Mounting pin for a sports net

Abstract

A pin mount system for releasably mounting a sports net to a ground surface, for example a hockey net to an ice surface. The sports net includes at least one post having an end. The pin mount system includes: a pin having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end for positioning within the post, a resilient member such as a spring coil in compression to normally exert an extensive force to the pin to extend the distal end of the pin past the end of the post, and a handle operably connected to the pin to retract the pin against the resilient member. The pin is releasable from the ground surface in response to an amount of force applied to the sports net, and the sports net stays in place when minor force is applied, for example.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pin mount system for mounting a sports net to a ground surface, wherein the sports net includes at least one post having an end, the pin mount system comprising:
 a pin having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end for positioning within the post;   a resilient member in compression to normally exert an extensive force to the pin to extend the distal end of the pin past the end of the post; and   a handle operably connected to the pin to retract the pin against the resilient member.   
     
     
         2 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the resilient member comprises a spring coil. 
     
     
         3 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a cable which connects the handle to the proximal end of the pin. 
     
     
         4 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the distal end of the pin comprises a taper to an end point. 
     
     
         5 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein an amount of the pin which normally extends past the end of the post is of a length which permits release from the ground surface in response to an amount of force applied to the post. 
     
     
         6 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein retraction of the pin causes retraction of the distal end of the pin to within the end of the post. 
     
     
         7 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pin is formed of a rigid material. 
     
     
         8 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising a housing which defines a channel for housing of the pin, the pin moveable within the channel. 
     
     
         9 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the housing includes a foot having a flange for engaging the end of the post. 
     
     
         10 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the housing houses the resilient member. 
     
     
         11 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 8 , wherein the housing further comprises a first casing and a second casing, the first casing and the second casing including corresponding screw threads for connecting there between. 
     
     
         12 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein an amount of the pin which normally extends past the end of the post is adjustable by an amount of screw connection between the first casing and the second casing. 
     
     
         13 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , further comprising an over-center lock which operably connects the handle to the pin. 
     
     
         14 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the handle is located at a top center position of one of the posts which comprises an upper crossbar. 
     
     
         15 . The pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one post includes a second end, further comprising:
 a second pin for positioning within the second end;   a second resilient member in compression to normally exert an extensive force to the second pin to extend the distal end past the second end; and   the handle operably connected to the second pin to retract the pin against the second resilient member.   
     
     
         16 . A sports net system, comprising:
 a sports net having at least one post which includes a first end; and   the pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1  for securing the first end to the ground surface.   
     
     
         17 . The sports net system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the at least one post includes a second end, the sports net system further comprising a second pin mount system for securing the second end to the ground surface. 
     
     
         18 . The sports net system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the handle is operably connected to both the first pin mount system and the second pin mount system. 
     
     
         19 . The sports net system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the handle is located at a top center position of one of the posts which comprises an upper crossbar. 
     
     
         20 . A use of the pin mount system as claimed in  claim 1 , for releasably mounting of the sports net to the ground surface.