MXPA01006881A - Overhead supported net system - Google Patents

Abstract

An overhead supported net system (30) including a net (12) and a spaced pair of masts (32) pivotally connected to an overhead structure (36) to pivot about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the net between a stored position and a play position. A pair of braces (40) are connected to the overhead structure and the masts to lock the masts in the play position. The mast terminates short of the floor.

Description

SUPPORTED NETWORK SYSTEM, ON THE HIGH FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a network system and more specifically to a network system supported at the top. Network systems generally include a pair of poles with a network stretched between them. The poles are usually supported in sleeves that are on the floor of a gym. The portable poles include a base with counterweight on wheels. In both systems, the network system must be dismantled and stored in such a way that the gym can be used for other sports. These well-known products are available from Porter Athletic Equipment Company.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The mounting of the network supports to the wall of a gymnasium is illustrated in U.S. Patent 3,065,964. This structure required the dismantling and saving of the network. The frame folds against the wall. The support structure ends near the floor and therefore does not damage the floor. A support at the top, for networks, with a REF .: 130981 common retractable network system, is currently available at QuikSet Industries of Ozawkie, Kansas. The poles are each telescopic poles that extend down a vertical axis. The rigidity of the system consists of the force exerted by the lower element on the floor and the immobilization of the same between the structure on the top and the floor. To protect the gym floor from scratches, thick rubber pads are necessary. Russian Patent Document 1,535,549 issued to Dyagesis shows a system, especially to allow a network to be stored elsewhere when it is not in use, consisting of vertical supports to which the network is attached, equipped at its upper ends with * frames that are rotated towards the ceiling or roof of the building that houses the volleyball court. The axes of the pivots of the frame remain in the plane of the net and form an obtuse angle with each other, while the lower ends of the supports are equipped with fasteners to immobilize them inside bushes that are on the floor. When the network is not used its frame can be lifted by a pulley and cable mechanism, where the angle between the axes of the pivots (a little less than 180 degrees) means that the tension of the network has been released when the network he wake up. U.S. Patent No. 3,065,964 issued to Barnes shows a support structure and network mounted on the wall. When not in use, the network is removed and the support structure is rotated towards a wall, and remains within the useful space of the site. Additionally, Barnes' design required significant system assembly in order to place the network in a game position. Additionally, the Barnes platform erection required support from the floor, in order to provide a stable and firm assembly. US Patent No. 1,778,173 issued to Steele shows a basketball goal assembly mounted on the top, which is pivoted to a structure at the top, with a knocker for the lowered position. U.S. Patent No. 5,393,069 issued to Taylor shows a network support that can be mounted to a backboard or to any other vertical surface, such as a gymnasium wall. A threaded rod supports the system and allows a net carrying bracket to lift and lower. The system herein consists of a network system supported on the top, which includes a network and a pair of masts, separated, connected by pivot to a structure at the top, so that it rotates around an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the network, between a saved position and a game position. A pair of suspenders is connected to a structure at the top and to the masts, to fix the masts in the game position. An actuator, which may include cables, is connected to the masts and moves the masts between the storage and play positions. The braces each include a pair of members hinged together at one end and connected either to the mast or to the structure at the top, at its other end. A knocker is provided in the joint, to fix the pair of members and the mast in the play position. The braces are connected by pivot to the structure at the top and to the mast. A height adjustment mechanism is provided, which connects the net to the mast. The adjustment mechanism preferably includes a screw mechanism. A platform ladder can also be connected to one of the masts. The masts and ladder end near the floor, in the play position. In one embodiment, the lower part of the mast terminates at a site adjacent to the shore surrounding the network. Other objects, advantages and novel features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of the invention, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a front view of a network system supported on the top, in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Figure 2 is a side view of the system of Figure 1 in the play position. Figure 3 is a side view of the network system of Figure 1, between the game and save positions. Figure 4 is an enlarged view of the network connection to the mast of the system of Figure 1. Figure 5 is an enlarged view of the network adjustment system, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODALITIES A net 12, for example, a volleyball net, is connected to the supports 14 through a rope 16 and hooks 18, the pulley 20 and tensioning devices 22, for example a crank, which are mounted to the supports 14. This can be observed in the best way in the details of Figures 4 and 5. Although the network system 10 illustrated is for volleyball, the support structure in the High, of the present, can be used for any game with network, including badminton, tennis, etc. Any form of connection of the network to the support 14 can be used. The hooks 18, the pulley 20 and the tensioning device 22 are only examples. The net 12 through the support 14, the height adjustment device 24 and the ladder 26 are connected to a support system at the top 30 as illustrated in Figure 1. Although the height adjustment system 24, which is will analyze in detail later with respect to Figure 5, and the ladder, are illustrated, both can be eliminated. In those cases the support 14 can be mounted directly to the support system at the top 30. As a further alternative, the support system at the top can include the connection system of the ropes 16 of the network, directly and therefore Include hooks, pulleys and tension devices as needed. The support system at the top, as illustrated in Figures 1-3, includes a mast 32 supported by a pivot 34 at the support at the top 36 by the element 38. The support at the top 36 may be the beam system of the beam. roof of a gym. A tie 40, as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, is connected between the mast 32 and the support at the top 36 and fix the mast 32 in the play position illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. When the strut 40 is removed from its secured position, this allows the mast 32 to rotate upward to a stowed position, adjacent to the stand at high 36. Figure 3 illustrates the mast 32 moving towards its stowed position. The stay 40 is provided for each of the masts 32. The stay 40 preferably includes a pair of members 42 and 44 hinged together at the first ends by the joint 46. The other end of the element 42 is pivotally connected at 48 to the mast 32. The other end of the element 44 is pivotally connected at 50 to support the structure 36 by the element 52. A knocker structure 54 secures the elements 42 and 44 from each other in the play position, as illustrated in the Figure 2. The knocker can be removed from these to allow rotation to position 1 which is illustrated in Figure 3. An actuator 60 illustrated as the motor, is connected by the cable 62 on top of the pulley 64 on the element 52 and is connected at 66 to the mast 32. In this way, the actuation of the motor 60 will cause the simultaneous movement of the mast 32 between the storage and play positions. It should be noted that the particular structure of the mast 32, the stay 40 and the actuator 60 with the cable 62 including the knocker 54 are well-known elements and devices, used in basketball systems supported overhead. In this way, detailed descriptions not provided are known to persons of ordinary skill in the art. For example, the mast and the strut are similar to basketball systems with "23" and "45" studs, available from Porter Athletic Equip et Company. A specific example is the ball stopping fence with rear braces, side folding, suspended from the ceiling, model 90955. The actuator can be the wire winch 00707-00 of 3/4 Hp with mounting pulley and rolling 0.635 cm (1/4 inch) aviation cable. Each mast could also include a safety lock mechanism No. 10797-100 that could help regulate the speed with which the assembly is lowered. All t elements are available at Porter Athletic Equipment Company. It should be noted that the cable 62 in Figures 2 and 3 is indicated with broken lines to allow a distinction of the other structure and in the drawings are not considered hidden lines. As can be seen in Figures 1-3, the mast 32 rotates about an axis that is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the net, to move between the stowed position and the play position. This allows the network to move between t two positions without disassembling and / or without the adjustment of the tension is necessary. The rigid safety provided by the stays 40 keeps the total support system 30 rigid, without the need for coupling to the floor 9. As shown in Figure 1, not only the masts 32 end near the floor 9 but also the stair 26 of the judges' platform 28. As can be seen in greater detail in Figure 4, preferably the mast 32 terminates at a site adjacent to the lower edge of the net 12. Although not illustrated, appropriate pads can be provided around the lower portions of the mast 32 as well as the ladder 26 and its associated platform 28. The height adjusting mechanism 24 making adjustments between the height shown in Figure 1 and the lower position illustrated with imaginary lines in Figure 1, shown in Figure 5. The support 12 is received in a guide 70. The guide 70 is connected through a bracket 72, a U-bolt 74 and the fastener 76 either to the mast 32 on one side or n one portion of the ladder 26 on the other. One embodiment of an actuator for height adjustment includes a threaded element or bolt 78 welded by bracket 80 to guide 70. A screw 82 is received in threaded element 78 and secured to support 14 by bracket 84 and bearing 86 The end of the screw 82 receives a crank or other device for rotating the screw 82. The U-bolt 74 and the fastener 76 also connect the ladder 26 to one of the masts 32. Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it should be clearly understood that it is presented only by way of illustration and example, and that should not be taken as a limitation. The spirit and scope of the present invention will be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects or products to which it refers.

Claims (3)

CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property:

1. A system supported on the top, for suspending a network above a floor, the system is characterized in that it comprises: a network having a longitudinal axis; a pair of spaced masts, pivoted to a structure at the top, to rotate about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the network, between a stowed position and a play position; and a pair of braces, each brace is connected to the structure at the top at a first end, and coupled to the masts at a second end to secure the masts in the play position, where the system does not contact the floor and is not insured to it.

2. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes an actuator connected to the masts, to move the mast between the storage and play positions.

3. A system according to claim 2, characterized in that it includes cables that they connect the actuator to each mast. . A system according to claim 1, characterized in that each brace includes a pair of members hinged together at one end and coupled either to the mast or to the structure at the top at the other end. 5. A system according to claim 4, characterized in that it includes a knocker on the joint, to secure the pair of members and the mast, in the play position. 6. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the braces are pivoted to the structure at the top and to the mast. 7. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a height adjustment mechanism, which connects the net to the mast. 8. A system according to claim 7, characterized in that the adjustment mechanism includes a screw actuator. 9. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a platform and a ladder connected to one of the masts. 10. A system according to claim 9, characterized in that neither the masts nor the staircase touch the floor when the network is in the game position. 11. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that the masts do not touch the floor when the net is in the play position. 12. A system according to claim 1, characterized in that a lower part of each mast ends at a site adjacent to the lower edge of the network.