Abstract:
A portable erectable support for volley balls nets has two net supporting uprights. The net is attached to a ratchet engaging reel on one support, which can be hand wound to tighten the net, and directly to the other. The supports have separable interlocking upper net holding supports and lower ground engaging supports. The height is adjustable by removable interlocking extensions between upper and lower supports so men, women and juniors may use the net. There are net tie down loops on the reel itself and the other upper support. There are also guy rope tie down loops on both upper supports. Guy rope anchors have ground penetrating prongs and a ground resting base with a guy rope tie down loop.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention is directed to portable erectable sports nets, in general, and portable erectable volley ball nets in particular.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0002]     Volley ball nets typically consist of a net and two uprights driven into beach sand. The uprights are typically anchored by guys. Usually the volley ball net has four sides of cord with corner attachments secured to the uprights by loops, or hooks, etc. Sometimes a tensioning device is used, a reel or winch attached to the upper cross cord to tighten the top of the net and maintain it in relative position.  
       PRIOR ART  
       [0003]     Applicant is aware of no specific prior art relating to instant invention.  
         [0004]     The present invention provides a reel support, which has a reel parallel to the upper portion of the reel support. This reel has upper and lower attachment points to attach respectively the upper and lower edges of the net. An end support of equal height, has similar attachment points for the same purpose at the same height. In use the net is attached to the attachment points, the reel is then rotated to tighten the net, and the reel is locked in position. Conveniently a ratchet arrangement cooperates with the reel so that the reel tightens without release during use. Anchors and associated guys are provided to hold the supports in upright position. The reel support conveniently has horizontal upper and lower support arms which support the reel between upper and lower pivots. Typically it is desired to adjust the height of the volley ball net. This is done by reel and end support both having a lower support with a spike or the like to penetrate the ground, sand or other substrate, and an upper reel and end support to bear the net. The lower supports are in practice identical. The upper and lower supports interlock, for example, by a ferrule or sleeve interlock of pin in socket or the like so that in sports use they remain locked in stable relationship. Extensions are provided, which can be inserted between upper and lower supports and which similarly interlock, so that the net height can be adjusted for men, women and juniors. A ratchet may be provided at the bottom of the reel which interacts with a cog on the lower support arm, the cog is controlled by a lever so that the cog can be disengaged from the ratchet and the reel can be unwound.  
         [0005]     Although the invention is described and referred to specifically as it relates to supports for volley ball nets comprising a reel, it will be understood that the principles of this invention are equally applicable to similar devices, and structures for supporting sports nets, and accordingly, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to such devices, and structures, for supporting sports nets.  
         [0006]     It is a principal object of the invention to provide a portable support for sports nets having a reel to which the net can be attached, tightened and wound. It is a subsidiary object of the invention to provide support arms bearing pivots for the reel on a support upright. It is a further subsidiary object to provide a pawl and ratchet sprocket operatively associated with the reel on one support arm, whereby the reel may be hand wound tightening the net. It is a subsidiary object of the invention to provide an end support for the other end of the net. It is a further subsidiary object of the invention to provided ground penetrating pins at the base of both supports. It is a further subsidiary object to provide tie downs loops for guy ropes on both supports. It is a further subsidiary object to provide net tie down loops for the net on the reel and the end support. It is a further object of the invention to provide interlocking upper and lower upright reel and end supports. It is further subsidiary object of the invention to provide at least one removable interlocking intermediate extension between the upper and lower upright reel and end supports. It is a further object of the invention to provide ground anchors for guy ropes with paired angled ground penetrating prongs attached to a ground resting base having a guy rope tie down loop.  
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     In one broad aspect the invention is directed to a portable support for a sports net. The support has a ground engaging base and a reel support member to extend upright from the base, and a reel parallel to the reel support member having paired upper and lower reel attachments for the sports net so the net can be attached to and wound on the reel. The support preferably comprises a second support having a second ground engaging base and a second support member to extend upright from said base and paired upper and lower member attachments for said sports net. Preferably the support additionally comprises a sports net. Preferably the reel support has upper and lower support arms. The upper support arm has an upper pivot to engage rotatably the reel and the lower support arm has a lower pivot to engage rotatably said reel. Preferably the reel has a lower sprocket wheel engaging a pawl on the lower support arm. Preferably the pawl comprises a cog mounted on a rotary shaft, which is upright in use and has a lever arm horizontal in use, and spring means acting on the lever arm, urging the cog into lockable contact with the sprocket. Preferably the spring extends from a movable holder pin mounted on the lever arm to a fixed holder pin mounted on the lower support arm. Preferably the shaft extends through the lower support arm, and the lever arm is below the lower support arm. The movable holder pin projects downward from the lever arm and the fixed holder pin projects downward from the lower support arm. Preferably the upper pivot, comprises an upper reel socket mounted below the upper support arm rotatably engaging an upper reel stud mounted on the reel, and the lower pivot comprises a lower reel stud tube rotatably engaging an axial cylindrical aperture of the sprocket wheel.  
         [0008]     In another broad aspect the invention is directed to a portable support system for sports net comprising a reel support to stand upright having a lower reel support to engage the ground and a upper reel support and a reel parallel to the upper reel support, the reel having paired upper and lower reel attachments for the sports net so the net can be attached to and wound on the reel. The upper reel support has upper and lower support arms. The upper support arm has an upper pivot to engage rotatably the reel, and the upper pivot comprises an upper reel socket mounted below the upper support arm rotatably engaging an upper reel stud mounted on the reel. The lower support arm has a lower pivot to engage rotatably the reel, and the lower pivot comprises a lower reel stud tube rotatably engaging an axial cylindrical aperture of a sprocket wheel axially mounted on the bottom of the reel and a pawl on the lower support arm engages the sprocket wheel. The pawl comprises a cog mounted on a rotary shaft, the rotary shaft is upright in use and has a lever arm horizontal in use, and a spring acts on the lever, urging the cog into lockable contact with the sprocket. The spring extends from a movable holder pin mounted on the lever arm to a fixed holder pin mounted on the lower support arm. The shaft extends through the lower support arm, and the lever arm is below the lower support arm, and the movable holder pin projects downward from the lever arm and the fixed holder pin projects downward from the lower support arm. The upper reel support has tiedown attachment means for guys to maintain the reel support upright. The lower reel support has a bottom ground pin, vertical in use, to penetrate the ground when upright, and a reel support base insert arm horizontal in use, to rest upon the ground and maintain the reel support upright. Preferably the system additionally comprises an end support to stand upright having a lower end support to engage the ground, and a upper end support having paired upper and lower attachments for the sports net. The upper end support has tiedown attachment means for guys to maintain the end support upright. The lower end support has a bottom ground pin, vertical in use, to penetrate the ground when upright, and an end support cross arm horizontal in use, to rest upon the ground and maintain the end support upright. Preferably the reel support and the end support comprise at least one cylindrical metal tube, and the reel and end support base insert arms are square metal tubes. Preferably the upper reel support arm is a continuous portion of the upper reel support bent horizontal through a right angle, and the lower support arm is a square horizontal tube projecting from adjacent the bottom of the upper reel support. Preferably the system additionally comprising a sports net. Preferably the reel support comprises separate upper and lower reel supports, and the upper reel support has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the lower reel support, and the upper and lower reel supports comprise cylindrical metal tubes. Preferably the lower support arm is a square horizontal tube projecting from the flared bottom sleeve of the upper reel support. Preferably the end support comprises separate upper and lower end supports, and the upper end support has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the lower end support, and the upper and lower end supports comprise cylindrical metal tubes. There may be an intermediate reel support extension, and the upper reel support has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the intermediate reel support extension, and the intermediate reel support extension has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the lower reel support and the upper and lower reel supports and intermediate reel support extension comprise cylindrical metal tubes. Similarly there may be an intermediate end support extension and the upper end support, has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the intermediate end support extension, and the intermediate end support extension has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the lower end support, and the upper and lower end supports and intermediate end support extension comprise cylindrical metal tubes. There may be upper and lower intermediate reel support extensions, and the upper reel support has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the upper intermediate reel support extension, and the upper intermediate reel support extension has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the lower intermediate reel support extension and the lower intermediate reel support extension has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the lower reel support and the upper and lower reel supports and the upper and lower intermediate reel support extensions comprise cylindrical metal tubes. Similarly the end support upper and lower intermediate end support extensions and the upper end support has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the upper intermediate end support extension, and the upper intermediate end support extension has a flared sleeve to matingly engage the top of the lower intermediate end support extension, and the lower intermediate end support extension has a flared end to matingly engage the top of the lower end support, and the upper and lower end supports and upper and lower intermediate end support extension comprise cylindrical metal tubes.  
         [0009]     Both support and support system may additionally comprising one or more ground anchors for a guy rope for the support or support system. The anchor comprises paired parallel ground penetrating prongs attached at an acute angle to a triangular base adapted to rest on the ground. The prongs are connected to the base at two apices, a tiedown loop being attached at the third apex of the base. The prongs and the sides of the base adjacent the third apex are an integral rod having angular bends at the apices, the third side of the base forming a connecting member between the apices. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a front elevational view of an embodiment of the invention.  
         [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a front elevational view of an upper reel support arm of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a top plan view of a reel of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a front elevational view of a lower reel support arm of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a bottom plan view of a reel of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a front elevational view of a long support extension of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a front elevational view of a short support extension of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a top plan view of an support anchor of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  
         [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a side elevational view of the support anchor of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0019]      FIG. 10  shows an end elevational view of the support anchor of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0020]      FIG. 11  shows a sectional view of an embodiment of flaring of the invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0021]     Numeral  10  indicates the portable volley ball system including reel support  12 , end support  14  and net  16 , attached to end support  14  at one side and reel  18 , mounted on reel support  12 , at its other end. Reel support  12 , has lower support leg  20 , of 14 gauge 1½″ o.d. tubing extending 3′1″ or 3′1½″ upward, with base insert arm  22 , of 14 gauge 1½″ square tubing 6 or 6¼″ long, with smooth ground end caps; symmetrical across leg  20 , and ground pin  24 , 9½″ long ⅝″ diameter, which passes through and is welded to insert arm  22 , extending 8″ into substrate  26 . Long support extension  28  is 14 gauge 1½″ o.d. extending 1′4″ or 1′2½″ including bottom flaring  30  of 14 gauge 1¾″ o.d extending 4″, to receive the top of support leg  20 . Above long support extension  28  is short support extension  32  of 14 gauge 1½″ o.d. extending 10″ or 11½″ including bottom flaring  34  of 14 gauge 1¾″ o.d extending 4″,to receive the top of short support extension  28 . Above long support extension  32  is upper reel support  36  of 14 gauge 1½″ o.d extending upward 3′11″ or 3′10½″ including bottom flaring  38 , of 14 gauge 1¾″ o.d extending 4″, to receive the top of long extension  32 . Upper reel support is bent over at the top, with outer radius about 4½″ and inner radius about 2″, to form upper reel support arm  40  likewise 14 gauge 1½″ o.d. with attached upper reel socket  42 , a 1″ or ¾″, ⅞″ i.d. pipe, welded to upper reel support arm  40  to fit loosely a ¾″ o.d. stud  56 . As shown lower reel support arm  44  of 1½″ square tubing projects about 6″ from bottom flaring  38  and has lower reel stub tube  46 , a 1¼″, 1¼″ o.d. tubing to fit loosely a 1 5/16″ i.d. sprocket  58 . Lower reel stud tube  46  is aligned with upper reel socket  42 . Reel  18  has drum  48 , 16 gauge 3½″ diameter, 3′3½″ or 3′4½″ tall, with upper circular tubing  50  and lower circular tubing  52 , both 5″ or 4¼″ radius of ¾″ diameter 16 gauge tubing, and upper and lower tie down loops  54 , which are ½″ by ½″ or ⅝″ by ⅝″ of ¼″ diameter bent solid rods for net  16 , there are also optional but preferred equispaced mid reel tie down loops  55 , which are preferably 2½″ tall, project ⅝″ and are ¼″ diameter bent solid rods. Tie down loop dimensions are preferred, and considerable variation is possible. Upper reel stud  56  (not shown  FIG. 1 ) engages upper reel socket  42 , while lower stub tube  46  engages ratchet sprocket  58  which is part of ratchet system  60  (not shown in detail in  FIG. 1 ). Upper reel support  36  has U-shaped tie down loop  62 , 1″ or 1¼″ across, projecting 1½″ or  1⅜″ of  ¼″ diameter rod, connected by tie down (guy) ropes  64  to support anchors  66 , while only one rope  64  and one support anchor  66  are shown, two are required to hold reel support  12  in position. End support  14 , has lower support leg  68 , of 14 gauge 1½″ o.d. tubing extending 3′1″ or 3′1½″, with base insert arm  70 , of 14 gauge 1½″ square tubing 6″ or 6¼″ long, with smooth ground end caps, symmetrical across leg  68 , and ground pin  72 , 9½″ long, ⅝″ diameter, which passes through and is welded to insert arm  70 , extending 8″ into substrate  26 . Long support extension  74  is 14 gauge 1½″ o.d. extending 1′4″ or 1′2½″ including bottom flaring  76  of 14 gauge 1¾″ o.d extending 4″, to receive the top of support leg  20 . Above long support extension  74  is short support extension  78  of 14 gauge 1½″ o.d. extending 10″ or 11½″ including bottom flaring  80  of 14 gauge 1¾″ o.d extending 4″,to receive the top of short support extension  74 . Above short support extension  78  is upper end support  82 , 14 gauge 1½″ o.d extending upward 3′7¾″ including bottom flaring  84 , of 14 gauge 1¾″ o.d extending 4″, to receive the top of short extension  78 . Upper end support  82  has top and bottom tie down loops  86  for net  16 , and tie down loop  88  for (guy) ropes (not shown), all three loops are U-shaped ¼″ rods, 1″ or 1¼″ across and projecting 1½″ or 1⅜″, tie down loop  88  is bent downward, two such tie down ropes with two support anchors are required to hold end support  14  in position. There are also optional but preferred equispaced mid end support tie down loops  89 , which are preferably 2⅛″ tall, project ⅝″ and are ¼″ diameter bent solid rods. Tie down loop dimensions are preferred, and considerable variation is possible. Upper end support  82  has optional plug  87 , preferably of suitable rubber or plastic, to seal its upper end.  FIG. 2  shows in more detail upper reel support arm  40 , where upper reel stud  56 , 14 gauge, 1¼″, ¾″ o.d. tube, or ⅝″, ¾″ o.d. rod rotatably engages upper reel socket  42 . Plug  90 , preferably of suitable rubber or plastic, seals end of upper support arm  40 .  FIG. 3  shows the top of reel  18 , with circular tubing  50  connected by welded radial spokes  92 ,  94 ,  95  and  96 , all 14 gauge, 1″ wide ½″ deep tubing to drum  48 , upper reel stud  56 , shown hollow, is welded to upper reel drum end plate  97 , 3½″ diameter, 16 gauge, alternatively in absence of end plate  97 , stud  56  may be welded to a diametric spoke.  FIG. 4  shows lower reel support arm  44 , which projects 6″ from bottom flaring  38 , and is 1½″ square section of 14 gauge has lower reel stub tube  46 , on its upper surface, which rotatably engages ratchet sprocket  58 , 1 5/16″ i.d. shown in ghost, ratchet sprocket  58  has lower toothed portion  98 , ½″ high, with 2″ core diameter, and ¼″ teeth spaced at 18° and upper shoulder portion  100 , ¼″ high which is attached to reel  18 , optional but preferred stop plate  101 , 1½″ diameter, ⅛″ thick, is welded to shoulder  100  by a continuous weld. Ratchet system  60 , also includes cog  102 , ¼″ square 1½″ long, cog  102 , may be ¼″ across by ½″ deep, with bevelled end to engage ratchet sprocket  58 , welded to shaft  104 , ½″ diameter 3″ deep, which passes through lower support arm  44 , welded upper washer  104 , 1″ or 1½″ o.d., ½″ i.d., and optional but preferred welded lower washer  105 , 1″ or 1½″ o.d., ½″ i.d., keeps shaft  104  in position, and allows free rotation of shaft  104  and cog  102 . Shaft  104  has arm  108 , ¼″ rod, 2¾″ long with end handle  109  extending ⅞″ or 1½″ down, with optional but preferred handle knob  111 , which has arm holder pin  110 , about 1¼″ from shaft axis, attached spring  112  at one end, the other is attached to support arm holder pin  114 , attached to underside arm  44  about 2″ or 2¼″ outward of axis of shaft  104 . Spring  112  urges cog  102  into ratchet sprocket  58 , retaining reel  18  in position. Ratchet cover  45 , 18 gauge, 1½″ deep, 1¾″ across, 4⅝″ long, shown in ghost is U shaped with tack welded end cap  47 , and screw holes  49  for attachment to lower support arm  44 , and protects ratchet arm  108  and handle  109 , spring  112  and spring holder pins  110  and  114  during play. An alternative arrangement is possible with shaft  104  outward of sprocket  58 , in which case sprocket  58  is in the same position relative to upper reel support  36  and flaring  38 , cog  102  is reversed to engage the outside of sprocket  58 , but otherwise shaft  104 , pin  114 , cover  45  are in the same relative position to shaft  104 , this arrangement projects beyond sprocket  58 , and lower support arm  44  extends some 11″ from bottom flaring  38 .  FIG. 5  shows the bottom of reel  18 , with circular tubing  52 , connected by welded radial spokes radial spokes  116 ,  117 ,  118  and  120 , all 14 gauge, 1″ wide ½″ deep tubing, to drum  48 , ratchet sprocket  58 , lower toothed portion  98  shown is welded to lower reel end plate  121 , 3½″ 16 gauge, alternatively in absence of end plate  121 , sprocket  58  may be welded to a diametric spoke.  FIGS. 6 and 7  show long and short support extensions. Long support extension  32 , identical to long extension support  78 , has bottom flare  34  and top plug  122 , preferably of suitable rubber or plastic. Short support extension  28 , identical to short extension support  78 , has bottom flare  30  and top plug  124 , preferably of suitable rubber or plastic.  FIGS. 8, 9  and  10  show support anchor  66 , this has two paired parallel prongs  126  and  128 , 1′ long and 6½″ (preferred) or 8½″ apart, with pointed tips  130  and  132  respectively, these are joined at their base by integral rods  134  and  136 , each about 4¼″ long, forming two sides of a triangle in a plane at 45° to that of the prongs, integral rods  134  and  136  are at an angle of 108°, rods and prongs are ½″ rods. Reinforcing ⅝″ pipe or tube  138  joins rods  134  and  136  at their base, forming a third side of the triangle. At apex  135  of rods  134  and  136 , is tie down  140 , consisting of U loop  142 , ¼″ rod, 1¼″ across at base and ⅞″ (preferred) or 1⅜″ deep, effectively at right angles to prongs  126  and  128 , and integral arms  146  and  148 , 1⅜″ long. As viewed in  FIG. 8 , arms  146  and  148  each form an angle of 144° with U loop  142 , as viewed in  FIG. 10 , they each form an angle of 105° with U loop  142 . Tie down  140  is spot welded to rods  134  and  136  adjacent apex  135 . Optional but preferred pin holes  150  in prongs  126  and  128  are provided so that hollow extension pipes slid over prongs  126  and  128 , can be secured by pins or other fastening means passing through pinholes  150 . The extended prongs are for use in loose soils, such as but not limited to sand.  
         [0022]     In the above descriptions alternative measurements are sometimes given. In general, only one set of sizes will be used throughout a volley ball support structure, the supports and long and short extensions will be the same size as other supports and extensions. Many of the given measurements are indicative rather than mandatorily exact.  
         [0023]     An alternative flaring structure is shown in  FIG. 11 , where for example bottom flaring  30  is a 4½″ long 1¾″ o.d. tube, overlapping tube  28 , a 1½″ o.d, tube by ½″ and joined by continuous weld  152  machined smooth.  
         [0024]     In the above description sprocket  58  is described as ratchet sprocket  58 , because it functions as a ratchet. A ratchet of similar dimensions could be substituted for sprocket  58  without affecting its function, although strictly sprockets and ratchets are distinct.  
         [0025]     As those skilled in the art would realize these preferred described details and materials and components can be subjected to substantial variation, modification, change, alteration, and substitution without affecting or modifying the function of the described embodiments.  
         [0026]     Although embodiments of the invention have been described above, it is not limited thereto, and it will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that numerous modifications and variations form part of the present invention insofar as they do not depart from the spirit, nature and scope of the claimed and described invention.