Table-tennis net apparatus

Abstract

Table-tennis net apparatus comprises two net-supporting devices, a suspension element extending between the two net-supporting devices, and a table-tennis net supportable by the suspension element and attachable to the two net-supporting devices. Each net-supporting device includes an upright post having an at least substantially hollow tubular cartridge holder and an elongate cartridge receivable in the cartridge holder. The cartridge holder includes a longitudinal slot through which the net extends, and the suspension element includes a flexible elongate element and a spring element which is engagable with a said cartridge. The net is suspendable from the flexible elongate element, and the flexible elongate element is automatically tensionable by the in use spring element. A table-tennis net-supporting device, and a method of automatically tensioning a flexible elongate element for a table-tennis net using such apparatus are also provided.

1 . Table-tennis net apparatus comprising two net-supporting devices, a suspension element extending between the two net-supporting devices, and a table-tennis net supportable by the suspension element and attachable to the two net-supporting devices, each net-supporting device including an upright post having an at least substantially hollow tubular cartridge holder and an elongate cartridge receivable in the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder including a longitudinal slot through which the net extends, the suspension element including a flexible elongate element and a spring element which is engagable with a said cartridge, the net being suspendable from the flexible elongate element, and the flexible elongate element being automatically tensionable by the in use spring element. 
     
     
         2 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes a longitudinal recess in which the spring element is located. 
     
     
         3 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the cartridge includes a tapered opening to releasably wedgingly engage the flexible elongate element following engagement with the spring element. 
     
     
         4 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein one end of the flexible elongate element is directly engaged with the spring element. 
     
     
         5 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the other end of the flexible elongate element is directly releasably wedgingly engagable with the other said cartridge. 
     
     
         6 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an in use upper end of each cartridge includes a lateral guide slot having a reduced opening for captively retaining the flexible elongate element. 
     
     
         7 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each cartridge is height-adjustably engagable within its respective cartridge holder. 
     
     
         8 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each net-supporting device includes a rotatable-plate cartridge connector for retaining the cartridge in the cartridge holder. 
     
     
         9 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the rotatable-plate cartridge connector is a height adjuster for adjusting a longitudinal position of the cartridge in its respective cartridge holder whilst maintaining retention within the cartridge holder. 
     
     
         10 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the height adjuster includes a rotatable cam surface and the cartridge includes a slot in which the cam surface is slidably received, so that rotation of the height adjuster causes relative displacement of the cartridge, and wherein the rotatable cam surface is non-continuous for releasably receiving a slotted end of the cartridge. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein each net-supporting device includes an over-centre clamping mechanism comprising a pivotable lever handle, a biasing element offset from a pivot point of the lever handle so as to be movable from a release condition to an over-centre locked condition, and a movable clamping jaw engagable by the biasing element to move from a release position to a clamping position. 
     
     
         13 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , further comprising a second biasing element for biasing the movable clamping jaw into positive engagement with the first said biasing element. 
     
     
         14 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the pivotable lever handle is slidably engaged with a clamp body of the net-supporting device, so that a pivot axle of the lever handle is movable relative to the clamp body. 
     
     
         15 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the movable clamping jaw is slidably engaged with the lever handle, so that the pivot axle of the lever handle is slidable relative to the clamping jaw. 
     
     
         16 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein each net-supporting device further comprises a position adjuster for adjusting a position of a pivot axis of the pivotable lever handle. 
     
     
         17 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the position adjuster includes a rotatable cam spacer for supporting a pivot axle of the lever handle at a plurality of different displacements from the rotational axis of the cam spacer. 
     
     
         18 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the cam spacer includes a plurality of angularly spaced-apart notches in its perimeter edge, whereby a position of the pivot axle of the lever handle can be indexed step-wisely. 
     
     
         19 . Table-tennis net apparatus as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a rotational axis of the cam spacer is movable relative to a clamp body of the net-supporting device between a raised position and a lowered position, wherein the position adjuster includes a rotatable spacer for supporting an axle of the cam spacer at different relative positions on the clamp body, and wherein the rotatable spacer includes at least one notch for engagement with a lug on the clamp body, thereby defining a said lowered position. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . (canceled) 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A table-tennis net-supporting device comprising a clamp body, an upright post having an at least substantially hollow tubular cartridge holder and an elongate cartridge receivable in the cartridge holder, the cartridge holder including a longitudinal slot for a table-tennis net to extend therethrough, a cartridge connector for retaining the cartridge within the cartridge holder, and an adjustable over-centre clamping mechanism for attaching the device to a table-tennis table. 
     
     
         24 . A method of automatically tensioning a flexible elongate element for a table-tennis net, the method comprising the steps of: a] locating a net-supporting device either side of a table-tennis table; b] providing a flexible elongate element spanning between upright posts of the net-supporting devices, a table-tennis net being suspended from the flexible elongate element; and c] using a spring element in at least one of the upright posts to automatically tension the flexible elongate element.