Collapsible, compact, portable, lightweight net systems

Abstract

[The proposed invention consists of a dividing-net and a lightweight frame which can be rapidly and easily assembled and disassembled repeatedly with the use of multiple pole segments which are fully or partially connected when expanded and collapsed. The net system can be stored and carried in a compact configuration. This net system can be applied to the design of net systems for numerous sports including pickleball, tennis, badminton and other sports with similar net-system requirements including all where the net-system divides a court or any space into two pieces. The net system can come in variable lengths such as one which could divide a standard court or portion thereof, or a shorter length to create net systems that can collapse and fit in piece of luggage or even a backpack.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lightweight net system comprising a frame, a dividing net and court expanders;
 a. the frame is comprised of two side poles, four feet, two joints, a support beam, cords and methods of attachments to hold the cords in place at a given end of a given cord;
 i. the side poles consist of a pole segment-inner male and a straight pole segment where both are joined by a cord that runs through the two pole segments such that in the expanded state pole segments pull together, and in the collapsed state they pull a part and can be folded parallel to each other; 
 ii. the support beam consist a straight pole segment in the center and multiple pole segment-inner male which are all joined together with a cord which also feeds through a frame joint at each end such that it creates a subassembly; 
 iii. two feet at each end of the support beam go into opposing cavities in the frame joint and these one foot, frame joint then other foot are joined together with a cord and methods of attachment; 
   b. said net system left border and right border provide a channel to hold the net divider;   c. said net system is able to collapse to a length that is 15 to 30 percent the expanded width of the net system.   d. said pole segments and frame joint cavities provide tight fitting male-female unions;   e. the net system incorporates at least one court expander for the purpose of joining at least two adjacent net systems; 2. A lightweight net system comprising two side poles, a dividing net and a bottom subassembly consisting of four feet and a support beam connecting two feet on each side.   a. Said bottom subassembly is suspended by a cord to facilitate assembly of ajoining poles and joints   b. Said side poles are suspended by a cord to facilitate assembly for ajoining pole segments.   c. Said feet poles are suspended by a cord to facilitate assembly of ajoining pole segments and joints.   d. In one embodiment, the poles may be preferably suspended a cord internally such as rope, string, wire, or elastic, or externally.   e. In one embodiment, the internal cord may be suspended or attached to the pole segments by an anchor such as a knot, clip, plug, or washer.   f. In one embodiment, the anchor may be positioned at the end of the pole segment or at internal junctions within the pole segment.   g. In one embodiment, the anchor may be positioned at the end of the joint or at internal junctions within the joint.   h. In one embodiment, the cord may be loosely attached or preloaded with tension in the expanded or collapsed state to facilitate assembly of the net system.   i. In one embodiment, the cord may facilitate organization of the pole segments and joints in a collapsed configuration of the system. 3. A lightweight net system of two adjacent net systems joined by a court expander clip, comprising four side poles, two dividing nets and two bottom subassembly consisting of four to eight feet and support beams connecting the feet.   a. In one embodiment, the court expander loop of one net system may be attached to an adjacent net system.   b. In one embodiment, the court expender clip may be used to attach side poles of one net system to an adjacent net system.