Reconfigurable panel activity system

Abstract

A panel includes a frame and a net coupled to the frame and positioned within a circumferentially closed space defined between a first side rod, a second side rod, a first end rod, and a second end rod of the frame. The net includes a netting and a reinforcement border extending about and coupled an entire perimeter of the netting. The reinforcement border includes sleeves along the first end rod border and the second end rod border and each one of the first end rod and the second end rod pass through a corresponding one or more of the sleeves. The panel further includes connectors attached to at least one of the first side rod, the second side rod, the first end rod, and the second end rod.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A panel, comprising:
 a frame comprising a first side rod, a second side rod parallel to and spaced apart from the first side rod, a first end rod connected to and perpendicular to the first side rod and the second side rod, and a second end rod connected to the first side rod and the second side rod and parallel to and spaced apart from the first end rod;   a net coupled to the frame and positioned within a circumferentially closed space defined between the first side rod, the second side rod, the first end rod, and the second end rod, wherein the net comprises a netting and a reinforcement border extending about and coupled an entire perimeter of the netting, and wherein the reinforcement border comprises sleeves along a first end rod border and a second end rod border of the reinforcement border and each one of the first end rod, and the second end rod pass through a corresponding one or more of the sleeves; and   connectors attached to at least one of the first side rod, the second side rod, the first end rod, and the second end rod, wherein each one of the connectors comprises an open rod receptacle configured to releasably retain a rod having a cross-sectional shape and size identical to that of any one of the first side rod, the second side rod, the first end rod, and the second end rod.   
     
     
         2 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein the reinforcement border further comprises at least one sleeve along each of the first side rod and the second side rod and the first side rod and second end rod pass through the at least one sleeve of the corresponding one or more sleeves. 
     
     
         3 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the sleeves are selectively closeable to define a channel to retain a portion of the corresponding end rod. 
     
     
         4 . The panel according to  claim 3 , wherein at least one of the sleeves are selectively closeable to define a channel to retain a portion of the corresponding rod. 
     
     
         5 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the reinforcement border of the net comprises at least one strap comprises at least one of a hook and loop fastener or a buckle; and   the net is coupled to at least one of the first side rod or the second side rod of the frame by the at least one strap.   
     
     
         6 . The panel according to  claim 1 , further comprising resiliently flexible cords, wherein the net is coupled to the first side rod and the second side rod via a corresponding one of the resiliently flexible cords being wrapped around the corresponding first side rod and the second side rod. 
     
     
         7 . The panel according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 a tension in the resiliently flexible cords is adjustable; and   adjustment of the tension in the resiliently flexible cords correspondingly adjusts a tension in the netting of the net.   
     
     
         8 . The panel according to  claim 6 , wherein each one of the resiliently flexible cords:
 passes through multiple loops of the reinforcement border on a corresponding side of the reinforcement border; and   wraps around a corresponding one of the first side rod and the second side rod at multiple locations along the first side rod and the second side rod, respectively.   
     
     
         9 . The panel according to  claim 6 , wherein:
 each one of the resiliently flexible cords comprises opposing end portions and a ball tensioner at each one of the opposing end portions; and   the tension in the resiliently flexible cords is adjustable by moving the opposing end portions through the ball tensioners.   
     
     
         10 . The panel according to  claim 2 , wherein at least one rod of the frame further comprises a stopper configured to limit the movement of the sleeves. 
     
     
         11 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of the connectors comprises opposing open rod receptacles. 
     
     
         12 . The panel according to  claim 1 , wherein each one of the connectors comprises a second open rod receptacle opposite and facing in an opposite direction than the open rod receptacle. 
     
     
         13 . A reconfigurable panel activity system, comprising:
 a plurality of panels interconnectable together to form any of various structures corresponding with an exercise activity, wherein:
 each panel of the plurality of panels comprises opposing sides, opposing ends, and at least one connector; and 
 each one of the at least one connector of each panel of the plurality of panels is releasably connectable to an adjacent one of the plurality of panels such that any two panels of the plurality of panels can be connected in an end-to-end configuration or a side-to-side configuration to form a structure. 
   
     
     
         14 . The reconfigurable panel activity system according to  claim 13 , wherein each panel of the plurality of panels is identical in size and shape to any other panel of the plurality of panels. 
     
     
         15 . The reconfigurable panel activity system according to  claim 13 , further comprising at least one stand releasably connectable to the side of at least one of the panels. 
     
     
         16 . The reconfigurable panel activity system according to  claim 15 , wherein a height of the at least one stand is adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . The reconfigurable panel activity system according to  claim 13 , wherein the plurality of panels is configured to form an enclosed structure by connecting all panels together in the end-to-end configuration or the side-to-side configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The reconfigurable panel activity system according to  claim 17 , wherein:
 the plurality of panels comprises at least one gate panel connected between two other panels of the plurality of panels;   the gate panel permits access the enclosed structure; and   the gate panel is smaller than all other panels of the plurality of panels.   
     
     
         19 . The reconfigurable panel activity system according to  claim 13 , wherein any two panels of the plurality of panels can be connected in an end-to-side configuration to form the structure. 
     
     
         20 . A method of assembling reconfigurable panels into multiple configurations, the method comprising:
 arranging at least two panels in a first configuration, wherein each one of the at least two panels comprises a frame and a net coupled to the frame and position within a circumferentially closed paced defined by the frame;   releasably connecting the at least two panels in the first configuration using one or more connectors of the at least two panels such that the at least two panels are immediately adjacent to each other;   defining a first area of play based on the first configuration of the at least two panels;   disconnecting the at least two panels in the first configuration from each other by releasing the one or more connectors from at least one of the at least two panels;   at least one of:
 releasably connecting the at least two panels in a second configuration, defining a second play area, using the one or more connectors of the at least two panels such that a position or orientation of the at least two panels, relative to each other, is different than the position or orientation of the at least two panels, relative to each other, in the first configuration; or 
 releasably connecting at least one of the at least two panels to at least one other panel in a third configuration, defining a third play area, via one or more connectors of the at least one of the at least two panels and the at least one other panel.