Field of the invention

Table tennis tables include a base that support two playing surfaces and a net supported between the two playing surfaces by a left and right net support posts. For regulation table tennis tables, the table tennis net must extend a regulation distance beyond the left and right edges of the playing surface boards and a regulation height above the playing surfaces. Table tennis tables have net support systems comprising the net posts to properly install and retain the table tennis net.

Background

A table tennis table comprises two playing surfaces separated by a table tennis net. The players hit a table tennis ball from one playing surface to the other playing surface over the table tennis net. In a playing configuration, the table tennis net extends beyond the edges of the playing surfaces. In the storage configuration of a conventional table tennis table, the table tennis net still extends beyond the edges of the playing surface. The storage size of the table tennis is greater due to the fixed position of the table tennis net. To reduce the size of the table tennis table storage configuration, the table tennis net may be removed or manually retracted into a position between the playing surface boards. Removing or retracting the table tennis net every time that the table tennis table is used can cause damage to the playing surfaces or to the mechanism for retaining the table tennis net in the playing configuration. In such conventional table tennis tables, the table tennis net must be carefully located in the proper position every time that the table tennis table is converted to the playing configuration.

There is a need for a table tennis table that automatically transfers the table tennis net from a net playing configuration to the net storage configuration as the table tennis table is transferred from the playing configuration to the storage configuration and automatically transfers the table tennis net from the net storage configuration to the net playing configuration as the table tennis table is transferred from the storage configuration to the playing configuration. SUMMARY

As shown in Figs. 1 and 1 b, a table tennis table has Net 1 and two rotatable playing surfaces 2. As shown in the figures, two net support posts are connected to the net and are slidably connected to the base 3. The sliding net post are configured to be actuated manually or by rotation of at least one of the playing surfaces. The table tennis table comprises a net retraction system that has a least one of a linear chain, tubular telescoping sliding parts, at least one toothed belt, flexible cable pulls that are at least partially within one guide channel, and a biasing element that returns the net posts to the initial position.

The net posts are driven by the rotation of the playing surfaces to be in the same configuration of as the playing surfaces. As the playing surfaces are rotated from the storage configuration to the playing configuration, the net posts are similarly driven from their storage configuration to the playing configuration. In the embodiment shown in the figures, the net posts are moved to the playing configuration by rotation of the playing surface to its playing configuration and biased by a biasing member or the force of gravity.

Another embodiment of the table tennis table may comprise a net retraction system that with a mechanical linkage that drives the net posts in both directions from storage configuration to the playing configuration and from the playing configuration to the storage configuration. Linear actuation of the sliding net posts is driven by an linkage with the base of the table tennis table. A spreader linkage hingedly connected to the base is spread out or extended when the table tennis table is rotated into the playing configuration and compacted when the table tennis table is folded into the storage configuration.

Generally, the table tennis net retraction system includes a mechanism that the base and the net support posts are mechanically communicating to slide the posts in a linear direction. Also, the table tennis net may comprise a net roll up assembly, that rotates at least one net post to keep the net taut in the storage configuration. The net roll up assembly may be geared to the flexible band or may be a spring mounted or elastic cord to the post to keep tension on the net.

Aspects of the stroller are presented in various embodiments, however one skilled in the art will understand various variation and interchangeability of the components of the various embodiments which are intended to be included in the scope of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 depicts a simplified version of a portion of an embodiment of a table tennis table 2 with two playing surfaces rotatably supported on a base 3, the table tennis table is shown in a configuration between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration;

Fig. la depicts an embodiment of the playing surface contact member 23, wherein the playing surface contact member 23 comprises a z-shape wherein the playing surface contact member surface is on a different plane than the guide part 23a;

Fig. lb depicts net post receiving member comprising a receiving slot and a stop for the net post in the net post storage configuration;

Fig. 2 depicts a detail of an embodiment of a table tennis table with a table tennis net support retracting mechanism, wherein the table tennis net support retracting mechanism comprises a net guide 7 connected to a playing surface contact member 23 biased to the storage configuration and table tennis net support post 6 in the net post storage configuration, in this embodiment, a net weight 12 biases the linear chain or flexible band 20 and table tennis net support post 6 into the storage configuration;

Fig. 2b is the cross-sectional view of the section A-B of Fig. 2 depicting the net guide 7 connected to the base 3 and the playing surface contact member 23;

Fig. 3 depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of base and table tennis net post 6 in the playing or in-use configuration with the table tennis net post support 6, the table tennis table net post support is extended beyond the left or right side of the playing surface board, in the depicted embodiment, a spring 21 biases the linear chain or flexible band 20 and table tennis net support post 6 into the storage configuration;

Fig. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the section A-B of Fig. 3 depicting the net guide 7 connected to the base 3 and the playing surface contact member 23;

Fig. 3c is an embodiment of the net guide 7 that receives and guides the flexible band 20;

Fig. 4 depicts another embodiment of a table tennis net retracting mechanism connected to the base 3 comprising a belt 14 that engages a moveable track on a net support assembly to drive the net support assembly from an in-use configuration to a storage configuration and from the storage configuration to in use configuration;

Fig. 4a depicts a perspective view of a portion of the base 3 comprising the guide 7 with two tracks 7a to enclose the belt 14 one either side of the spring 21 and its enclosure 21a; Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the section A-B of Fig. 4 depicting the net guide 7 tracks 7a and the playing surface contact member 23 resting on the playing surfaces 2 in the playing configuration;

Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of a table tennis table comprising another embodiment of a table tennis net support retracting mechanism, net support 6 on a sliding guide 13a that is moved between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration by a spreader linkage 13 hingedly connected to the base 3 through of the table tennis table playing surfaces 2, the sliding guide are biased toward the storage configuration by a weight or a spring, for example;

Figure 5a shows in a detail of the hinged connection between a net slider 13b and the spreader linkages 13, the net slider 13b is slidingly connected to the base 3, the net slider 13b is biased by a spring 13c in Figure 5b;

Fig. 5b depicts an embodiment of a table tennis table comprising another embodiment of a table tennis net support retracting mechanism, net support 6 on a sliding guide 13a connected to the net support post that is moved between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration by a spreader linkage 13 hingedly connected to the base 3 through of the table tennis table playing surfaces 2, the sliding guide by a spring 13c;

Figs. 5c1 and 5c2 show in simplified depiction of another embodiment of the net retraction system that comprises a spring 13c (Fig. 5cl shows the spring in the compressed state and Fig. 5c2 shows the spring in the expended state) that biases a sliding guide 13a by shifting of the spreader linkage 13 by moving the net slider 13b upward by contact with the playing surfaces 2 being converted from the storage configuration to the playing configuration;

Fig. 6 depicts an embodiment of table tennis table with base 3 with a left sliding net post and a right sliding net post 6 connected to a left movable rack and a right movable rack 14, the left moveable rack and right movable rack 14 are biased away from each other into the playing configuration, the left movable rack and the right movable rack 14 may be biased by a spring or by a rack and pinion system that operates by the playing surfaces 2 being converted from the storage configuration to the playing configuration;

Fig. 6A1 and Fig 6a2 depicts a locking mechanism 30 for the net retracting system comprising a locking member defining apertures 8a wherein the movable rack 14 comprising biased pins 8b that may be received to lock the movable rack 14 in the in-use configuration (Fig. Bal) and the storage configuration (Fig. 6a2); Figs. 7 and 7a depicts an embodiment of sliding net post 6 comprising a mounting member 16 connecting the sliding post to the base 3, Fig. 7a shows the net in a rolled up storage configuration, the net may be biased toward the rolled up position by a spring or moved from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration by a net post spinning mechanism that operates by movement of the playing surfaces from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration:

Figs. 8 and 8a depict an embodiment of the locking mechanism of the sliding net post 6 with an mounting member 16 having a U-shaped profile which is connected to base 3 and the sliding post 6; and

Fig. 9, 9a, and 9b depicts an embodiment of a table tennis table in which the sliding post 6 with a guide 7 attached to the table tennis table and the net pickup upper part 11 of the sliding post 6 can be folded down on a hinged connection.

DESCRIPTION

Table tennis tables include a base that support two playing surfaces and a net supported between two playing surfaces by a left and right net support posts. For regulation table tennis tables, the table tennis net must extend a regulation distance beyond the left and right edges of the playing surface boards and a regulation height above the playing surfaces. Table tennis tables have net support systems comprising the net posts to properly install and retain the table tennis net.

The net support systems may comprise a net retraction system that is automatic or manual. An automatic net retraction system will move the net support posts from an in-use extended configuration to a retracted storage configuration. The retracted storage position of the net posts reduces the width of table tennis table in its storage configuration. In some embodiments, the net retraction system is integrated with the table tennis table folding mechanism so that as the table tennis table is folded from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration, the net posts are also transferred from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration.

Embodiments of a table tennis table may comprise a net retraction system. Such a table tennis table may comprise two playing surfaces rotatably mounted to a table base. The two playing surface may be rotated relative to the table base from a storage configuration to a playing configuration, in the storage configuration, the playing surfaces are substantially vertical. In the playing configuration, the playing surfaces are substantially horizontal for playing table tennis. The net retraction system and assembly may comprise a playing surface contacting member that contacts and moves with at least one of the playing surfaces to drive the net support posts to their extended in-use configuration. In such embodiments, the net support posts may be biased toward the storage configuration by a spring or by gravity, for exampie. in such embodiments, the net posts slide horizontally from one configuration to the other.

Embodiments of a tabie tennis tabie comprise a left net support post and a right net support post with a net extending between the posts and the between the two playing surfaces. The left net support post and the right net support post may be individually slidably connected to the table base. The sliding connection may be a net support tube telescoping within another base connected tube or a net support member sliding within a channel connected to the base, or other sliding connection know in the art. in one embodiment, the net retraction system comprises a flexible band either directly or indirectly connected to and extending from one of the table tennis net support posts, the net support tube, the net support member, or other component of a net support assembly. The flexible band may extend through a channel of the table base to connect to the playing surface contacting member. As the playing surface is rotated from the vertical storage configuration to the horizontal in-use configuration, a portion of a playing surface contacts the playing surface contacting member to drive the flexible band upward and the net support post outward to the playing configuration.

As described above and in the figures, a playing surface contacting member may be connected to the flexible band and extend to an interior side of the base support, in such an embodiment, the playing surface contacting member may in contact with a playing surface as the playing surface is rotated from the storage configuration to the playing configuration thereby moving the band and sliding the table tennis support net from a net storage position to a net playing position. The playing surfaces are hingedly connected to the interior side of the base support also.

As the table playing surfaces are rotated from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration, a top surface of the playing surface contacts the playing surface contacting member to move the flexible band and the table tennis support net from the net storage position to the net playing position. The top surface of the playing surface that contacts the playing surface contacting member may be adjacent to the inside edge of the playing surface opposite of the playing side of the playing surface.

The net support post returns to the storage configuration also as the table tennis playing surface is returned to the storage configuration. The net support post may be returned by a mechanical linkage, a biasing member such as a spring or elastic band, for example, by the force of gravity on a component of the net retracting system, or other mechanism. The component of the net retracting system may be the flexible band, the playing surface contacting member, the table tennis net support, or other component.

The net retraction system may comprise a mechanism to be used to transfer motion from a vertical direction (corresponding to the movement of the playing surfaces) to a horizontal motion (moving the net post from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration for playing). The mechanism may include the flexible band that may bend at an angle around a corner as the band is driven upward through a channel, for example, or the flexible may be a toothed continuous band that interacts with a linear gear to move the net post, a worm gear, or other combination of these mechanisms.

In one embodiment, the flexible band is connected to the table tennis net support on a horizontal section of the flexible band and the flexible band is connected to the playing surface contacting member on a vertical section of the flexible band. The flexible band may be received with a channel to define the movement of the flexible band. The flexible band may be made from a natural or synthetic polymer, a natural or synthetic polymer rubber, a laminated rubber or polymer with reinforcement layer, or a series of rigid members connected with an elastic material, for example. The channel may have a u-shaped cross-section to allow the playing surface contacting member to connect to the flexible band and extend inward to also be able to contact the playing surfaces. Therefore, in one embodiment, the channel is a U-shaped channel and the band is slidable within the U-shaped channel.

The channel is ultimately configured such that a portion of the flexible band is moved in a upward direction by rotation of playing surface from the storage configuration to the playing configuration causing the table tennis net support to be moved in a horizontal direction to the net playing position.

In another embodiment, a table tennis table may comprise a first playing surface and second playing surface, wherein both of the first playing surface and the second playing surface are rotatably mounted to a table base and may be rotated relative to the table base from a storage configuration to a playing configuration. A conventional, the table tennis table comprises a first table tennis net support and a second table tennis net support with a table tennis net connected between the first table tennis net support to the second table tennis net support. The table tennis net comprises a net playing position and a net storage position.

However, the first table tennis net support and a second table tennis net support are slidably connected to the table base and the table tennis table comprises a net retraction system. In this embodiment, the net retraction system comprises a first flexible band and a second flexible band, wherein one end of the first flexible band is connected to the first table tennis net support and one end of the second flexible band is connected to the second table tennis net support. A first playing surface contacting member connected to the other end of the first flexible band and a second playing surface contact plate connected to the other end of the second flexible band, wherein rotation of either the first playing surface or the second playing surface from the storage configuration to the playing configuration causes upward movement of the first playing surface contacting member and the second playing surface contacting member. The upward movement of the playing surface member drives the first table tennis net support and the second table tennis net support to move away from each other from the net storage position to the net playing position. In this embodiment, the flexible band or the table tennis net posts are biased toward the storage position and the bias is overcome by the rotation of at least one of the playing surfaces to the in-use position.

As shown in Fig. 1, an embodiment of a table tennis table with two playing surfaces 2 rotatably connected to and supported on a base 3, the table tennis table is shown in a configuration between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration with the playing surfaces between the horizontal and vertical positions.

Shown in Fig. 2 is an embodiment of a table tennis table comprising a table tennis net support retracting mechanism. The table tennis net support retracting mechanism comprises a net guide 7 for receiving the flexible band 20 and guiding the flexible band as it is driven to move by the playing surfaces. The flexible band 20 is connected to a playing surface contact member 23 and is biased to the storage configuration by gravity and weight 12. The table tennis net support post 6 is connected to and was pulled into the net post storage configuration by a net weight 12 connected to the other end of the linear chain or flexible band 20. Fig. 2b is the cross-sectional view of the section A-B of Fig. 2 depicting flexible band 20 received with the net guide 7. The net guide 7 is U-shaped and connected to the base 3. As shown, the playing surface contact member 23 extends through the channel defined by the open portion of the U-shaped net guide 7. Fig. la depicts an embodiment of a playing surface contacting member 23, wherein the playing surface contact member 23 comprises a z-shape wherein the playing surface contacting member surface is on a different plane than the guide part 23a. The playing surface contacting member 23 may be any shape that fulfills the purpose of connecting to the flexible band 20 and extends sufficiently from the base 3 to contact the playing surface 2 as it rotates from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration. Fig. lb depicts net post receiving member comprising a receiving slot and a stop for the net post in the net post storage configuration. The net post is securely held in the receiving slot when in the storage position. Fig. 3 depicts a cross-section of an embodiment of base and table tennis net post 6 in the playing or in-use configuration with the table tennis net post support 6, the table tennis table net post support is extended beyond the left or right side of the playing surface board, in the depicted embodiment, a spring 21 biases the iinear chain or flexible band 20 and table tennis net support post 6 into the storage configuration. However, the playing surface 2 has been rotated into the horizonal playing configuration and has moved the playing surface contacting member 23 to its raised position at the top of the base 3 thus raising the flexible band 20 and extending the net post support 6. Fig. 3b is a cross-sectional view of the section A-B of Fig. 3 depicting the flexible band 20 within a channel defined by the U-shaped net guide 7 that is connected to the base 3.

Fig. 4 depicts another embodiment of a table tennis net retracting system. This embodiment of the table tennis net retracting system is also connected to a base 3. However, the flexible band 21 is a continuous belt. The belt 21 engages a moveable track (or pinion gear) 29 on a net support assembly to drive the net support assembly from an in-use configuration to a storage configuration and from the storage configuration to in use configuration. As the playing surface 2 rotates to the playing configuration, the playing surface contacting member 23 is driven upward and rotates the belt 21 counterclockwise (as shown in Fig. 4) on pulleys 27 28A and 28B. This drives pinion gear 29 thFig. 4a depicts a perspective view of a portion of the base 3 comprising the guide 7 with two tracks 7a to enclose the belt 14 one either side of the spring 21 and its enclosure 21a.

Fig. 4b is a cross-sectional view of the section A-B of Fig. 4 depicting the net guide 7 tracks 7a and the playing surface contact member 23 resting on the playing surfaces 2 in the playing configuration.

Another embodiment of a table tennis table comprising another embodiment of a table tennis net support retracting mechanism is shown in Figure 5. In this embodiment of the net support retracting mechanism, the net support 6 is connect to a sliding guide 13a that is moved between the in- use configuration and the storage configuration by a spreader linkage 13. The spreader linkage 13 has a fixed hingedly connected to the net slider 13b. The spreader linkage 13 comprises a left arm and a right arm. The sliding guides are biased toward the storage configuration by a weight or a spring, for example. The net slider 13b is raised by rotation of the playing surfaces 2 from the storage configuration to the playing configuration. Figure 5 bottom image depicts the net retracting system in the storage configuration and Fig. 5 top shows the net retracting system in the playing configuration. Figure 5a shows in a detail of the hinged connection between a net slider 13b and the two arms of the spreader linkages 13, the net slider 13b is slidingly connected to the base 3, the net slider 13b is biased by a spring 13c in Figure 5b.

Fig. 5b depicts an embodiment of a table tennis table comprising another embodiment of a table tennis net support retracting mechanism, net support 6 on a sliding guide 13a connected to the net support post that is moved between the in-use configuration and the storage configuration by a spreader linkage 13 hingedly connected to the base 3 through of the table tennis table playing surfaces 2, the sliding guide by a spring 13c;

Figs. 5cl and 5c2 show in simplified depiction of another embodiment of the net retraction system that comprises a spring 13c (Fig. 5cl shows the spring in the compressed state and Fig. 5c2 shows the spring in the expended state) that biases a sliding guide 13a by shifting of the spreader linkage 13 by moving the net slider 13b upward by contact with the playing surfaces 2 being converted from the storage configuration to the playing configuration;

Fig. 6 depicts an embodiment of table tennis table wi th base 3 with a left sliding net post and a right sliding net post 6 connected to a left movable rack and a right movable rack 14, the left moveable rack and right movable rack 14 are biased away from each other into the playing configuration, the left movable rack and the right movable rack 14 may be biased by a spring or by a rack and pinion system that operates by the playing surfaces 2 being converted from the storage configuration to the playing configuration;

Fig. 6al and Fig 6a2 depicts a locking mechanism 30 for the net retracting system comprising a locking member defining apertures 8a wherein the movable rack 14 comprising biased pins 8b that may be received to lock the movable rack 14 in the in-use configuration (Fig. Sal) and the storage configuration (Fig. 6a2);

Figs. 7 and 7a depicts an embodiment of sliding net post 6 comprising a mounting member 16 connecting the sliding post to the base 3, Fig. 7a shows the net in a rolled up storage configuration, the net may be biased toward the rolled up position by a spring or moved from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration by a net post spinning mechanism that operates by movement of the playing surfaces from the storage configuration to the in-use configuration;

Figs. 8 and 8a depict an embodiment of the locking mechanism of the sliding net post 6 with an mounting member 16 having a U-shaped profile which is connected to base 3 and the sliding post 6; and

Fig. 9, 9a, and 9b depicts an embodiment of a table tennis table in which the sliding post 6 with a guide 7 attached to the table tennis table and the net pickup upper part 11 of the sliding post 6 can be folded down on a hinged connection. The embodiments of the described table tennis table and methods are not limited to the particular embodiments, components, method steps, and materials disclosed herein as such components, process steps, and materials may vary. Moreover, the terminology employed herein is used for the purpose of describing exemplary embodiments only and the terminology is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Therefore, while embodiments of the invention are described with reference to exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that variations and modifications can be affected within the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Accordingly, the scope of the various embodiments of the present invention should not be limited to the above discussed embodiments and should only be defined by the following claims and all equivalents.