Badminton net retainer

Abstract

A net retainer attaches badminton net to a net post in which a hole is defined for receiving the retainer. The retainer includes an elongate rod having first and second ends, a pair of resilient arms extending from the first end of the rod toward the second end in a diverging manner, a primary ring formed on the second end of the rod for receiving and fixing an end of an anchoring rope, and a pair of resilient straps extending transversely from the rod and deformable to completely surround the rod with second rings formed on free ends of the straps overlapping each other to receive and fix net strap. The arms are deflectable toward the rod to allow for insertion of the first end of the rod and the arms into the hole of the post. The resiliency of the arms induces a secure engagement between the arms and the hole. The net retainer may further include a locking bar associated with each arm and extending from a point of the rod away from the first end in a direction toward the first end. The locking bar is resilient and deformable and has an expanded portion selectively and removably receivable in and engageable with a recess defined in each arm to prevent the arm from being deflected.

1 . A net retainer adapted to retain a net to a post in which a hole is defined for receiving the retainer, the retainer comprising: 
 an elongate rod having first and second ends;    a pair of resilient arms extending from the first end of the rod toward the second end in a diverging manner, the arms being deflectable toward the rod to allow for insertion of the first end of the rod and the arms into the hole of the post, the resiliency of the arms inducing a secure engagement between the arms and the hole;    a primary ring formed on the second end of the rod, defining a central bore adapted to receive and fix an end of an anchoring rope; and    a pair of resilient straps extending transversely from the rod and adapted to deform and thus surround the rod, the straps being of such lengths that the straps partially overlap each other to which an end of a strap of the net is attached.    
   
   
       2 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the straps of the retainers have free ends that form secondary rings overlapping each other for the extension of the net strap therethrough.  
   
   
       3 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the secondary rings are located at a position substantially opposite to the primary ring with respect to the post.  
   
   
       4 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the straps of the retainers have free ends engaging each other, a secondary ring being formed on one of the straps for the extension of the net strap therethrough.  
   
   
       5 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the secondary ring is located at a position substantially opposite to the primary ring with respect to the post.  
   
   
       6 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the post comprises a tubular portion in which the hole is defined and wherein each arm defines a notch receivingly engageable with a portion of a wall of the tubular member.  
   
   
       7 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 6  further comprising a locking bar extending from a point of the rod away from the first end in a direction toward the first end, the locking bar being resilient and having an expanded portion removably receivable in and engageable with a recess defined in each arm to prevent the arm from being deflected.  
   
   
       8 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a locking bar extending from a point of the rod away from the first end in a direction toward the first end, the locking bar being resilient and having an expanded portion removably receivable in and engageable with a recess defined in each arm to prevent the arm from being deflected.  
   
   
       9 . A net retainer adapted to retain a net to a post in which a hole is defined for receiving the retainer, the retainer comprising: 
 an elongate rod having first and second ends;    a pair of resilient arms extending from the first end of the rod toward the second end in a diverging manner, the arms being deflectable toward the rod to allow for insertion of the first end of the rod and the arms into the hole of the post, the resiliency of the arms inducing a secure engagement between the arms and the hole; and    a locking bar extending from a point of the rod away from the first end in a direction toward the first end, the locking bar being resilient and having an expanded portion selectively and removably receivable in and engageable with a recess defined in each arm to prevent the arm from being deflected.    
   
   
       10 . The net retainer as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the post comprises a tubular portion in which the hole is defined and wherein each arm defines a notch receivingly engageable a portion of a wall of the tubular member, the notch and the recess being located on opposite sides of the arm.