Retractable recreational net system and methods of use

Abstract

A retractable recreational net system includes a first self-supporting pole arrangement mountable on a ground surface; the first pole arrangement having a first net storage reel; a second self-supporting pole arrangement mountable on the ground surface; the second pole arrangement having a second net storage reel; a net selectively extendable between the first pole arrangement and the second pole arrangement; and at least one retraction mechanism to selectively retract the net onto at least one of the first net storage reel or second net storage reel.

1 . A retractable recreational net system for playing badminton, the system comprising:
 (a) a first self-supporting pole arrangement mountable on a ground surface; the first pole arrangement having a first net storage reel;   (b) a second self-supporting pole arrangement mountable on the ground surface; the second pole arrangement having a second net storage reel;   (c) a net selectively extendable between the first pole arrangement and the second pole arrangement;
 (i) the first and second pole arrangement holding a top of the net about 5 feet above the ground surface; 
 (ii) the net being extendable between the first pole arrangement and second pole arrangement to at least 16 feet 
 (iii) the net having a length between the top of the net and bottom of the net of 2-3 feet and 
   (d) at least one retraction mechanism to selectively retract the net onto at least one of the first net storage reel or second net storage reel.   
     
     
         2 . The net system of  claim 1  wherein the at least one retraction mechanism includes:
 (a) a first retraction mechanism held by the first pole arrangement; and 
 (b) a second retraction mechanism held by the second pole arrangement; 
 wherein a first portion of the net is retractable onto the first net storage reel, and a second portion of the net is retractable onto the second net storage reel. 
 
     
     
         3 . The net system of  claim 1  wherein the first pole arrangement includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the first net storage reel. 
     
     
         4 . The net system of  claim 3  further comprising a first net housing surrounding the first net storage reel. 
     
     
         5 . The net system of  claim 2  wherein the first retraction mechanism includes a first spring-biased ratchet arrangement secured to the first net storage reel. 
     
     
         6 . The net system of  claim 5  wherein the first spring-biased ratchet arrangement includes a release and locking mechanism in a first ratchet housing adjacent one end of the first net storage reel and a spring in a first spring housing adjacent an opposite end of the first net storage reel. 
     
     
         7 . The net system of  claim 4  wherein the first tri-pod leg arrangement has 3 legs selectively movable between a standing position and a storage position; the standing position including bottoms of the 3 legs spaced apart and holding the first net storage reel in an upright position above the ground surface; and the storage position including the 3 legs being next to the first net housing along the lengths of the 3 legs. 
     
     
         8 . The net system of  claim 6  wherein the first tri-pod leg arrangement has 3 legs selectively movable between a standing position and a storage position; a top of each of the 3 legs is pivotably secured to one of the ratchet housing and spring housing to pivot between the standing position and the storage position. 
     
     
         9 . The net system of  claim 8  wherein the top of each of the 3 legs is pivotably secured to the spring housing. 
     
     
         10 . The net system of  claim 6  wherein the first pole arrangement includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the first net storage reel and wherein:
 (a) the second pole arrangement includes a second tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the second net storage reel; 
 (b) the second tri-pod leg arrangement has 3 legs selectively movable between a standing position and a storage position; the standing position including bottoms of the 3 legs spaced apart and holding the second net storage reel in an upright position above the ground surface; and the storage position including the 3 legs being next to a second net housing surrounding the second net storage reel. 
 
     
     
         11 . The net system of  claims 10  wherein the second retraction mechanism includes a second spring-biased ratchet arrangement secured to the second net storage reel. 
     
     
         12 . The net system of  claim 11  wherein the second spring-biased ratchet arrangement includes a release and locking mechanism in a second ratchet housing adjacent one end of the second net storage reel and a spring in a second spring housing adjacent an opposite end of the second net storage reel. 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The net system of  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the first pole arrangement includes a first tri-pod leg arrangement having 3 legs including a first outermost radial leg remote from the net being weighted heavier than the other legs in the first tri-pod leg arrangement; and 
 (b) the second pole arrangement includes a second tri-pod leg arrangement supporting the second net storage reel having 3 legs including a second outermost radial leg remote from the net being weighted heavier than the other legs in the second tri-pod leg arrangement. 
 
     
     
         16 . The net system of  claim 1  wherein the first self-supporting pole arrangement and the second self-supporting pole arrangement includes a standing position and a storage position; wherein a height of the first and second self-supporting pole arrangements in the storage position is less than 70% of a height of the first and second self-supporting pole arrangements in the standing position. 
     
     
         17 . A kit for playing badminton, the kit comprising:
 (a) the net system of  claim 1 ;   (b) at least two badminton rackets; and   (c) at least one shuttle cock.   
     
     
         18 .- 20 . (canceled)