Adjustable flexible sports net system

Abstract

And adjustable sports net system comprising a plurality of ground anchors ( 105 ), two standard assemblies ( 108 ), elastic guy line assemblies ( 107 ) connecting the ground anchors to the standards, and a net fabric ( 101 ) disposed between the two standard assemblies. The net fabric ( 101 ) is adjustable in length and height, independent of initial placement of the standard assemblies ( 108 ). The standard assemblies ( 108 ) may deflect substantially upon impact from a game object ( 503 ) but return to a nominal position because of the elastic spring elements ( 110 ) in the guy line assemblies ( 107 ). The energy from such impact is absorbed over a longer time period, and the peak forces are kept lower for use of cheap, light materials, for system that is lightweight, fast to set up by a single person, and cost effective to manufacture. A safety structure provides protection to the consumer from inadvertent pullout of each ground anchor ( 105 ).

We claim: 
     
         1 . A stabilization system for stabilizing an object in a nominal position relative to a surface, said stabilization system comprising:
 a) at least one stabilization assembly, each said stabilization assembly comprising at least one spring element, said spring element able to elongate and contract in reaction to an impact on said object, said stabilization assembly further comprising a first attachment means for attaching at least a first portion of said stabilization assembly to said surface, and a second attachment means for attaching a second portion of said stabilization assembly to said object,   whereby said stabilization system restores said object substantially to said nominal position relative to said surface without additional intervention.   
     
     
         2 . The stabilization system of  claim 1  wherein the object is a standard of a net game system, and a net is disposed between a plurality of said standards and held taught with an initial net tension force. 
     
     
         3 . The net game system of  claim 2  wherein said standards are made of elastically deformable material. 
     
     
         4 . The net game system of  claim 2  wherein said standards comprise a height adjustment means for vertically adjusting the height of said net, and said initial net tension force is substantially maintained across a height adjustment range by said stabilization system. 
     
     
         5 . The net game system of  claim 4  wherein said height adjustment means comprises a height adjustment guide, said net slidably attaching to said height adjustment guide and a movable stop attached above and a movable stop attached below said net whereby a user may slide said net and said movable stops along said height adjustment guide continuously across said height adjustment range. 
     
     
         6 . The net game system of  claim 4  wherein said second attachment means fixes said stabilization assembly to said standard below a maximum height of said standard and to a non-adjustable portion of said standard. 
     
     
         7 . The net game system of  claim 4  wherein said spring element is made of bungee cord between about ¼ and about ½″ in diameter, and said net may translate from a minimum height of about 24″ to a maximum height of about 8 ft. 
     
     
         8 . The stabilization system of  claim 1  further comprising a safety means, said safety means safely dissipating energy stored in at least one said stabilization assembly, whereby said safety means prevents harmful effects to a person should said stabilization assembly inadvertently release from said surface. 
     
     
         9 . The safety means of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a rigid tube comprising a first tube end and a second tube end, said rigid tube encompassing a length portion of said stabilization assembly, said second tube end fixed substantially near said second portion of said stabilization assembly, where said stabilization assembly is allowed to translate through said rigid tube; 
 and a blocking means secured to said first tube end for preventing said first attachment means from translating past said first tube end. 
 
     
     
         10 . The safety means of  claim 9  wherein said blocking means comprises a rigid tube opening that is smaller than said first attachment means, thereby providing mechanical interference between said first tube end and said first attachment means. 
     
     
         11 . The safety means of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a) a fabric sleeve disposed around said stabilization assembly, said fabric sleeve comprising a first sleeve end and a second sleeve end, said second sleeve end attached substantially near said second portion of said stabilization assembly; 
 b) a rigid member constrained by said fabric sleeve, said rigid member running substantially the length of said fabric sleeve,
 and blocking means to prevent said first attachment means of said stabilization assembly from translating past said first sleeve end. 
 
 
     
     
         12 . The safety means of  claim 8  wherein a safety connecting member is disposed between said object and said first attachment means of said stabilization assembly, and a tertiary attachment means is connected along the length of said safety connecting member for securing said safety connecting member to said surface. 
     
     
         13 . The tertiary connecting means of  claim 12  being a safety stake. 
     
     
         14 . The safety means of  claim 8  wherein a bar comprises a first penetrating end pressed into said surface and a second penetrating end pressed into said surface, and at least on of said stabilization assemblies is disposed between said object and said first penetrating end and a second of said stabilization assemblies is disposed between said object and second penetrating end whereby a pullout force on said first penetrating end causes said second penetrating end to be pressed tighter into said surface. 
     
     
         15 . The safety means of  claim 8  wherein a height limiting member is disposed between a base of said object and said stabilization assembly, said height limiting member connecting substantially near said first attachment means. 
     
     
         16 . A method of stabilizing an object in a nominal position relative to a surface comprising:
 a) providing at least one stabilization assembly, each said stabilization assembly comprising at least one spring element, said spring element able to elongate and contract in reaction to an impact on said object, said stabilization assembly further comprising a first attachment means for attaching at least a first portion of said stabilization assembly to said surface, and a second attachment means for attaching a second portion of said stabilization assembly to said object,   whereby said stabilization system restores said object substantially to said nominal position relative to said surface without additional intervention   
     
     
         17 . A continuously length adjustable net for attachment between a plurality of standards of a net support structure, said continuously length adjustable net comprising:
 a) a net fabric spanning at least a predetermined maximum usable length;   b) a first net end with net attachment means for connecting to a first standard; and
 a second net end with said net attachment means for connecting to a second standard, whereby said net may span any of a desired length continuously up to said maximum predetermined usable length. 
   
     
     
         18 . The net attachment means of  claim 17  wherein said first net end is attached to said standard with hook and loop fastener and said second net end wraps around said second standard, doubles back, and connects to said net fabric with hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         19 . The continuously length adjustable net of  claim 17  wherein the length of the net may be adjusted from about 9 ft to about 18 ft. 
     
     
         20 . The continuously length adjustable net of  claim 17  wherein a width of said net may range from about 4″ to about 24″.