Patent ID: 7195572
Filing Date: 2007-03-27
Classification: A63C

Abstract:
1. A tennis court protection system for securely covering a tennis court in a secure and reliable manner comprising, in combination: a first surface susceptible to inclement weather, the first surface having a first pair of parallel long sides and a first pair of parallel short sides there between, with a first width being measured between the first long sides, the surface having a pair of upstanding poles positioned at midpoints of the long sides, the poles being coupled to the first surface with a net coupled between the poles; a cover in a generally rectangular configuration and fabricated of a rigid material preferably metal, the cover being adapted to receive colors, designs and indicia, the cover having an upper face, a lower face, a pair of second parallel long sides and a pair of second parallel short sides there between with a second width being measured between the second long sides, the second width being greater than the first width, the cover also having a plurality of wheels rotatably coupled to the cover adjacent to the short sides, the cover further having a pair of corrugated racks running parallel with the short sides and being coupled to the lower face of the cover, the cover additionally having a linear slot running through a midline equidistant between the short sides, the slot having a pair of edges with each edge formed with a flexible elastomeric lip adapted to allow the poles to pass through the cover and still protect the first surface; a drive assembly with a motor adjacent to one of the long sides of the first surface with a drive shaft mechanically coupled to the motor and with a pair of gears at the ends of the drive shaft, the gears being operatively coupled to the racks of the cover forming a rack and pinion configuration and being adapted to move the cover on and off of the first surface, the motor having a power source and a control panel, the control panel being position adjacent to the first surface and coupled to the motor with a wire; and a pair of retainer walls having a long configuration and fabricated of a rigid material, the retainer walls each having an L-shaped cross sectional configuration with a vertical portion adapted to keep the rack on the cover in contact with the gears on the drive shaft and with a horizontal portion having a plurality of apertures with bolts coupling the retainer wall to the ground adjacent to the long sides of the first surface.