Pickleball net
AssigneeComposite Recycling Technology Center
InventorsGuy M. Houser, Joel S. Lippold, David L. Walter, Mark W. O'Brien
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Provided is a net system comprising a frame, a first and second vertical riser each connected to opposite sides of the frame, a top cord connected to the distal end of each vertical riser, a bottom cord connected to a proximal end of each vertical riser, and a net suspended by the top cord. The top cord and bottom cord are balanced in tension by the flexible vertical risers. When the proximal end of the vertical riser is urged towards the center of the net, by action of a hinge between proximal and distal ends of each vertical riser, the distal end of the vertical riser is moved outward, thus tensioning the top cord.
Claims19
A net system comprising:
- a frame with a first and second end;
- a first and second vertical riser connected to opposite sides of the frame, wherein
- a proximal end of at least one of the vertical risers is pivotably attached to the frame;
- a top cord connected to a distal end of each vertical riser;
- a bottom cord connected to the proximal end of each vertical riser, wherein tension on the bottom cord can be adjusted;
- and
- a net that is suspended by the top cord, wherein the at least one of the vertical risers pivotally attached to the frame is connected to the frame by a hinge, wherein increased tension on the bottom cord causes the at least one of the vertical risers to pivot about the hinge, transferring load by leverage across a fulcrum created at the hinge, thereby increasing tension on the top cord, wherein the frame is above the bottom cord, wherein the net is not connected to the bottom cord.
A net system comprising:
- a frame with a first and second end;
- two vertical risers, each pivotably attached to opposite ends of the frame;
- a top cord attached to the distal end of each vertical riser;
- wherein each vertical riser is connected to the frame by a knuckle hinge positioned above the frame;
- wherein each vertical riser further comprises an aperture on its proximal end;
- a first tension screw inserted into the aperture on the first vertical riser and inserted into a first threaded tension block;
- a second tension screw inserted into the aperture on the second vertical riser and inserted into a second threaded tension block;
- a bottom cord connected to the first and second tension blocks, wherein tension on the bottom cord can be adjusted;
- a net that is suspended by the top cord;
- and
- first and second assemblies of the tension screws, vertical risers, and tension blocks configured so that as the first or second tension screw is tightened, the first or second tension screw biases the proximal end of its respective vertical riser towards the frame end, wherein the at least one of the vertical risers pivotally attached to the frame is connected to the frame by a hinge, wherein increased tension on the bottom cord causes the at least one of the vertical risers to pivot about the hinge, transferring load by leverage across a fulcrum created at the hinge, thereby increasing tension on the top cord, wherein the frame is above the bottom cord, wherein the net is not connected to the bottom cord.
A method for tensioning a cord of a net system comprising:
- providing a frame with two vertical risers pivotably connected on opposite sides of the frame;
- connecting a top cord to the distal end of each vertical riser;
- and
- biasing the proximal end of at least one vertical riser towards the frame, by tensioning of a bottom cord, wherein the biasing of the at least one vertical riser toward the frame increases tension on the top cord, wherein the frame is above the bottom cord, wherein a net is not connected to the bottom cord.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.