Table tennis apparatus and methods

1. A collapsible net for a game play, the collapsible net comprising:

a plurality of net-modules, each of the plurality of net-modules comprising:

an I-shaped cross-section profile; a left-side edge;

a right-side edge oppositely disposed to the left-side edge, and defining a net-module width between the right-side edge and the left-side edge;

a top edge perpendicularly disposed to the left-side edge and the right-side edge;

a bottom edge oppositely disposed to the top edge;

a first-type coupler adjoining the left-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules; and

a second-type coupler adjoining the right-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules, the second-type coupler configured different from the first-type coupler;

wherein the first-type coupler is configured to engage with the second-type coupler;

wherein the plurality of net-modules are configurable between a play configuration and a stowed configuration, wherein:

the play configuration comprises:

a first net-module of the plurality of net-modules;

a second net-module of the plurality of net-modules; and

a zig-zag arrangement;

wherein the right-side edge of the first net-module is coupled to the left-side edge of the second net-module via the first-type coupler engaging with the second-type coupler in the zig-zag arrangement to define an expanded length of the collapsible net, wherein the expanded length is less than a number of the net modules times a net module width; and

the stowed configuration comprises:

the right-side edge of the first net-module is adjacent to the left-side edge of the second net-module, and the left-side edge of the first net-module is adjacent to the right-side edge of the second net-module.

2. The collapsible net of claim 1 , and further comprising:

wherein the first-type coupler comprises:

at least one first-type hinge; and

wherein the second-type coupler comprises:

at least one second-type hinge configured to rotate relative to the at least one first-type hinge.

3. The collapsible net of claim 1 , and further comprising:

wherein the first-type coupler comprises:

a pin protrusion adjoining at least a portion of the left-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules;

wherein the second-type coupler comprises:

a receptacle adjoining at least a portion of the right-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules; and

wherein the receptacle is configured to rotatably engage the pin protrusion, to thereby couple the left-side edge of the first net-module with the right-side edge of the second net-module.

4. The collapsible net of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of net-modules comprises:

a rigid panel; and

a rectangular profile.

5. The collapsible net of claim 4 , wherein each of the plurality of net-modules comprises:

a plurality of openings formed in the rectangular profile.

6. The collapsible net of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of openings are formed diagonally in the rectangular profile.

7. The collapsible net of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of net-modules comprises:

a collapsible stand comprising:

a foot; and

a stem attached to the foot;

wherein the collapsible stand is rotatably coupled with each of the plurality of net-modules, via the stem;

wherein the collapsible stand is configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein in the open configuration, the foot is oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by each of the plurality of net-modules; and

wherein in the closed configuration, the foot is oriented parallel to the plane defined by each of the plurality of net-modules.

8. The collapsible net of claim 7 , wherein each of the plurality of net-modules further comprises:

a groove formed on the bottom edge;

wherein in the closed configuration, the foot is oriented positioned within the groove.

9. The collapsible net of claim 1 and further comprising:

a first single-coupler protrusion-based net-module attached to a first end of the at least one of the plurality of net modules.

10. The collapsible net of claim 9 and further comprising:

a second single-coupler protrusion-based net-module attached to at least one of the plurality of net modules oppositely disposed to the first single-coupler protrusion-based net-module.

11. The collapsible net of claim 10 , wherein the first single-coupler protrusion-based net-module and the second single-coupler protrusion-based net-module further comprises:

an extended portion.

12. A collapsible net for a game play, the collapsible net comprising:

a plurality of net-modules, each of the plurality of net-modules comprising:

an I-shaped cross-section profile; a left-side edge;

a right-side edge oppositely disposed to the left-side edge;

a top edge; and

a bottom edge oppositely disposed to the left-side edge;

a first-type coupler adjoining the left-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules;

a second-type coupler adjoining the right-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules, and

a zig-zag arrangement;

wherein the second-type coupler is engaged with the first-type coupler;

wherein net-modules of each pair of net-modules of the plurality of net-modules are rotatably coupled with each other, via the first-type coupler and the second-type coupler;

a play configuration, wherein in the play configuration, each of the plurality of net-modules is positioned away from an adjacent net-module in the zig-zag arrangement to define an expanded length of the collapsible net, wherein the expanded length is less than a number of the net modules times a net module width; and

a stowed configuration, wherein in the stowed configuration, each of the plurality of net-modules is positioned facing an adjacent net-module, to thereby define a collapsed length of the collapsible net,

wherein the plurality of net-modules are configurable between the play configuration and the stowed configuration.

13. The collapsible net of claim 12 ,

wherein the first-type coupler comprises:

at least one first-type hinge;

wherein the second-type coupler comprises:

at least one second-type hinge:

wherein the at least one first-type hinge is engaged with the at least one second-type hinge, and

wherein the at least one first-type hinge is vertically offset from the at least one second-type hinge.

14. The collapsible net of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of net-modules comprises:

a frame defining a periphery comprising:

the left-side edge;

the right-side edge oppositely disposed to the left-side edge;

the top edge; and

the bottom edge oppositely disposed to the top edge; and

a mesh adjoining at least two of the left-side edge, the right-side edge, the top edge, and the bottom edge, within the periphery defined by the frame.

15. The collapsible net of claim 12 , wherein each of the plurality of net-modules comprises:

a collapsible stand comprising:

a foot; and

a stem attached to the foot;

wherein the collapsible stand is rotatably coupled with each of the plurality of net-modules, via the stem;

wherein the collapsible stand is configurable between an open configuration and a closed configuration,

wherein in the open configuration, the foot is oriented perpendicular to a plane defined by each of the plurality of net-modules; and

wherein in the closed configuration, the foot is oriented parallel to the plane defined by each of the plurality of net-modules.

16. The collapsible net of claim 15 , wherein each of the plurality of net-modules further comprises:

a groove formed on the bottom edge;

wherein in the closed configuration, the foot is adjacent to the groove.

17. A collapsible net for a game play, the collapsible net comprising:

a plurality of protrusion-based net-modules, each of the plurality of protrusion-based net-modules comprising:

an I-shaped cross-section profile; a left-side edge;

a right-side edge oppositely disposed to the left-side edge, and defining a net-module width between the right-side edge and the left-side edge;

a top edge;

a bottom edge oppositely disposed to the top edge;

a first-type coupler adjoining at least one of the left-side edge and the right-side edge of each of the plurality of protrusion-based net-modules;

wherein the first-type coupler comprises:

a pin protrusion adjoining at least a portion of the left-side edge of each of the plurality of protrusion-based net-modules;

a plurality of receptacle-based net-modules, each of the plurality of receptacle-based net-modules comprising:

a left-side edge;

a right-side edge oppositely disposed to the left-side edge, and defining a net-module width between the right-side edge and the left-side edge;

a top edge;

a bottom edge oppositely disposed to the top edge;

a second-type coupler adjoining at least one of the left-side edge and the right-side edge of each of the plurality of receptacle-based net-modules;

wherein the second-type coupler comprises:

a receptacle adjoining at least a portion of each of the left-side edge and the right-side edge of each of the plurality of receptacle-based net-modules; and

wherein the receptacle is configured to rotatably engage the pin protrusion, to thereby couple a receptacle-based net-module with a protrusion-based net-module; and

a zig-zag arrangement;

wherein the plurality of receptacle-based net-modules and the plurality of protrusion-based net-modules are configurable between a play configuration and a stowed configuration;

wherein in the play configuration, each of the plurality of receptacle-based net-modules and the plurality of protrusion-based net-modules is positioned away from an adjacent net-module in a zig-zag arrangement to define an expanded length of the collapsible net, wherein the expanded length is less than a number of the net modules times a net module width; and

wherein in the stowed configuration, each of the plurality of receptacle-based net-modules and the plurality of protrusion-based net-modules is positioned facing an adjacent net-module, to thereby define a collapsed length of the collapsible net.

18. The collapsible net of claim 17 ,

wherein the first-type coupler adjoining the left-side edge is facing opposite to the first-type coupler adjoining the right-side edge of each of the plurality of protrusion-based net-modules; and

wherein the second-type coupler adjoining the left-side edge is facing opposite to the second-type coupler adjoining the right-side edge of each of the plurality of receptacle-based net-modules.

19. A game apparatus comprising:

at least a pair of paddles;

a first ball comprising:

a first predefined hardness;

a second ball comprising:

a second predefined hardness different from the first predefined hardness; and

a collapsible net configured to free-stand on a surface, the collapsible net comprising:

a plurality of net-modules, each of the plurality of net-modules comprising:

an I-shaped cross-section profile; a left-side edge;

a right-side edge oppositely disposed to the left-side edge;

a top edge; and

a bottom edge oppositely disposed to the top edge; and

a first-type coupler adjoining the left-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules; and

a second-type coupler adjoining the right-side edge of each of the plurality of net-modules,

wherein the second-type coupler is couplable with the first-type coupler;

wherein each of the plurality of net-modules is configured to couple with another of the plurality of net-modules, via one of the first-type coupler and the second-type coupler; and

a zig-zag arrangement;

wherein the plurality of net-modules are configurable between a play configuration and a stowed configuration;

wherein in the play configuration, each of the plurality of net-modules is positioned away from an adjacent net-module in a zig-zag arrangement to define an expanded length of the collapsible net, wherein the expanded length is less than a number of the net modules times a net module width; and

wherein in the stowed configuration, each of the plurality of net-modules is positioned facing an adjacent net-module, to thereby collapsed length of the collapsible net.

20. The game apparatus of claim 19 , wherein each of the pair of paddles comprises:

a flat panel comprising:

a top surface; and

a bottom surface;

a first elastic panel attached to the top surface

a second elastic panel attached to the bottom surface; and

a handle attached to the flat panel.

21. The game apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the first elastic panel comprises:

a plurality of cut-outs adjoining the handle, the plurality of cut-outs configured to enable a grip.