FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention concerns a lift or elevator assembly for an adjustable basketball
backboard system.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Basketball goal assemblies are used to provide a basketball goal and backboard a
set distance above the ground. While regulated basketball games set the height of
the goal at 10 feet above the basketball court, basketball goal assemblies used in
informal or recreational play may be disposed at various height locations. For such
assemblies, a lift mechanism or subassembly is used to set the goal to a desired height.
Prior lift mechanisms include a vertical bar with notches set at predetermined locations
that correspond to discrete heights of the goal. A user sets a horizontal bar into
the notch corresponding to the desired height. However, such systems allow a user
to only set the goal to a few predetermined heights based on the location of the notches.
[0003] A variable-length, locking gas strut has been used to overcome this problem and allow
for a sliding height adjustment providing an infinite number of potential height locations.
However, the gas strut is prone to leaking over time. This causes two problems. First,
the strut can stick and become difficult to move. Second, the strut may unexpectedly
release during play, which may be dangerous to those around the backboard.
[0004] What is needed, then, is a variable lift mechanism that allows for infinite height
locations and that does not require a gas strut.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] A basketball goal system having a base supporting a pole, a backboard support assembly
having a top arm with a proximal end coupled to a backboard and a distal end rotatably
connected to the pole, and a bottom arm with a proximal end coupled to a backboard
and a middle section rotatably coupled to the pole, an elevator assembly having a
lower strut having a lower end affixed to the pole, a spring assembly having a spring
expandably coiled around the lower strut, and a housing containing the spring, an
upper strut having an upper end rotatably connected to a distal end of the bottom
arm and a lower end coupled to the housing, and a handle pivotally attached to the
pole and pivotally attached to the housing, and having a spring trigger configured
to expand the spring when triggered and contract the spring when released.
[0006] A height-adjustable basketball goal system having a vertical support, a backboard
assembly having a goal, and an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly having a lower
strut attached to the vertical support, a locking assembly comprising a lock adapted
to grip the lower strut in a rest position and to release the lower strut in an activated
position, an upper strut connected to the locking assembly and pivotally connected
to the backboard assembly; and a handle rotatably attached to the pole and comprising
a trigger adapted to move the lock from a rest position to an activated position when
gripped by a user, wherein when the handle is rotated upward, the goal moves from
a first position to a second position, and when the handle is rotated downward, the
goal moves from the second position to the first position.
[0007] A height-adjustable basketball goal system having a pole, a backboard assembly supported
by the pole and having a goal, and an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly having
a lower strut having a first end attached to the pole; a spring assembly comprising
a spring expandably coiled around the lower strut, an upper strut connected at a first
end to the spring assembly and at a second end to the backboard assembly, and a handle
rotatably attached to the pole and comprising a trigger adapted to expand the spring
when gripped and contract the spring when released.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008]
Figure 1 depicts an embodiment of the lift system disclosed herein.
Figure 2 depicts a close-up perspective view of the handle and lift assembly according
to an embodiment of the lift system disclosed herein.
Figures 3A and 3B depict a spring locking mechanism according to an embodiment of
the lift system disclosed herein.
Figure 4 depicts another embodiment of the lift system disclosed herein.
Figure 5 depicts another embodiment of the lift system disclosed herein.
Figure 6 depicts another embodiment of the lift system disclosed herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0009] Applicant discloses herein a basketball goal assembly
10, an embodiment of which is depicted in Figure 1. Generally, a basketball goal assembly
10 has a vertical support, such as a pole
14 as depicted in Figure 1, with a backboard assembly
20 attached at its proximal end to the top of the pole
14. The backboard assembly
20 has a backboard
24 with a goal or rim
22 at the distal end of the backboard assembly
20.
[0010] More particularly focusing on the vertical support, the pole
14 of vertical support may be secured in-place directly in the ground, or it may be
attached to and situated on a base
12. The pole
14 may be substantially vertical, or it may lean forward and be supported by additional
support struts
16, as shown in Figure 1. The pole
14 is rigid and may be formed as a single piece or have multiple parts that are fit
into each other. Some embodiments may also include a portable base
12. Such a portable base
12 typically has wheels to allow the base
12 to be moved into a desired location. The portable base
12 may also include ballast, such as sand or water, to provide a counterweight for stabilizing
the entire basketball goal assembly
10. A cover
18 may also be provided to cover the struts
16, pole
14, and/or base
12. In other embodiments the pole
14 may be substantially vertical and sunk in concrete poured into the ground. In such
embodiments a base, supporting struts, and/or a cover maybe absent.
[0011] The backboard assembly
20 is connected to the top of and extends away from the pole
14. The backboard assembly
20 includes at least one primary arm
26 that is attached to the pole
14 by a pin
32 in the middle portion of the primary arm
26. The distal end
28 of the primary arm
26 is secured to and supports the backboard
24 by screws, bolts, welding, or other permanent or semi-permanent fasteners. The proximal
end
30 of the arm
26 extends some distance behind the pole
14 in the opposite direction from the backboard
24. The primary arm
26 may be a single beam, or it may be multiple beams (e.g., one on each side of the
pole
14 to provide a pair of beams as the arm
26) and attached to and supporting the backboard
24 at multiple points. The beams of the primary arm
26 may be curved or straight as desired. In some embodiments, the backboard assembly
20 may also include one or more additional arms
34 such as that shown in Figure 1. Such additional arms provide further support and
stability to the backboard
24. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, additional arm
34 at the distal end
36 is attached to and secures the backboard
24 in the same manner as the primary arm
26. The proximal end
38 additional arm
34 is attached with a pin
32 at the top of the pole
14. In other embodiments, the proximal end
38 of the additional arm
34 may also extend backwards behind the pole
14, as does the primary arm
26. In addition, like the primary arm
26, the one or more additional arms
34 may be formed of one or more beams for securing and stabilizing the backboard
24.
[0012] The lift or elevator assembly
40 allows a user to adjust the height of the basketball backboard
24. In general, the elevator assembly
40 has a lower strut
42, an upper strut
48, and a locking assembly
54. The bottom end
44 of the lower strut
42 is fixedly attached to the pole
14. Preferably the lower strut
42 is secured such that the locking assembly
54 and the handle
62 (described below) are positioned at a comfortable height for the user. The top end
46 of the lower strut
42 is left free. It may be left uncovered, covered by a sheath, or hidden inside the
upper strut
52 if the upper strut
52 is hollow and situated over the lower strut
46.
[0013] Figure 2 provides a close-up view of the lock housing
54 and other portions of the elevator assembly
40. A lock housing
54 is slidably attached to the lower strut
42. The lower end
50 of the upper strut
48 is secured to the housing. As shown in Figure 2, the there are two upper struts
48, one on each side of the lock housing
54, and a bar
60 intersects each upper strut
48 and the lock housing
54 to secure the components together. Although the embodiment shown in Figure 2 includes
two upper struts
48, other embodiments may include only one upper strut
48. For example, there may be an upper strut
48 on only one side of the lock housing
54. As another example, the upper strut
48 may be hollow inside and slide over the upper end
46 of the lower strut
42, such that it continues along the same longitudinal axis as the lower strut
42. In such an embodiment the upper strut
48 may secure directly into the lock housing
54. The upper end
52 of the upper strut
48 is connected by a rotatable pin
32 to the proximal end
30 of the primary arm
26. Thus, as the upper strut
46 moves up or down, the primary arm
26 moves the backboard assembly up or down as well. In the embodiment depicted in Figure
1, as the upper strut
48 moves up, the primary arm
26 rotates about the pin
32 pinning the primary arm
26 to the pole
14 such that the backboard
24 moves down. In reverse, as the upper strut moves down, the backboard
24 moves up.
[0014] Figure 3 depicts the interior of the lock housing
54. The lock as depicted in this embodiment is a spring
56 coiled around the lower strut
42. The spring
56 has a resting inner diameter that is less than the diameter of the lower strut
42, such that when applied around the lower strut
42, the spring
56 naturally coils tightly around the lower strut
42. Accordingly, in the resting position the spring
56 applies a normal force inwardly against the lower strut
42, creating a static frictional force that locks the spring
56 into place and prevents slipping. Because one end of the spring
56 is secured to the housing
54, the locked spring
56 supports the housing
54, and by extension the upper strut
48 and other components of the basketball goal assembly
10, locked in place during use. Accordingly, the spring
56 must be of a sufficient length, diameter, and number of coils to result in a strong
normal force against the lower strut
42 to generate enough frictional force to lock the assembly in place. As a nonlimiting
example, one or more springs approximately 1 inch (25.4 mm) long having approximately
17 coils of 0.055 inch (1.4 mm) diameter wire, and having an outer coil diameter of
approximately 0.60 inches (15 mm) and coiled to apply around a 0.40 inch (10 mm) rod
can maintain a load of 2000 lbs (900 kg). Other diameters, sizes or weight ratings
may be selected based on particular design or performance requirements.
[0015] The locking mechanism can also include other variations. For example, as shown in
Fig. 4, in some embodiments the lock may be a clamp that grips the lower strut
42 with sufficient normal force to generate the necessary frictional force for holding
the assembly at the desired height. A lock may also include some combination of springs
and/or clamps.
[0016] Returning to Figure 3, the second end of the spring
56 is free to be pushed or pulled in order to expand or contract the spring
56. This end of the spring
56 may in some embodiments have an activator
58 that attaches to the spring and coordinates with a piston
68. In other embodiments, the piston
68 may attach directly to the spring
56. The piston
68 engages a handle
62 that includes a trigger
66. In some embodiments, the trigger
66 is located on the handle
62 such that a user can grab the handle
62 and the trigger
66 with one hand. In other embodiments the trigger
66 may be activated by a second hand. As shown in Figure 3, the handle
62 is attached to the pole struts
16 and forms a U shape extended backwards away from the pole
14. In other embodiments, the handle
62 may be attached directly to the pole
14. The handle
62 may also be a bar, rather than a U shape. The handle
62 extends further from the pole
14 than the lower strut
42 and housing
54. When the handle
62 is gripped and the trigger
66 is pulled, the trigger
66 moves the piston
68 to push the spring
56 to an open expanded position. If a clamp lock is used instead of a spring, the clamp
is pushed to an open position. Once the spring
56 is in this open position, the housing
54 is free to slide along the lower strut
42. As the handle
62 is rotated upward, the housing
54 slides upward along the lower strut
42, thereby moving the upper strut
48 and the backboard assembly
20 to a new vertical position. Similarly, as the handle
62 is rotated downward, the housing
54 slides downward along the lower strut
42. In this way, the user may move the backboard
24 to any desired height permitted by the range of movement of the housing
54 along the lower strut
42. Once the desired height is reached, the user stops moving the handle
62 and releases the trigger
66. Upon releasing the trigger, the spring
56 moves back to its original position and coils tightly around the lower strut
42.
[0017] The lower strut
42 may also be marked to indicate the location where the basketball backboard
24 or goal
22 are at a specific height above the ground. For example, markings may be made to indicate
the location to set the goal
22 at 8 feet, 8.5 feet, 9 feet, 9.5 feet, and 10 feet. However, the user may adjust
the height to any height in the range, not simply those that are marked at preselected
intervals.
[0018] Another embodiment is depicted in Figure 4. Here, the handle
62 is attached directly to the pole
14, rather than supporting pole struts
64.
[0019] Another embodiment is depicted in Figure 5. In this embodiment, the orientation of
the lower strut
42 relative to the pole
14 and lock housing
54 is reversed. In embodiments such as those described with reference to Figures 1 and
5, the lower strut
42 is in tension in a static state. This is because the weight of the backboard assembly
20, when left unbalanced by the locking force of the spring
56, tends to pull drop downward on the front side of the pole
14. This results in the proximal end
30 of the primary arm
26 pulling the elevator assembly
40 upward. In the embodiments of Figures 1 and 4, the lower strut
42 is thus pulled upward and placed in tension. In Figure 5, the lower strut
42 is oriented such that the upper end
46 is attached to the pole
14, and the lower end
44 is free. Thus, the balancing forces place the lower strut
42 in compression.
[0020] Figure 6 depicts another embodiment of an assembly with an elevator mechanism. In
this embodiment, the elevator assembly
140 and the backboard assembly
120 move up and down in the same direction, rather than in opposite directions as shown
in Figures 1, 4, and 5. In assembly
110, a pole
114 is provided as secured into the ground. Per the embodiment shown in Figure 1, the
pole may also be secured to a portable base in this embodiment in Figure 6. In Figure
6 the backboard assembly is connected to a collar that slides up and down the pole
110. As the upper strut
148 moves upward, it pushes the collar upward. The backboard
124 is secured to the collar, and the goal
122 is secured to the front of the backboard
124. The lock housing
154 attaches to the lower strut
142 and is operated by the handle
162. These may be any of the variations in the elevator assemblies as described above
with reference to Figures 1-5. Thus, the primary difference in the embodiment of Figure
6 is that the backboard assembly
120 is not pinned to the pole
114 and instead moves upward or downward in the same direction as the upper strut
148 when the upper strut
148 is moved.
[0021] It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosed embodiments of the
invention may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single substance,
or the like. Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiment may be embodied
in multiple structures, steps, substances, or the like.
[0022] The foregoing description illustrates and describes the processes, machines, manufactures,
compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure. Additionally,
the disclosure shows and describes only certain embodiments of the processes, machines,
manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings disclosed, but, as mentioned
above, it is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are capable
of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and are capable
of changes or modifications within the scope of the teachings as expressed herein,
commensurate with the skill and/or knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in
the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain
certain best modes known of practicing the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions
of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure and to enable others skilled
in the art to utilize the teachings of the present disclosure in such, or other, embodiments
and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses.
Accordingly, the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other
teachings of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the exact embodiments
and examples disclosed herein. Any section headings herein are provided only for consistency
with the suggestions of 37 C.F.R. ยง 1.77 or otherwise to provide organizational queues.
These headings shall not limit or characterize the invention(s) set forth herein.
1. A basketball goal system comprising:
a) a base supporting a pole;
b) a backboard support assembly having a top arm with a proximal end coupled to a
backboard and a distal end rotatably connected to the pole, and a bottom arm with
a proximal end coupled to a backboard and a middle section rotatably coupled to the
pole;
c) an elevator assembly comprising
i) a lower strut having a lower end affixed to the pole;
ii) a spring assembly having a spring expandably coiled around the lower strut, and
a housing containing the spring;
iii) an upper strut having an upper end rotatably connected to a distal end of the
bottom arm and a lower end coupled to the housing; and
iv) a handle pivotally attached to the pole and pivotally attached to the housing,
and having a spring trigger configured to expand the spring when triggered and contract
the spring when released.
2. A height-adjustable basketball goal system having a vertical support, a backboard
assembly having a goal, and an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly comprising:
a) a lower strut attached to the vertical support;
b) a locking assembly comprising a lock adapted to grip the lower strut in a rest
position and to release the lower strut in an activated position;
c) an upper strut connected to the locking assembly and pivotally connected to the
backboard assembly; and
d) a handle rotatably attached to the pole and comprising a trigger adapted to move
the lock from a rest position to an activated position when gripped by a user, wherein
when the handle is rotated upward, the goal moves from a first position to a second
position, and when the handle is rotated downward, the goal moves from the second
position to the first position.
3. The system of Claim 2, wherein the vertical support comprises a pole.
4. The system of Claim 3, wherein the vertical support further comprises a portable base.
5. The system of Claim 2 wherein the lock comprises a spring coiled around the lower
strut.
6. The system of Claim 5 wherein the locking assembly comprises a housing containing
the spring.
7. The system of Claim 2 wherein the lock comprises a clamp substantially wrapped around
the lower strut.
8. The system of Claim 7 wherein the locking assembly comprises a housing containing
the clamp.
9. The system of Claim 2, wherein the backboard assembly is rotatably pinned to the top
of the vertical support.
10. The system of Claim 9, wherein when the handle is rotated upward, the first position
of the goal is higher than the second position of the goal.
11. The system of Claim 2 wherein when the handle is rotated upward, the first position
of the goal is lower than the second position of the goal.
12. A height-adjustable basketball goal system having a pole, a backboard assembly supported
by the pole and having a goal, and an elevator assembly, the elevator assembly comprising:
a) a lower strut having a first end attached to the pole;
b) a spring assembly comprising a spring expandably coiled around the lower strut;
c) an upper strut connected at a first end to the spring assembly and at a second
end to the backboard assembly; and
d) a handle rotatably attached to the pole and comprising a trigger adapted to expand
the spring when gripped and contract the spring when released.