Pole sport court

• US 5,611,539 A
• Filed: 02/01/1995
• Issued: 03/18/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/01/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Original Assignee: ICON Health & Fitness Incorporated (HF HOLDINGS INC)
• Inventors: Heath, John C., Frodsham, John, Lay, William C., Watterson, Scott R., Dalebout, William T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/382,340
• Time in Patent Office: 776 Days
• Field of Search: 273/411, 273/26 E, 273/26 EA, 273/29 B, 273/29 BB, 273/58 C, 273/413, 273/414, 473/147, 473/197
• US Class Current: 473/197
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 61/02 Posts; Revolvably-mounted posts ; Straining or adjusting devices on the posts, e.g. coin- or time operated
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0084 the line or cord being fixed to at least two points
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/023 Supports, e.g. poles

Abstract

A game system includes two uprights formed of three telescoping sections. The lower section extends into a base which is positioned into the supporting surface or related ground. A plurality of securing structures are positioned along the length of each upright to receive a net. The net has at least two elastically-deformable straps extending away therefrom for securing the net to the uprights for use at least two sports. Alternate game structure may be secured to the upright, including a tetherball, a soccer ball, a soccer net, a golf ball receiving net, and a baseball practice structure. Also, net-securing structure may be secured to one of the uprights to receive a net for storage.

Claims

1. A game system comprising:

a first upright positioned to extend upwardly from a support surface, said first upright having a length and a plurality of net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced apart along said length;

a second upright positioned to extend upwardly from a support surface, said second upright having a length and a plurality of net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced apart along said length;

a game net having right securing means for connection to a first selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright at a first position along the length thereof for use as a net in a first game and to a second selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright at a second position along the length thereof for use as a net in a second game, said game net having left securing means for connection to a first selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said second upright at a first position along the length thereof for use as a net in a first game and to a second selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said second upright at a second position along the length of said second upright for use as a net in said second game;

a first base securable to a support surface and a second base securable to a support surface wherein said first base is a receptacle sized to snugly and removably receive said first upright and wherein said second base is a receptacle sized to snugly and removably receive said second upright;

said first base has a flange attached to said first receptacle and means for securing said first flange to a support surface wherein said first receptacle is positioned through and into said support surface;

said second base has a flange attached to said second receptacle and means for securing said second flange to a support surface wherein said second receptacle is positioned through and into said support surface;

a first cap snugly and removably positioned alternately into said first receptacle to cover the upper end thereof and into the first upright to cover the upper end thereof; and

a second cap snugly and removably positionable alternately into said first receptacle to cover the upper end thereof and into the first upright to cover the upper end thereof.

2. The game system of claim 1 wherein said first receptacle and said second receptacle are cylindrical in shape.

3. A game system comprising:

a first upright positioned to extend upwardly from a support surface, said first upright having a length and a plurality of net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced apart along said length;

a second upright positioned to extend upwardly from a support surface, said second upright having a length and a plurality of net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced apart along said length;

a game net having fight securing means for connection to a first selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright at a first position along the length thereof for use as a net in a first game and to a second selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright at a second position along the length thereof for use as a net in a second game, said game net having left securing means for connection to a first selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said second upright at a first position along the length thereof for use as a net in a first game and to a second selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said second upright at a second position along the length of said second upright for use as a net in said second game, said game net having a top and a bottom and said right securing means of said game net including an upper strap member positioned to secure the top of said game net to a selected one of said net-securing structures of said first upright and a lower strap member positioned to secure the bottom of said game net to a selected another of said net-securing structures of said first upright, one of said upper strap members and said lower strap members being formed of an elastically-deformable material and the other of said upper strap and said lower strap being formed of a substantially inelastically-deformable material.

4. The game system of claim 3 wherein said left securing means of said game net includes an upper strap member positioned to secure the top of said game net to a selected one of said net-securing structures of said second upright and a lower strap member positioned to secure the bottom of said game net to another of said net-securing structures of said second upright, one of said upper strap members and said lower strap members of said left securing means being formed of an elastically-deformable material and the other being formed of a substantially inelastically-deformable material.

5. The game system of claim 4 wherein said upper strap of said left securing means is made of an inelastically-deformable material and includes adjustment means for adjusting the length of the strap between the game net and said second upright.

6. The game system of claim 5 wherein said upper strap of said right securing means is made from said inelastically-deformable material.

7. The game system of claim 6 wherein said upper strap and said lower strap of said fight securing means each have distal ends and each have hooks connected proximate thereto, and wherein said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright each include hook receiving structure formed to removably receiving said hooks.

8. The game system of claim 7 wherein said lower strap has a distal end with a hook secured proximate thereto and wherein said adjustment means includes a plurality of spaced apart hooks secured to said upper strap along its length and wherein said plurality of net-securing structures of said second upright each include hook receiving structure formed to removably receive said hooks.

9. The game system of claim 8 wherein said first upright and said second upright are each tubular and each have a sidewall, wherein said hook receiving structure of said first upright and said second upright includes a slot in said sidewall sized to receive said hook therethrough and an aperture formed in said sidewall relative to said slot to receive the point of a hook therethrough.

10. The game system of claim 9 wherein said net-securing structures are positioned along the length of said first upright and said second upright for two of at least the games of men'"'"'s volleyball, women'"'"'s volleyball, badminton and lawn tennis.

11. The game system of claim 9 wherein said game net has a net member with a mesh to resist passage of a golf ball therethrough and wherein selected net-securing structures of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright and said second upright are positioned for locating said game net proximate the support surface as a golf ball practice net.

12. The game system of claim 9 wherein selected net-securing structures of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright and said second upright are positioned for locating said game net as a soccer goal.

13. A game system comprising:

a first upright positioned to extend upwardly from a support surface, said first upright having a length and a plurality of net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced apart along said length;

a second upright positioned to extend upwardly from a support surface, said second upright having a length and a plurality of net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced apart along said length;

a game net having right securing means for connection to a first selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright at a first position along the length thereof for use as a net in a first game and to a second selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said first upright at a second position along the length thereof for use as a net in a second game, said game net having left securing means for connection to a first selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said second upright at a first position along the length thereof for use as a net in a first game and to a second selected of said plurality of net-securing structures of said second upright at a second position along the length of said second upright for use as a net in said second game; and

attaching means secured to one of said first upright and said second upright proximate to removably receive a game structure; and

wherein the other of said first upright and said second upright has a connecting structure secured thereto at a selected height above the support surface below the shoulders of a user standing proximate the other of said first upright and said second upright, and wherein said game system includes a line extending between said attaching means and said connecting structure with a ball transport means positioned to move along said line, said ball transport means having a ball suspension means connected thereto to suspend a ball attached to said ball suspension means for striking by a user.

14. The game system of claim 13 wherein said game structure is a tether ball having a line connected to said attaching means.

15. The game system of claim 13 wherein said ball has an aperture formed therethrough and wherein said ball suspension means extends into said ball.

16. The game system of claim 15 wherein said ball suspension means includes a linked metal chain.

17. The game system of claim 16 wherein said aperture includes a first bore that extends into said ball, said first bore having a first cross section sized to snugly receive said linked metal chain therein, and a second bore in communication with said first bore and extending through said ball to the exterior thereof, said second bore having a cross section less than the cross section of said first bore.

18. The game system of claim 17 wherein said ball suspension means includes a rope member that extends through said second base and a link of said linked chain, said rope member being formed into a knot to inhibit passage of said rope through said aperture to retain said ball thereon.

19. The game system of claim 17 wherein said first bore and said second bore are in axial alignment.

20. The game system of claim 19 wherein said ball has a diameter and wherein said first bore has an axial length that extends from the surface of said ball inwardly from about one fourth to about three fourths the diameter of said ball.

21. The game system of claim 20 wherein said axial length of said first bore is about one half the diameter of said ball.

22. The game system of claim 21 wherein said line has first adjustment means for adjusting the length of said line.

23. The game system of claim 22 wherein said first adjustment means is a turnbuckle.

24. The game system of claim 22 wherein said first adjustment means is a linked chain having a plurality of links and wherein said second securing means includes a hook sized to removably receive a selected link of said plurality of links.

25. The game system of claim 24 wherein said line has second adjustment means to adjust the length of said line.

26. The game system of claim 25 wherein said second adjustment means is a turnbuckle.

27. The game system of claim 26 wherein said linked chain of said ball suspension means has a sheath positioned thereabout.

28. The game system of claim 27 wherein a first stop is attached to said line spaced from said first upright and a second stop is attached to said line spaced from said second upright.

29. The game system of claim 28 wherein said ball transport means is a metal ring.

30. The game system of claim 29 wherein said line is diagonal.

31. A game system comprising:

a first base having a first receptacle positioned through and under a supporting surface;

a second base having a second receptacle positioned through and under a supporting surface;

a first upright removably and snugly positioned in said first receptacle to extend upwardly therefrom;

a second upright removably and snugly positioned in said second receptacle to extend upwardly therefrom;

a plurality of net-securing structures positioned along the length of said first upright and said second upright for positioning a game net for use in at least two of the games of men'"'"'s volleyball, women'"'"'s volleyball, badminton and lawn tennis;

a game net having a top and a bottom, said game net having;

an upper fight strap for connection to one of said net-securing structures and to said game net proximate said top, said upper right strap being formed of an inelastic material;

a lower right strap for connection to one of said net-securing structures and to the bottom of said game net, said lower right strap being formed of an elastically-deformable material;

an upper left strap for connection to one of said net-securing structures and proximate the top of said game net, said left strap having adjustment means for adjusting the length thereof between said top and said net-securing structure;

a lower left strap for connection proximate the bottom of said game net and to one of said net-securing structures, said lower left strap being formed of an elastically-deformable material.

32. A game system having:

a first upright positioned to extend upwardly from a surface, said first upright having at least two net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced from each other;

a second upright positioned to extend upwardly from a surface, said second upright having at least two net-securing structures associated therewith and spaced from each other;

a net member for positioning between said first upright and said second upright, said net member having a top and a bottom;

first securing means for securing said game net to said two net-securing structures associated with said first upright, said first securing means including an upper strap member positioned to secure the top of said net member to one of said two net-securing structures and a lower strap member to secure the bottom of said net member to the other of said two net-securing structures, one of said upper strap members and said lower strap members being made of an elastically-deformable material and the other being made of an essentially inelastically-deformable material; and

second securing means for securing said game net to said two net-securing structures associated with said second upright, said second securing means including an upper strap member positioned to secure the top of said net member to one of said two net-securing structures and a lower strap member to secure the bottom of said net member to the other of said two net-securing structures, one of said upper strap member and said lower strap member being made of an elastically-deformable material and the other being made of an essentially inelastically-deformable material.

33. The game system of claim 32 wherein said upper strap of said second securing means is made of an inelastically-deformable material and includes adjustment means for adjusting the length of the strap between said net member and said second upright.

34. The game system of claim 33 wherein said upper strap of said first securing means is made of an inelastically-deformable material.

35. The game system of claim 34 wherein said upper strap and said lower strap of said first securing means each have distal ends and each have hooks connected proximate to said distal ends, and wherein said two net-securing structures associated with said first upright each include hook receiving structure for removably receiving said hooks.

36. The game system of claim 34 wherein said lower strap of said second securing means has a distal end with a hook secured proximate thereto, wherein the adjustment means of said upper strap is a plurality of hooks secured to said upper strap spaced apart and along its length, and wherein said two net-securing structures associated with said second upright are formed to removably receive said hooks.

37. A game system comprising:

a first upright positioned to extend above a surface;

a second upright positioned to extend above a surface;

a line positioned to extend between said first upright and said second upright;

first connecting means to connect said line to said first upright;

second connecting means to connect said line to said second upright;

ball transport means associated with said line to move therealong;

ball suspension means connected to said ball transport means to suspend a ball therefrom;

a ball secured to the ball suspension means; and

said ball has an aperture formed therethrough and wherein said ball suspension means extends into said ball wherein said aperture includes a first bore that extends into said ball, said first bore having a first cross section sized to snugly receive said ball suspension means therein, and a second bore in communication with said first bore and extending through said ball to the exterior thereof, said second bore having a cross section less than the cross section of said first bore.

38. The game system of claim 37 wherein said ball suspension means includes a linked metal chain which is snugly received in said first bore.

39. The game system of claim 38 wherein said ball suspension means includes a rope member that is attached to said linked metal chain and extends through said second bore, said rope member being formed into a knot to inhibit passage of said rope through said second bore to retain said ball thereon.

40. The game system of claim 39 wherein said first bore and said second bore are in axial alignment.

41. The game system of claim 40 wherein said ball has a diameter and wherein said first bore has an axial length that extends from the surface of said ball inwardly from about one fourth to about three fourths the diameter of said ball.

42. The game system of claim 41 wherein said axial length of said first bore is about one half the diameter of said ball.

43. The game system of claim 42 wherein said line has first adjustment means for adjusting the length of said line.

44. The game system of claim 43 wherein said first adjustment means is a turnbuckle.

45. The game system of claim 43 wherein said first adjustment means is a linked chain having a plurality of links and wherein said second securing means includes a hook sized to removably receive a selected link of said plurality of links.

46. The game system of claim 45 wherein said line has second adjustment means to adjust the length of said line.

47. The game system of claim 46 wherein said second adjustment means is a turnbuckle.

48. The game system of claim 47 wherein said linked chain of said ball suspension means has a sheath positioned thereabout.

49. The game system of claim 48 wherein a first stop is attached to said line spaced from said first upright and a second stop is attached to said line spaced from said second upright.

50. The game system of claim 49 wherein said ball transport means is a metal ring.

51. The game system of claim 50 wherein said line is diagonal.

52. A game system comprising:

support structure to position a suspended ball for striking with a bat by a user;

ball suspension means for suspending said ball relative to said support structure;

connection means for connecting said ball suspension means to said support structure;

a ball having a first bore formed therein with a first cross-section and a second bore formed therein in communication between said first bore and the exterior of said ball, said second bore having a cross-section less than said cross-section of said first bore said ball suspension means extending into said first bore; and

a rope member extending through said second bore through said ball suspension means, said rope member being formed into a knot to inhibit passage of said rope through said second bore.

53. The game system of claim 52 wherein said ball suspension means is a linked chain.

54. The game system of claim 53 wherein said chain includes a sheath positioned thereover.