Field of the Invention The invention relates to sports net systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a sports net assembly which includes the combination of a sports net, support poles, and attachment clips used to connect the sports net to the support poles.

Background of the Invention A portable game net system is a popular piece of sporting equipment. Because sports enthusiasts can use these net systems for a variety of sports activities, such as volleyball and badminton, portable game net systems have become increasingly popular in recent years. These game systems are easily transported and can be set up between two fixed vertical structures, such as support poles, at varying heights above the ground, depending on the sports activity being played. As such, game net systems are useful in backyards, over swimming pools, or any variety of playing surfaces where sports activities are played.

One difficulty with current sports net systems is the actual setup and assembly of the net.

Assembly of currently available sporting net systems can be time-consuming, cumbersome, and often times difficult. Current systems require the user to tie the corners of the sports net to the support poles with knots. Other systems employ elaborate threading systems in an effort to keep the net in place during play.

The disassembly of the net system can be even more time consuming, cumbersome, and difficult. In most instances the user must untie the knots securing the net, which is often difficult. The combination of the present invention simplifies assembly and disassembly of the sports net system, thus reducing the time required for both.

Objects of the Invention It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sports net assembly that easily be assembled for use.

It is another object of the present invention to reduce set-up time for a sports net.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a releasable attachment clip assembly to reduce setup time for the sports net assembly.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sports net assembly that can be easily disassembled following use.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a releasable attachment clip assembly to reduce the time required to disassemble the sports net assembly.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a sports net assembly with a releasable attachment clip that is flexibly hinged at the anchor end of the attachment clip.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention are set forth, in part, in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from the description and/or from the practice of the invention.

Summary of the Invention In response to the foregoing challenge, the present invention is directed to an innovative, economical sports net assembly. To simplify the attachment of a sports net to a support pole, easing frustration and shortening the set-up time required, the four corners of a sports net have

attachment clips attached directly to the sports net, by a predetermined length of cable, or by any other suitable means. Each attachment clip is then inserted into a corresponding receiving hole on a set of two support poles, thus attaching the net to the support poles.

The sports net assembly includes a sports net which may be formed of polyethylene and poly-vinyl chloride ("PVC"), or any other suitable materials. The sports net assembly further includes at least two attachment clips which may be formed from plastic or any other suitable material. The sports net assembly may also include a pair of support poles.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the attachment clips are attached to the corners of the sports net by a cable. The attachment clips attach and lock the sports net to the support pole. The attachment clips snap into receiving holes provided in the poles. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the attachment clips are releaseably attached to ease in assembly and disassembly of the sports net system. Additionally, a guide rope hook, eye bolt and pole cap are attached to the support pole. The guide ropes and tripod ropes attach to a guide rope hook and an eye bolt. The guide and tripod ropes are attached to stakes that are inserted into the ground. The tension clips are attached to the ropes to provide for tension adjustment.

An embodiment of the present invention provides a sports net assembly comprising: a sports net including at least four corners; at least two support poles; and at least four one-piece attachment clips. The attachment clips further comprise an attachment end adapted to be connected to the corners of the sports net, and comprise an anchor end adapted to permanently attach the attachment clips to the support poles. The attachment end may be, but is not limited to, an aperture. The attachment end may be dimpled.

The attachment end of the attachment clips may be connected directly to the sports net, or may be connected to the sports net by a cord. The attachment clips may be made of plastic.

The anchor end of the attachment clip further comprises an elliptical portion adapted for insertion into the support pole. The elliptical portion of the anchor end further comprises a pair of directly opposable resiliently flexible arm members integrally joined to the elliptical portion and extending outwardly toward the aperture end. The arm members deform during insertion into the support pole and expand following insertion wherein the arm members permanently attach the attachment clip to the support pole.

An alternative embodiment of the present invention provides a sports net assembly comprising: a sports net including at least four corners; at least two support poles; and at least four one-piece attachment clips. The attachment clips further comprise an aperture end adapted to be connected to the corners of the sports net and comprise an anchor end with disengagement means to releasably attach the attachment clip to the support pole. The aperture end is distinct from the disengagement means.

The aperture end of the attachment clips may be connected directly to the sports net, or be connected to the sports net by a cord. The attachment clips may be made of plastic.

The anchor end of the attachment clips further comprise an elliptical portion adapted for insertion into the support pole, and the elliptical portion of the anchor end further comprises a pair of directly opposable resiliently flexible arm members integrally joined to the elliptical portion and extending outwardly toward the aperture end. The arm members deform during insertion into the support pole and expand following insertion. The arm members further comprise shoulders adapted to permit the arm members to expand and releasably attach the attachment clips to the support poles. The attachment clips are adapted to be releasable by disengaging the shoulders by applying a compressive force to the arm members.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not restrictive of the invention as claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein by reference, and which constitute a part of this specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the invention, and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings The present invention will now be described in connection with the following figures in which like reference numbers reflect like elements and wherein: Fig. 1 is a schematic view of the sports net assembly according to the present invention; and Fig. 2 is a schematic view of the attachment clip and sports net of the sports net assembly of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a schematic view of the attachment clip of the sports net assembly of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view of an alternative embodiment of the attachment clip of the sports net assembly of Fig. 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Reference will now be made in detail to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. A preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated by Fig 1.

The sports net assembly 10 includes a sports net 11, a pair of support poles 12 (only one is illustrated in Fig. 1) and attachment clips 13. The support pole (s) 12 are preferably formed from plastic, metal, or any other suitable material and may have a round, square or hexagonal crossection. The poles 12 may be adjustable such that the height may be adjusted.

The attachment clip 13 is preferably formed from a high impact plastic, but may be composed of any other suitable material. Each attachment clip 13 has an anchor end 131, and an attachment end 141, as shown in Fig. 3. The attachment end 141 may be composed of an aperture or any other suitable attachment means. The anchor end 131 is flexible to permit insertion into a receiving hole 121 in the support pole. The arm members of the anchor end 131 flex towards one another during insertion then expand when they clear the inner wall of the pole 12. At least one attachment clip 13 is needed to secure the net 11 to one of the poles 12. It is preferred that at least two attachment clips 12 be used to attach the net 11 to each pole 12.

The sports net may come in various dimensions that are appropriate for volleyball or badminton or other sport requiring a net. The netting may be formed from polyethylene or any other suitable material. The side, top and bottom tapes may be made from PVC or any other suitable material. The attachment clip may include a dimpled portion on the attachment end to ease insertion of the attachment clip into the support pole.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, as shown in Fig. 4, the attachment clips 13 may provide a method to be releasably attached to the support poles 12. The releasable attachment clips 13 may include opposable shoulders 151 in the arm members of the anchor end 131 that expand to lock the attachment clip 13 to the support poles 12. The shoulders 151 are located such that a portion of the attachment clip 13 will remain exterior to the surface of the support poles 12. This exterior portion of the attachment clip 13 may be used to exert manual compression of the arm members of the anchor end 131, thus releasing the attachment clip 13 from the support poles 12.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the construction. configuration, and/or operation of the present invention without

departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For example, in the embodiments mentioned above, various changes may be made to the individual components of the combination without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. It is contemplated that the attachment clips 13 may be a different size or shape and possess a different release method. Additionally, the attachment clips 13 may be provided with a release pin, not shown, to permit removal from the holes located within the support poles 12. Further, it may be appropriate to make additional modifications or changes to any individual component without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of the invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.