This invention concerns a lift or elevator assembly for an adjustable basketball backboard system.

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 3.048 m (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.

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.

What is needed, then, is a variable lift mechanism that allows for infinite height locations and that does not require a gas strut.

WO 99/38579 discloses a quick release locking mechanism for an adjustable basketball goal having a locking rod telescopically arranged in an extension arm. A long and short opening are provided in the extension arm receiving a pair of upper and lower locking plates and are arranged about the locking rod and at an angle thereto, with a long spring arranged between the pair of locking plates in the long opening and a short spring arranged between the locking plates within the short opening. The long spring biases the locking plates against the locking rod to inhibit upward and downward movement of the locking rod. A handle is slidably arranged about a lower end of the locking rod. Upon upward movement of the handle, a lower abutment portion moves the lower locking plate, disengaging from the locking rod, allowing upward movement of the extension arm relative to the locking rod. Upon downward movement of the handle, an upper abutment portion moves the upper locking plate disengaging from the locking rod, allowing downward movement of the extension arm relative to the locking rod.

EP-A-1,767,252 discloses an apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard and hoop assembly comprising an adjustment arm in telescoping relation with a threaded rod. A handle is fixed to the arm having a trigger for disengaging locking mechanism biased against a spring from engagement with an adjustment nut threadedly arranged on the threaded rod. The locking mechanism may now be moved along the threaded rod by a moving the handle up or down, which applies a force via thrust bearings to the locking mechanism spinning along the threaded rod.

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a basketball goal system comprising a vertical support comprising 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 vertical support and pivotally attached to the housing, and having a spring trigger configured to expand the spring when triggered to release a normal force on said lower strut and contract the spring to apply a normal force on the lower strut when released.

Also disclosed is 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.

Also disclosed is 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.

• 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 example, which is not part of the invention, of the lift system disclosed herein.

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 with a goal or rim at the distal end of the backboard assembly 20.

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 may be absent.

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 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. 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 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. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, additional arm 34 at the distal end 36 is attached to and secures the backboard in the same manner as the primary arm 26. The proximal end of additional arm 34 is attached with a pin 32 at the top 38 of the pole 14. In other embodiments, the proximal end 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.

The lift or elevator assembly allows a user to adjust the height of the basketball backboard. In general, the elevator assembly 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 48 if the upper strut 48 is hollow and situated over the lower strut 42.

Figure 2 provides a close-up view of the lock housing 54 and other portions of the elevator assembly. 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 54. As shown in Figure 2, 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 48 moves up or down, the primary arm 26 moves the backboard assembly 20 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 moves down. In reverse, as the upper strut 48 moves down, the backboard moves up.

Figure 3A and 3B depict 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 non-limiting 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.

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.

Returning to Figures 3A and 3B, 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 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.

The lower strut 42 may also be marked to indicate the location where the basketball backboard or goal are at a specific height above the ground. For example, markings may be made to indicate the location to set the goal at 243.84 cm (8 feet), 259.08 cm (8.5 feet), 274.32 cm (9 feet), 289.56 cm (9.5 feet) and 304.8 cm (10 feet). However, the user may adjust the height to any height in the range, not simply those that are marked at preselected intervals.

Another embodiment is depicted in Figure 4. Here, the handle 62 is attached directly to the pole 14, rather than supporting pole struts 64.

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 is attached to the pole 14, and the lower end 44 is free. Thus, the balancing forces place the lower strut 42 in compression.

Figure 6 depicts another example, which is not part of the invention, of an assembly with an elevator mechanism. In this embodiment, the elevator assembly 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 is secured to the collar, and the goal is secured to the front of the backboard. 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.

The invention is defined in the appended claims.