Table tennis net device

Abstract

The invention relates to a table tennis net device (1) for a table tennis table (2) with two net posts (4) connectable to the table tennis table (2) and a table tennis net (5) stretched between the net posts (4). A transmitting net post (6) has a light source (8) directed towards an opposite receiving net post (7). The receiving net post (7) has a light sensor (9) directed towards the light source (8). A positioning laser (13) is arranged on the transmitting net post (6) or on the receiving net post (7), which can be aligned with a marking device (14) arranged on the receiving net post (7) or the transmitting net post (6) to indicate the correct alignment of the light source (8) and the light sensor (9) relative to each other.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a table tennis net device for a table tennis table with two net posts connectable to the table tennis table and a table tennis net stretched between the net posts, wherein a transmitter net post has a light source directed towards an opposite receiving net post and wherein the receiving net post has a light sensor directed towards the light source.

[0002] One of the biggest challenges in table tennis is accurately monitoring the ball as it crosses the net, especially with regard to potential rule violations such as touching the net edge. In the past, such violations were primarily observed by human referees, which can lead to subjective errors and inaccuracies. However, with advancing technology and digitalization, it has become possible to support or even completely automate these tasks.

[0003] A table tennis net system that enables precise and automatic monitoring of the net edge can not only help improve the accuracy and objectivity of decisions, but also make the game flow more smoothly and without interruptions. Furthermore, such a system contributes to making table tennis fairer and more attractive for both players and spectators.

[0004] Such table tennis net devices are used to detect and indicate an illegal net touch during a serve. The light source and light sensor form a light barrier that monitors whether a table tennis ball touches the top edge of the net. Such a table tennis net device is described in publication CN 203017745 U.

[0005] The object of the invention is seen as being to further develop table tennis net devices known from the prior art.

[0006] This problem is solved according to the invention by arranging a positioning laser on the transmitting network post or on the receiving network post, which can be aligned with a marking device also arranged on the receiving network post or the transmitting network post. The marking device can be a target. In this way, it can be checked regularly or continuously during assembly and also subsequently whether the receiving network post and the transmitting network post are aligned with each other in such a way that monitoring of the network edge by the light source and the light sensor is reliably possible. However, it is also possible, and provided for according to the invention, that the marking device is a laser receiving sensor, so that the correct alignment of the posts with each other can be detected electronically and indicated, for example, by an acoustic signal.

[0007] Advantageously, according to the invention, a battery module and a control and evaluation module, electrically connected to the battery module, the light source, and the light sensor, are arranged in a housing of the transmitter network post, with electrical receiving lines for the electrical connection of the control and evaluation module to the light sensor running through an upper edge of the table tennis net assembly when it is mounted. This allows for particularly simple assembly of the table tennis net assembly.

[0008] Because all components of the table tennis net system are integrated into the net posts and the table tennis net that are required anyway, a complex arrangement of the light source and light sensor, as well as cabling of the components, is not necessary.

[0009] Conventional table tennis nets are made of a flexible mesh material and have a net edge at the top that seals the net and through which a tensioning cable runs, allowing the net to be braced against the net posts. Because the receiving cables are routed through this net edge, commercially available table tennis nets already approved for tournaments can be used for the table tennis net device according to the invention.

[0010] To further simplify the assembly of the table tennis net system, the invention provides that the table tennis net can be detachably connected to the receiving net post, or that the receiving net post is designed in two parts and the table tennis net is attached to a table tennis net section of the receiving net post that can be detachably connected to a table tennis table section of the receiving net post, and that the table tennis net is attached to the transmitting net post. In this way, the receiving net post or the table tennis table section of the receiving net post and the transmitting net post can first be attached to the table tennis table, and then the table tennis net can be fully assembled and tensioned. If the table tennis net is designed to be detachably connected to the receiving net post, the invention provides that the receiving cables can be connected to the light sensor via a connector.

[0011] According to the invention, the receiving network post can be designed in two parts by arranging all electronic components in the transmitting network post in a conventional and known manner, wherein the table tennis table part of the receiving network post can be fixed to the table tennis table, and the table tennis net part of the receiving network post is fixed to the table tennis net and can be detachably engaged with the table tennis table part. Frequently, and this is also advantageously provided according to the invention, the table tennis net part is a cylindrical component that can be inserted into a corresponding cylindrical receptacle in the table tennis table part, wherein the table tennis table part has a slot-shaped recess through which the table tennis net fixed to the table tennis net part can be guided.In a two-part design of the receiving net post, the receiving lines and the light sensor can be permanently electrically connected to each other if the light sensor is located on the table tennis net part.

[0012] It is also possible, and provided for according to the invention, that a battery module and a control and evaluation module, electrically connected to the battery module, the light source, or the light sensor, are arranged in a transmitter housing of the transmitter network post and in a receiver housing of the receiver network post. This eliminates the need for cabling between the network posts, and the control and evaluation modules can be connected to each other, for example, via Bluetooth.

[0013] Advantageously, according to the invention, it is also possible for the net posts to be equipped with a positionable bracket that allows flexible adjustment of the height and inclination of the light source and / or light sensor. This could be particularly advantageous if the table tennis table is on uneven ground or if different mains voltages are required.

[0014] According to the invention, it is also possible and advantageously provided that an automatic calibration function is integrated, in which the control and evaluation module regularly checks the alignment of the light source and the light sensor and automatically makes corrections if the alignment is disturbed by external influences such as vibrations. This would further increase the precision of the table tennis net setup.

[0015] Advantageously, the table tennis net setup could also include an acoustic signal that is triggered when the net is touched. This signal could be integrated into the light sensor and its volume could be adjustable, providing an additional way to clearly indicate net contact to the referee or players, especially in noisy environments.

[0016] According to the invention, it is also possible and advantageously provided that the battery modules are designed as rechargeable batteries that can be connected to the power pole or a separate charger via a USB port. This reduces operating costs and the environmental impact of battery replacement in the long term.

[0017] Advantageously, the modular design of the table tennis table's net posts can be further simplified by a quick-connect system between the transmitter and receiver housings. This quick-connect system could, for example, be implemented using a bayonet fitting, allowing for particularly fast assembly and disassembly without the need for tools.

[0018] According to the invention, it is also possible and advantageously provided for the integration of additional sensors for detecting environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. This data could also be sent to the control and evaluation module to compensate for potential influences on the mains voltage or the function of the light barrier.

[0019] Advantageously, the connection between the transmitting and receiving net posts can also be wireless. This could be achieved via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection and would further reduce the need for physical connections, thus improving the flexibility and installation of the table tennis net setup.

[0020] Advantageously, according to the invention, the light source and / or the light sensor is arranged on the upper side of the net post when mounted on the table tennis table. In this way, the light barrier can monitor the upper side of the net edge and detect contact with the net.

[0021] The light source or light sensor can be installed particularly easily on commercially available net posts where the tensioning cable running along the net edge is guided over the net post and then fastened to it. Therefore, according to the invention, the light source and / or the light sensor is arranged on a net cord guide element of the respective net post.

[0022] In order to arrange the light source and light sensor in such a way that the net edge can be monitored particularly well, the invention provides that the net posts, when mounted on the table tennis table, extend away from the table tennis table and beyond the table tennis net, with the light source and / or the light sensor being arranged in the area of ​​the respective net post extending beyond the table tennis net.

[0023] Advantageously, according to the invention, the light source is a laser diode or an infrared diode. The use of laser or infrared light beams for creating light barriers is known from the prior art, and corresponding components are therefore readily available. Using these components can reduce the costs of the table tennis net setup.

[0024] In order to signal to the referee of the table tennis game a net contact with a ball detected by the table tennis net device, it is provided according to the invention that a net signal light is arranged on an outside of the transmitter net post.

[0025] The network signal light should not interfere with the table tennis players' game. Therefore, according to the invention, the network signal light is arranged on the transmitter network post in such a way that it is invisible from the playing sides of the table tennis table when the table tennis net device is used as intended.

[0026] The visibility of the network signal light from the players can be prevented by shielding the network signal light towards the sides of the playing field with a playing field shielding element arranged on the transmitter network post.

[0027] According to the invention, the electronic components of the table tennis net device are battery-operated. A battery compartment is provided for easy battery replacement. To indicate that a battery change is necessary, the invention provides for a battery indicator light on the underside of the transmitter net post.

[0028] The battery indicator light should also not interfere with the table tennis game. Therefore, according to the invention, the battery indicator light is at least partially surrounded by a complete shielding element, so that the battery indicator light is only perceptible from a viewpoint below the playing field when the table tennis net is arranged on the table tennis table as intended.

[0029] The signal lights are advantageously light-emitting diodes (LEDs). These can be operated in a particularly energy-efficient manner. Furthermore, to conserve battery power, an on / off switch is arranged on the transmitter power pole according to the invention, which can interrupt the power supply to the control and evaluation module and thus also to the light source and the light sensor.

[0030] Further advantageous embodiments of the table tennis net device according to the invention are explained in more detail with reference to an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing.

[0031] It shows: Figure 1 a schematic representation of a table tennis table with a table tennis net device according to the invention and Figure 2 a schematic and partially cutaway representation of the in Figure 1 table tennis net setup shown.

[0032] In the Figure 1 and 2Figure 1 schematically depicts a table tennis net assembly (1) for a table tennis table (2). The table tennis net assembly (1) has two net posts (4) that can be connected to the table tennis table (2) by a clamping device (3). A table tennis net (5) is stretched between the net posts (4). A transmitting net post (6) has a light source (8) directed towards an opposite receiving net post (7), which is located on the top side of the transmitting net post (6). The light source (8) is a Class 1 laser diode. The receiving net post (7) has a light sensor (9) also located on the top side of the receiving net post (7) and directed towards the light source (8).

[0033] A battery module (11) and a control and evaluation module (12), which is electrically connected to the battery module (11), the light source (8), and the light sensor (9), are arranged in a housing (10) of the transmitter network pole (6). A positioning laser (13) is arranged on the receiving network pole (7) and can be aligned with a marking device (14) on the transmitter network pole (6) to ensure the correct alignment of the light source (8) and the light sensor (9).

[0034] A network signal light is arranged on an outer side (15) of the transmitter network post (6), being arranged invisibly on the transmitter network post (6) from the playing field sides (16) of the table tennis table (2) and therefore not visible in the illustrations.

[0035] With the help of the table tennis net device (1) it is easy to monitor whether a table tennis ball not shown has touched the net edge (5).

Claims

1. Table tennis net device (1) for a table tennis table (2) with two net posts (4) connectable to the table tennis table (2) and a table tennis net (5) stretched between the net posts (4), wherein a transmitting net post (6) has a light source (8) directed towards an opposite receiving net post (7) and wherein the receiving net post (7) has a light sensor (9) directed towards the light source (8), characterized by the fact that A positioning laser (13) is arranged on the transmitter network post (6) or on the receiver network post (7), which can be aligned to a marking device (14) arranged on the receiver network post (7) or the transmitter network post (6) to indicate the correct alignment of the light beam source (8) and the light sensor (9) to each other.

2. Table tennis net device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thata battery module (11) and a control and evaluation module (12) electrically connected to the battery module (11), the light source (8) and the light sensor (9) are arranged in a housing (10) of the transmitter network post (6), wherein electrical receiving lines (13) for the electrical connection of the control and evaluation module (12) with the light sensor (9) run through an upper net edge (14) of the table tennis net device (1) when mounted.

3. Table tennis net device (1) according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the table tennis net (5) is detachably connectable to the receiving net post (7) or that the receiving net post (7) is designed in two parts and the table tennis net (5) is fixed to a table tennis net part of the receiving net post (7) which is detachably connectable to a table tennis table part of the receiving net post (7) and that the table tennis net (5) is fixed to the transmitting net post (6).

4. Table tennis net device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that in a transmitter housing (10) of the transmitter network post (6) and in a receiver housing (10) of the receiving network post (7) a battery module (11) and a control and evaluation module (12) electrically connected to the battery module (11), the light source (8) or the light sensor (9) is arranged.

5. Table tennis net device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the light source (8) and / or the light sensor (9) is located on the top of the net post (4) when mounted on the table tennis table (2).

6. Table tennis net device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by the fact that the light source (8) and / or the light sensor (9) is arranged on a net cord guide element of the respective net post (4).

7. Table tennis net device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact thatThe net posts (4) in the state mounted on the table tennis table (2) extend away from the table tennis table (2) and beyond the table tennis net (5), wherein the light source (8) and / or the light sensor (9) is arranged in the area of ​​the respective net post (4) extending beyond the table tennis net (5).

8. Table tennis net device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that the light source (8) is a laser diode or an infrared diode.

9. Table tennis net device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that A network signal light is arranged on an outside (15) of the transmitter network pole (6).

10. Table tennis net device (1) according to claim 9, characterized by the fact that the network signal light is arranged on the transmitter network post (6) in such a way that it is invisible from the playing field sides (16) of the table tennis table (2) when the table tennis net device (1) is used as intended.

11. Table tennis net device (1) according to claim 10, characterized by the fact that the network signal light in the direction of the playing field sides (15) is shielded by a playing field shielding element arranged on the transmitter network post (6).

12. Table tennis net device (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by the fact that A battery indicator light is arranged on the underside of the transmitter network post (6).

13. Table tennis net device (1) according to claim 12, characterized by the fact that the battery indicator light is at least partially surrounded by a total shielding element, so that the battery indicator light is only perceptible from a viewpoint below the playing field when the table tennis net device (1) is arranged as intended on the table tennis table (2) is.

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