ADJUSTABLE NET SUPPORT SYSTEM

Abstract

A pole assembly supports an edge of a net by means of a support pole adapted to be positioned upright on a surface. A net pole is secured to an edge portion of the net to be suspended. A bracket connects the support pole and the net pole to one another at selected relative orientations. A fastener then secures the support pole and the net pole at the selected orientation. The selected orientation may be longitudinal positioning or angular positioning. A net system is disclosed and employs a pair of support pole and net pole combinations and a net to be suspended thereby. A method of positioning a net above a surface utilizing this structure is also disclosed.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention broadly concerns a net system. More particularly, the present invention concerns a sports net system that allows for the adjustment of the sports net above the support surface and that may further accomplish a uniform tension of the net. The present invention is also directed to a method of positioning a net above a support surface.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Society enjoys recreation. It is a welcome relief from work and can be a means of socialization and exercise. Playing a game of badminton or volleyball in the backyard or local park has long been a weekend pastime. A number of recreational activities including tennis, paddleball, badminton, volleyball, soccer and other such court games require a net as part of the game. The net is used to demark a boundary or to provide an interference surface for the ball or game piece. Conventional nets consist of a tensioned web of flexible material that is suspended between poles, or posts, at each end. Some net systems are permanent while others are portable and can be erected on a chosen playing surface. A desirable feature of portable nets is ease and simplicity of their erection.

A conventional net system is erected by affixing two vertical poles directly into the ground or into a stand and then suspending the net between them. The net is tied or otherwise attached in a manner that places a uniform tension on the net and locates the net at a height and orientation to the playing surface that is desirous for the particular game. Some conventional net poles have fixed net attachment points on them making it difficult to align and position the net when the poles are on uneven ground. The net is attached by either tying it to the pole or by attaching it with fixed length clips. It can be difficult to adjust the poles and mount the net so that there is generally a uniform tension across it, which is usually the desirable configuration. With time, a net may get stretched out of shape and thus may not remain rectangular in shape. In cases where flexible poles are used, the act of tensioning one corner of the net can cause flexure in the pole and change the tension already achieved on the opposite corner thus making the net mounting a tedious, iterative process.

There exists a need for a sports net system that provides for simple adjustability of the net height with respect to the poles so that one may move either end of the net up or down along the pole to attain the proper positioning of the net. There is also a need for adjustability of the net poles so that a generally uniform tension can be achieved in the net in a simple manner.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and useful system for supporting a net between support poles.

A pole assembly is provide that is adapted to support an edge portion of a net that is to be suspended above a surface. The pole assembly generally includes a support pole adapted to be positioned in an upright manner relative to the surface, a net pole adapted to secure to the edge portion of the net to be suspended, and a bracket. The bracket is adapted to connect the support pole and the net pole to one another and operative to permit the support pole and the net pole to be oriented with respect to one another at selected relative orientations. At least one fastener or fastener means is provided that is operative to releasably secure the support pole and the net pole at a selected relative orientation.

The support pole and net may each be elongated tubular members having a selected cross-sectional configuration with each having longitudinal axes. The cross-sectional configuration of the support pole and net pole may, independently be selected from the group consisting of circular, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, and hexagonal configurations.

The bracket is operative to permit selected relative orientation of the net pole at selected locations longitudinally along the support pole. The bracket also, or in the alternative, be operative to permit selected angular orientation of the net pole with respect to the support pole.

In one embodiment, the bracket may include at least one sleeve portion adapted to slideably receive either the support pole or the net pole as a received pole. The sleeve portion has a sidewall formed in a generally C-shaped cross-section of a selected effective cross-sectional dimension. The bracket may further be provided with a flange projecting from longitudinally extending edges of the sidewall in facing relation to one another. As such, the fastener is operative to advance the flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the effective cross-sectional dimension thereof.

In another embodiment the bracket includes a first sleeve portion having a first sidewall that is adapted to slideably receive the support pole and a second sleeve portion having a second sidewall that is adapted to slideably receive the net pole. Each of the first and second sidewalls are formed in a generally C-shaped cross-section with an effective cross-sectional dimension. Here, the first sidewall includes a pair of first flanges projecting from longitudinally extending edges thereof in facing relation to one another. The second sidewall includes a pair of second flanges projecting from longitudinally extending edges thereof in facing relation to one another. The first and second pairs of flanges engage one another and the fastener is operative to advance the flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of said first and second sidewalls.

The bracket may include a pair of spaced-apart webs interconnecting respective longitudinal edges of the first and second sidewalls. Here, the fastner is operative to advance the webs toward one another thereby to reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of the first and second sidewalls.

In an alternative construction, the bracket may include first and second sleeve portions that are formed as collar. Each collar includes a lobe projecting from the collar, a pair of flanges projecting therefrom in spaced-apart relation to one another. Here, the fastener extends between the flanges and is operative to advance the flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the cross-sectional dimensions thereof. The lobes are pivotally connected to one another.

Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a sports net system that is adapted to be erected on a surface. The system generally includes a pair of support poles that are each adapted to be positioned in an upright manner relative to the surface in spaced relation to one another. The system also includes a pair of net poles. First and second brackets may interconnect one of the support poles to one of the net poles thereby forming first and second pole pairs. As described above, the brackets are operative to permit the net poles to be oriented relative to a respected one of the support poles, the bracket having a selected construction, for example, as described above.

Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a method of positioning a net above a support surface. Aspects of the method include, in any order, erecting first and second support poles in an upright orientation on the support surface in spaced-apart relation to one another, securing a first edge portion of the net to a first net pole and securing a second edge portion of the net to a second net pole. The method includes interconnecting a first one of the support poles and a first one of the net poles as a first pole pair in a manner so as to permit them to be oriented with respect to one another at selected relative orientations and interconnecting a second one of the support poles and second one of the net poles as a second pole pair in a manner to permit them to be oriented with respect to one another at a selected relative orientation. The method may further include the step of securing each the first and second pole pairs in their respective relative orientations, which may particularly be a generally longitudinal orientation. The orientation of the first and second net poles may be a selected angular orientation relative to a respective one of the support poles so as to achieve a general uniform tension across the net.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an adjustable net support system on a playing surface;

FIG. 2 is a side view in elevation of a portion of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view in perspective of a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5A is a side view in elevation of a portion of the present invention and oriented in a first position;

FIG. 5B is a side view in elevation of a portion of the present invention and oriented in a second position;

FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation of a portion of the present invention showing two orientations (one shown in phantom) of the support pole with respect to the adjustment collar;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view with a cut-away of a third embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

The disclosed embodiments broadly relate to net support systems, but more particularly concern an adjustable sports net system that facilitates and simplifies that task of positioning and tensioning a sports net, such as a volleyball net. The embodiments shown herein are particularly directed to an adjustable net support system wherein an edge portion of the net can be raised or lowered with respect to the support poles to attain a desired height above a support surface. The embodiments herein also disclose a net support system that adjusts to provide a uniform tension in the net such as if the net is supported by more than one support pole. The present invention is further directed to a method of positioning a net above a support surface for court games that require a net as part of the game whereby the net may be placed at a selected game playing height and whereby the net support system adjusts to produce a uniform tension across the net.

One aspect of the adjustable net system disclosed herein is a pair of support poles that are supported by the playing surface. The poles may be permanently mounted to the playing surface or may be portable and attached by pushing them into the ground or by attaching them to a heavy base structure. The poles may also be provided rigidity and support by guy lines. The support poles may also be of an expandable type so that they can be stored compactly when not in use. Another aspect of the disclosed embodiments also includes a pair of net poles, to which an edge portion of either side of a net are attached, and a bracket that attaches each net pole to a support pole in a respective pole pair. The bracket is configured such that, when in a released state, the poles can be inserted into or removed from the bracket and the net pole can slide along the support pole for vertical positioning of the net and can be rotated with respect to the support pole for equalizing the tension in the net. In the clamped state, the bracket grips both the net pole and support pole and prevents their inadvertent movement.

With reference to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of the sports net system 10 is shown. Support poles 14 are mounted upright manner relative to playing surface 24 by either insertion of the poles 14 into the playing surface 24 as shown, or they may be attached to a platform or stand which supports them on the surface. The poles 14 may be further supported by guy lines 20, also attached at one end to the playing surface 24. Bracket 18 connects support pole 14 and net pole 16. Each edge portion of net 12 are adapted to be secured to a respective one of net poles 16 so that net 12 is suspended therebetween. As shown, net 12 is attached to net poles by sleeves or net straps 22. As will be discussed in detail further, bracket 18 allows support pole 14 and net pole 16 to be oriented with respect to one another at selected orientations. More particularly, bracket 18 is operative to permit selective relative orientation of net pole 16 at selected locations longitudinally of support pole 14. Alternatively or in addition thereto bracket 18 may be operative to permit selected angular orientations of net pole 16 with respect to support pole 14. As such, bracket 18 permits orientation of net poles 15 with respect to the support pole 14 in order to obtain the ideal position of the net with respect to the playing surface 24 and to obtain uniform tensioning of the net 12. The net 12 may consist of a variety of materials and configurations known to one skilled in the art and of select choice for the type of game to be played.

A detailed view of a portion of the adjustable net support system is shown in FIG. 2. Here a first pole assembly 31 is shown, which includes support pole 14 having a longitudinal axis “a” while the net pole 16 has a similar axis “b”, these axes being coplanar, and bracket 18. Together support pole 14 and net pole 16 make a first pole pair. As shown in FIG. 1, there is a second pole assembly 35 identical in construction to first pole assembly and therefore includes a second pole pair and a second bracket. Since first pole assembly 31 and second pole assembly 35 are identical in construction, only first pole assembly 31 will be discussed in further detail as a representative.

Support pole 14 and net pole 16 may be of a variety of cross-sections including: hollow circular tubes, solid circular rods, hollow or solid rods of an elliptical, square, triangular, hexagonal, or other multi-sided shapes. As shown here, support pole 15 and net pole 16 are elongated tubular members. The poles 14 and 16 may be constructed of any material with sufficient rigidity to adequately support the net 12 during game play. Still referring to FIG. 2, the net 12 may be attached to the net pole 16 by means of net straps 22 which attach to the net 12 and the net pole 16 to transfer the tension forces in the net 12 to the net pole 16. It should be appreciated that one skilled in the art can conceive of other means for affixing the net 12 to the net pole 16.

A first embodiment of bracket 18 is shown in FIG. 3. Here bracket 18 includes a first sleeve portion 30, a second sleeve portion 32 and fastener in the form of a nut 36 and bolt 34. Both sleeve portions 30 and 32 are of a similar shape and, the first sleeve portion 30 is formed of a cylindrical tube that is generally C-shaped in cross-section with a longitudinal axis “c” and with a longitudinal slot 56, a first sleeve sidewall 42, and a cylindrical interior 44. The first sleeve portion 30 includes a pair of planar sleeve flanges 46 which are affixed to, or formed integrally with, the sleeve sidewall 42 at the longitudinal slot edges. The flanges 46 extend the length of the sleeve and also extend in an outwardly direction from axis “c” in faction relation to one another. The flanges 46 are also oriented to be generally parallel to one another and positioned to define an interior region 48 of a selected size. The flanges 46 include first sleeve holes 38.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the second sleeve portion 32 is similar to the first sleeve 30. The second sleeve portion 32 is formed of a cylindrical tube that is generally C-shaped in cross-section with an axis “d” and with a second sleeve slot 58, a second sleeve sidewall 52, and a cylindrical interior 54. The second sleeve portion 32 also includes a pair of flanges 50 which are sized to fit within the interior region 48 of the first sleeve 30 as seen in FIG. 4. The second sleeve 32 also includes second sleeve holes 40 which are positioned and sized to align with the first sleeve holes 38 when bracket 18 is in the assembled state as shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 and to receive a bolt 34 with a nut 36 for clamping the first sleeve flanges 46 to the second sleeve flanges 50.

The first sleeve portion 30 and second sleeve portion 32 are sized to easily and slideably receive the support pole 14 and net pole 16, respectively, when the net support system 10 is assembled for use and in addition to allow the longitudinal positioning of bracket 18 with respect to the poles 14 and 16. Tightening the nut 36 and bolt 34 fastener squeezes or otherwise advances flanges 46 and 50 together thereby reducing the cross-sectional dimensions of said first and second sidewalls 42 and 25 thus clamping the first sleeve 30 and second sleeve 32 about the support pole 14 and net pole 16, respectively. The bracket 18 is constructed of an elastically resilient material with sufficient flexibility to deform when the fastener is tightened and thus clamp onto the poles 14 and 16. Such suitable materials for the bracket 18 include plastics and metals while aluminum is a preferable material.

Although the embodiment of the sports net system 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 4 utilizes poles 14 and 16 with circular cross-sections it should be appreciated that other cross-sections can also be accommodated by bracket 18 with the proper shape of the sleeves 30 and 32.

The use of a single fastener to connect the first sleeve portion 30 and second sleeve portion 32 allows for the relative rotation of the two pieces as an adjustment feature. FIGS. 5A and 5B best illustrate this. As previously mentioned, nets 12 do not necessarily apply an equal tension among the net straps 22 when the net poles 16 are mounted parallel to one another. FIGS. 5A and 5B show two opposite orientations of the axis “b” of net pole 16 with respect to axis “a” of the support pole 14. If, for example, the net 12 was slack along its bottom edge when the poles 14 and 16 are generally parallel as shown in FIG. 2 then the imbalance of tensile forces applied to net pole 16 by the straps 22 would cause the net pole 16 to rotate to an orientation as shown in FIG. 5A where the axes “a” and “b” are at an equilibrium angle “a”. Conversely, when the net 12 is slack along its top edge the net pole 16 will rotate to an orientation as shown in FIG. 5B where the axes “a” and “b” are at an angle “β”. As may be appreciated then, bracket 18 permits net pole 16 to pivot relative to support pole 14. Accordingly, net poles 16 can be positioned to produce a generally uniform tension across the net 12. Referring back to FIGS. 3 and 4, the size of the flanges 46 and 50 and the respective position of the holes 38 and 40 are chosen to allow for a selected range of angles of rotation “a” and “β”.

As also mentioned, another desirable adjustment feature is the ability to position bracket 18 along the poles 14 and 16. As FIG. 6 shows bracket 18 can be selectively placed along the support pole 14 to produce a desired distance of the bracket 18 from the top of the support pole 14.

A second embodiment of bracket 118 is shown in FIG. 7. Similar to the first embodiment, bracket 118 includes a first sleeve 130 and a second sleeve 132 each with sleeve flanges 146 and 150, respectively. The sleeve flanges 146 and 150 are attached by an adjustable fastener 134. The sleeves 103 and 132 include bracket interiors 144 and 154, respectively, and which respectively receive the support pole 14 and net pole 16. In this embodiment the flanges 146 and 150 extend only partially along the length of the sleeves 130 and 132, respectively, to allow for longer sleeve lengths without the need for longer flanges 146 and 150. Similar to the first embodiment, bracket 118 has flanges 146 and 150 sized and located to facilitate the desired rotational and longitudinal placement of the support poles 14 and 16 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

A third embodiment of bracket 218 is shown in FIG. 8. Here the bracket 218 includes two geometrically similar sleeves, first sleeve 230 and second sleeve 232. Each of the sleeves 230 and 232 includes a slotted pole collar 242 with a slot 234 and lobes 246. Each lobe 246 is positioned on the pole collar 242 opposite of the slot 234. Sleeve clamp posts 260 are affixed to the pole collar 242 near each of the slots 234. The collars 242 are selectively clamped to their respective pole 14 or 16 by drawing the posts 260 together thus narrowing the slot 234. One means of accomplishing this is by providing one of the posts 260 with a threaded hole 270 while the other contains a smooth bore 272. A clamp bolt 274 which includes a partially threaded shaft 266 and a thumbwheel 264 engages the threaded clamp post 260 and rotating the clamp bolt 274 draws the posts 260 together which clamps sleeve 230 or 232 to one of the poles 14 or 16. One skilled in the art can also appreciate that other means such as a bolt or nut can be used to releasably clamp the pole collars 242 to the poles 14 or 16.

In this embodiment the first sleeve 230 and second sleeve 232 are attached by means of a press-fit pin 262 passing through holes in each of lobes 246. The two lobes 246 are separated by a spacer 236 through which the pin 262 also passes. The fit of the connection of the two sleeves 230 and 232 is such that the two sleeves can rotate with respect to one another about the pin axis so that bracket 218 can accommodate pole orientations as discussed for the previous two embodiments and as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. Other viable means for connecting the two sleeves 230 and 232 can be envisioned by one skilled in the art. As in the previous embodiments, it should be appreciated that the sleeves 230 and 232 can be configured to accommodate poles 14 and 16 of cross-sections other than circular.

A fourth embodiment of bracket 318 is shown in FIG. 9. Here bracket 318 consists of a single longitudinally extruded piece with an “hourglass”-shaped cross-section. Bracket 318 includes a pair of spaced apart webs 331 and 335 interconnecting respective longitudinal edges of first and second sidewalls 330 and 332 that each have generally circular shaped interior regions 344 and 354 which are sized to accept support pole 14 in one and net pole 16 in the other and to allow the selectable positioning of the poles within the collar 318. The collar 318 is shaped to produce a gap 370 between the interior regions 344 and 354. A hole 372 passes through the collar and accepts a fastener such as a bolt and nut which can be engaged to draw the sides of the collar 318 or otherwise reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of first and second sidewalls 330 and 332 together to clamp the collar 318 about the poles 14 and 16. Unlike the previous embodiments, this embodiment does not allow the selectable rotation of the poles 14 and 16 as was exemplified in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

The present invention is also directed to a method of positioning a net above a support surface, particularly for setting up a game net for court games that require a net as part of the game and equalizing the tension in the net. Such a method contemplates all of the steps inherent in the structures described above. These steps generally include, in any order, erecting first and second support poles in an upright orientation on the support surface in spaced-apart relation to one another, securing a first edge portion of the net to a first net pole and securing a second edge portion of the net to a second net pole. The method includes interconnecting a first one of the support poles and a first one of the net poles as a first pole pair in a manner so as to permit them to be oriented with respect to one another at selected relative orientations and interconnecting a second one of the support poles and second one of the net poles as a second pole pair in a manner to permit them to be oriented with respect to one another at a selected relative orientation. The method may further include the step of securing each the first and second pole pairs in their respective relative orientations, which may particularly be a generally longitudinal orientation. The orientation of the first and second net poles may be a selected angular orientation relative to a respective one of the support poles so as to achieve a general uniform tension across the net.

Accordingly, the present invention has been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated, though, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.

Claims

1. A pole assembly adapted to support an edge portion of a net that is to be suspended above a surface, comprising: (A) a support pole adapted to be positioned in an upright manner relative to the surface; (B) a net pole adapted to secure to the edge portion of the net to be suspended; (C) a bracket adapted to connect said support pole and said net pole to one another, said bracket operative to permit said support pole and said net pole to be oriented with respect to one another at selected relative orientations; and (D) at least one fastener operative to releasably secure said support pole and said net pole at a selected relative orientation.

2. A pole assembly according to claim 1 wherein said support pole and said net pole are each elongated tubular members of a selected cross-sectional configuration with each having longitudinal axes.

3. A pole assembly according to claim 2 wherein the selected cross-sectional configuration of said support pole and the selected cross-sectional configuration of said net pole are each independently selected from a group consisting of: circular, elliptical, rectangular, triangular, and hexagonal.

4. A pole assembly according to claim 2 wherein said bracket is operative to permit selected relative orientation of said net pole at selected locations longitudinally of said support pole.

5. A pole assembly according to claim 2 wherein said bracket being operative to permit selected angular orientation of said net pole with respect to said support pole.

6. A pole assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bracket includes at least one sleeve portion adapted to slideably receive one of said support pole and said net pole as a received pole.

7. A pole assembly according to claim 6 wherein said sleeve portion has a sidewall formed in a generally C-shaped cross-section of a selected effective cross-sectional dimension.

8. A pole assembly according to claim 7 including a flange projecting from longitudinally extending edges of said sidewall in facing relation to one another, said fastener operative to advance said flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the effective cross-sectional dimension thereof.

9. A pole assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bracket includes a first sleeve portion having a first sidewall and adapted to slideably receive said support pole and a second sleeve portion having a second sidewall adapted to slideably receive said net pole, each of said first and second sidewalls being formed in a generally C-shaped cross-section with an effective cross-sectional dimension.

10. A pole assembly according to claim 9 wherein said first sidewall includes a pair of first flanges projecting from longitudinally extending edges thereof in facing relation to one another and wherein said second sidewall includes a pair of second flanges projecting from longitudinally extending edges thereof in facing relation to one another, said first and second pairs of flanges engaging one another, said fastener being operative to advance said flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of said first and second sidewalls.

11. A pole assembly according to claim 9 including a pair of space-apart webs interconnecting respective longitudinal edges of said first and second sidewalls, said fastener being operative to advance said webs toward one another thereby to reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of said first and second sidewalls.

12. A pole assembly according to claim 9 including a fastener associated with each of said first and second sidewalls.

13. A pole assembly according to claim 9 wherein each of said first and second sleeve portions is formed as a collar each having: (A) a lobe projecting therefrom; (B) a pair of flanges projecting therefrom in spaced-apart relation to one another; and (C) a fastener extending between said flanges and being operative to advance said flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the cross-sectional dimensions thereof; said lobes being pivotally connected to one another.

14. A pole assembly according to claim 1 wherein said bracket is operative to permit said net pole to pivot relative to said support pole.

15. A pole assembly adapted to support an edge portion of a net that is to be suspended above a surface, comprising: (A) an elongated support pole adapted to be positioned in an upright manner relative to the surface; (B) an elongated net pole adapted to secure to the edge portion of the net to be suspended; (C) a bracket adapted to connect said support pole and said net pole to one another, said bracket including a first sleeve portion operative to slideably engage said support pole and a second sleeve portion operative to slideably engage said net pole; and (D) means for fastening said first and second sleeve portions respectively on said support and net poles thereby to selectively resist relative sliding movement thereof.

16. A pole assembly according to claim 15 wherein said bracket is operative to permit selected relative orientation of said net pole at selected locations longitudinally of said support pole.

17. A pole assembly according to claim 15 wherein said bracket is operative to permit selected angular orientation of said net pole with respect to said support pole.

18. A pole assembly according to claim 15 wherein said first sleeve portion has a first sidewall and wherein said second sleeve portion has a second sidewall, each of said first and second sidewalls being formed in a generally C-shaped cross-section with an effective cross-sectional dimension.

19. A pole assembly according to claim 18 wherein said first sidewall includes a pair of first flanges projecting from longitudinally extending edges thereof in facing relation to one another and wherein said second sidewall includes a pair of second flanges projecting from longitudinally extending edges thereof in facing relation to one another, said first and second pairs of flanges engaging one another, said fastener being operative to advance said flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the cross-sectional dimensions of said first and second sidewalls.

20. A sports net system adapted to be erected on a surface, comprising: (A) a pair of support poles each adapted to be positioned and in an upright manner relative to the surface in spaced-apart relation to one another; (B) a pair of net poles; (C) a first bracket interconnecting a first one of said support poles and a first one of said net poles as a first pole pair and a second bracket interconnecting a second one of said support poles and a second one of said net poles as a second pole pair, said first and second brackets operative to permit a respective said support pole and a respective said net pole of the first and second pole pairs to be oriented with respect to one another at selected relative orientations; (D) at least one fastener associated with each of said first and second brackets, said fastener operative to releasably secure the respective said support pole and the respective said net pole of the first and second pole pairs at their selected relative orientations; and (E) a flexible net having a first edge portion adapted to be secured to said first one of said net poles and a second edge portion adapted to be secured to said second one of said net poles.

21. A sports net system according to claim 20 wherein said first bracket is operative to permit selected relative orientation of said first net pole at selected locations longitudinally of said first support pole of the first pole pair and wherein said second bracket is operative to permit selected relative orientation of said second net pole at selected locations longitudinally of said second support pole of the second pole pair.

22. A sports net system according to claim 20 wherein said first bracket is operative to permit selected angular orientation of said first net pole with respect to said first support pole of the first pole pair and wherein said second bracket is operative to permit selected angular orientation of said second net pole with respect to said second support pole of the second pole pair.

23. A sports net system according to claim 20 wherein each said first and second bracket includes at least one sleeve portion adapted to slideably receive a respective one of said support poles and said net poles of a respective pole pair.

24. A sports net system according to claim 23 wherein said sleeve portion has a sidewall formed in a generally C-shaped cross-section of a selected effective cross-sectional dimension.

25. A sports net system according to claim 24 including a flange projecting from longitudinally extending edges of said sidewall in facing relation to one another, said fastener operative to advance said flanges toward one another thereby to reduce the effective cross-sectional dimension thereof.

26. A method of positioning a net above a support surface, comprising in any order: (A) erecting first and second support poles in an upright orientation on the support surface in spaced-apart relation to one another; (B) securing a first edge portion of the net to a first net pole and securing a second edge portion of the net to a second net pole; and (C) interconnecting a first one of said support poles and said first net pole as a first pole pair in a manner so as to permit them to be oriented with respect to one another at selected relative orientations and interconnecting a second one of said support poles and said second net pole as a second pole pair in a manner so as to permit them to be oriented with respect to one another at selected relative orientation.

27. A method according to claim 26 including the step of securing each of first and second pole pairs in their respective relative orientations.

28. A method according to claim 27 wherein the orientation of said first and second net poles is longitudinal.

29. A method according to claim 26 wherein the orientation of said first and second net poles is a selected angular orientation relative to a respective one of said support poles thereby to generally achieve uniform tension across said net.