RETROFIT TABLE TENNIS NET SYSTEM

Abstract

A gaming net system intended for table tennis that is held precisely and extremely securely in place by a grouping of four linear magnets affixed to the table with their longitudinal axes residing perpendicular to the axis of the table/net and play. The Neodymium magnets are affixed precisely on the table using an alignment template. Further, the magnets sit into magnet recesses in the net post plate to further increase the net post's resistance to movement. The entire net system is quick and easy to install and can be retrofitted onto any table tennis table.

Description

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates, in general, to sporting goods, and more particularly to a device to replace conventional table tennis nets and their supporting structures.

BACKGROUND

Table tennis, also referred to as “ping pong” has been around as a parlor game since the late 1800's. Today's conventional table tennis setup consists of a ¾ inch or greater, rectangular, smooth, planar table 9 feet long by 5 feet wide that is 2.49 feet off the floor, with a 6 inch high 6 foot long net stretched across the axial centerline of the table and extending 6 inches beyond each side, a pair of net posts to stretch the net taut, a ball and two paddles. The net has to have virtually no space between its bottom and the table and the net has to be attached to the net posts from top to bottom.

The game has changed dramatically since its inception. Now the players smash the ball over the net with ferocity, often standing as far as 10 feet from their respective ends of the table. Traditionally, the net is removably suspended over the table by a set of metal clamping devices. This has several drawbacks. With forceful smashes the ball may strike the net and move it and the clamping device slightly. This causes a pause in the game as the net is righted. Also, setting the clamping devices to erect the net takes time to set up and get correctly aligned. The clamping devices often mar the table finish. Generally, the clamping device must be moved further from the table to tighten the net and under force, they are harder to align. When the net is extremely taut continued smashes and just the time factor cause the net posts to bend, therein lowering the net slightly and reducing the tension. To remedy the situation, the clamping devices must be tightened further thus marring the table worse and risking stripping the threaded elements of the clamping devices.

Henceforth, a table tennis net system that would not require adjusting, could be erected quickly and precisely, would not mar the table and would not move when experiencing forces from smashed balls, would not deform under pressure and could be retrofit onto any existing table tennis table and would allow for quick tensioning of the net, would fulfill a long felt need in the sport of table tennis. This new invention utilizes and combines known and new technologies in a unique and novel configuration to overcome the aforementioned problems and accomplish this.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In accordance with various embodiments, a table tennis net system is provided.

In one aspect, a table tennis net system that could be retrofitted onto any table tennis table, quickly, easily and inexpensively by anyone regardless of their DIY level.

In another aspect, a table tennis net system that conformed to all of the regulatory specifications for regulation table tennis play.

In yet another aspect, a table tennis net system that allows for quick tensioning of the net and a quick, precise setup.

In yet another aspect, a table tennis net system that can repeatedly withstand the linear pulling forces of the net string without moving, loosening or marring of the table tennis table, or requiring realignment of the net.

Various modifications and additions can be made to the embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, while the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combination of features and embodiments that do not include all of the above described features.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of particular embodiments may be realized by reference to the remaining portions of the specification and the drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to refer to similar components.

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the table tennis net post assembly;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the net post plate;

FIG. 3 is a side phantom view of the net post plate;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom face of the net post plate;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the net post plate locating template;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the magnet locations on a table tennis table with an enlarged section;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the table tennis net system erected on a table tennis table; and

FIGS. 8 to 26 are comparisons of the 19 embodiments of affixing the net post plate to the table tennis table, in cross sectional view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

While various aspects and features of certain embodiments have been summarized above, the following detailed description illustrates a few exemplary embodiments in further detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice such embodiments. The described examples are provided for illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the inventive concept, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth to enable a thorough understanding of the inventive concept. It should be understood, however, that persons having ordinary skill in the art may practice the inventive concept without these specific details.

It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first attachment could be termed a second attachment, and, similarly, a second attachment could be termed a first attachment, without departing from the scope of the inventive concept.

It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on,” “coupled to,” or “connected to” another element, it can be directly on, directly coupled to or directly connected to the other element, or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly coupled to,” or “directly connected to” another element, there are no intervening elements present. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

The terminology used in the description of the inventive concept herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the inventive concept. As used in the description of the inventive concept and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the described embodiments. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that other embodiments of the present invention may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should be appreciated that the features described with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated with other embodiments as well. By the same token, however, no single feature or features of any described embodiment should be considered essential to every embodiment of the invention, as other embodiments of the invention may omit such features.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers herein used to express quantities, dimensions, and so forth, should be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” In this application, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise, and use of the terms “and” and “or” means “and/or” unless otherwise indicated. Moreover, the use of the term “including,” as well as other forms, such as “includes” and “included,” should be considered non-exclusive. Also, terms such as “element” or “component” encompass both elements and components comprising one unit and elements and components that comprise more than one unit, unless specifically stated otherwise.

The present invention relates to a novel design for a table tennis net system that can be retrofitted in place of the existing table tennis net on any table tennis table 1. The complete retrofit table tennis net system can be seen in FIGS. 1, 4, 5 and 7 combined. It is comprised of a net 2, a net post assembly made of a net post 4 and a net post plate 6, a set of four elongated magnets 8 and a net post plate locating template 10.

Looking at FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4, it can best be seen that the net post plate 6 (ferromagnetic) or polymer 72, is a planar, “T” shaped plate with four rectangular magnet recesses 24 formed into its bottom face 50. The table arm 52 of the T has a length dimension designated as X and a width dimension designated as Y. The post arm 54 intersects the table arm 52 perpendicularly at its midpoint and has a length designated as Z, and its width designated as W. The net post plate 6 has a width designated as E. The table arm 52 will reside centered on the axial midline of the table tennis table 1 and with its edge that is intersected by the post arm 54, lying along the long side edge of the table tennis table 1. In the top face 56 of the net post plate 6 there is a net post orifice 26 (through or stopped) configured for the engagement of the net post 4. This net post orifice 26 has a width designated as F.

In the preferred embodiment this orifice has the configuration of a circle with a chord extending across a section of it. This corresponds to the cross sectional configuration of the net post 4 and serves the two purposes of preventing the net post 4 from rotating when pressure is exerted from the net, and allowing the precise alignment of the net across the axial midline of the table tennis table. Since by table tennis regulations, the net must extend six inches beyond the long edges of the table tennis table 1, the outboard distance Z the post arm 52 extends beyond the edge of the table 1 exceeds six inches, and the distance from the edge of the table 1 (and from the intersection with the table arm 52) to the most inboard point of the post orifice 26 is six inches.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 6, the magnets 8 may best be explained. The magnets are strong Neodymium magnets. There is no difference between the magnets 8 used on the net post plate 6 and the table 1. They have the same footprint, although they may vary in thickness. Depending on whether they are used with a ferromagnetic net post plate or a polymer one, adhesive may be needed, preferably in the form of a two sided strip of tape with a releasable outer layer.

The magnets 8 are elongated and rectangular in shape having their longitudinal axis placed so as to reside perpendicular to the linear axis of the net which is coincident with the axial centerline 14 of the table tennis table 1. They are sized for frictional engagement within the magnet recess 24 in the net post plate 6. There is an adhesive 20 on their bottom faces with enough adhesive strength to overcome the combined magnetic and frictional forces between the magnets 8 and the magnet recesses 24 of the net post plate 6. It is to be noted that there are many ways of affixing the magnets into the magnet recesses 24 in the net post plates including adhesives, friction press fits, mechanical fasteners and the equivalent means as is well known in the industry.

Four magnets, arranged in parallel pairs mirrored across the axial centerline 14 of the table tennis table, are utilized so as to maximize the holding strength of the net post plate 6 while allowing the length dimension X of the table arm 52 onto the table tennis table 1 to be minimized. In this configuration, the strongest of smashed ping pong balls into the net 1 will not disturb the net post 4. The magnets are four and elongated to better withstand the perpendicular forces of the net. FIG. 7 shows the location and orientation of the Neodymium magnets 8 on the table tennis table 1. The magnets 8 are magnetically bound in the net post plate 6 initially until installation on the table tennis table 1. When in this configuration, there is a releasable strip on the adhesive 20. It is to be noted that since the net post plate is to be magnetically bound to the table, there need not be magnets with opposite polarity used on each of these elements. One magnet and a ferromagnetic strip would function the same, but would not have the same amount of holding power unless the magnet thickness was increases. The various embodiments that are envisioned with all options is detailed further herein. The magnetic coupling would be between a first magnetic element and a second magnetic element, wherein either magnetic element could be a magnet or a ferromagnetic strip.

The net post 4 is well illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7. It is a right cylindrical body having a cross section of a circle with a chord. Along its length there is at least one means of net affixation 32 there along. Although the preferred embodiment uses a magnetic affixation between the net post 4 and the net 2, (that may utilize more than one linear magnet or ferromagnetic strip on the net post 4), there are a plethora of other mechanical means of net affixation that may be utilized and are well known in the industry. These include but are not limited to wire, rope, hook and loop fasteners, net sleeving, internal post slotting and the equivalent.

The net post 4 resides vertically into the net post recess 26 in the post arm 54 of the net post plate 6. It is rigidly affixed there any of a set of mechanical means well known in the industry including but not limited to any one or combination of the following means: magnet forces, adhesive, welding, brazing, soldering, threaded engagement, frictional engagement, bolting, screwing, riveting and the equivalent. Along the top plate 60 of the post is a net string tensioning slot 34. This V shaped slot 34 resides with its linear axis aligned with the axial midline of the table tennis table 1. It is sized for frictional engagement with the top net tensioning string 32, so as to allow the net 2 to be drawn taut across the table.

The net 2, as seen in FIG. 7 has a flexible mesh 78 and extends to a length of six feet, extending six inches beyond each of the long sides of the table tennis table 1. It has a width or vertical height when erected, of six inches and has two ends. There is a top piping 80 sewn or otherwise affixed along the top six foot edge of the net as well as side piping strips 28 likewise affixed along the two ends. There is a tensioning string 32 running inside the loop created in the top piping 80 that extends beyond the length of the net 2 and is sized for frictional engagement with the tensioning slot 34 in the net post 4.

The net post plate template 10, as can be seen in FIG. 5 is a planar, substrate sheet having a configuration that matches the entire table arm 52 and part of the post arm 54. The has four cutouts 76 that are substantially similar to the dimensions of the magnets 8. There are adhesive strips 18 on the template 10 to adhere it to the table. It is used to set the magnets 8 into place on the table tennis table 1 while they are still magnetically bound in the net post plate 6. The edges of the template 10 are used to align with the edges of the table tennis table 1 and the net post plate 6.

In alternate embodiments, the templates may have four removable ferromagnetic steel strips with adhesive thereon. In this fashion the adhesive need only have its release strip removed and the template aligned and pressed into place. The template can then be lifted away and the four ferromagnetic strips will be adhered to the table 1.

To retrofit the preferred embodiment net system onto an existing table, the following series of steps are followed:

Wipe down the table tennis table 1 with a cleaner such as alcohol. Remove the existing table tennis net and install each net post plate template 10 with its axial centerline 12 atop the axial centerline 14 of the table tennis table 1. Align the outboard edge 16 of the net post plate template 10 along the outside edge of the table 1 and affix the two tape strips 18 on the net post plate template 10 to the top face of the table 1. Magnetically attach the table magnets 8 to the net post arm magnets 8 and align their footprints. Remove the cover strips from the bottom face of the elongated magnets 8 so as to expose the sticky layer 20 affixed to the magnet faces. From above, the net post plate 6 is lowered onto the template 10 such that their outlines or footprints are aligned vertically. With perfect alignment, the table magnets 8 will fit into the net post plate template's four rectangular openings 22, such that their sticky layers 20 will contact the table face. (The rectangular openings 22 in the net post plate template 10 are slightly larger than the overall dimensions of the elongated magnets 8.) Apply pressure to the top of the net post plate 8 for a short period of time until all of the table magnets 8 are solidly adhered to the table tennis table top. The net post plate 6 may now be lifted off of the table 1, and the net post plate template tape 18 pulled off and the template 10 removed. To install the net posts, one need only place the net post plate over the magnets 8 such that the magnets 8 engage and lock the net post plate 6 to the table 1. With the net post plate 6 affixed to the table 1, the net posts 4 may be inserted and frictionally engaged vertically, into the post orifices 26 in the net post plate 6. The correct distance between the net posts 4 is automatically established since the net post plate 6 was precisely located onto the table 1 with the net post template, and the location of the net post orifice in the net post plate 6 is set to have its inboard edge precisely at six inches from the edge of the table 1. (designated as dimension C in FIG. 1). The net piping strips 28 (side of the net 2) each have a linear net magnet 30 that extends vertically along its height that magnetically engages a similar linear net post magnet 32 vertically aligned on the net post 4. The two ends of the net tensioning string 32 is then frictionally pulled into and down the tension slots 34 in the top face 60 of the net posts 6 to engage the narrowest part of the tension slots' V such that the net sits precisely six inches above the table 1.

When installed, the design of four strong Neodymium magnets with their longitudinal (longest) dimension perpendicular to the forces the net exhibits on the post, keeps the entire net system from moving and requiring constant readjustment with an axial midline of said table tennis table. It is to be noted that in each grouping of four magnets, each of the linear magnets as arranged on the table or in the magnet recesses of the net post plate, has a longitudinal axis and an axial axis, and are arranged with their longitudinal axis colinear with the longitudinal axis of a first adjacent magnet, and their axial axis colinear with a second adjacent magnet as can best be seen in the enlarged view of FIG. 6. In the case of the configuration of FIG. 21 as detailed below, the magnets fit into magnet recesses in the post plate and magnetically attach to a ferromagnetic plate, which also adds additional stability to the net post plate 6 to resist movement.

It is to be noted that in an alternate embodiment, the template 10 is used to locate positions on the table 1 that may be routed out the length C, width D and thickness of the magnet so as to accommodate the affixation of the Neodymium magnets 8 into the table 1. In this embodiment, there is no magnet recesses 24 in the post plate 8. This embodiment also requires a center alignment line be placed on the post plate 6 for the front to back location of the post plate on the table along the table's axial centerline. The side to side location is still accomplished by aligning the edges of the post plate 6 with the edges of the table 1. The drawback of this alternate embodiment over the preferred embodiment is just that it takes a little longer to align, and it is not quite as resistant to movement from net forces because the post plate is held in place magnetically only whereas in the preferred embodiment the post plate is help in place magnetically and adhesively with the inset magnets.

In total there is one primary embodiment and 18 alternate embodiments. The net post plate may be ferromagnetic 6 or polymer 72. There may be one set of four magnets 8 used per net post plate 6 or 72 and four magnets 8 used per table 1, where any four of the magnets magnets may be replaced by adhesive ferromagnetic strips 70. The thickness of the magnet 8 may be varied. Additionally, the magnets 8 or ferromagnetic strips 70 on the net post plate may be eliminated if a ferromagnetic net post plate 6 is used.

All embodiments share the same principal of securing the net post plate with at least four rectangular magnets positioned with their linear axes perpendicular to the net, and four rectangular magnets affixed to or in the table tennis table. The net affixes to the net post magnetically for precision alignment and for speed and ease of erection. The template used is identical in all embodiments however, it may be used to position ferromagmetic strips, position magnets or locate a position for a dado on the table that will house a magnet or a ferromagnetic strip 70. Either the magnets or the ferromagnetic strips are on the table or the net post plate or both. Alternatively, the magnets or the ferromagnetic strips can be in the table, in the net post plate or both.

Looking at the cross sectional representations of FIGS. 8-26 in conjunction with the following chart will best explain the 19 various embodiments accomplished by simple modifications of how the net post plate (polymer 72 or ferromagnetic 6) is magnetically affixed to the table tennis table. Note that only one set of magnets/steel strips are illustrated for simplification although 3 other sets are used in the net post plate and table tennis table.

	Polymer	Ferromagnetic
	Table Tennis Table 1	Net Post Plate 6	Net Post Plate 72
	Surface	Inset	Surface	Inset	Surface	Inset
	Mount	Mount	Mount	Mount	Mount	Mount
FIG.	Components	Components	Components	Components	Components	Components
8	steel strip		magnet
	adhesive		adhesive
9	steel strip			magnet
	adhesive			adhesive
10	steel strip				magnet
	adhesive
11	steel strip					magnet
	adhesive
12		steel strip	magnet
		adhesive	adhesive
13		steel strip		magnet
		adhesive		adhesive
14		steel strip			magnet
		adhesive
15		steel strip				magnet
		adhesive
16	magnet		magnet
	adhesive		adhesive
17	magnet			magnet
	adhesive			adhesive
18	magnet				magnet
	adhesive
19	magnet					magnet
	adhesive
20	magnet				nothing
	adhesive
21	magnet					nothing
	adhesive
22		magnet	magnet
		adhesive	adhesive
23		magnet		magnet
		adhesive		adhesive
24		magnet			magnet
		adhesive
25		magnet				magnet
		adhesive
26		magnet
		adhesive			nothing

Of the 19 embodiments presented, the first preferred embodiment is that of a polymer net post plate 72 and four magnets 8 with an adhesive 20 mounted in the net post plate recesses 24, magnetically coupled to four magnets 8 with an adhesive 20 mounted on the top face of a table tennis table 1 with the template, as seen in FIG. 17. The second preferred embodiment is that with is that of a polymer net post plate 72 and four magnets 8 with an adhesive 20 mounted in the net post plate recesses 24, magnetically coupled to four magnets 8 with an adhesive 20 flush mounted into four inserts in the top face of a table tennis table 1 that were made with the template, as seen in FIG. 23.

In a final embodiment, each template may contain four ferromagnetic strips with peel away strips over their adhesive tab. In this way the template may be put onto the table 1 the magnetic strips pressed into place and the template removed leaving the ferromagnetic strips in their proper, precise location, similar to the way that stencil lettering is applied.

Having described and illustrated the principles of the inventive concept with reference to illustrated embodiments, it will be recognized that the illustrated embodiments can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles, and can be combined in any desired manner. And although the foregoing discussion has focused on particular embodiments, other configurations are contemplated. Consequently, in view of the wide variety of permutations to the embodiments described herein, this detailed description and accompanying material is intended to be illustrative only, and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the inventive concept. What is claimed as the invention, therefore, is all such modifications as may come within the scope and spirit of the following claims and equivalents thereto.

Claims

1. A table tennis net system that can be retrofitted onto any table tennis table, comprising:

a pair of planar T shaped net post plates with at least two magnet recesses formed therein a bottom face thereof;

a pair of cylindrical net posts each removably extending, perpendicularly from a recess formed in one of each said pair of net post plates;

at least four net post plate magnets with an adhesive affixed to a bottom face thereof, each magnetically engageable within one of said at least two magnet recesses in each of said net post plates;

at least four table magnets with an adhesive affixed to a bottom face thereof;

a net having two ends, each of which are affixed to one of said pair of net posts;

an alignment template for the precise placement of said net post plate onto said table tennis table; and

wherein said at least four table magnets are affixed by said adhesive to said table top in a precise position indicated by said alignment template, and wherein said net post plate magnets are brought into magnetic coupling with said table magnets.

2. The table tennis net system of claim 1 wherein said table magnets and said net post plate magnets are Neodymium linear magnets, and said magnet recesses number eight and said magnets number eight.

3. The table tennis net system of claim 1 wherein said net post plate is a planar, T shaped plate having a table arm and a post arm extending planar and perpendicularly from a center of said table arm.

4. The table tennis net system of claim 3 further comprising:

a top piping strip affixed along a top six foot edge of said net;

a pair of side piping strips affixed along the said two ends of said net;

a net tensioning string constrained by said top piping and extending beyond each of said two ends of said net;

wherein said net post has a top plate with a tensioning slot formed therein sized for frictional engagement with said tensioning string and residing perpendicular to the linear axis of said net post and residing parallel with an axial midline of said table tennis table.

5. The table tennis net system of claim 4 wherein said template has cutouts conforming to a footprint of said magnets, and said template is sized and shaped to conform with said table arm and at least a portion of said post arm.

6. The table tennis net system of claim 5 wherein said magnet recesses in said net post plate have a longitudinal axis perpendicular to said axial midline of said table tennis table, and wherein said linear magnets on said table are grouped in four and each said magnet has a longitudinal axis and an axial axis, and each said magnet is arranged with their longitudinal axis colinear with the longitudinal axis of a first adjacent magnet, and their axial axis colinear with a second adjacent magnet.

7. The table tennis net system of claim 6 further comprising:

a first magnet affixed to said net post;

a second magnet affixed to said net side piping; and

wherein said first and second magnets are shaped identically and magnetically engageble to connect said ends of said net to said net post.

8. A table tennis net system that can be retrofitted onto any table tennis table, comprising:

a pair of planar T shaped net post plates with at least two magnet recesses formed therein a bottom face thereof;

a pair of cylindrical net posts each removably extending, perpendicularly from a recess formed in one of each said pair of net post plates;

at least four net post plate magnets with an adhesive affixed to a bottom face thereof, each magnetically engageable within one of said at least two magnet recesses in each of said net post plates;

at least four table ferromagnetic strips with an adhesive affixed to a bottom face thereof;

a net having two ends, each of which are affixed to one of said pair of net posts;

an alignment template for the precise placement of said net post plate onto said table tennis table; and

wherein said at least four ferromagnetic strips are affixed by said adhesive to said table top in a precise position indicated by said alignment template, and wherein said net post plate magnets are brought into magnetic coupling with said ferromagnetic strips.