess 1014” is positioned close to the straight edge of the semi-circular crosssectioned base module 10011 The stabiliser recess 1016“is located in the straight edge of a sidewall 2011 f This may facilitate placement of two base modules supporting a net across a court without incursion of the base modules into the court. This may be achieved in use by placing the base module 1001 such that the straightedge of the sidewall 2011 is aligned with the edge of the court, with the corresponding arm and net supported at the very edge of the court, with the stabiliser 1004 running beneath the net to provide stability.

FIGURE 10 shows an embodiment in which a shape aid 1080 is attached to an arm 1002 of the portable tennis apparatus. The shape aid 1080 comprises a pole 1081 and attachment mechanism 1082 for attaching the pole 1081 orthogonally to the arm 1002 of the tennis apparatus.

In use, the arm 1002 extends vertically upward from the base module 1001 and the shape aid 1080 is attached to the arm 1002, via the attachment mechanism 1082, so as to extend orthogonally from the arm 1002 and parallel to the ground.

The shape aid may be a solid or hollow tube or rod. The attachment mechanism may comprise a claw-grip, an aperture and a securing screw or another appropriate mechanism.

The shape aid 1080 may be used as a coaching tool for helping players or students practice hitting balls ata certain height and/or with a particular flight profile.

In embodiments, the shape aid 1080 is storable inside a base module 1001, 1001 and/or a bucket 1060 so that it may be transported and stored with the other apparatus.

Other examples of shape aids may be connectable to the arm 1002 at angles other than 90 degrees, and may have non-linear profiles.

FIGURE 11 shows an embodiment in which a target net 1090 is attached between the arms of a portable tennis apparatus 1000/ The target net 1080 comprises a net with one or more marked areas 1091 indicating areas that players should aim to hit. A target 1090 may be used as a training aid.

In embodiments, the target net 1090 is foldable and storable inside a base module and/or a bucket described herein so that it may be transported and stored with the other apparatus.

In another example, a rebound net may be provided in place of the target net 1090. A rebound net is generally a net with a higher resistance than a playing net, which is capable of rebounding a ball back to a player. The rebound net may be used as a training aid to enable single-user practice. The rebound net may be foldable and storable inside a base module and/or a bucket described herein so that it may be transported and stored with the other apparatus.

In embodiments, a base unit 1005 has room to house a rebound net and a target net in addition to arms, and optionally in addition to one or more standard or mini-tennis nets.

While illustrated embodiments show base modules of semi-circular cross section, it will be appreciated that other base module geometries are possible within the shape of the invention, such as cuboid.

In general, embodiments provide base modules which have storage for various combinations of the following:

c one or more arms;

c one or more stabilisers;

c a standard tennis net c a mini tennis net (having dimensions of approximately 6m x 80cm);

c a tots (children s) tennis net (having dimensions of approximately 3m x 80cm); c a target net;

c a rebound net;

c scoring and/or lesson cards;

c a shape aid feature;

c a spin aid feature; and c an adjustable camera attachment.

The embodiments described herein are intended to serve as examples. Various implementations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims

1. A portable tennis apparatus, comprising:

an arm for supporting a tennis net, the arm being movable between an extended configuration in which to support the tennis net and a collapsed configuration in which to be stored; and a base module for supporting the arm in its extended configuration, the base module being connectable with another such base module to form a single base unit for ease of storage and portability.

2. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base module has a cavity for housing the arm in its collapsed configuration.

3. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the arm comprises a plurality of severable arm elements.

4. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 3, wherein the severable arm elements comprise hollow tubes and are arranged along a guide line which is configured to keep the arm elements together when severed.

5. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein the arm is telescopically movable between the extended configuration and the collapsed configuration.

6. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 5, wherein the arm comprises an array of arm elements, each of which arm elements has a locking feature configured to lock with a co-operable locking feature of a consecutive arm element to provide stability in the extended configuration.

7. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 1 or 2, wherein arm is foldable from the extended configuration to the collapsed configuration.

8. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 7, wherein the arm comprises a series of arm elements, wherein consecutive arm elements are connected by pivotable couplings to permit folding of the arm.

9. The portable tennis apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the base module has first and second coupling elements which are arranged to couple with respective coupling elements on the other such base module.

10. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first coupling element is configured to couple with the second coupling element of the other such base module, and the second coupling element is configured to couple with and first coupling element of the other such base module.

11. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first coupling element comprises a protrusion and the second coupling element comprises a catch configured to securely connect over the protrusion.

12. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 10, wherein the first coupling element comprises a first magnet of a first polarity and the second coupling element comprises a magnet of a second polarity.

13. The portable tennis apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the base unit is stackable with another such base unit to form a single column of base units.

14. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 13, wherein the base module has an upper surface and a lower surface opposed to the upper surface, the upper surface having a first stacking element and the lower surface having a second stacking element wherein the first and second stacking elements are co-operable to couple base units in a stacked configuration.

15. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first stacking element comprises a protrusion and the second stacking element comprises a catch configured to securely connect over the protrusion.

16. The portable tennis apparatus of claim 14, wherein the first stacking element comprises a first magnet of a first polarity and the second stacking element comprises a magnet of a second polarity.

17. The portable tennis apparatus of any preceding claim, wherein the base module has a semi-circular cross section and is couplable to the other such base module to form a base unit of circular cross section.

18. The portable tennis apparatus of any of claims 2 to 17, wherein the cavity of the base module is configured to store at least one tennis net.

19. A portable tennis apparatus substantially as described herein with reference to Figures 1 to 11.

20. A portable tennis kit, comprising, a tennis net;

a first arm for supporting the tennis net the first arm being movable between an extended configuration in which to support the net and a collapsed configuration in which to be stored;

a first base module for supporting the first arm in its extended configuration;

a second arm for supporting the tennis net, the second arm being movable between an extended configuration in which to support the net and a collapsed configuration in which to be stored; and a second base module for supporting the second arm in its extended configuration;

wherein the first and second base modules are connectable to form a single base unit for ease of storage and portability.

21. The portable tennis kitofclaim 20, wherein each base module has atleastone wheel to allow the base unit to be wheeled around.

22. The portable tennis kitofclaim 20 or21, further comprising a bucket configured to connectedly stack with a base unit.

23. The portable tennis kitofclaim 22, wherein a lower surface of the bucket has a stacking element for connecting the bucket onto the upper surface of the base unit.

24. The kit of any of claims 20 to 23, further comprising a wheelie unit for carrying and wheeling a base unit.

25. A portable tennis kit substantially as described herein with reference to Figures

1 to 11.