The present invention is an expandable/retractable portable net or banner frame. As a net frame its use can be that of a tennis, pickleball or other sports that utilize a frame to hold a net secure. As a banner frame, its use can be to secure and hold an advertising banner or any flexible material that requires to be held and secured in place.
Legal claims defining the scope of protection, as filed with the USPTO.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame to hold and secure a net.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, comprised of ferrous or non-ferrous metal, or fiber composites or plastics.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, whose expandable and retractable systems are either comprised of hinges or telescopic tubing or a combination of both.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, whose expandable and retractable systems are comprised of telescopic tubing that can be locked and unlocked when extended and retracted.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, whose expandable and retractable systems are comprised of hinges that can be locked and unlocked.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, whose expandable and retractable systems are comprised of ferrous or non-ferrous metal, or fiber composites or plastics.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, that can expand to the width of approximately 4 ft. to 120 ft.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, that retracts from its expanded width back to its original closed position.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, that can hold and secure a banner, a flag, or any other type of flexible material for any purpose.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame ofand can be made to reach any reasonable height to accommodate nets, banners and other flexible materials at the height required for their expected use.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, that integrates wheels or castors for ease of relocation when necessary.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame of, that integrates wheels that can be lockable to secure the frame from moving out of place of its intended use.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame ofwhere the net/banner bracing may be any set number of piece(s) so that the total length is that of the net/banner frame.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame ofwhere the net/banner bracing may be any set number of piece(s) so that the total length is that of the net/banner frame. In one preferred embodiment, the net/banner bracing includes telescopic tubing that includes one or more interior tubes each sequentially smaller (or larger) in size so that the interior tubes can be nested within the largest tube and when fully extended create the overall length of the net/banner bracing.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame ofwhere the net/banner bracing may be any set number of piece(s) so that the total length is that of the net/banner frame. In another embodiment, the net/banner bracing is a plurality of hinged pieces that are unfolded to create the overall length of the net bracing.
. A portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame ofwhere the net/banner bracing may be any set number of piece(s) so that the total length is that of the net/banner frame. In still another embodiment, the net/banner bracing is a plurality and combination of telescopic tubing and hinges so that the combination of the extension of the telescopic tubing and the unfolding of the hinge's pieces create the overall length of the net/banner bracing.
Complete technical specification and implementation details from the patent document.
The present invention relates to an improved portable net for racket sports. An expandable/retractable portable net frame that once collapsed to its retractable position can be stored in a wheeled storage bag and easily transported.
Inexpensive existing portable net frames are assembled on site from several parts and so take time to assemble and disassemble. These are relatively inexpensive and inexplicably flimsy in their construction and design.
Expensive existing portable net frames are assembled on site and are bulky and heavy, difficult to assemble, take a long time to assemble, and are not designed to be put away after every use.
The present invention is a portable expandable/retractable net frame that integrates into one ensemble of parts an entire frame to hold and secure a net. It has a unique feature in that it is expandable and contractible like an expandable gate. Because it is delivered preassembled, it is very quick and easy to position into place for whatever type of net it was configured for. Also, the integrated nature of the net frame means that parts are not lost or misplaced and there is never any re-assembly of the net frame required. Due to the nature of its design, it necessarily needs to be of good quality materials to not fail in its expansion and retraction phases.
shows a net framein the expanded position and having end posts,, cross braces,, and net bracing,. Each cross brace includes a pair of legs. Each leg of each cross brace is pivotally connected to each post via a lockable hinge. The lockable hinge need only ensure that the leg of the cross brace is held stable at a 90° angle to the end post. Likewise, each post is pivotally connected to each net bracing via a lockable hinge. The lockable hinges are seen at reference numerals,,,,,. In the expanded position, the legs of the cross braces and the net bracing cooperate to hold the end post substantially vertically.
The net bracing may be any set of pieces so that the total length is that of the net. In one preferred embodiment, the net bracing includes telescopic tubing that includes one or more interior tubes,,,,, and, each sequentially smaller (or larger) in size so that the interior tubes can be nested within the largest tube. In another embodiment, the net bracing is a plurality of hinged pieces that are unfolded to create the overall length of the net bracing.
The last piece of each of the net bracing are connected at a hinge piece. The hinge piece includes a hinge that permits the net bracing to form a line (in the expanded position) or be adjacent to each other (in the folded position). The hinge may be lockable or may be able to be locked in place through the application of another piece. The net bracing and or pieces thereof, and particularly the net bracing piece connected to the hinge piece, may include a support,. Such supports may be on the hinge piece as well. The legs of the cross brace may include supports, and. The supports,,, andmay be all generally the same height to form a plane. The supports may be casters or other devices that permit sliding or rolling, with rolling supports preferably lockable into a single position.
In more detail, still referring to the invention of, the end posts,and the bottom cross braces,are sufficient in diameter to support the weight and tensioning of the whole frame including the net, such as 1″-4″ by 1″-4″ square, as an example or 1″ to 4″ in diameter as an example. The end posts, andare also sufficiently tall to accommodate the various nets or banners it is designed for, such as 24″ to 96″ as an example. The end posts, andshall have the necessary accessories, the slotted bolt guides, and, the attachment flangesand, and the strap slots, and, attached to them by nuts and bolts or welding or the kind; These accessories, the slotted bolt guides,, the attachment flanges,and the strap slots,,,can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well as their method of attachment, may be different.
In one embodiment, the lockable hinge comprises a hinge and an angled brace connecting to the two components connected by the hinge or connecting two portions of the hinge. In a preferred embodiment, the angled brace is foldable and lockable in an unfolded position.
In general, the lengths and diameters of the end posts, cross braces, and net bracing pieces tubing are not critical, and any size may be used as long as the resultant device is stable. For end posts, the length is preferably selected so that the net is the regulation height for tennis or pickleball. For cross braces, the length is preferably selected to ensure the net does not easily tip over and usually will be shorter than the end posts. For the net bracing, the length of each piece is preferably selected so that each piece is shorter than the end posts (or the pieces of the end posts). Taken together, this facilitates a compact device when it is in the folded position
In addition to the net bracing utilizing a set of pieces to achieve an overall desired length, the end posts and the cross braces may also utilize a set of pieces to achieve an overall desired length such as being adjustable in length, e.g. telescopic, or comprising several hinged pieces.
In the folded position, as seen in, the end post, cross braces, and telescopic tubing all are placed adjacent to each other to form a compact device.
Referring now to the invention in more detail, inthere is shown an expandable net framehaving end posts,each supported by bottom cross braces,. Each of the posts, andare held in a substantially vertical position by hinged braces,,,,,, and three in number for each post. The hinged braces,,,,, and, are connected to the end posts,on one side, the bottom braces,, and the horizontal telescopic square tubing,on the other side.
The net is attached at the top of each end post,by cables passing through hollow flanges, andand then locking into the cable cleats, and. These connections and attachment mechanisms, the hollow flanges,, and the cable cleats,, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well their method of attachment, may be different.
In more detail, still referring to the invention of, the end posts, andand the bottom cross braces, andare sufficient in diameter to support the weight and tensioning of the whole frame including the net, such as 2″ by 2″ square, as an example or 2″ in diameter as an example. The end posts, andare also sufficiently tall to accommodate the various nets or banners it is designed for, such as 24″ to 96″ as an example. The end posts, andshall have the necessary accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, attached to them by nuts and bolts or welding or the kind; These accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well as their method of attachment, may be different.
Referring now to the invention in more detail, inthere is shown an expandable net framehaving end posts,each supported by bottom cross braces,. Each of the posts, andare held in a substantially vertical position by hinged braces,,,,,, and three in number for each post. The hinged braces,,,,, and, are connected to the end posts,on one side, the bottom braces,, and the horizontal telescopic square tubing,on the other side. The net is attached at the top of each end post, andby cables passing through hollow flanges, andand then locking into the cable cleatsand. These connections and attachment mechanisms, the hollow flanges,, and the cable cleats,, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well their method of attachment, may be different.
In more detail, still referring to the invention of, the end posts, andand the bottom cross braces,are sufficient in diameter to support the weight and tensioning of the whole frame including the net, such as 2″ by 2″ square, as an example or 2″ in diameter as an example. The end posts, andare also sufficiently tall to accommodate the various nets or banners it is designed for, such as 24″ to 96″ as an example. The end posts, andshall have the necessary accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, attached to them by nuts and bolts or welding or the kind; These accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well as their method of attachment may be different.
Referring now to the invention in more detail, inthere is shown an expandable net framehaving end posts, andeach supported by bottom cross braces, and. Each of the posts, andare held in a substantially vertical position by hinged braces,,,,,, and three in number for each post. The hinged braces,,,,, and, are connected to the end posts, andon one side, the bottom braces, and, and the horizontal telescopic square tubing, andon the other side. The net is attached at the top of each end post, andby cables passing through hollow flanges, andand then locking into the cable cleatsand. These connections and attachment mechanisms, the hollow flanges,, and the cable cleats, and, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well their method of attachment, may be different.
In more detail, still referring to the invention of, the end posts,and the bottom cross braces, andare sufficient in diameter to support the weight and tensioning of the whole frame including the net, such as 2″ by 2″ square, as an example or 2″ in diameter as an example. The end posts, andare also sufficiently tall to accommodate the various nets or banners it is designed for, such as 24″ to 96″ as an example. The end posts, andshall have the necessary accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, attached to them by nuts and bolts or welding or the kind; These accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well as their method of attachment may be different.
Referring now to the invention in more detail, inthere is shown an expandable net framehaving end posts, andeach supported by bottom cross braces, and. Each of the posts, andare held in a substantially vertical position by hinged braces,,,,, and, three in number for each post. The hinged braces,,,,, and, are connected to the end posts, andon one side, the bottom braces, andand the horizontal telescopic square tubing, andon the other side. The net is attached at the top of each end posts, andby cables passing through hollow flanges, andand then locking into the cable cleats, and. These connections and attachment mechanisms, the hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well as their method of attachment may be different.
In more detail, still referring to the invention of, the end posts, andand the bottom cross braces, andare sufficient in diameter to support the weight and tensioning of the whole frame including the net, such as 2″ by 2″ square, as an example or 2″ in diameter as an example. The end posts, andare also sufficiently tall to accommodate the various nets or banners it is designed for, such as 24″ to 96″ as an example. The end posts, andshall have the necessary accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, attached to them by nuts and bolts or welding or the kind; These accessories, hollow flanges, and, the cable cleats, and, can vary in design such that their size, shape, material composition, as well as their method of attachment may be different.
The construction details of the invention as shown in, are that the end posts, andcan be made of wood or any other sufficiently rigid and strong material such as high-strength plastic, metal, and the like. Further, the various components of the net or banner frames, andcan be made of different materials.
The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is portable, lightweight, and exceedingly easy to transport. It is easy to move these devices into a house or office because they are relatively small and lightweight. Moving typically requires a single person, and typically at most two persons when taking the device up or down stairs. Also, the bottom cross bracing, andcan have wheels secured to them at the bottom to make moving or transporting the frames even easier. These wheels can come in different sizes and compositions and can be attached in different ways and different places to the bottom cross bracing,.
Further advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that no assembly is required. The sports net frame is delivered completely assembled and can be used immediately after expanding it and attaching the net or banner.
In broad embodiment, the present invention is an expandable and contractible structure that supports a net or banner to its regulatory specifications for both inside and outside use.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to fabricate and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
It will be further appreciated that functions or structures of a plurality of components or steps may be combined into a single component or step, or the functions or structures of one-step or component may be split among plural steps or components. The present invention contemplates all of these combinations. Unless stated otherwise, dimensions and geometries of the various structures depicted herein are not intended to be restrictive of the invention, and other dimensions or geometries are possible. Plural structural components or steps can be provided by a single integrated structure or step. Alternatively, a single integrated structure or step might be divided into separate plural components or steps. In addition, while a feature of the present invention may have been described in the context of only one of the illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, for any given application. It will also be appreciated from the above that the fabrication of the unique structures herein and the operation thereof also constitute methods under the present invention. The present invention also encompasses intermediate and end products resulting from the practice of the methods herein. The use of “comprising” or “including” also contemplates embodiments that “consist essentially of” or “consist of” the recited feature.
The explanations and illustrations presented herein are intended to acquaint others skilled in the art with the invention, its principles, and its practical application. Those skilled in the art may adapt and apply the invention in its numerous forms, as may be best suited to the requirements of a particular use. Accordingly, the specific embodiments of the present invention as set forth are not intended as being exhaustive or limiting of the invention. The scope of the invention should, therefore, be determined not concerning the above description, but should instead be determined concerning the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. The disclosures of all articles and references, including patent applications and publications, are incorporated by reference for all purposes.
The advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that it is portable lightweight, and exceedingly easy to transport. It is easy to move these devices into a house or office because they are relatively small and lightweight. Moving typically requires a single person, and typically at most two persons when taking the device up or down stairs. Also, the bottom cross bracing, andcan have wheels secured to them at the bottom to make moving or transporting the frames even easier. These wheels can come in different sizes and compositions and can be attached in different ways and different places to the bottom cross bracing,.
Further advantages of the present invention include, without limitation, that no assembly is required. The sports net frame is delivered completely assembled and can be used immediately after extending it and attaching the net or banner.
In broad embodiment, the present invention is an expandable and contractible structure that supports a net or banner to its regulatory specifications for both inside and outside use.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Unknown
December 4, 2025
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