BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Without limiting the scope of the present invention as claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures:
FIG. 1 is an elevated plan view of an embodiment of a composite locking upright, not to scale;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the composite locking upright of FIG. 1 showing exploded cross-sectional views of embodiments of an upper and a lower protective collar, not to scale;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an upper protective collar viewed toward an embodiment of a composite tube taken along section line 3-3 in FIG. 2, not to scale;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of an upper protective collar viewed away from an embodiment of the composite tube taken along section line 4-4 in FIG. 2, not to scale;
FIG. 5 is cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lower protective collar taken along section line 5-5 in FIG. 2, not to scale;
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the composite locking upright from FIG. 1 showing an exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the lower protective collar and a bottom insert, not to scale;
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lower protective collar and insert viewed toward an embodiment of the composite tube taken along section line 6-6 in FIG. 6, not to scale;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lower protective collar viewed away from an embodiment of the composite tube taken along section line 8-8 in FIG. 6, not to scale;
FIG. 9 is an elevated plan view of an embodiment of the composite locking upright showing an embodiment of a reinforcing collar, not to scale;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the composite locking upright of FIG. 9 showing exploded cross-sectional views of embodiments of the upper and the lower protective collar, not to scale;
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a reinforcing collar taken along section line 11-11 in FIG. 9, not to scale; and
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the upper protective collar taken along section line 12-12 in FIG. 10, not to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The composite locking upright (50) of the instant invention enables a significant advance in the state of the art. The preferred embodiments of the device accomplish this by new and novel arrangements of elements and methods that are configured in unique and novel ways and which demonstrate previously unavailable but preferred and desirable capabilities. The detailed description set forth below in connection with the drawings is intended merely as a description of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the designs, functions, means, and methods of implementing the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and features may be accomplished by different embodiments that are also intended to be encompassed within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Referring now generally to FIGS. 1 through 12, the present invention is a composite locking upright (50) for installation into a playing surface (10) having a plurality of built-in sleeves (12). As one skilled in the art will observe and appreciate, the playing surface (10) may be found in any sports facility where the playing surface (10) satisfies multiple roles. By way of example and not limitation, the playing surface (10) may be used for indoor volleyball, badminton, and tennis, in addition to basketball or other sports not requiring uprights. The built-in sleeves (12) enable this versatility within the facility, particularly with respect to the sports requiring nets tautly secured between two uprights. The built-in sleeves (12) are typically 3, 3.5, or 4 inches in diameter and have a depth (13). The uprights (50) are slidably inserted into the sleeves (12) during setup of the playing surface (10). In an embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIG. 1, the composite locking upright (50) supports a net (20) at a net playing height (24) by supporting, and securing, a plurality of ropes (22). When two or more uprights (50) of the instant invention are installed into the built-in sleeves (12), the net (20) may be secured with the rope (22) at each upright (50).
With reference to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the composite locking upright (50) has a composite tube (100), an upper protective collar (200), a lower protective collar (300), a metallic tube (400), and a locking tool (700). Now these components, in addition to their relation to one another, will be more fully described.
The composite tube (100) may be made of a combination of two or more distinct materials that may result in a high-strength, low-weight composite. By way of example, and not limitation, the composite tube (100) may be made of a combination of a reinforcement supported by a matrix material, such as a fiber reinforcement of an organic, or resin, matrix. Furthermore, the fiber reinforcement may be composed of discontinuous fibers or continuous fibers. As one skilled in the art will recognize, the fibers may be one material, such as glass, aramid, carbon, or intermetallic fibers, to name only a few, or the fibers may be a combination of materials. The fibers may have low weight but great strength or rigidity, referred to as elastic modulus. The matrix binds the fibers together and transfers load to, and between, the individual fibers. There are a large number of resin formulations available, such as polyester and vinyl ester resins, thermoplastic resins, and epoxies. The matrix may have lower weight, rigidity, and strength than the fibers, however, the composite, the combination of the fiber and matrix, may have a high elastic modulus combined with low weight. As previously mentioned, even though the fibers have rigidity, many times the fibers weaken when damaged. Therefore, preventing damage to the composite by minimizing penetrations that segment or cut the fibers, and minimizing any damage to the composite, may improve the durability and long term performance of the composite tube (100).
With reference now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the composite tube (100) has a composite tube interior surface (110), a composite tube exterior surface (120), a sleeve support end (130), and a receiving end (140). The composite tube interior surface (110) is defined by a composite tube interior periphery (112), seen in FIG. 3. The composite tube exterior surface (120) is defined by a composite tube exterior periphery (122), also seen in FIG. 3. As seen in FIG. 2, the composite tube (100) has a composite tube height (170) that is measured from the sleeve support end (130) to the receiving end (140).
In one embodiment, the upper protective collar (200), as seen in FIG. 2, may have an upper collar attachment surface (210), a bearing surface (220), an upper collar exterior surface (230), and a guard surface (250), as seen best in an exploded view in FIG. 2. Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper collar attachment surface (210) is defined by an upper collar attachment periphery (212) and the bearing surface (220) is defined by a bearing surface periphery (222). The bearing surface (220) will be described in greater detail in tandem with the description of the metallic tube (400).
The upper collar attachment periphery (212) and the composite tube exterior periphery (122) cooperate such that the upper protective collar (200) is attached at the receiving end (140) of the composite tube (100), as seen in FIG. 2. As one skilled in the art will observe, attachment of the upper protective collar (200) to the composite tube (100) may be made by with an adhesive. By way of example only, and not limitation, the adhesive may be one that has a low density while being durable, such as a contact adhesive, urethane, and two-part, heat-cured epoxy.
The guard surface (250) and the upper collar exterior surface (230) substantially prevent damage to the receiving end (140) of the composite tube (100). Consequently, the guard surface (250) and the upper collar exterior surface (230) may substantially prevent damage to the fiber reinforcement of the composite tube (100) during handling and during adjustment of the net playing height (24). In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 1, the upper protective collar (200) may have a locking tool receiver (240), as will be described in more detail later.
With continued reference to FIGS. I and 2, in one embodiment of the composite locking upright (50), the lower protective collar (300) has a lower collar attachment surface (310), a sleeve contact surface (330), a support end (340), and a reinforcement end (350). As seen in FIG. 5, the lower collar attachment surface (310) is defined by a lower collar attachment periphery (312). The lower collar attachment periphery (312) and the composite tube exterior periphery (122) cooperate such that the lower protective collar (300) is attached at the sleeve support end (130), as seen in FIG. 2. With reference to FIG. 1, the lower protective collar (300) may cooperate with the built-in sleeve (12) which may allow the upright (50) to be installed and removed without substantially damaging the composite tube (100). As one skilled in the art will observe and appreciate, the lower protective collar (300) may be attached to the composite tube (100) by epoxy or other adhesive and additional joining strength may be realized by incorporating a pin or a bolt.
As seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the metallic tube (400) may protrude through the upper protective collar (200) and telescopically extends from the receiving end (140) of the composite tube (100). The metallic tube (400), like the composite tube (100), may have a high modulus of elasticity. In other words, the metallic tube (400) is rigid. Consequently, the metallic tube (400) may not deform substantially when a net hanging force is applied. Unlike the composite tube (100), however, metallic tube (400) may be made of metal. By way of example, and not limitation, the metallic tube (400) may be made of any one of the variety of light, but rigid metals, such as, aluminum or one of the numerous aluminum alloys, magnesium or one of the numerous magnesium alloys, or titanium or one of the numerous titanium alloys.
In one embodiment of the present invention, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the metallic tube (400) may have a metallic tube interior surface (410), a metallic tube exterior surface (420), an insertion end (430), and a rope contact end (440). The metallic tube exterior surface (420) may be formed with a plurality of net height receiving fixtures (460). By way of example, and not limitation, the net height receiving fixtures (460) may be indentations, protrusions, or marks formed into the metallic tube exterior surface (420) for facilitating setting the net playing height (24). Referring now to FIGS. 3 and 4, the metallic tube exterior surface (420) is defined by a metallic tube exterior periphery (422) that cooperates with the bearing surface periphery (222). The metallic tube (400) telescopes in and out of the composite tube (100) and may be fixed with the locking tool (700) operating in conjunction with the locking tool receiver (240) and the net height receiving fixtures (460).
In order to protect the composite tube (100), as seen in FIG. 2, as the metallic tube (400) slides longitudinally within the composite tube (100), the metallic tube exterior surface (420) slides against the bearing surface (220) of the upper protective collar (200). The bearing surface (220) substantially prevents the metallic tube exterior surface (420) from damaging the composite tube interior surface (110).
As seen in FIG. 2, the insertion end (430) resides within the composite tube (100) so that at a maximum extension (480) of the metallic tube (400) from the composite tube (100), the rigidity of the upright (50) may not be compromised. The various positions of the metallic tube (400) relative to the composite tube (400) may be locked by the locking tool (700), as seen in FIG. 1. The locking tool (700) may take a number of forms, by way of example and not limitation, the locking tool (700) may be a compression ring, a fork, or another device that cooperates with the locking tool receiver (240) and net height receiving fixtures (460) to lock the composite tube (100) with respect to the metallic tube (400).
During installation, when the rope (22) is threaded onto the rope contact end (440), the net (20) thereby releasably attaching the net (20) to the composite locking upright (50) and the net playing height (24) is set by sliding the metallic tube (400) longitudinally within the composite tube (100) and operating the locking tool (700) in cooperation with both the locking tool receiver (240) and the net height receiving fixtures (460) to lock the metallic tube (400) relative to the composite tube (100).
The upper and lower protective collars (200, 300) may be made of steel or other material, or may be made of a light weight material with a hard, abrasive resistant coating, that resists repetitious use of the composite locking upright (50) and that holds the metallic tube (400) at the net playing height (24). In particular, the lower protective collar (300) may prevent wear and damage to the composite tube (100) during the installation of the upright (50) into the built-in sleeves (12) and from relative movement between the lower protective collar (300) and the built-in sleeve (12) during use of the upright (50). Similarly, the upper protective collar (200) may prevent wear and damage to the composite tube interior surface (110) when the net playing height (24) is adjusted. In addition, the upper protective collar (200) may prevent wear and damage to the composite tube (100) while operating the locking tool (700) to lock the metallic tube (400) at the net playing height (24). In one embodiment of the instant invention, the composite tube (100) is not penetrated, and any penetrations are formed in the upper and lower protective collars (200, 300).
In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIGS. 2, 6, and 10, the composite tube (100) further includes a stop bar (150). The stop bar (150) is positioned on the composite tube interior surface (110). As one skilled in the art will recognize and appreciate, the stop bar (150) may be other than a bar, for instance, the stop bar (150) may be a restriction formed inside the composite tube (100), as seen in FIG. 10. The stop bar (150) is positioned to intercept the metallic tube (400) prior to the rope contact end (440) impacting the guard surface (250). The stop bar (150) is located at a drop distance (160), seen in FIG. 2, from the guard surface (250). In other words, if the metallic tube (400) is allowed to drop in an uncontrolled manner, the stop bar (150) may stop the metallic tube's (400) descent, thus substantially preventing the composite tube (100) from being damaged. In one embodiment of the composite locking upright (50), as seen in FIG. 2, the drop distance (160) may be less than the maximum extension (480).
In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIGS. 10 and 12, the upper collar attachment surface (210) has an interior upper collar attachment periphery (214). As best seen in FIG. 12, the interior upper collar attachment periphery (214) cooperates with the composite tube interior periphery (112). Essentially, a channel is formed in the upper protective collar (200), and the upper collar attachment surface (210) has a portion that may contact the composite tube interior surface (110) and a portion that may contact the composite tube exterior surface (120). As previously described, the upper collar attachment periphery (212) cooperates with the composite tube exterior periphery (122). Thus, the upper collar (200) may be attached to the receiving end (140) of the composite tube (100) with the upper collar attachment surface (210) substantially contacting both the composite tube interior surface (110) and the composite tube exterior surface (120).
In another embodiment of the composite locking upright (50), as seen in FIG. 2, the lower collar attachment surface (310) is defined by an interior lower collar attachment periphery (314). A lower collar channel is formed where the lower collar attachment surface (310) has a portion that may be attached to the composite tube exterior surface (120) and a portion that may be attached to the composite tube interior surface (110). The sleeve contact surface (330) has a sleeve contact surface length (352). The interior lower collar attachment periphery (314) cooperates with the composite tube interior periphery (112) whereby the lower protective collar (300) is attached to the sleeve support end (130) of the composite tube (100) with the lower collar attachment surface (310) substantially contacting both the composite tube interior surface (110) and the composite tube exterior surface (120).
With continued reference to FIG. 2, in another embodiment of the instant invention, the lower protective collar (300) has a reinforcement end (350). The reinforcement end (350) extends into the composite tube (100) to a reinforcement length (352). The reinforcement length (352) is measured from the sleeve support end (130) of the composite tube (100) to the reinforcement end (350) of the lower protective collar (300).
In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 6, the metallic tube (400) has a pulley wheel (470) rotatably attached to the rope contact end (440). In another embodiment, the rope contact end (440) is a grooved end, as seen in FIG. 10.
In yet another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the metallic tube (400) is formed with a composite tube interior surface protective ring (450). The composite tube interior surface protective ring (450) extends outwardly from the metallic tube exterior surface (420). The composite tube interior surface protective ring (450) may guide the metallic tube (400) as it telescopes in and out of the composite tube (100) during installation and preparation for storage. The composite tube interior surface protective ring (450) may also substantially prevent the metallic tube (400) from contacting the composite tube (100) and may improve rigidity between the metallic tube (400) and the composite tube (100) by helping distribute the load of the net between the metallic tube (400) and the composite tube (100) other than through the upper protective collar (200).
In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIG. 6, a bottom insert (500) may be attached to the composite tube (100) and the lower protective collar (300). The bottom insert (500) has a bottom insert interior surface (510), a bottom insert exterior surface (520), a bottom insert insertion end (530), a composite tube reinforcement end (540), and a bottom insert insertion length (550). As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, like the collars (200, 300), the bottom insert exterior surface (520) is defined by an insert exterior periphery (522) that cooperates with the composite tube interior periphery (112) and may cooperate the lower protective collar (300) having an insert contact surface (320) with an insert contact periphery (322). In another embodiment, the composite tube reinforcement end (540) resides within the composite tube (100). The bottom insert (500) attaches to the composite tube (100) with adhesive, much like (200, 300). The bottom insert insertion end (530) extends longitudinally from the composite tube (100) by the bottom insert insertion length (550). The bottom insert insertion length (550) may be measured from the sleeve support end (130) to the bottom insert insertion end (530). In this embodiment of the instant invention, the bottom insert (500) cooperates with the built-in sleeve (12) instead of the lower protective collar (200). In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIG. 6, an end plug (532) is attached to the bottom insert insertion end (530). In another embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the end plug (532) may be attached to the lower protective collar (300). The end plug (532) may be made of rubber or plastic and may prevent damage to the playing surface (10) or the built-in sleeve (12) during installation and removal of the composite locking upright (50).
In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIG. 9, a reinforcing collar (600) may be attached to the composite tube exterior surface (120). It is not necessary that the reinforcing collar be permanently attached. As one skilled in the art will observe and appreciate, the reinforcing collar (600) may be releasably attached such that the reinforcing collar (600) may provide compressive stresses in the composite tube exterior surface (120), as well as shielding the composite tube (100) from damage. As seen in FIG. 10, the reinforcing collar has a reinforcing interior surface (610), a reinforcing exterior surface (620), a reinforcement bottom edge (630), and a reinforcement top edge (640). As seen in FIGS. 10 and 11, the reinforcing interior surface (610) may be defined by a reinforcing interior periphery (612) and the reinforcing exterior surface (620) may be defined by a reinforcing exterior periphery (622). The reinforcing interior periphery (612) cooperates with the composite tube exterior periphery (122). In the embodiment where the reinforcing collar (600) may be releasably attached to the composite tube (100), the reinforcing collar (600) position on the composite tube (100) may vary by a gap distance (660). As seen in FIG. 9, the gap distance (660) may be measured from the playing surface (10) to the reinforcement bottom edge (630). Therefore, the reinforcing collar (600) may abut the lower protective collar (300) or may abut the upper protective collar (200). A reinforcing collar length (650) is measured from the reinforcement top edge (640) to the reinforcement bottom edge (630). In one embodiment of the instant invention, the reinforcing collar length (640) may be between approximately 5 and approximately 50 percent of the composite tube height (170).
In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 6, a hook collar (800) may be releasably attached to the composite tube (100). The hook collar (800) has a hook collar height (810) measured from a hook collar bottom edge (820) to a hook collar top edge (830), as seen in FIG. 6. In another embodiment of the instant invention, the hook collar height (810) is between approximately 5 and approximately 50 percent of the composite tube height (170). The hook collar (800) may secure the rope (22) thereby holding the net (20) in position.
In another embodiment of the instant invention, as seen best seen in FIG. 10, the locking tool receiver (240) is formed with at least one locking recess (242). The locking recess (242) extends from the upper collar exterior surface (230) to the bearing surface (220) and may be completely within the upper collar (200), that is, as previously stated, the composite tube (100) may not be perforated. In the same embodiment of the instant invention, the net height receiving fixtures (460) are a plurality of pin recesses (462). The pin recesses (462) may extend from the metallic tube exterior surface (420) to the metallic tube interior surface (410). The pin recesses (462) may be spaced longitudinally along the metallic tube (400), and the locking tool (700) may be a pin (702) that cooperates with both the locking recess (242) and the pin recesses (462). Therefore, the pin (702), together with both the locking recess (242) and the pin recesses (462), locks the metallic tube (400) relative to the composite tube (400). In another embodiment of the instant invention, the spacing of the pin recesses (462) may correspond to volleyball regulation standard net heights.
Numerous alterations, modifications, and variations of the preferred embodiments disclosed herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and they are all anticipated and contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the instant invention. For example, although specific embodiments have been described in detail, those with skill in the art will understand that the preceding embodiments and variations can be modified to incorporate various types of substitute and or additional or alternative materials, relative arrangement of elements, and dimensional configurations. Accordingly, even though only few variations of the present invention are described herein, it is to be understood that the practice of such additional modifications and variations and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or acts for performing the functions in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed.
Patent Application
20070270252
