The invention relates generally to a table tennis net post and post mounted scoring displays for table tennis. More particularly, the invention relates to offset net posts that allow for centering of the table tennis net in the center of the playing surface and electronic post mounted scoring displays.
The game of table tennis utilizes small solid racquets or paddles. During play, a first player serves a ball over a net and a second player on the opposing team hits the ball back until one player fails to return the ball. The racquet, or paddle, is made of wood and the racquet head is typically covered with a layer of rubber. A regulation table tennis table is 274 cm long, 152 cm wide and 76 cm high. The tables generally have a dark green or blue colored wooden top.
A typical table tennis table has a first and a second section of a table tennis playing surface defining a gap there between. Each section may be hingedly affixed to a base structure so that the table may be folded up for storage. When positioned in a playing configuration, net posts are typically affixed to each side of the table for receiving ends of a table tennis net.
A difficulty associated with table tennis net posts is that conventional net posts have a clamping surface that spans the gap between the first and second sections of the playing surface. Oftentimes, the playing surfaces are not in perfect alignment, which then affects net placement and orientation when the spanning clamps are applied.
A second difficulty experienced by recreational players of table tennis is that of keeping track of the score. Many players have difficulty focusing on game play while simultaneously remembering the score.
Therefore, it is desirable to provide an improved net post that allows for easily locating the net in a vertical orientation. It is further desirable to provide a net post that permits easy centering of the net over the gap between the playing surfaces.
It is additionally desirable to provide a score display device that may be actuated by a player to tally the score of a match and to display the score to each player. It is also desirable to provide score display devices that may be positioned over the table tennis net posts so that the devices are located in a convenient location that does not affect game play.
A first post and a second post are clamped to one section of a table tennis table, e.g., the first section. A horizontal section of the first post and a horizontal section of the second post extend horizontally from the clamping section of each post. An upper vertical section or net receiving portion extends upwardly from the horizontal section of each post. The upper vertical section of each post is provided for receiving an end of a table tennis net. The horizontal section of each post extends over the gap in the playing surface so that, when installed, the net is substantially centered over the gap.
Electronic display units are provided that may be positioned over one or both of the net posts. The electronic display units have a housing that defines a vertical gap that communicates with a vertical planar space for accommodating a net post and the attached net.
The display units preferably have a lower surface that defines a horizontal recessed area. The recessed area extends towards the first baseline for at least a distance equal to a length of the horizontal section of the first and second post. Additionally, the recessed area extends towards the second baseline for at least a distance equal to a length of the horizontal sections for allowing the recessed area to receive the horizontal section of the first or second post. Therefore, the post mounted display units may be located on either of the above described posts.
Preferably, the housing defines a first window on a first side and a second window on a second side of each of the display units for displaying LED displays to each of the players. Alternatively, the first display unit may have a window for displaying an LED display to a first player and the second display unit may have a window for displaying a second LED display to a second player. A single LED display may also be provided for just one side of the table.
A score input module is preferably provided beneath at least one end of the table tennis table. An electronic communication link is provided between the score input module and the first post mounted display unit. The score input module preferably has a first positive increment switch for inputting a positive score change for a first player and a second positive increment switch for inputting a positive score change for a second player. A first negative increment switch is provided for inputting a negative score change for the first player and a second negative increment switch is provided for inputting a negative score change for the second player.
Referring first to
Post mounted electronic tennis scorer system 10 further includes second post 30 (
A first post mounted display unit 50 (
Housing 52 further defines vertical interior channel 58 for receiving one of first post 12 and second post 30. Housing 52 further defines a vertical space 60 (
Housing 52 further defines lower surface 62. Lower surface 62 defines horizontal recessed area 64 that is in communication with the lower end of vertical interior channel 58. Recessed area 64 extends away from channel 58 towards first baseline 102 for at least a distance “X” defined as a distance equal to a length of first horizontal segment 28 and equal to a length of second horizontal segment 36. Recessed area 64 also extends towards second baseline 114 for at least a distance “X” as defined above. Since horizontal recessed area 64 extends away from channel 58 in both directions, the first post mounted display unit 50 may be located on either of first post 12 or second post 30.
Housing 52 further defines first window 66 on first side 54 and defines a second window (not shown) on second side 56. First LED display 68 is positioned to be visible through first window 66 and a second LED display (not shown) is positioned to be visible through the second window.
A second post mounted display unit 70 (
Housing 72 further defines vertical interior channel 76 for receiving one of first post 12 and second post 30. Housing 72 further defines a vertical space 84 (
Housing 72 further defines lower surface 80 (
Housing 72 further defines first window 84 on first side 74 and defines a second window (not shown) on second side 86. First LED display 88 is positioned to be visible through first window 84 and a second LED display (not shown) is positioned to be visible through the second window.
Post mounted electronic table tennis scorer system 10 additionally includes score input module 90 (
Scorer input module 90 additionally defines housing 96 for receiving a battery. The scorer input module 90 is preferably provided with a plurality of orifices 97 so that score input module 90 may be secured to an underside of first section 108 or second section 110 of table tennis table 100.
As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, a number of modifications could be made to the preferred embodiments which would not depart from the spirit or the scope of the present invention. Thus, the present invention is well adapted to carry out the objects and attain the ends and advantages mentioned above as well as those inherent therein. While the presently preferred embodiments have been described for purposes of this disclosure, numerous changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are encompassed within the spirit of this invention.