Patent ID: 9586123
Date: 2017-03-07
CPC Classifications: A63B

Claim:
1. A method for reducing the likelihood of pole failure when supporting a net, the method comprising: supporting the net in a generally fixed upright relationship relative to the ground from a plurality of elongated poles having a length of about 12 feet to about 40 feet and spaced-apart about 10 feet to about 25 feet with a plurality of tethers; and allowing an upper portion of the net to automatically operably disconnect from a tether and fall from a pole toward the ground when the net exerts a force on the tether greater than a force between about 125 pounds to about 175 pounds to reduce the likelihood of pole failure; wherein the supporting comprises a breakaway pin having a first portion and a second portion disposed in a first configuration with the first portion operably attached to an end of the tether and the second portion operably attached to an upper portion of the net; and wherein the allowing comprises the breakaway pin being disposed in a second configuration allowing the upper portion of the net to automatically operably disconnect from the tether.