A games apparatus

Abstract

The present invention relates to a games apparatus and, in particular, to equipment relating to sports where a net or other guide is required, such as tennis, badminton and volleyball. Such sports that people usually play individually against a single opponent (singles) or between two teams of players each throwing/hitting/returning a ball or each player uses a racquet to strike a ball over a net and into the opponent's court. The object of the game is to play the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a good return. The net, together a net support and a marked-out ground enable a game of tennis to be played. Another type of sport that involves a net is volleyball. Volleyball involves two teams of six players, separated by a net, whereby one team scores points, one against another, by grounding a ball on the other team's court under organized rules. In both of these games a net is arranged between two sides of a court, the net defining a barrier between the two and subject to the net scores of one team relative to another can be made. An issue with such sports is the difficulty in enabling the game to be played in that not only is a court required, but also that a net needs to be provided. The present invention seeks to provide a solution to the problems addressed above. The present invention seeks to provide a games net to enable a game where a net is required for the playing of games, which net can be quickly and easily erected before play and which net can be quickly and easily folded away after play without the need for assembly or disassembly.

1 . A pop-up net apparatus for a net-based game upon a playing surface, the apparatus comprising a first pop-up frame which is rectangular in shape, having an upper portion and a lower portion and which supports a net and at least a second frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, the frames having respective mutual coupling means arranged at least at their respective upper portions;
 the apparatus being operable in a first, active mode upon the playing surface, wherein the rectangular net frame is supported by means of said at least second frame, whereby to provide a generally upright net for a net-based game;   wherein the first pop-up frame comprises members being capable, in a second, storage mode of being twisted and folded to provide a substantially flat configuration;   wherein the second frames comprise two end frames each operably arranged either side or end of a substantially vertical first pop-up frame; and   wherein the one or more central frames have mutual coupling means coupling each of the end frames to the upper and lower portions of the pop-up frame.   
     
     
         2 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the two second frames are of a generally triangular shape, providing an “A-frame” stability to the first pop-up frame. 
     
     
         3 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the two end frames are an inverted T-shape. 
     
     
         4 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1  wherein the second frames comprise one or more central frames arranged between the two end frames to support the middle of the pop-up frame. 
     
     
         5 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the one or more central frames have mutual coupling means coupling the or each central frame to the upper and lower portions of the pop-up frame. 
     
     
         6 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 5  wherein the upper and lower portions of the pop-up frame comprise members and wherein the mutual coupling means of the central frames are slideably mounted on the members to allow folding of the apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 4  wherein the mutual coupling means of the one or more central frames are secured to the net. 
     
     
         8 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 3  wherein the inverted T-shape second frames have detachable elongate feet. 
     
     
         9 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each pop-up frame supports a net or comprises banding arranged so as to support a net. 
     
     
         10 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each net comprises a twine made from a material which is one of a natural fibre and a synthetic fibre. 
     
     
         11 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the or each net comprises one of a textile sheet and a plastics sheet. 
     
     
         12 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the sheet is printed to define a printed net, a logo or other two-dimensional representation. 
     
     
         13 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the one or more pop-up frames comprise substantially rectilinear elongate members connected at the corners by members providing first and second sockets for connection therewith, the sockets being arranged at 90° one with respect to the other. 
     
     
         14 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein associated with the frames/banding are eyelets, arranged for the provision of pegs so that, for grass courts, the pegs can be inserted into the ground. 
     
     
         15 . A pop-up net apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frames are arranged such that a net depends from the coupled upper portions which enable the supports or second frames to act as standards for a volley-ball or badminton net.