Retractable Windscreen Enclosure for Tennis Courts

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional tennis court enclosures using chain link fences are prone to damage from high winds, require frequent maintenance, and are aesthetically unappealing, while existing windscreen solutions have limited success in preventing fence blowdown and are not durable or customizable.

Innovation Solution

A retractable and customizable enclosure system utilizing windscreen panels connected to highly tensioned stainless steel cables via snap clips or zip ties, with vertical support members anchored in a concrete foundation, allowing for easy assembly and disassembly, and providing a corrosion-resistant, aesthetically improved alternative to chain link fences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If chain link fences are used for ball containment, then enclosure security is provided, but the fences are susceptible to damage from high winds and require frequent maintenance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure durabilityVSAvoidwind damage susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the chain link fence entirely from the system and replaces it with a windscreen panel system attached to independent vertical support members. This extraction eliminates the harmful interaction between chain link fences and high winds while maintaining ball containment functionality through the windscreen panels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses flexible windscreen panels made of durable fabric material that can withstand wind forces without rigid structural support. These panels provide ball containment while allowing wind to pass through or deflect, eliminating the wind damage susceptibility of rigid chain link fences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

2Object-affected harmful factors

If windscreen panels are attached to chain link fences, then wind blocking and privacy enhancement are achieved, but the windscreens become detached in high winds causing damage and maintenance issues

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind blocking capabilityVSAvoidwindscreen attachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention extracts the windscreen panels from their traditional attachment to chain link fences and reattaches them to independent vertical support members. This separation eliminates the problematic interaction where windscreens detach from fences in high winds, as each component is now independently secured.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces vertical support members as intermediary structures between the ground and windscreen panels. These support members provide a stable, dedicated attachment point for windscreens that is not compromised by wind forces acting on the fence structure, thereby improving attachment reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If chain link fences are used for enclosure, then ball containment is provided, but the fences are aesthetically unappealing and difficult to assemble and disassemble

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenclosure assembly flexibilityVSAvoidassembly and disassembly difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention divides the enclosure system into separate modular components: vertical support members, windscreen panels, and connection mechanisms. This segmentation allows each component to be independently assembled and disassembled, greatly improving ease of operation compared to the integrated, difficult-to-disassemble chain link fence structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a dynamic, reconfigurable enclosure system where windscreen panels can be easily attached and removed from vertical support members. This dynamic design allows the enclosure to be adapted, assembled, or disassembled as needed, contrasting with the static, permanent nature of chain link fences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Object-affected harmful factors

If prior art windscreen designs with holes or flaps are used, then some wind reduction is achieved, but the windscreens or fences still blow down in heavy wind

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewind force reductionVSAvoidresistance to blowdown

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The invention removes the vulnerable combination of windscreens attached to non-wind-resistant chain link fences and replaces it with windscreens attached to purpose-built vertical support members designed to withstand wind loads, thereby maintaining strength while reducing wind force effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention uses flexible windscreen panels that can deform and flex under wind pressure without transferring excessive forces to the support structure. This flexibility allows the system to withstand heavy winds without blowing down, unlike rigid prior art designs with holes or flaps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9174107B2Customizable enclosure system for tennis courts

Publication Date: 2015.11.03 DETTOR TODD

AI summary

The present invention is a novel customizable and retractable enclosure system particularly suited for tennis courts. The customizable and retractable enclosure system of the present invention includes windscreen panel assemblies connected to vertical support members using a system of highly tensioned cables and eliminates the use of a chain link fence.