Collapsible net apparatus, a system and a method for using same and a joint implemented with same

Abstract

An apparatus, a system and a method are provided for a net having rods interconnected by joints. The apparatus has two types of joints. The first type of joint arranges rods linearly. The second type of joint arranges rods perpendicularly. The apparatus and/or system may be assembled and disassembled without separation and/or removal of any of its components. In addition, the apparatus and/or system may have netting which attaches to covers placed around the rods. A method for assembling the apparatus and/or system is also provided.

I claim:  
     
         1 . An apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of rods wherein each of the rods has a length defined between a first end and a second end;    a plurality of lateral joints wherein each of the lateral joints has a first cap and a second cap wherein the first cap is attachable to the first end of one of the plurality of rods and the second cap is attachable to the first end of another one of the plurality of rods;    a plurality of corner joints wherein each of the corner joints has a first cap and a second cap wherein the first cap is attachable to the second end of one of the plurality of rods and the second cap is attachable to one of the plurality of rods;    a locking mechanism associated with each of the lateral joints and corner joints.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a covering on at least one of the plurality of rods.  
 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a netting attached to the plurality of rods.  
 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising: 
 a lever associated with the locking mechanism.  
 
     
     
         5 . A method for assembling a net, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of rods connected by a plurality of joints; and    arranging the plurality of rods and the plurality of joints to form a continuous frame without separating the plurality of rods from the plurality of joints.    
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of: 
 providing a locking mechanism associated with each of the plurality of joints.  
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising the step of: 
 providing a lever associated with the locking mechanism.  
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  further comprising the step of: 
 rotating the lever to lock each of the plurality of joints to form the continuous frame.  
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 5  further comprising the step of: 
 attaching a netting to the plurality of rods.  
 
     
     
         10 . A joint apparatus comprising: 
 a first cap;    a second cap;    a hinge wherein the first cap and the second cap are connected to the hinge; and    a locking mechanism associated with the hinge.    
     
     
         11 . The joint apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 an inside plate attached to the first cap; and  
 an outside plate attached to the second cap wherein the inside plate and the outside plate are connected to the hinge.  
 
     
     
         12 . The joint apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the locking mechanism locks the first cap and the second cap such that the first cap and the second cap are arranged linearly.  
     
     
         13 . The joint apparatus of  claim 10  wherein the locking mechanism locks the first cap and the second cap such that the first cap and the second cap are arranged perpendicularly.  
     
     
         14 . The joint apparatus of  claim 10  further comprising: 
 a lever associated with the locking mechanism wherein the lever is rotatable to one position to lock the joint and further wherein the lever is rotatable to a second position to unlock the joint.  
 
     
     
         15 . A system comprising: 
 a plurality of rods wherein each of the rods has a length defined between a first end and a second end;    a plurality of joints wherein each of the plurality of joints has a first cap and a second cap wherein the first cap is attachable to the first end of one of the plurality of rods and the second cap is attachable to the first end of another one of the plurality of rods    a locking mechanism associated with each of the plurality of joints; and    a netting attached to the plurality of rods.    
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 an inside plate associated with each of the plurality of joints;  
 an outside plate associated with each of the plurality of joints; and  
 a hinge wherein the inside plate and the outside plate are connected to the hinge.  
 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 15  further wherein the first cap of one of the plurality of joints and the second cap of one of the plurality of joints are arranged linearly when the one of the plurality of joints is locked.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 15  further wherein the first cap of one of the plurality of joints and the second cap of one of the plurality of joints are arranged perpendicularly when the one of the plurality of joints is locked.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a lever associated with the locking mechanism.  
 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15  further comprising: 
 a pole having a first end associated with one of the plurality of rods and further having a second end associated with another one of the plurality of rods.  
 
     
     
         21 . A method for folding a net, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a plurality of rods connected by a plurality of joints to form a continuous frame so support the net;    relax the continuous frame by releasing the plurality of joints without separating the plurality of joints connected to the plurality of rods;    folding the plurality of joints such that the plurality of rods collapse.    
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the steps of: 
 providing two lateral joints wherein the lateral joints are folded; and  
 providing four corner joints wherein the corner joints are folded by collapsing the plurality of rods upon each other after folding the lateral joints.  
 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21  further comprising the step of: 
 providing a locking mechanism associated with each of the plurality of joints.  
 
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 23  further comprising the step of: 
 rotating the lever to unlock each of the plurality of joints to collapse the continuous frame.