SE2250926A1 - Padel table tennis arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a padel table tennis arrangement (1 ; 100) comprising a table (2) having an upper playing surface (4) for padel table tennis and a support structure (6) having legs (8; 102) configured to rest on ground surface (10) to form a carrier for supporting said playing surface (4). The playing surface (4) is formed by two short sides 12, 14) arranged in parallel to each other and two long sides (16, 18; 106, 108) running between the short sides (12, 14) in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the table (2). A net (20) is arranged over the playing surface (4) essentially at the middle (M) of the table (2) between the short sides (12, 14) and extending substantially in parallel to the extension (TD) of the short sides (12, 14). The net (20) is adjustably attached at each end to a supporting post (24; 104) provided at each long side (12, 14). The arrangement (1 ; 100) comprises a respective side wall section (34), extending vertically (V) at least from the playing surface (4) to at least above the net (20) at each end (22) of the net (20) and which side wall sections (34) extends along at least a part of the long sides (16, 18; 106, 108) of the table (2), evenly distributed on each side of the supporting posts (24; 104) in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the table (2).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The invention relates to a padel table tennis arrangement comprising a table having an upper playing surface for padel table tennis and a support structure having legs configured to rest on ground surface to form a carrier for supporting said playing surface.

BACKGROUND The invention is advantageously used as an arrangement for exercise, amusement and competing in padel table tennis.

Padel tennis has become very popular in recent years. Conventional constructions of padel tennis courts comprises a playing surface, such as artificial grass, arranged on ground level. A paddle tennis court is included in a paddle tennis facility with a fence arranged around the paddle tennis court to keep balls on the court. The paddle tennis court comprises a support structure with beams extending in parallel to each other from a short side to a second short side of the paddle tennis court and beams extending in parallel to each other from one long side to the other long side of the paddle tennis court and thus form a framework. Said beams are used as support for carrying said fence.

On the contrary, conventional playing surface for table tennis is arranged above ground level provided on an upper surface of a support structure having legs, i.e. forming a table configured to rest on ground surface to form a carrier for supporting said playing surface. A conventional table for table tennis lacks inter alia an arrangement for keeping balls on the playing surface. A standard size for table for playing table tennis is about 274x152x76 cm. The overall size and dimensions of a playing surface for table tennis is relatively small for playing padel and not suitable for playing regular padel tennis.

Further, it is not obvious how an area, or a court, for playing table tennis should be designed in order to work properly when using padel rackets instead of conventional table tennis rackets when playing traditional table tennis. The padel rackets are larger than table tennis rackets and the playing surface is covered in small holes. As a result, the strokes are less powerful and dynamic than in tennis. The ball used for playing padel is 2 similar to a tennis ball, only slightly softer. The players also use walls surrounding the playing surface, as in squash. A usual padel tennis court is about 10 m x 20 m.

Consequently, there may be a lot of different criteria that need to be considered when designing an area, or a court, suitable for playing padel table tennis.

There is a desire to improve a conventional table designed for traditional table tennis playing, in order to work in a similar way as a padel tennis court when playing padel.

There is also a desire to find an alternative design of a table suitable for playing padel table tennis instead of using a conventional table designed for traditional table tennis playing.

A further desire is to eliminate the risk for injuries to the players and spectators when playing padel table tennis.

SUMMARY An object of the invention is to improve a conventional table designed to work in a similar way as a padel tennis court when playing padel table tennis.

Another object of the invention is to find an alternative design of a table suitable for playing padel table tennis instead of using a conventional table designed for traditional table tennis playing.

. A further object is to be able to provide suitable means for playing padel table tennis.

Yet a further object is to eliminate the risk for injuries to the players and spectators when playing padel table tennis.

Another object it to provide an easy and simple way of adjusting the vertical position of the net for a padel table tennis arrangement.

The objects are achieved by an arrangement according to claim 1. Thus, the objects are achieved by a padel table tennis arrangement comprising a table having an upper playing 3 surface for padel table tennis and a support structure having legs configured to rest on ground surface to form a carrier for supporting said playing surface. The playing surface is formed by two short sides arranged in parallel to each other and two long sides running between the short sides in the longitudinal direction of the table. A net is arranged over the playing surface essentially at the middle of the table between the short sides and extending substantially in parallel to the extension of the short sides. The net is adjustably attached at each end to a supporting post provided at each long side. The arrangement comprises a respective side wall section, extending vertically at least from the playing surface to at least above the net at each end of the net and which side wall sections extends along at least a part of the long sides of the table, evenly distributed on each side of the supporting posts in the longitudinal direction of the table.

As a result, an improved table for playing padel table tennis can be provided. Thanks to the adjustable arrangement of the net to supporting posts provided at each long side of the playing surface, it is quick and easy to adjust the vertical position of the net for a padel table tennis arrangement. A further advantage is that the side wall sections will improve keeping balls on the playing surface and the players can also use the walls surrounding the playing surface, as in squash. Further, side wall sections protect any spectators from being hit by balls.

According to an aspect of the invention, the net is adjustably attached at each end to a vertically arranged guiding rail on a side of the supporting post facing the table in order for the net to be adjusted vertically, by raising or lowering the net over the playing surface. This is an advantage from a handling point of view, also with respect to the preferred form of the playing surface of the padel table tennis arrangement. This is also preferable from an efficient maintenance point of view.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the side wall sections are extending vertically at least a distance twice the height of the net from the playing surface.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the side wall sections extends along at least one fourth of the of the longitudinal direction of the table along the long sides of the table. This makes the padel table tennis arrangement, according to the invention, even more safe and suitable for playing padel table tennis. 4 According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a central section of the playing surface has a quadratic or rectangular shape, extending evenly distributed on each side of the net, whereas the outer ends of the playing surface have a truncated cone shape. This result in an uncomplicated and simplified design which gives access the central area of the playing surface of the arrangement and also facilitates easy adaption of the side wall sections and the net as well as other maintenance and adjustments necessary at the central part of the padel table tennis arrangement.

Preferably, the side wall sections extends along the central section. lt is preferred that the side wall sections are extending well above the net on each side of the playing surface to be able for the players to properly use the side walls for playing and keeping the ball on the playing surface, as well as along mayor part of the central section. lt is also more safe for the spectators, avoiding the risk that balls may hit somebody.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, an inclined lattice is arranged over the playing surface and extending along at least a part of the playing surface of the table, evenly distributed on each side of the net, the inclined lattice is leaning from a position above the playing surface adjacent the net to a position adjacent the playing surface at a distance from the net. Preferably, the inclined lattice extends along the central section. Thanks to fact that the inclined lattice is leaning from a position above the playing surface, sloping in the direction from the net towards the players, it is avoided that the ball gets stuck in the area close to the net were the ball is out of reach for the players and may have difficulties to get hold of the ball, since the playing surface may be relatively wide andlong.

Further advantages and advantageous features of the invention are disclosed in the following description and in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Below, embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the drawings, in which: - fig. 1 shows in a perspective view a padel table tennis arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention, - fig. 2A shows in top view a padel table tennis arrangement according to another embodiment of the invention, - fig. 2B illustrates in a short side view the padel table tennis arrangement in fig. 2A, - fig. 2C shows in a long side view the padel table tennis arrangement as illustrated in figs. 2A and 2B, - fig. 3 shows an enlarged and detailed view of a net and a lattice according to the embodiment of the padel table tennis arrangement as illustrated in fig. 1, and - fig. 4A and 4B shows enlarged and detailed views of a supporting post provided at each long side according to the embodiment of the padel table tennis arrangement as illustrated in fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows a padel table tennis arrangement 1 comprising a table 2 having an upper playing surface 4 for padel table tennis and a support structure 6 having legs 8 configured to rest on ground surface 10 to form a carrier for supporting said playing surface 4. Preferably, at least a portion of the playing surface 4 may be covered by an upper layer of a structured textile, such as artificial grass. The playing surface 4 is formed by two short sides 12, 14 arranged in parallel to each other in the transvers direction TD of the table 2 and two long sides 16, 18 running between the short sides 12, 14 in the longitudinal direction LD of the table 2.

The width W of the table 2 in the transvers direction TD at the short end WE of the short sides 12, 14 is suitably in the range equal to or not less than about 160 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 300 cm, preferably equal to or not less than about 180 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 280 cm.

The length L of the table 2 in the longitudinal direction LD is suitably in the range equal to or not less than about 300 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 500 cm, preferably equal to or not less than about 350 cm and up to or equal to not more than about 450 cm.

A net 20 is arranged over the playing surface 4, transverse to the long sides 16, 18, essentially at the middle M of the table 2 between the short sides 12, 14 and extending 6 substantially in parallel to the extension of the short sides 12, 14 in the transvers direction TD and dividing the table 2 in two halves. A central line C provided between the respective long side 16, 18 indicate the respective side A and B (see also fig. 2A) for players in the same team when playing doubles.

As further shown in a detailed view in fig. 3, the net 20 is adjustably attached at each end 22 to a supporting post 24 provided at each long side 16, 18 of the table 2. More specifically, the net 20 is adjustably attached at each end to a vertically arranged guiding rai| 26, such as a rod 28 as shown in Fig. 4A-B, on a side of the supporting post 24 facing the table 2 in order for the net 20 to be adjusted vertically V, by raising or lowering the net 20 over the playing surface 4. For instance, net holding means 30 along the vertical extension V of the net, at the end 22 of the net 20, are displaceable arranged to the guiding rai| 26 or rod 28. The supporting post 24 as shown in fig. 1 and 4A, may have a supporting foot 32. The supporting foot can extend from ground level 10 and may thus be a separate free-standing post 24 to be arranged adjacent the side of the table 2. However, even if not shown in the drawings, the supporting post 24 can also be directly attached to the table 2. ln order to keep a ball on the playing surface while playing, the padel table tennis arrangement 1 comprises a respective side wall section 34. The side wall sections 34 provided at each long side 16, 18 of the table is extending vertically V at least from the position of the playing surface 4 to at least in a position above the net at each end 22 of the net. Furthermore, the side wall sections 34 extend along at least a part of the long sides 16, 18 of the table 2. The side wall sections 34 are configured to be arranged to be evenly distributed on each side of the supporting posts 24 in the longitudinal direction L of the table 2.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the side wall sections 34 are extending vertically V at least a distance D twice the height of the net 20 from the playing surface 4.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a central section 36 of the playing surface 4 has a quadratic or rectangular shape, extending evenly distributed on each side of the net 20. As shown in the embodiment illustrated by fig. 1, the outer ends 38, 40 of the playing surface 4, adjacent the central section 36, may have a truncated cone shape, 7 with the sides 42, 44 of the truncated cone diverging in the direction away from the middle M of the table 2.

Preferably, the side wall sections 34 extends along the central section 36. lt is preferred that the side wall sections 34 are extending well above the net 20 on each side of the playing surface to be able for the players to properly use the side walls for playing and keeping the ball on the playing surface, as well as along a major part in the longitudinal direction L of the central section 36. lt is also more safe for the spectators, avoiding the risk that balls may hit somebody.

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the side wall sections 34 extends along at least one fourth of the of the longitudinal direction L of the table 2 along the long sides of the table 2. This makes the padel table tennis arrangement, according to the invention, even more safe and suitable for playing padel table tennis.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, an inclined lattice 50 is arranged over the playing surface 4 and extending along at least a part of the playing surface 4 of the table, evenly distributed on each side of the net 20. The inclined lattice 50 is leaning from a position P1 above the playing surface 4, preferably attached to the supporting post 24, adjacent the net 20 to a position P2 adjacent the playing surface 4 at a distance from the net 20. Preferably, the inclined lattice 50 extends along the central section 36. Thanks to the fact that the inclined lattice 50 is leaning from the position P1 above the playing surface 4, sloping in the direction from the net 20 towards the players, it is avoided that the ball gets stuck in the area close to the net 20 were the ball is out of reach for the players and may have difficulties to get hold of the ball, since the playing surface 4 may be relatively wide and long according to the invention.

Figs. 2A-C shows in top view a padel table tennis arrangement 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. The same reference numerals are used for the corresponding features as shown and described with reference to figs. 1, 3 and 4A-B. The difference of the embodiment in figs. 2A-C compared to the embodiment in figs. 1, 3 and 4A-B is that legs 102 for supporting and carrying the playing surface 4 of the table 2 are vertically adjustable. Further, posts 104 for supporting the net 20 are attached to the table 2. Yet further, long sides 106, 108 are arranged in parallel to each other along the whole longitudinal direction LD of the table 2.

Claims (7)

1.Claims A padel table tennis arrangement (1; 100) comprising a table (2) having an upper playing surface (4) for padel table tennis and a support structure (6) having legs (8; 102) configured to rest on ground surface (10) to form a carrier for supporting said playing surface (4), the playing surface (4) is formed by two short sides 12, 14) arranged in parallel to each other and two long sides (16, 18; 106, 108) running between the short sides (12, 14) in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the table (2), characterized in that a net (20) is arranged over the playing surface (4) essentially at the middle (l\/l) of the table (2) between the short sides (12, 14) and extending substantially in parallel to the extension (TD) of the short sides (12, 14), the net (20) is adjustably attached at each end to a supporting post (24; 104) provided at each long side (12, 14), and that the arrangement (1 ; 100) comprises a respective side wall section (34), extending vertically (V) at least from the playing surface (4) to at least above the net (20) at each end (22) of the net (20) and which side wall sections (34) extends along at least a part of the long sides (16, 18; 106, 108) of the table (2), evenly distributed on each side of the supporting posts (24; 104) in the longitudinal direction (LD) of the table (2). _ The padel table tennis arrangement (1 ; 100) according to claim 1, wherein the net (20) is adjustably attached at each end (22) to a vertically arranged guiding rail (26, 28) on a side of the supporting post (24; 104) facing the table (2) in order for the net to be adjusted vertically (V), by raising or lowering the net (20) over the playing surface (4). . The padel table tennis arrangement (1; 100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the side wall sections (34) are extending vertically (V) at least a distance (D) twice the height of the net (20) from the playing surface (4). . The padel table tennis arrangement (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the side wall sections (34) extends along at least one fourth of the of the longitudinal direction (LD) of the table (2) along the long sides (16, 18; 106, 108) of the table (2). . The padel table tennis arrangement (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a central section (36) of the playing surface (4) has a quadratic or rectangular shape, extending evenly distributed on each side of the net (20), whereas outer ends (38, 40) of the playing surface have a truncated cone shape. _ The padel table tennis arrangement (1 ; 100) according to claim 5, wherein the side wall sections (34) extend along the central section (36). . The padel table tennis arrangement (1 ; 100) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein an inc|ined lattice (50) is arranged over the playing surface (4) and extending along at least a part of the playing surface (4) of the table (2), evenly distributed on each side of the net (20), the inc|ined lattice (50) is leaning from a position (P1) above the playing surface adjacent the net (20) to a position (P2) adjacent the playing surface (4) at a distance from the net (20). _ The padel table tennis arrangement (1; 100) according to claim 7, wherein the inc|ined lattice (50) extends along the central section (36).