EP0730888A1

EP0730888A1 - Table tennis net construction

Info

Publication number: EP0730888A1
Application number: EP96301506A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Strinivasen Krishna Bangaar
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-03-06
Filing date: 1996-03-05
Publication date: 1996-09-11
Also published as: AU4098896A; ZA96869B

Abstract

A new construction for a table tennis net includes a frame adapted to accept netting in stretched relationship, the frame being locatable in a transverse groove or channel at the centre of a table. The height of the net is at the accepted value above the table surface.

Description

This invention relates to a table tennis net construction.
The present invention provides a table tennis net construction including a frame adapted to accept netting in stretched relationship, the frame being locatable in a transverse groove or channel at the centre of a table, with the height of the net at the accepted value above the table surface.
Table tennis is played according to internationally agreed rules, which prescribe the accepted value of the height of the net.
In a preferred form of the invention, the portion of the frame which is located in the groove has a thickness equal to the depth of the groove so that it does not interfere with the ball during play; and also for aesthetic reasons.
Alternatively, cheek or cover formations may be provided for either arm of "U" for clamping the netting.
The frame may take the form of a "U" and may be in two contiguous parts which are connectable together while clamping the netting therebetween. Connection may be achieved by means of a series of pins and sockets which may also be used to tension the netting. Thus two series of pins and sockets may be provided top and bottom of the arms of the "U" and a netting provided with substantially rigid vertical edges is stretched across the one continuous part having pins, the pins being used to stretch the netting to the desired tension and then the other part is applied so that the pins engage the sockets to complete the construction. The horizontal top edge of the netting may include a tubular element with a length of cord secured therethrough. The ends of the cord are anchored suitably to impart the required tension to the top edge of the netting. Adjustable means may be provided to vary the tension if required - particularly when the tension decreases through use.
The U-shaped frame may be made from wood, plastic or other suitable material and should be rigid enough to maintain the desired tension.
The net of the invention may be provided with a grooved table as a set but it will be appreciated that existing tables may be grooved to accept the net construction of the invention.
In a refinement of the present invention, the groove comprises a gap between the two halves of the table top in register with a channel section included in a transverse reinforcing strut under the table.
In the preferred form of the invention, the channelled section is dimensioned to extend slightly beyond the width of the table.
The channelled section may be of wood, or may be moulded from a suitable polymeric material or even comprise a metal section fastenable to the underside of the table top by means of screws, rivets or the like.
The frame may take the form of that described above.
This form of the invention will involve cutting an existing table in half and then fastening each half to the channelled section. This will avoid the weakening of table top by grooving it, for example, to half its depth. Further, this method permits a much sturdier arrangement as the groove is far deeper.
An embodiment of the invention is described below, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying Figure which is an isometric view of a net construction according to the invention.
In Figure 1, a table 30 has been cut into two halves. Each half is then fastened to transverse reinforcing strut 32. The halves are aligned such that the gap between them registers with a channel 34 formed in the strut.
A frame 38 is provided which comprises two interengaging halves 40. The interengaging halves 40 are generally U-shaped with their lower edge corresponding to the width of the reinforcing strut 32. Interengagement of the two halves 40 is by engagement of pins (not visible) on one half engageable in corresponding sockets (not visible) on the other half. When the two halves are engaged, the frame 38 can then be placed in the channel 34 formed in the reinforcing strut 32.
A net 36 is installed in the frame 38 by clamping between the interengaging halves 40. The pins and sockets engage with holes in the net 36 and hold the net 36 in a taut manner.
The depth of the lower part of the frame corresponds to the total depth of the channel in which they are placed, ie the depth of the channel 34 formed in the reinforcing strut 32 and thickness of the table. Thus, the top playing surface of the table is substantially flat.
The width of the frame 38 corresponds to the width of the reinforcing strut 32, which is slightly wider than the table 30, thereby to avoid blocking the playing surface.
The top edge of the netting includes a tubular element with a length of cord secured thereto. During assembly, the ends of the cord can be attached to the frame, for example by interengagement over a pin, and thereby to impart the required tension to the top edge of the netting.
It is to be understood that the foregoing description of the preferred embodiment is by way of example only, and that amendments can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the frame 38 could simply be located in a channel formed in the top surface of the table, and the reinforcing strut 34 omitted. This would be more feasible for use on a relatively thick table.

Claims

A table tennis net construction including a frame adapted to accept netting in a substantially taut manner, the frame being locatable in a transverse groove or channel at the centre of a table with the height of the net at the accepted value above the table surface.
A table tennis net according to claim 1 in which the portion of the frame which is located in the groove has a depth substantially equal to the depth of the groove so that it does not interfere with the ball during play.
A table tennis net according to claim 1 or 2 in which the frame takes the form of a "U" and is two contiguous parts which are connectable together thereby to clamp the netting therebetween.
A table tennis net according to any of the above claims in which the top edge of the netting includes a tubular element with a length of cord secured therethrough, the ends of the cord being attached to the frame thereby to impart the required tension of the top edge of the netting.
A table tennis net according to any of the above claims in which the groove comprises a gap between two halves of the table in register with a channel section forming a transverse reinforcing strut under the table.
A table tennis net according to claim 5 in which the channel section is dimensioned to extend beyond the width of the table.
A table tennis net according to claim 5 or claim 6 in which the channel section is of wood, plastics material or metallic material.
A table tennis net according to any of claims 5 to 7 wherein the channelled section is fastenable to the underside of the table top by means of screws, rivets or the like.
A kit of parts for constructing a table tennis net, comprising at least one frame member, a net, and a table, the frame being adapted to accept the net in a substantially taut fashion and being locatable in a transverse groove or channel at the centre of a table with the height of the net at the accepted value above the table surface.