Play Net Holder With Threaded Height Adjustment and Rotation Limiter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing net holders for play nets, such as table tennis nets, lack efficient and adjustable mechanisms for securing and height adjustment, leading to instability and difficulty in setup.
Innovation Solution
A net holder with an inner post and outer post system featuring a spindle with an external thread, an adjuster with an internal thread, and a limiter mechanism that allows longitudinal adjustment while preventing rotational disengagement, combined with a cross bar for table attachment and a fork for tensioning, ensuring secure and adjustable net placement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a simple clamp holder is used for securing the play net, then the device complexity is reduced, but the stability and reliability of net placement deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The net holder is divided into multiple functional components: an outer post for structural support, an inner post for net mounting, a spindle with external thread for height adjustment, an adjuster with internal thread for securing, and a limiter for rotational constraint. Each component performs a specific function, allowing the system to achieve reliable net placement without excessive overall complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The inner post is nested within the outer post, with the spindle extending from the inner post through the outer post. The adjuster engages with the spindle's external thread and is retained by the limiter on the outer post. This nested arrangement allows multiple adjustment and securing mechanisms to be integrated in a compact configuration, improving reliability without proportionally increasing device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If an adjustable height mechanism is added to the net holder, then the adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The net holder incorporates a dynamic height adjustment mechanism where the inner post can be moved longitudinally within the outer post by rotating the spindle. The spindle's external thread engages with the adjuster's internal thread, allowing the user to adjust the height by rotating the spindle while the adjuster prevents over-rotation. This dynamic mechanism provides continuous height adjustability without requiring multiple discrete components or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The height of the net holder is adjusted by changing the longitudinal position of the inner post relative to the outer post. The spindle's rotation converts rotational motion into linear displacement, changing the height parameter continuously. The limiter ensures the adjustment stays within safe boundaries, allowing simple parameter control for height adjustment.
3Ease of operation
If the inner post is allowed to rotate freely in the outer post, then the ease of operation for net mounting is improved, but the stability of the net holder deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The limiter has an asymmetric geometry with a projection that engages with a corresponding asymmetric feature on the outer post. This asymmetric design allows the inner post to be inserted and rotated easily during mounting operations, but once the limiter engages, it prevents further rotation and stabilizes the configuration. The asymmetry provides both ease of operation during assembly and stability during use.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Provides a stable and easily adjustable net holder that securely fastens to tables, allowing precise height adjustment and tensioning, enhancing setup convenience and stability.
Implementation Method 1
a spindle (12) having an external thread, an adjuster (4) formed as a sleeve having an internal thread configured to engage the external thread of the spindle (12)
Implementation Method 2
the limiter comprises complementary non-circular cross-sections of the outer post and the inner post
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a net holder (1) for a play net (23), comprising: an inner post (3) with a net mounting portion (19) designed for insertion into a net loop (24) of the play net (23), and a spindle (12) with an external thread; an at least substantially L-shaped body (2) with an outer post (5) and a cross bar (6), the outer post (5) being designed as a hollow box profile for receiving and guiding the inner post (3) and having a slot-shaped net passage (7), the cross bar (6) having at a free end a fastener for fastening to a playing table; and an adjuster (4) formed as a sleeve having an internal thread configured for engagement with the external thread of the spindle (12), wherein a retainer is provided for retaining the adjuster (4) with respect to a longitudinal position relative to the outer post (5) but allowing rotation of the adjuster (4); wherein at least one of the inner post (3) and the outer post (5) comprises a limiter for limiting a rotation of the inner post (3) in the outer post (5), which however allows a longitudinal displacement.