GB2167168A - Supporting camouflage net - Google Patents

Abstract

A device (10) for supporting a camouflage net incorporates a support surface (11) substantially convex when viewed from above, with a socket (15) projecting from underneath the support surface for mounting the device relative to an end of a pole or other a support member (not shown), while the support surface has a plurality of upstanding posts (12) for receiving and locating the net (not shown), for holding it relative to the support surface without risk of damage to the net and avoiding the inconvenience of using a sandbag or other padding at the top of the pole. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Device for supporting camouflage net This invention relates to a device for supporting netting such as camouflage net or mesh, webbing or fabrics such as sheet materials including canvas or like materials.

The invention will be described by way of example with reference to the use of the device for supporting camouflage net. It should be appreciated that this is by way of example only and that the device may be used for the other purposes mentioned above.

Camouflage nets used by defence forces comprise a grid like pattern of strands to which coloured cloth or other material is secured. Such net is draped and suspended over an area to disguise that area when viewed from afar either from above or from the sides.

The aim of such a net is to disguise or obscure the outline of objects or personnel under the net. In one example the net has strands at 9cm spacings although other spacings are employed. It is usual practice in the field to obtain saplings of a suitable dimension or poles (the saplings may be discarded after use or stored for re-use), secure bulk material such as a sandbag or rags with cord or other material to an end of the sapling or pole and that end then has the net draped over it. It is the purpose of the sandbag or rags to support the strands of the net when the pole is maintained upright. It is time consuming to enlarge the end of the pole in this fashion. In addition sandbags are relatively heavy and this makes the camouflage net difficult to erect.

Also, there is a tendency for poles adapted in these ways sometimes not to support the net adequately. The end of the pole sometimes passes through the net and often damages the net.

It is desirable to be able to re-use the poles on subsequent occassions and both the above described techniques do not readily lend themselves to being able to re-use the pole.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a device for supporting camouflage net which at least minimises the disadvantages mentioned above.

Accordingly the present invention provides a device for supporting camouflage net (or the like) comprising a support surface for supporting the net, support locating means for mounting the device relative to an end of a support member, and net locating means on said surface for receiving and locating net relative to the surface whereby the net can be held in operative engagement relative to the surface.

The support surface may have any desired shape when viewed in plan. For example the surface may be round, oval, square, rectangular, triangular or any other suitable shape. It is preferred that the surface, when square, rectangular, or triangular in shape, has rounded corners. In a particularly preferred embodiment the surface is round. The diameter of the round surface is chosen commensurate with the size of the mesh employed for the net. In one embodiment suitable for a net having 9X9cm mesh the surface is about 22cm in diameter although other diameters may be employed. The surface may be planar although it is preferred that it be contoured. Preferably, the surface is convex when viewed from above.

The support locating means is preferably positioned to depend from an underneath surface of the device. That surface is on the opposite side of the device to the support surface. The locating means may be adapted for permanent or releasable securement to a support member or post. If desired one or more fasteners may be employed to secure the locating means to a support member. The support locating means may comprise a flange depending from the underneath surface of the device. Alternatively the locating means may comprise a socket or a spigot. Preferably a socket is employed because an end of a support member can be readily releasably received within the socket. The support member may be an interference or clearance fit within the socket. Where the locating means is a spigot the end of the support member may be shaped or otherwise conditioned to cooperate with the spigot.For example the end of the member may be shaped to fit over the spigot.

Where a socket is used it may have any suitable lateral cross section. Preferably the socket is round in lateral cross section. The socket may have any suitable length so that it extends for an adequate distance along the length of the end of a support member. The length may be between 2 to 10cm although greater lengths may be employed. Preferably, the socket has a length of about 4cm.

The net locating means may comprise one or more projections from or recesses into the support surface for receiving and locating at least one strand of the mesh of the net. Preferably there is more than one projection or recess and more than one strand of the net is adapted to be received and located by the recesses or projections. A multiplicity of recesses or projections are preferably arranged at intervals on the support surface. The intervals may be regular. Recesses may comprise a grid like pattern of grooves in the support surface. The grid may comprise a pattern substantially the same pattern as the mesh of the net. Thus where the net comprises longitudinal strands woven with transverse strands appearing at right angles to the other strands the grid may comprise a first set of grooves at rights angles to a second set of grooves.

Preferably the spacing between the grooves is smaller than the spacing between the strands.

This enhances the chance of a strand being received and located within a groove although this is not necessary. Where the strands of the net form a triangular, hexagonal or other pattern it is preferred that the grid pattern of grooves or recesses in the surface corresponds to the pattern of the net.

As mentioned above, the locating means may comprise projections from the support surface. These projections define between them locations for receiving and retaining strands of the net. These projections may be of any suitable shape. For example they may comprise rectangular or square projections defining a grid like pattern of recesses between them for receiving strands of the net. In a preferred embodiment the projections comprise upstanding posts. These posts may have the same lateral cross sectional shape along their length. Preferably the end of the posts distal from the support surface has a smaller cross section than the end of the post adjacent the support surface. The posts may have a rectangular, square, triangular or star shaped cross section. Preferably the cross section is round. Whilst the posts may have any suitable length it is preferred that they be about 1cm long.The posts preferably extend from the support surface substantially at right angles.

The device may have one or more strengthening ribs or webs. Preferably the ribs or webs extend along the underneath surface of the device. Where the support locating means is located depending centrally from the underneath of the device the ribs or webs may radiate outwardly from the central locating means.

The device may be made from any suitably synthetic or natural material. Materials such as metal, wood or plastics may be used. Preferably a plastics material is employed. Plastics such as nylon, PVC, polyethylene, polypropylene or others may be used.

A particularly preferred embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of the device according to the invention; Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along a diameter of the device of Fig. 1; and Figure 3 is an inverted plan view of the device.

The device 10 of the invention has a net support surface 11, which is convex when viewed from above. The surface has net locating means consisting of upstanding posts 12 arranged at regular intervals on the surface, preferably 2.5cm centres. With the arrangement of posts 12 a camouflage net having strands at 9X9cm spacings can be received by the device such that about three longitudinally and three laterally extending strands are received and laocated between posts 12.

Depending centrally from underneath the surface 14 of the device 10 a socket 15 of circular cross section which constitutes support locating means for mounting the device on an end of a support member (not shown) such as a pole or sapling.

Whereas in the above embodiment, the net support surface is a continuous surface, in another embodiment (not illustrated) the device of the invention comprises a support surface having the appearance of a spoked wheel when viewed from above. In this embodiment, the support surface comprises a central portion from which radiate a plurality of spokes.

The distal ends of the spokes may be bridged or coupled together by a ring member. A socket similar to socket 15 may project downwardly from the underneath surface of the central area. Net retaining posts like posts 12 may project upwardly from the upper surface of the spokes.

If desired the spokes may be of constant cross sectional shape throughout their length although the shape may vary along the length of a spoke. It is preferred that the cross sectional shape of the spokes be chosen to lend rigidity to them. The space or aperture between adjacent spokes enables a plurality of such devices to be readily grasped and they can easily be tied together for storage. This may be achieved by looping a cord or tie through the apertures of a plurality of such devices. Devices shaped in this way have particular advantages. They are easily stored and readily transported. In addition less material is required in their manufacture. Also because of the spoked configuration they are harder to see from above and this is particularly advantageous when the devices are used to support camouflage nets.

To use devices in accordance with the invention such as those illustrated to support a camouflage net the sockets 15 are fitted over ends of support members (such as poles or saplings) and the plurality of such support members and attached devices are employed to support the net. Because the posts 12 positively receive and locate the strands of the net and the area of each support surface is chosen such that it is substantially larger than the spacing of the strands in the net there is no danger of any device passing between adjacent strands of the net and becoming ineffective. In addition the positive way in which the strands are supported ensures that the net is not damaged by the device.

The device of the invention may be left secured to the end of the support members so that they can be readily re-used. Alternatively the device may be easily removed from a support member and re-used with the same or a fresh support member when required. The device is simple to use and because of its light weight is not so difficult to use as a sandbag for example.

Claims (12)

1. A device for supporting camouflage net comprising a support surface for supporting the net, support locating means for mounting the device relative to an end of a support member, and net locating means on said surface for receiving and locating net relative to the surface whereby the net can be held in operative engagement relative to the surface.

2. A device as in Claim 1, wherein said support locating means projects downwardly from an underneath surface of the device and comprises a socket or spigot for engagement with the end of a support member.

3. A device as in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein said support surface is convex in shape when viewed from above.

4. A device as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the support surface is a continuous surface.

5. A device as in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein said support surface comprises a central portion, a plurality of spokes radiating from said central portion, and a ring member bridging or coupling together the distal ends of the spokes.

6. A device as in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said net locating means comprises a multiplicity of projections arranged at intervals on said support surface.

7. A device as in Claim 6, wherein said projections are arranged at regular intervals on the support surface.

8. A device as in Claim 6 or Claim 7, wherein the projections comprise upstanding posts.

9. A device as in any one of Claims 1 to 5, wherein said net locating means comprises a plurality of recesses in said support surface.

10. A device as in Claim 9 wherein a multiplicity of recesses comprises a grid like pattern of recesses within which strands of the netting can locate.

11. A device as in any one of the preceding claims wherein the support surface is circular when viewed in plan.

12. A device for supporting camouflage net substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.