# US 5,348,309 A · Sport net > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,348,309 A - Document ID: US5348309A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 08/110,016 - Filed: 1993-08-23 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1993-08-23 - Inventors: Robert E. Queiros - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348309A ## CPC - A63B 71/0605: {Decision makers and devices using detection means facilitating arbitration} - A63B 61/00: Tennis nets or accessories for tennis or like games {, e.g. volley-ball (devices for holding or carrying balls A63B47/00; for table tennis A63B67/04)} - A63B 2071/0613: {Automatic net-fault detectors} - Y10S 273/26: Point counters and score indicators - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS ## Abstract A new and improved sport net includes a net assembly which includes two long sides, a first short side, and a second short side. A first sleeve member is connected to the first short side of the net assembly, and a second sleeve member is connected to the second short side of the net assembly. The first sleeve member and the second sleeve member are capable of slipping over a top portion of respective support poles. A first ear assembly is connected to the first sleeve member. The first ear assembly includes a flap portion and a first aperture located within the flap portion, and a second ear assembly is connected to the second sleeve member. The second ear assembly includes a flap portion and a second aperture located with the flap portion, such that guy wires can be passed through the respective first aperture and the second aperture for reinforcing the stability of the poles and the apparatus attached to the poles. A score keeping assembly, which includes a plurality of markers for indicating respective scores of respective players, may be connected to the net assembly. A sensor/signalling assembly, including a trip wire attached to the first sleeve member and the second sleeve member, may be used for sensing and signalling when the net assembly is hit. When the trip wire is tripped after the net assembly is hit, a visible or an audible signal of the hit is provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A new and improved sport net, comprising: a net assembly which includes two long sides, a first short side, and a second short side, a first sleeve member connected to said first short side of said net assembly, and a second sleeve member connected to said second short side of said net assembly, wherein said first sleeve member and said second sleeve member are capable of slipping over a top portion of respective support poles, further including: a first ear assembly connected to said first sleeve member, said first ear assembly including a flap portion and a first aperture located within said flap portion, and a second ear assembly connected to said second sleeve member, said second ear assembly including a flap portion and a second aperture located with said flap portion, such that guy wires can be passed through said respective first aperture and said second aperture for reinforcing stability of the poles supporting said apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The apparatus described in claim 1, further including: a sensor/signalling assembly, attached to said first sleeve member and said second sleeve member, for sensing and signalling when said net assembly is hit. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The apparatus described in claim 2 wherein said sensor/signalling assembly includes: a trip wire connected at one end to a first trip wire support member, said first trip wire support member connected to said first sleeve member, said trip wire connected at another end to a second trip wire support member, wherein said second trip wire support member is capable of being in a first position, an untripped position, and in a second position, a tripped position, and an electrical signalling assembly responsive to a tripped position of said second trip wire support member. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The apparatus described in claim 3 wherein said electrical signalling assembly includes: a switch responsive to a tripped position of said second trip wire support member, a first terminal of a battery power supply connected to a first terminal of said switch, and a second terminal of said battery power supply connected to a first terminal of a signal provider, wherein a second terminal of said signal provider is connected to a second terminal of said switch. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said signal provider is an electric lamp. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The apparatus described in claim 4 wherein said signal provider is a sound producer. ### Claim 7 A new and improved sport net, comprising: a net assembly which includes two long sides, a first short side, and a second short side, a first sleeve member connected to said first short side of said net assembly, and a second sleeve member connected to said second short side of said net assembly, wherein said first sleeve member and said second sleeve member are capable of slipping over a top portion of respective support poles, further including: a score keeping assembly connected to said net assembly, wherein said score keeping assembly includes: a first support element attached to said net assembly near said first short side, a second support element attached to said net assembly near said second short side, a marker support cable connected between said first support element and said second support element, and a plurality of markers supported on said marker support cable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The apparatus described in claim 7 wherein said markers are capable of being slidingly displaced along said marker support cable, such that one grouping of markers represents a score of one player, and another grouping of markers represents a score or another player.