Ceiling-Mounted Net System Pivoting for Clear Play Area
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing net systems for sports like volleyball and badminton require complex assembly and disassembly, often needing multiple people and floor attachments, which hinder quick and easy movement between playing and storage positions, and do not allow full use of the playing area when in storage.
Innovation Solution
A net system with pivotally connected poles and a ceiling-mounted support system that allows single-person deployment and adjustment, using flexible tension members and adjustable cushion members to ensure downward force on the playing surface without floor attachments, enabling vertical positioning and easy conversion between sports and non-sports activities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If floor attachments (sockets or clips) are used to secure the net system, then the net system is firmly supported, but the playing surface is obstructed and cannot be fully used when the net is in storage position
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from floor-based support (horizontal dimension) to ceiling-based support (vertical dimension). The poles are pivotally connected to the ceiling structure at their upper ends, allowing the net system to be supported from above rather than attached to the playing surface below, thus eliminating obstruction of the playing area when in storage position
2Reliability
If complex assembly structures are used to ensure stable net support, then the net system is reliably supported, but assembly and disassembly become complicated and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The support structure is divided into separate functional components: pivot members for positioning, coupling members for ceiling attachment, and poles for net support. This segmentation allows each component to be independently simplified and assembled quickly, reducing overall assembly complexity while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The poles are designed to be movable between a vertical playing position and a horizontal storage position through pivotal connection to the ceiling. This dynamic capability allows the same structure to serve multiple purposes without requiring complex assembly/disassembly mechanisms, as the poles simply need to be repositioned rather than completely assembled or disassembled
3Reliability
If multiple people are required for assembly, then safe and stable net installation is achieved, but the process becomes less efficient and more time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The ceiling-mounted pivot structure provides self-aligning and self-supporting characteristics. The pivot members are positioned to one side of the net plane, creating a downward force that automatically centers the poles vertically when lowered into place, eliminating the need for multiple people to manually align and secure the structure during assembly
4Stability of the object's composition
If the net system requires floor attachments for support, then stable playing position is achieved, but the playing surface cannot be fully utilized when net is not in use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the support attachment point from the floor (horizontal plane) to the ceiling (vertical plane). The poles pivot from the ceiling structure, allowing the net system to be securely supported during play while occupying no space on the playing surface when in storage position, thus maximizing the usable area of the facility
Data Source
AI summary
A net system pivotally displacing a net between a playing position in a vertical plane bifurcating a playing area and a nearly horizontal elevated storage position freeing the playing area for other uses. Parallel poles are located on opposite sides of the playing area with a net coupled to the pair of poles to lie in a plane including the pair of poles. Coupling members couple pivot members to ceiling structure over the playing area. Supports have proximal ends fixed to an upper end of each of the pair of poles and a distal end extending on a common side of the plane defined by the net and poles. The distal end of the supports are coupled to the pivot members to allow the poles and net to be pivoted about an axis lying parallel to but outside the plane defined by the net and poles, the position of the pivot members ensuring a downward force on the playing surface by lower ends of the poles when the poles are in the vertical playing position.