Truss-frame sports net system

Abstract

A sports net support system includes a first end post, a second end post and a plurality of truss segments configured for coupling therebetween. The first end post includes an inferior end and a superior end with a first outside base member provided to the inferior end of the first end post. The second end post has an inferior end and a superior end and a second outside base member is provided to the inferior end of the second post. One or more of the truss segments include an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span. A reel is configured for winding a top strand of a net suspended between the first and second end posts.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A sports net system, comprising:
 a first end post having an inferior end and a superior end;   a first outside base member provided to the inferior end of the first end post;   a first truss segment coupled with the first end post and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span;   a second truss segment coupled with the first truss segment and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span;   a third truss segment coupled with the second truss segment and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span;   a second end post having an inferior end and a superior end;   a second outside base member provided to the inferior end of the second post; and   a fourth truss segment coupled between the third truss segment and the second end post and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span.   
     
     
         2 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the inferior span of the first truss segment extends from a position adjacent to the inferior end of the first end post, the superior span of the first truss segment extends from a position between the inferior and superior ends of the first end post, the inferior span of the fourth truss segment extends from a position adjacent to the inferior end of the second end post, and the superior span of the fourth truss segment extends from a position between the inferior and superior ends of the second end post. 
     
     
         3 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one first brace extending between the first truss segment superior span and one of the plurality of struts of the first truss segment and at least one second brace extending between the fourth truss segment superior span and one of the plurality of struts of the fourth truss segment. 
     
     
         4 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein the at least one first brace forms a diagonal of a rectangle formed by a portion of the first truss segment superior span, a portion of the first truss segment inferior span and two of the plurality of struts of the first truss segment and the at least one second brace forms a diagonal of a rectangle formed by a portion of the fourth truss segment superior span, a portion of the fourth truss segment inferior span and two of the plurality of struts of the fourth truss segment. 
     
     
         5 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a center post having a superior end coupled between the second truss segment superior span and the third truss segment superior span and having an inferior end extending from the second truss segment inferior span and the third truss segment inferior span and further including a central base member provided to the center post inferior end. 
     
     
         6 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first outside base member is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first end post and the second outside base member is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second end post. 
     
     
         7 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first truss segment superior span is arranged substantially perpendicular to both the first end post and first outside base member and wherein the fourth truss segment superior span is arranged substantially perpendicular to both the second end post and the second outside base member. 
     
     
         8 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein the first truss segment inferior span is arranged substantially parallel with the first truss segment superior span and the fourth truss segment inferior span is arranged substantially parallel with the fourth truss segment superior span. 
     
     
         9 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a net extending between the first end post and the second end post. 
     
     
         10 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 9 , wherein the net includes a superior strand coupled with the first end post near the superior end and with the second end post near the superior end as well as an inferior strand coupled with the first ends post near the inferior end and with the second end post near the inferior end. 
     
     
         11 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 10 , further comprising a tie-down strap tensioning the superior strand of the net towards the second truss segment and/or the third truss segment. 
     
     
         12 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein the first truss segment, the second truss segment, the third truss segment and the fourth truss segment are configured to maintain distance between the first and second end posts when tension is applied to the superior strand. 
     
     
         13 . The sports net system as set forth in  claim 1 , further comprising a reel provided to the first end post or the second end post and configured to adjust tension in a superior strand of a net extending between the first and second end posts. 
     
     
         14 . A sports net support system, comprising:
 a first end post having an inferior end and a superior end;   a first outside base member provided to the inferior end of the first end post;   a first truss segment configured for coupling with the first end post and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span;   a second truss segment configured for coupling with the first truss segment and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span;   a third truss segment configured for coupling with the second truss segment and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span;   a second end post having an inferior end and a superior end;   a second outside base member provided to the inferior end of the second post;   a fourth truss segment configured for coupling between the third truss segment and the second end post and having an inferior span, a superior span and a plurality of struts each extending between the inferior span and the superior span; and   a reel configured for winding a superior strand of a net.   
     
     
         15 . The sports net support system as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising at least one first brace extending between the first truss segment superior span and one of the plurality of struts of the first truss segment and at least one second brace extending between the fourth truss segment superior span and one of the plurality of struts of the fourth truss segment. 
     
     
         16 . The sports net support system as set forth in  claim 15 , wherein the at least one first brace forms a diagonal of a rectangle formed by a portion of the first truss segment superior span, a portion of the first truss segment inferior span and two of the plurality of struts of the first truss segment and the at least one second brace forms a diagonal of a rectangle formed by a portion of the fourth truss segment superior span, a portion of the fourth truss segment inferior span and two of the plurality of struts of the fourth truss segment. 
     
     
         17 . The sports net support system as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the inferior spans, the superior spans and the plurality of struts each include tubular construction. 
     
     
         18 . The sports net support system as set forth in  claim 14 , further comprising a center post having a superior end configured for coupling between the second truss segment superior span and the third truss segment superior span and having an inferior end configured to extend from the second truss segment inferior span and the third truss segment inferior span and further including a central base member coupled with the center post inferior end. 
     
     
         19 . The sports net support system as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the first outside base member is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first end post and the second outside base member is arranged substantially perpendicular to the second end post. 
     
     
         20 . The sports net support system as set forth in  claim 14 , wherein the first truss segment inferior span is arranged substantially parallel with the first truss segment superior span and the fourth truss segment inferior span is arranged substantially parallel with the fourth truss segment superior span.