At a glance
| Patent number | CN211058394U (application CN201921762533) |
| Type | China utility model (实用新型) - protects product shape and structure |
| Original title | Panoramic board-like tennis court (一种全景式板式网球场) |
| Patent owner | Jiangsu Mingchun Commerce And Industry Co ltd |
| Inventors | Yao Chun |
| Filing date | 2019-10-21 |
| Grant date | 2020-07-21 |
| Status (China) | In force in China until at most 2029-10-21 (if annual fees are paid) |
| Patent family | Chinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed |
| Cited by | 6 later documents |
| Source | Google Patents (search for CN211058394U) |
What the claims cover, in plain language
Claim 1 - a panoramic padel court comprising a supporting base (1) with a steel structure column (2) fixed to its top middle. A fixing frame (3) is fixed to the front bottom of the column, and a connecting cross rod (4) is fixed to the column’s top. A protective net (5) hangs from the bottom of the cross rod. Toughened glass (6) is fixed to one side of the base top, with a steel bar (7) fixed to its front middle and a bolt (8) fixed to the front of the steel bar. A lamp pole (9) is fixed to one side of the cross rod top, carrying a lighting lamp (10).
Claim 2 - the fixing frame is triangular and connects to the cross rod through the steel column. Claim 3 - twelve steel columns are used, with protective nets placed between them, each net matching the cross rod length. Claim 4 - eighteen toughened glass panels are used, each with a countersunk hole; the bolt passes through the steel bar and extends to the reverse side of the glass via the countersink. Claim 5 - the bolt has an external thread at its bottom, passes through the steel bar, and is secured with a nut. Claim 6 - a turf surface is laid on the base bottom, with two rigid net posts (11) at its center connected by a nylon (PE) dividing net. Claim 7 - two glass panels flank each side of the front face, and the left and right sides each combine five protective nets with five glass panels in sequence. Claim 8 - the glass connects to the base through angle brackets and bolts.
This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.
What this means for US production
This patent was filed only in China and is currently in force in China until at most 2029-10-21 (if annual fees are paid). It has no US or other foreign counterpart. However, making or selling this exact court structure in China needs the owner’s permission while the patent remains in force.
Two points to settle early:
- Other patents may exist. Instantpadel In Sweden Ab holds US patent publication US20230405444A1 and Ascor Equipement de Sports & Loisirs holds European publication EP4559540A1, both citing this Chinese document. These companies are holders of later US or foreign patents in the padel court field. A freedom-to-operate (FTO) review covering glass joint methods, post arrangements and enclosure configurations is recommended before committing to tooling or imports.
- Glass specification. The patent names “toughened glass” but does not state thickness, impact rating or panel dimensions. These values must be set in design and confirmed on prototypes to meet local building codes and sports federation rules.
Customization and manufacturing
What can be customized
| Area | Options |
|---|---|
| Court dimensions | Standard padel size or custom footprint; panel sizes to be confirmed in design |
| Glass | Thickness, tint, edge polishing; 18 panels in the patent’s layout, count and sizes set in design |
| Steel finish | Hot-dip galvanized, powder-coated in specified colors |
| Playing surface | Turf pile height and infill type set in design |
| Netting | Mesh size and material for protective nets and dividing net |
| Lighting | LED fixture wattage, color temperature and pole height |
| Base type | Concrete slab, steel frame deck or modular platform |
Things to plan for (US market)
- IBC / local building codes - outdoor structures with glass panels and overhead loads must meet wind, snow and seismic requirements in the installation jurisdiction.
- CPSC 16 CFR 1201 - architectural glazing standard; toughened glass used in sports enclosures typically falls under Category II impact requirements.
- UL or ETL listing - lighting lamps and wiring integrated into the lamp poles should carry recognized safety marks for permanent outdoor installation.
How a project runs
- Inquiry - court count, site conditions, glass preferences and timeline.
- Engineering - structural calculations for columns, glass panel sizing, base interface details and electrical layout.
- Prototyping - sample glass joint assembly to verify countersink alignment, bolt flushness and nut torque.
- Pilot installation - one complete court erected to check net tension, turf fit and lighting coverage.
- Production and shipping - batch fabrication of steel components, glass tempering and drilling, packing for container transport.
Quantities & timeline
Steel columns, cross rods and fixing frames require cutting, welding and coating lines. Toughened glass panels must be cut, edged, drilled for countersinks and tempered in sequence; any drilling after tempering breaks the panel. Protective nets are cut and hemmed to match the cross rod spans. Site preparation, base curing and final assembly determine the overall schedule. Certification tests for glass impact and structural wind load add time before volume shipments. Send us your court quantity, site location, glass specifications, surface preference and target installation date and we will reply with options.
Patent drawings
Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.
