DELIMITATION INSTALLATION INCLUDING TWO

MAIN CONNECTORS

Background of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of sports equipment played on a playground, and in particular racket sports.

The invention relates more precisely to a delimitation installation intended to be deployed on the ground and to share two play areas.

It more particularly finds its application for the practice of racket sports outdoors, in particular in gardens or in parks in urban areas, where users rarely have a garden allowing the practice of a racket sport.

The demarcation installation according to the invention must be able to be transported easily and be assembled or disassembled quickly, while remaining sufficiently stable to ensure comfortable practice of sport on rough terrain or outdoors in the event of a light breeze.

There are known demountable delimitation installations such as that presented in document EP 0 595 815, composed of two uprights, between which a net extends. The uprights are respectively connected to two connectors extending substantially in the plane of the net. Two bases extend on either side of each connector to keep the installation on the ground.

One drawback is that this type of installation is particularly bulky, in the position of use, because of the legs extending transversely to the plane of the net, from the ends of said net.

In addition, the legs must be particularly strong to support the entire installation. Therefore, the weight of the installation is particularly important, which makes it difficult to transport, once folded.

In addition, this type of installation is generally too expensive.

Purpose and summary of the invention

An aim of the present invention is to provide a delimitation installation for play areas which overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks. The object of the invention is in particular to reduce the size of the installation and the manufacturing costs. Inseparably, the installation of

delimitation must have great stability to allow the practice of sport on rough terrain or outdoors in a light breeze.

To do this, the invention relates to a delimitation installation intended to share two play areas, comprising:

• a first main connector configured to connect between them a first connecting element, a second connecting element, a third connecting element and a fourth connecting element;

• a second main connector configured to connect between them a fifth connecting element, a sixth connecting element, a seventh connecting element and an eighth connecting element;

• a first hoop and a second hoop comprising respectively a first fixing part and a second fixing part;

• a first secondary connector configured to interconnect the first connecting element, the sixth connecting element and the first hoop;

• a second secondary connector configured to interconnect the second connecting element, the fifth connecting element and the second hoop;

• a link extending above the ground between said fixing parts of the first and second hoops,

the first and second main connectors extending on either side of a vertical plane passing through the link.

The main and secondary connectors make it possible to connect the connecting elements and the hoops to each other in a removable manner. Also, the installation according to the invention can be placed in a deployed position, in which it rests on the ground and allows the practice of the sport of rackets, and a folded position in which it can be stored and moved easily.

In a nonlimiting manner, to place the installation in the deployed position, the user connects the connecting elements to the associated main connectors. The user then connects the first and sixth connecting elements to one another as well as the first hoop, by means of the first secondary connector. It also connects the second and fifth connecting elements to each other as well as the second arch, to the

means of the second secondary connector. The assembly consisting of the connecting elements and the main and secondary connectors constitutes a base configured to support the two arches. The user can then draw up the link between the fixing parts of the first and second hoops.

Preferably, but in a nonlimiting manner, the first and second hoops are flexible so that the attachment of the link to the fixing parts of the hoops makes it possible to jointly tension the hoops and the link so as to deploy the installation on the ground . The arches are thus kept in tension, in a position arched towards the sky, by the link. Conversely, the hoops keep the link stretched substantially horizontally between the two fixing parts. The delimitation installation according to the invention can therefore be installed very quickly, without specific tools.

It is understood that the plane passing through the link is vertical when the installation is placed in the deployed position and rests on the ground. One advantage of this configuration is to improve the stability of the installation considered in a direction transverse to said plane.

In addition, a variant could be envisaged in which one or more connecting elements extend from one of the main connectors so as to rest on the ground, in order to form a base making it possible to support the installation. In this variant, the main connectors transversely reinforce the installation and make it possible to improve its stability.

The connecting elements are preferably rigid.

Since the main connectors extend on either side of the vertical plane passing through the link, the lateral size of the installation, considered in this plane, is particularly small.

Preferably, but in a nonlimiting manner, the first and second main connectors extend on either side of said vertical plane passing through the link, symmetrically with respect to this plane. This symmetry improves the balance and therefore the stability of the installation.

To place the installation in the folded position, the user releases the link, disconnects the arches from the secondary connectors and the connecting elements from the main and secondary connectors. Each of the connecting elements can therefore be isolated and stored independently, in order to improve the compactness of the installation once folded. In a non-limiting manner, the connecting elements and connectors can be placed in a storage bag in order to be transported.

Preferably, the first and second main connectors are configured to rest on the ground, whereby these connectors constitute points of contact of the installation with the ground arranged on either side of the vertical plane passing through the link. These connectors prevent the installation from tilting in a direction transverse to said plane, for example when a user strikes the installation. The transverse stability of the installation is therefore improved.

Preferably, the connecting elements are substantially identical. In this way, all the connecting elements have substantially the same dimensions. One advantage is to allow the use of a single mold to manufacture all the connecting elements and thus to reduce the manufacturing costs. In addition, the connecting elements can be interchanged indifferently, which facilitates the assembly and deployment of the installation.

Advantageously, the third, fourth, seventh and eighth connecting elements are configured to rest on the ground. One advantage is that these connecting elements form a base making it possible to support the installation and stabilize it. In a nonlimiting manner, these connecting elements, resting on the ground, can be ballasted or fixed to the ground by means of tent poles, possibly in the shape of a "U", in order to further improve the stability of the installation according to the 'invention.

Advantageously, the third, fourth, seventh and eighth connecting elements are rods each comprising at least a first end.

These rods have transverse dimensions substantially less than their lengths. In a nonlimiting manner, they can be made of fiberglass or of plastic.

According to an advantageous variant, the first ends of the fourth and seventh connecting elements are connected to one another by a first connecting part, and the first ends of the third and eighth connecting elements are connected to one another by a second connecting part.

Consequently, in this variant, the third connecting element extends between the first main connector and the second connecting part. The fourth connecting element extends between the first main connector and the first connecting part. The seventh connecting element extends between the second main connector and the first connecting part. The eighth

connecting element extends between the second main connector and the second connecting part. These third, fourth, seventh and eighth connecting elements, as well as the two main connectors and the two connecting pieces together form a closed structure.

The vertical plane passing through the link preferably also passes through the first and second connecting pieces. Advantageously, but not limitingly, the vertical plane passing through the link constitutes a plane of symmetry for the installation, which reinforces the balance of said installation.

According to a non-limiting embodiment, the third connecting element and the seventh connecting element are substantially parallel, and the fourth and eighth connecting elements are substantially parallel. Also, the third, fourth, seventh and eighth connecting elements form a parallelogram. In addition, when they rest on the ground to form a base, these connecting elements arranged in a parallelogram guarantee the balance of the installation and prevent it from tilting in one or the other direction.

According to a particularly advantageous aspect of the invention, the first, second, fifth and sixth connecting elements are inclined with respect to a plane passing through the third and seventh connecting elements. Advantageously, this plane passing through the third and seventh connecting elements is substantially horizontal, when the installation is placed in the deployed position, so that the first, second, fifth and sixth connecting elements are inclined relative to the horizontal, to the top. The first and sixth connecting elements constitute means for supporting the first arch and the second and fifth connecting elements constitute means for supporting the second arch.

Preferably, the first, second, fifth and sixth connecting elements are inclined relative to said plane by an angle of between 15 ° and 45 °. This inclination is chosen so as to obtain a height of the link with respect to the ground suitable for the practice of the sport of rackets. This inclination is selected in particular as a function of the length of the arches.

Advantageously, the first main connector comprises a first upper opening, a second upper opening, a first lower opening and a second lower opening configured to receive the first, second, third and fourth connecting elements respectively.

Advantageously, the second main connector comprises a first upper opening, a second upper opening, a first lower opening and a second lower opening configured to respectively receive the fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth connecting elements. Also, by inserting a connecting element into an opening of one of the main connectors, said connecting element is secured to said connector. The inclination of the opening conditions the inclination of the connecting element inserted in said opening.

For example, the inclination between the first upper opening and the second lower opening of the first main connector is the same as the inclination between the first link member and the fourth link member. Likewise, the inclination between the second upper opening and the first lower opening of the first main connector is the same as the inclination between the second and the third connecting elements.

The terms “lower” and “upper” are to be considered in a substantially vertical direction.

Advantageously, the lower openings of the main connectors are arranged substantially horizontally so that the third, fourth, seventh, and eighth connecting elements extend substantially in a horizontal plane. In addition, the upper openings of the main connectors are inclined relative to the lower openings, so that the first, second, fifth and sixth link members are inclined relative to the horizontal.

Preferably, the connecting elements and the arches are connected in a detachable manner to the main and secondary connectors. One advantage is that it allows the installation to be deployed and folded up very easily while increasing the compactness of the installation when it is folded up.

Preferably, the first secondary connector and the first and sixth connecting elements are connected by a first elastic means making it possible to keep them connected when they are dislocated, and the second secondary connector and the second and fifth connecting elements are connected by a second elastic means making it possible to maintain them in connection when they are dislocated. One advantage is to facilitate the fitting of the secondary connectors and of the associated connecting elements in order to simplify the deployment of the installation. In addition, this makes it possible to avoid losing a connecting element or a secondary connector when the installation is in the folded position. The assembly and disassembly operations are therefore facilitated.

Advantageously, the first connecting piece and the fourth and seventh connecting elements are connected by a first elastic member making it possible to keep them in connection when they are dislocated, and the second connecting piece and the third and eighth connecting elements are connected. by a second elastic member making it possible to keep them in connection when they are dislocated. Here again, one advantage is to facilitate the assembly and disassembly of the installation.

Preferably, the first, third, fourth and eighth connecting elements form a rhombus. It will be understood that the first, third, fourth and seventh connecting elements are then of the same length. An advantage is that, in this configuration, the vertical plane passing through the link constitutes a plane of symmetry for the rhombus, so that the main connectors are arranged symmetrically with respect to this plane. Here again, the balance of the installation is reinforced. In addition, since the distance between the main connectors and the vertical plane is relatively small, the first, third, fourth and eighth connecting elements extend only slightly in the playing areas delimited by the installation. The overall size of the installation in the deployed position is therefore reduced.

Preferably, the link is a net. The advantage is to be able to practice a racket sport properly and in particular to know with certainty whether the ball or the shuttlecock has passed over the link.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of an embodiment of the invention given by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 illustrates a delimitation installation, according to the invention, intended to share two play areas;

- Figure 2 illustrates a main connector of the installation of Figure 1;

- Figure 3 illustrates a connecting part of the installation of Figure i;

- Figure 4 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 in front view;

- Figure 5 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 in profile view; and - Figure 6 illustrates the installation of Figure 1 in top view.

Detailed description of the invention

In Figure 1, there is illustrated an example of delimitation installation 100 according to the invention, intended to share two playing areas of a sport, in particular rackets. Such an installation is particularly suited to the practice of badminton outdoors. This installation can be placed in a deployed position in which it rests on the ground and allows the practice of sport and a folded position in which it is stored and can be moved. The installation comprises a base 2, a first hoop 4, a second hoop 6 and a link 8 extending between the two hoops.

The base consists of a first 10, a second 20, a third 30, a fourth 40, a fifth 50, a sixth 60, a seventh 70 and an eighth 80 connecting elements, as well as a first main connector 102, a second main connector 104, a first connecting piece 120 and a second connecting piece 122.

In this example, the connecting elements are rods of the tent rod type which can be made of fiberglass or plastic. These rods are substantially identical so that their diameters and lengths are similar. The first connecting element 10 has a first end 10a and a second end 10b, opposite the first end. Likewise, each of the connecting elements has a first end and a second end opposite the first end. For reasons of readability, these ends are not referenced in the figures.

As seen in Figure 1, the first main connector 102 and the second main connector 104 are configured to rest on the ground. In this non-limiting example, the first main connector 102 and the second main connector 104 are identical.

An example of a first main connector 102 is given in FIG. 2. This main connector 102 is a molded part comprising a first sleeve 106, a second sleeve 108, a third sleeve 110 and a fourth sleeve 112. Each of these sleeves has an axis. The axes of the sleeves meet at a connection point 114. The third 110 and fourth 112 sleeves are configured to rest on the ground and extend in a Q plane substantially parallel to the ground, when the installation 100 is placed in the deployed position. . Considered in said Q plane, the third and fourth sleeves 110,112 form an obtuse angle, the point of which coincides with the connection point 114.

The first sleeve 106 and the fourth sleeve 112 are substantially coplanar, in a first substantially vertical plane, when the installation 100 is in the deployed position. In addition, considered in said plane, the first sleeve 106 is inclined relative to the fourth sleeve 112, and therefore relative to the horizontal, upwards, by an angle a of between 15 ° and 45 °, preferably between 25 ° and 35 °.

Likewise, the second sleeve 108 and the third sleeve 110 are substantially coplanar, in a second substantially vertical plane, when the installation 100 is in the deployed position. In addition, considered in said plane, the third sleeve 108 is inclined relative to the first sleeve 110, and therefore relative to the horizontal, upwards, by an angle b of between 15 ° and 45 °, preferably between 25 ° and 35 °.

A first upper opening 102a, a second upper opening 102b, a first lower opening 102c and a second lower opening 102d are formed respectively in the first, second, third and fourth sleeves 106,108,110,112. These openings are configured to respectively receive the second ends of the first 10, second 20, third 30 and fourth 40 connecting elements.

As can be seen in Figure 1, to place the installation 100 in the deployed position, the user inserts the second ends of the connecting elements into the corresponding openings of the main connectors 102,104.

The connecting elements being, in this example, all identical and in the form of rods, the latter can be inverted and returned freely in order to be assembled to the main connectors in any direction. In this way, the user does not encounter any difficulty in connecting the connecting elements to the main connectors and the assembly of the installation is facilitated.

In a non-limiting manner, the first main connector 102 and the second main connector 104 are substantially identical so that they can also be interchanged freely. The second main connector 104 has the same characteristics as the first main connector 102, so it will not be described in detail. This second main connector 104 also has a first upper opening, a second

upper opening, a first lower opening and a second lower opening, configured to receive respectively the fifth 50, sixth 60, seventh 70 and eighth 80 connecting elements.

The inclination of the first and second sleeves 106,108 relative to the fourth and third sleeves 112,110 of the first main connector 102 conditions the inclination of the first and second connecting elements 10,20 relative to the horizontal. Also, the second connecting element 20 is also inclined at an angle b of between 15 ° and 45 ° relative to the third connecting element 30 and relative to the horizontal plane Q. Likewise, the first connecting element 10 is also inclined at an angle a between 15 ° and 45 ° relative to the fourth connecting element 40 and relative to the horizontal plane Q.

Likewise, the inclination of the first and second sleeves of the second main connector 104 conditions the inclination of the fifth and sixth connecting elements 50,60 with respect to the horizontal. Also, the fifth link member 50 is also inclined at an angle of between 15 ° and 45 ° relative to the eighth link member 80. Likewise, the sixth link member 60 is inclined at an angle of between 15 °. and 45 ° relative to the seventh connecting element 70.

Furthermore, an example of a connecting piece 120, 122 is given in FIG. 3. This connecting piece comprises a first sleeve 126 and a second sleeve 128 each comprising an axis. The axes of these sleeves form an acute angle, substantially equal to 40 °. A first opening 120a and a second opening 120b are formed respectively in the first sleeve 126 and in the second sleeve 128. This connecting piece 120,122 further comprises a third sleeve 129, opposite the two other sleeves 126,128 and comprising an axis forming a bisector of the angle separating the axes of the other two sleeves 126,128. A third opening 120c is also provided in this third sleeve 129. The first and second openings 120a, 120b are configured to receive the first end of a connecting element.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it can be seen that the first connecting piece 120 interconnects the fourth and seventh connecting elements 40, 70. The second connecting piece 122 connects the third and eighth connecting elements 30,80 to one another. The connecting pieces 120, 122 are configured to rest on the ground.

In this example, the third 30, fourth 40, seventh 70 and eighth 80 connecting elements are coplanar, in the Q plane, and rest on the ground, so as to form a substantially horizontal base. Further, the main connectors 102,104 and the link pieces 120,122 are configured such that the third link member 30 is substantially parallel to the seventh link member 70 and the fourth link member 40 is substantially parallel to the eighth link member 80. In addition, in a non-limiting manner, all of these four connecting elements play the role of a diamond-shaped base. These connecting elements ensure the stability of the installation.

Furthermore, the installation also comprises a first secondary connector 130 and a second secondary connector 132 making it possible to connect the arches 4,6 to the base 2. In this nonlimiting example, the secondary connectors 130,132 are substantially identical to the first and second. connecting pieces 120, 122 and also include three sleeves, each having an axis, in which openings are formed. The secondary connectors therefore also have three openings.

The first secondary connector 130 interconnects the first connecting element 10, the sixth connecting element 60 and the first hoop 4. In particular, a first end 41 of the first hoop 4 is inserted into the third opening of the first secondary connector. The second secondary connector 132 interconnects the second connecting element 20, the fifth connecting element 50 and the second hoop 6. Likewise, a first end 61 of the second hoop 6 is inserted into the third opening of the second secondary connector 132.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the installation according to the invention In this figure it can be seen that the two arches 4,6 are spaced apart, inclined towards one another and extend upwards from the first and second secondary connectors 130, 132. The first and second arches 4,6 respectively comprise a first fixing part 138 and a second fixing part 140.

In this non-limiting example, the first arch 4 and the second arch 6 each consist of a lower segment 4a, 6a and a

upper segment 4b, 6b connected to each other by means of a connection means 11,13.

Furthermore, the link 8 extends between the two arches 4,6 and more precisely between the two fixing parts 138,140. These fixing parts are located at the free ends 42,62 of the arches 4,6, opposite to the first ends 41,61 of the arches. In a nonlimiting manner, the fixing can be achieved by inserting the free ends 42, 62 of the hoops 4.6 in sleeves 142, 144 arranged on either side of the link 8.

In this example, the link 8 is a thread which extends between the two parts of bindings 138,140. The net 8 maintains the two arches 4.6 in tension, arched in an ascending convex manner. Conversely, the hoops keep the net in horizontal tension between the two fixing parts 138,140.

Figure 5 shows the installation 100 in profile view, while Figure 6 shows the installation 100 in top view. In these figures, it can be seen that the first main connector 102 and the second main connector 104 extend on either side of a vertical plane P, passing through the thread 8. Furthermore, the plane P passes through the connectors. secondary 130,132 and by the connecting pieces 120,122.

The main connectors 102,104 are arranged substantially symmetrically with respect to this plane P. The distance separating this plane P and each of the main connectors 102,104 is substantially equal to half the length of a connecting element 10,20,30, 40,50,60,70,80. This distance is relatively small so that the base extends only slightly inside the two play areas delimited by the installation. In addition, considered in projection in the vertical plane P passing through the thread, the main connectors are arranged substantially at half the length of the thread.

The plane P also constitutes a plane of symmetry for the delimitation installation 100 and in particular for the base 2. It is observed in particular that the plane P constitutes a plane of symmetry for the diamond-shaped base formed by the third 30 , fourth 40, seventh 70 and eighth 80 connecting elements. In particular, the intersection between the plane P and the plane Q in which extend the third 30, fourth 40, seventh 70 and eighth 80 connecting elements substantially constitutes a diagonal of the rhombus formed by these connecting elements.

In a non-limiting manner, the connecting elements 10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80 are connected to the main connectors 102,104, to the connecting pieces 120,122 and to the secondary connectors 130,132 in a detachable manner. In this way, the user can place the installation in the folded position easily and the compactness of the installation, when folded, is improved. In order to fold up the installation 100, it is appropriate to release the ends of the connecting elements so as to disconnect them from each of the connectors and connecting parts. The user then disconnects the lower segments 4a, 4b and the upper segments 6a, 6b from the connecting means 11,13.

Furthermore, the first secondary connector 130 and the first 10 and sixth 60 connecting elements can be connected by a first elastic means making it possible to maintain them in connection when they are dislocated. Likewise, the second secondary connector 132 and the second 20 and fifth 50 connecting elements can be connected by a second elastic means making it possible to maintain them in connection when they are dislocated. In addition, the first connecting piece 120 and the fourth 40 and seventh 70 connecting elements are connected by a first elastic member making it possible to maintain them in connection when they are dislocated. The second connecting piece 122 and the third 30 and eighth 80 connecting elements are connected by a second elastic member making it possible to maintain them in connection when they are dislocated. Thanks to these elastic means and members, the connecting elements and the connectors or connecting parts fit together easily and it is not possible to lose them. The assembly and disassembly operations are therefore very simple.

CLAIMS

1. Boundary installation (100) intended to share two play areas, comprising:

• a first main connector (102) configured to interconnect a first link member (10), a second link member (20), a third link member (30) and a fourth link member (40);

• a second main connector (104) configured to interconnect a fifth link member (50), a sixth link member (60), a seventh link member (70) and an eighth link member (80);

• a first hoop (4) and a second hoop (6) comprising respectively a first fixing part (138) and a second fixing part (140);

• a first secondary connector (130) configured to connect the first connecting element (10), the sixth connecting element (60) and the first hoop (4) to one another;

• a second secondary connector (132) configured to interconnect the second connecting element (20), the fifth connecting element (50) and the second hoop (6);

• a link (8) extending above the ground between said fixing parts of the first and second hoops,

the first and second main connectors (102,104) extending on either side of a vertical plane (P) passing through the link.

2. Installation according to claim 1, wherein the first and second main connectors (102,104) are configured to rest on the ground.

3. Installation according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third (30), fourth (40), seventh (70) and eighth (80) connecting elements are configured to rest on the ground.

4. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the connecting elements are substantially identical.

5. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the third (30), fourth (40), seventh (70) and eighth (80) connecting elements are rods each comprising at least a first end ( 10a).

6. Installation according to claim 5, wherein the first ends of the fourth (40) and seventh (70) connecting elements are interconnected by a first connecting piece (120), and wherein the first ends of the third (30) ) and eighth (80) connecting elements are connected together by a second connecting piece (122).

7. Installation according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the third connecting element (30) and the seventh connecting element (70) are substantially parallel, and wherein the fourth (40) and the eighth (80) connecting elements are substantially parallel.

8. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first (10), second (20), fifth (50) and sixth (60) connecting elements are inclined relative to a plane (Q) passing by the third (30) and seventh (70) connecting elements.

9. Installation according to claim 8, wherein the first (10), second (20), fifth (50) and sixth (60) connecting elements are inclined relative to said plane (Q) by an angle (b, a ) between

15 ° and 45 °.

10. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first main connector (102) has a first upper opening (102a), a second upper opening (102b), a first lower opening (102c) and a second. lower opening (102d) configured to receive the first (10), second (20), third (30) and fourth (40) connecting elements, respectively.

11. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the second main connector (104) has a first upper opening, a second upper opening, a

first lower opening and a second lower opening configured to receive respectively the fifth (50), sixth (60), seventh (70) and eighth (80) link elements.

12. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the connecting elements (10,20,30,40,50,60,70,80) and the arches (4,6) are connected in a detachable manner. to the main (102,104) and secondary (130,132) connectors.

13. Installation according to claim 12, wherein the first secondary connector (130) and the first (10) and sixth (60) connecting elements are connected by a first elastic means making it possible to keep them in connection when they are dislocated, and in which the second secondary connector (132) and the second (20) and fifth (50) connecting elements are connected by a second elastic means making it possible to keep them in connection when they are dislocated.

14. Installation according to claim 5 and according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the first connecting piece (120) and the fourth (40) and seventh (70) connecting elements are connected by a first elastic member allowing them to be held. in connection when they are dislocated, and in which the second connecting piece (122) and the third (30) and eighth (80) connecting elements are connected by a second elastic member making it possible to keep them in connection when they are dislocated.

15. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first (10), third (30), fourth (40) and eighth (80) connecting elements form a rhombus.

16. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the link (8) is a net.