Abstract:
One aspect of the instant invention is an improved volleyball net or hardware used in conjunction with a volleyball net to allow a game net with portions of the net at different heights. Another aspect of the invention is rules for a game with a game net of different heights. The invention can be used to have an improved net game with players of different abilities, genders or heights.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The invention relates to generally to volleyball or other sports utilizing a net. More particularly, the invention relates to methods and devices for improving the game of volleyball to include a net with different portions of the net at different heights. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In numerous athletic settings, it is desirable to play with players of different abilities, height or sex. In volleyball, for example, it is sometime desirable to play with both female and male players on the same team. With no adjustments to the game, however, this can lead to a decreased quality game because either the male players would have to hit on a net inappropriately low or the female players would have to hit on a net inappropriately high. 
         [0003]    Typically, the solution to this problem has been to utilize a net at the proper height for female players and set a distance from the net that the male players may not hit closer than. Although this solution does improve the game, there are still disadvantages. Hitting on a lower net from further away does not have the same feel as hitting close to the net at the proper height. It also makes blocking and setting more awkward compared to the traditional game. 
         [0004]    The need still exists, therefore, for a better way to improve the game of volleyball for games with both female and male players or with players of different heights or abilities. This would also be useful in the educational context with players of different heights and abilities. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The enhanced feature of this invention is a volleyball net or hardware used in conjunction with a volleyball net to allow a single net with portions at different heights. Another related enhanced feature of the invention is for establishing the rules for the game with a single net with different heights. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  shows a net in accordance with the invention. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  shows the hardware of the instant invention used in conjunction with a traditional net. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  shows a close-up of the hardware of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    In a traditional volleyball game, the net height is 7′ 11⅝″ for men and 7′ 4⅛″ for women. Coed games are typically played either on a men&#39;s height net or played on a women&#39;s height net with restrictions on the men&#39;s attack. 
         [0010]    The instant invention allows the coed game to be played with a split height net so that the women can attack from the side of the net set at the women&#39;s net height and the men can attack from the side of the net set at the men&#39;s height. 
         [0011]    This eliminates the undesirable features of having a female player attacking on a men&#39;s height net or the men needing to attack from a distance away from the net with a women&#39;s height net. 
         [0012]    The instant invention can be utilized in several ways. In one embodiment, a net can be designed such that one half of the net is lower than the other half. The difference in height can preferably be the difference in height between a standard men&#39;s height and standard women&#39;s height. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  shows one particular embodiment with a net with a different height on each side of the net. A stiff member ( 1 ) is used to separate the two sides of the net with one side of the net lower than the other. The stiff member ( 1 ) has attachment points ( 2 ) and ( 3 ) for cables ( 7 ) and ( 8 ) used to secure the net in position. The cable is typically secured to a pole or vertical member in the traditional way that allows adjustment of the height and tension in the cable. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,968,042. The stiff member ( 1 ) also attaches to the bottom cable ( 6 ) at attachment point ( 4 ) such that the bottom cable can be adjusted to keep stiff member ( 1 ) vertically oriented. Bottom cable ( 6 ) is also secured by the pole or vertical member that secures cables ( 7 ) and ( 8 ). In a variation of this embodiment, the cable ( 7 ) is continuous with cable ( 8 ) and can pass through or along the stiff member ( 1 ) which can be hollow. If the stiff member ( 1 ) is not hollow and attachments points are not used, pulleys can be attached to the stiff member to allow the cable to transition from the higher side of the net to the lower side. 
         [0014]    In another variation of this embodiment, the stiff member ( 1 ) can be a telescoping member such that the difference in the height of the two sides of the net can be adjusted or even eliminated. Adjustment means for the extra play in the string part ( 10 ) of the net can also be provided. For example clips can be used at the bottom of the net to ensure good tension and play out of the center portion of the net. 
         [0015]    In the preferred embodiment, hardware can be used to convert a traditional net to a split height net. As seen in  FIG. 2 , hardware can be attached to a traditional net to lower one side of the net. The hardware includes a stiff member ( 1 ) with pulleys ( 11 ) and ( 12 ). The stiff member is designed such that it can withstand the forces caused by the tension in the cables ( 13 ) and ( 14 ). Adequate stiffness can be achieved by material selection, cross section design or the like. In this embodiment, the stiff member has a mechanism to secure it to the net at location ( 15 ) and allows cable ( 13 ) to wrap around pulleys ( 11 ) and ( 12 ) as shown. Many different variations of this embodiment are possible. For example, although the hardware of  FIG. 2  splits the net evenly, the hardware can be used at any location along the net with a different ratio of the lengths of the sides of the net. 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  shows a close up of the hardware shown in  FIG. 2 . Cable ( 20 ) goes under pulley ( 21 ) and over pulley ( 22 ). Some adjustment in the cable tension may be needed to ensure that member ( 1 ) is vertical. Clips or other devices can also be used in conjunction with the hardware shown to reduce the slack in the net from lowering one portion of the net. The stiff member ( 1 ) can be in two parts that assemble together such that the first part is behind the net and the second part is in front of the net as shown in  FIG. 3 . It is easily appreciated that the possibilities for member ( 1 ) and the attachment to the net can be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. 
         [0017]    In another embodiment, a half net can be secured to a full net with the half net extending above the full net to achieve the difference in height between one side of the net and the other. 
         [0018]    In other embodiments, the stiff member may be adjustable in length so as to allow for a wide variety of differences in net height between one side and the other. 
         [0019]    Alternatively, the hardware can also be used in multiple locations to have several different heights along the same net. 
         [0020]    Likewise, the pulley and cable shown in the figures may be substituted with an appropriate equivalent and the cable made from any number of different materials without departing from the scope of the claims. 
         [0021]    In order to facilitate the game, an antenna may be placed vertically at the section of the net where the net changes in height. This will ensure that each player attacks from the appropriate side of the net. A rule can make hitting this antenna an infraction just as in standard play hitting antennas placed at the side boundaries of the net would be an infraction. 
         [0022]    Although particular preferred embodiments have been described, changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the claims.