US3464695A

US3464695A - Table tennis net

Info

Publication number: US3464695A
Application number: US617162A
Authority: US
Inventors: Barbara M Chock
Original assignee: BARBARA M CHOCK
Current assignee: BARBARA M CHOCK
Priority date: 1967-02-20
Filing date: 1967-02-20
Publication date: 1969-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 1986-09-02

Description

Sept. 2, 1969 B. M. HQK 3,464,695

TABLE TENNIS NET Filed Feb. 20, 1967 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. 5465 6 4 6 United States Patent 01 :"fice 3,464,695 Patented Sept. 2, 1969 3,464,695 TABLE TENNIS NET Barbara M. Chock, 64 Club Drive, Roslyn Heights, N.Y. 11577 Filed Feb. 20, 1967, Ser. No. 617,162 Int. Cl. A63b 61 /00, 67/04 U.S. Cl. 273-30 6 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A table tennis net having an opening at the lower center portion. The periphery of the opening is provided with a wire frame having its ends extending a short distance along the lower edge of the net from each side of the opening. Persons who do not have the height or strength to swing the paddle and hit the ball over the net can play by hitting the ball through it.

This invention relates to table tennis nets, and more particularly to a dual purpose net for playing conventional table tennis and variations thereof.

In the conventional table tennis game a net is placed upright along the center line of a table. The object of the game is for each player to hit the ball over the net onto the opposite side of the table. While ordinary persons require considerable practice before they can play the game well, it has been found that certain people are unable to play table tennis with any measure of success no matter how much effort they apply toward perfecting their game. These people include children who do not have the height or strength to swing the paddle and hit the ball over the net to the other side of the table. Similar remarks apply to many disabled adults and elderly persons.

It is a general object of my invention to provide a dual purpose net for playing conventional table tennis and variations thereof, the variatons of the game being particularly suitable for play by disabled, elderly and very young persons.

In accordance with the principles of my invention I provide a table tennis net which is similar to those of the prior art in many respects. The major difference is that in the net of my invention there is an opening at the center. This opening, or passthrough has a generally curved configuration in the illustrative embodiment of my invention. The opening is widest at the bottom of the net and the width tapers off toward the top of the net. At the top of the net the two halves are connected by a very narrow strip of material. The overall shape of the net is similar to that of a highway overpass. In the play of the variations of the table tennis game for which the net is designed, the ball is hit through the net rather than over it.

Because there is a substantial opening at the center of the net I have found that in some cases it is difiicult to mount the net such that it stands rigidly. To overcome this problem I provide a metal frame which is secured to the lower edge of the net, including the edge along the passthrough. This frame provides the necessary rigidity.

It is a feature of my invention to provide in a table tennis net an opening at the center thereof for defining, together with the table on which the net is mounted, a passthrough to permit the playing of variations of the conventional table tennis game in which a ball is propelled through the net rather than over it.

It is another feature of my invention to provide a metal frame, having the configuration of the lower edge of the net, attached to the net for enabling it to stand rigidly upright.

Further objects, features and advantages of my invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 depicts an illustrative net of my invention mounted on a table;

FIG. 2 depicts the net and table as seen in a head-on view; and

FIG. 3 depicts the metal frame used in the net to make it rigid.

Referring to FIG. 1, net 5 is shown mounted to table 6. In all major respects the net is mounted to the table as the conventional net is mounted for playing table tennis. The major departure from prior art nets is that net 5 includes a cut-out, or passthrough, 15.

In the play of the conventional table tennis game the passthrough is disregarded. The ball is hit over the net and if it goes through the cut-out, it is considered as if it hit the net for the gain of a point by the opponent. But when the game is played by disabled, elderly or very young persons, the object is to hit the ball with a paddle, or even by hand, through passthrough 15. The ball is rolled along the table and the objective of each player is to roll it through the cut-out. Points can be scored as in the ordinary table tennis game. Obviously, many variations are possible. But in all of these the provision of the cut-out enables weaker persons to enjoy the playing of a variation of the conventional table tennis game, even though they are incapable of playing the conventional game itself.

The net is shown in greater detail in FIG. 2. As with ordinary table tennis nets, there is provided an upper edge 14, two side edges 17 and a lower edge 16. At each end of the upper edge there is provided a string or cord 11 and each end of the lower edge there is provided a similar cord 12. Each of the cords is extended through a respective hole in one of brackets 10. The cords are tied as shown in the drawing, as is the practice with conventional table tennis net assemblies. The cords are pulled as taut as possible for maximum rigidity of the net.

Each of brackets 10 is secured to a respective one of mounting lugs 7. At the lower part of each of lugs 7 there is provided a screw hole through which a turning screw 8 is passed. At the top of each screw 8 is a gripping member 9 for bearing against the underside of table 6. Members 7, 8 and 9 at each side of the net comprise the conventional clamp for attaching the net to the table.

The net itself comprises webbing 13 which is surrounded by

taped edges

14, 16, 17 and 18. These tapes (except for tape 18) are similar to those used in conventional table tennis nets and serve to prevent fraying of webbing 13 at its edges. The tapes also serve to strengthen the net. Tape 18 is provided around the contour of passthrough 15 to serve in a similar capacity. The actual shape of the passthough may be varied although I have found that a very satisfactory shape is that shown in the drawing, namely, a circular section.

Metal frame 19, shown separately in FIG. 3, is secured to net 5 along the lower edge thereof, including the passthrough portion, as shown in FIG. 2. Frame 19 is preferably completely enclosed by

tapes

16 and 18, and is not visible.

Tapes

16 and 18 are shown partially cut-away in FIG. 2 at 20 and 21, to disclose frame 19 within

tapes

16 and 18. Because the net is provided with cut-out 15, it may be difficult to rigidly mount the net to the table without the inclusion of frame 19. If cords 12 are pulled too taut the passthrough configuration will be distorted. But if they are not taut enough the net will sway back and forth in the vicinity of the passthrough. With rigid frame 19 secured to the net it may be mounted rigidly even with the presence of the cut-out.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, it is to be understood that this embodiment is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Numerous modifications may be made therein and other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A dual purpose net for playing table tennis and variations thereof on a playing surface comprising a fabric mesh net of a length to extend across a predetermined playing area of a table top, means at the opposite ends of said net for securing it in upstanding position on the table top, said net having upper and lower edges, means on said net intermediate said opposite ends thereof defining an opening therethrough extending upwardly from said lower edge and terminating below said upper edge and a rigid frame having the configuration of a portion of said lower edge and of said opening and attached to said net along said lower edge, said opening cooperating with said playing area to define a net passthrough whereby net may be used in both the play of table tennis wherein a ball is hit over the net and variations thereof wherein a ball is propelled through said net passthrough.

2. A dual purpose net in accordance with claim 1 further including a tape secured to said net along said opposite ends, said upper and lower edges, and the edge of said net defining said passthrough.

3. A dual purpose net in accordance with claim 1 wherein each of said securing means is a hand-operated table clamp.

4. A dual purpose net in accordance with claim 1 wherein said passthrough has a curved configuration.

5. A dual purpose net in accordance with claim 4 further including a tape secured to said net along said opposite ends, said upper and lower edges, and the edge of said net defining said passthrough.

6. A dual purpose net in accordance with claim 5 wherein each of said securing means is a hand-operated table clamp.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 746,993 12/1903 Roat 273-105 X 755,936 3/1904 Ricau 273 2,206,955 7/ 1940 Hillson 273-30 2,688,484 9/1954 Garber 27330 FOREIGN PATENTS 2,516 1/ 1902 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKMAN, Primary Examiner T. BROWN, Assistant Examiner