SPRING-BIASED APPARATUS FOR POSITIONALLY ADJUSTABLE STRUCTURE

Abstract

An adjustable structure for altering the position of a device such as a basketball goal. The adjustable structure includes a pivoting frame mounted to a support. The positionally adjustable device is mounted to the frame for movement therewith. Incorporated into the frame is a spring-biased jack member for controlling the position of the frame and facilitates movement of the frame over a range of positions. The jack includes inner and outer telescoping tubes secured at their outer ends to the frame. A spring disposed within the tubes biases the tubes toward an expanded position. A lock plate mounted to the outer tube selectively lockingly engages the inner tube to retain the jack and frame in the desired position. The lock plate includes a cup for depressing the lock plate and releasing the inner tube for adjustment of the frame.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/229,373 filed on Aug. 31, 2000.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] I. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to an adjustable structure for altering the position of a device such as a basketball goal and, in particular, to a spring-biased apparatus which facilitates adjustment over a continuous spectrum while permitting simple release and return to a start position.

[0004] II. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] It has become extremely popular to incorporate position adjustment structure into recreational devices such as basketball stands. By providing for the adjustment of the basketball goal, players of all ages and heights can develop the proper skills. Some of the earlier adjustment structures included mechanical locks which must be disengaged prior to adjustment. Still others employ a pin and notch structure to lock the goal in one of a plurality of discrete positions. In addition to requiring two hands to adjust the goal, the structure is limited because it may only be positional at the designated discrete positions.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0006] The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior known adjustment mechanisms by providing an apparatus which is adjustable over a continuous range of positions simply by actuating a locking device associated with a telescoping pole.

[0007] The positionally adjustable structure of the present invention includes an adjustable frame having a plurality of pivotably connected members. The adjustable frame is pivotably attached to a stationary support and carries a positionable device such as a basketball goal. Incorporated into the adjustable frame is a jack member which selectively retains the frame in a desired position. The ends of the jack member are secured to the frame such that telescoping adjustment of the jack will adjust the position of the goal relative to the stationary support.

[0008] The telescoping jack member allows adjustment of the goal or similar positionable member over a continuous range of positions for precise positioning. This continuous range of positions can be particularly advantageous when the stationary support is not perfectly set. The telescoping jack includes an outer tube secured at one end to the frame and an inner tube secured at an outer end to the frame. Disposed within the tubes is an expansion spring fixedly secured at its ends to the respective tubes. The spring applies an expansion force telescopingly biasing the inner tube towards an expanded state.

[0009] A locking plate is mounted to the jack to prevent telescoping movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube. The locking plate is pivotably attached to the outer tube and includes a throughbore through which the inner tube passes. A secondary spring provides constant pressure to the lock plate to force the plate into a locked position. The lock plate includes a cup to receive a release pole or stick. Upon pushing on the cup of the lock plate, the angle of the lock plate is adjusted such that the inner tube can freely slide through the lock plate. The contraction force of the inner spring will tend to telescopingly retract the jack, however, the jack may be adjusted as necessary with the lock plate released.

[0010] Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] The present invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the views and in which:

[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an adjustable basketball goal embodying the present invention;

[0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the adjustable basketball goal;

[0014] FIG. 3 is a side view of the telescoping jack member in an extended position;

[0015] FIG. 4 is a side view of the jack in a retracted position; and

[0016] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the telescoping jack member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

[0017] Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown a basketball goal 10 which may be adjusted between upper and lower positions to accommodate variations in player ages, sizes and skills. The basketball goal 10 generally includes a fixed support 12, a pivotably adjustable frame 14 attached to the support 12, and a goal structure 16 mounted to the frame 14 for movement therewith. The goal structure 16 includes a backboard 18 and hoop 20. The backboard 18 has a rear bracket 22 to facilitate attachment of the frame 14. The positionally adjustable structure embodying the present invention will be described in connection with the basketball goal 10 however it should be understood that the adjustable structure may be utilized to position any device which requires precise positioning over a continuous range of set positions.

[0018] The frame 14 includes a plurality of frame members 24 preferably arranged in a parallelogram. One end of each of the frame members 24 is pivotably attached to the fixed support 12 by pivot pins 26. An other end of each of the frame members 24 is pivotably attached to the positionable device 16, in the instant example, the basketball goal structure 16. The frame members 24 are pivotably attached to the rear bracket 22 by pivot pins 28. Additional frame structure 30 may be provided to increase stability and support strength. Although the support frame 14 is depicted with four parallel frame members 24, the frame 14 may include a greater or lesser number depending upon the support strength required.

[0019] Incorporated into the frame 14 is at least one jack member 32 to facilitate positional adjustment of the device 16. The jack 32 is pivotally connected at its outer ends to the frame members 24 by pivot pins 34 to control pivoting movement of the frame 14.

[0020] Referring now to FIGS. 3 through 5, the jack member 32 includes an outer tube 36 and an inner tube 38 telescopically received within the outer tube 36. Disposed within the tubes 36,38 is an expansion spring 40. Preferably the ends of the spring 40 are secured to the pivot pins 34 and the force of the spring 40 tends to telescopically expand the jack member 32 towards the position shown in FIG. 3. Mounted to the outer tube 36 is a lock plate 42 which lockingly engages the inner tube 38. In a preferred embodiment, the lock plate 42 is pivotally mounted to a collar 44 on the outer tube 36. The lock plate 42 includes an aperture 46 through which the inner tube 38 extends such that as the jack 32 tends to telescopically expand, the inner tube 38 will jam against the edges of the aperture 46. A secondary spring 48 disposed between the collar 44 and the lock plate 42 biases the plate 42 towards the locking position. Pivoting of the lock plate 42 against the force of the secondary spring 48 will release the inner tube 38 from locking engagement with the lock plate 42 allowing the inner tube to move freely within the outer tube 36.

[0021] In order to facilitate pivoting movement of the lock plate, the lock plate 42 includes a cup 50 adapted to receive a stick or other tool 52 to not only release the lock plate 42 but also to raise and lower the frame 14 once the lock plate 42 of the jack 32 has been released. Upon release of the cup 50, the lock plate 42 will be biased towards the lock position (FIG. 4) jamming against the inner tube 38 preventing further movement of the jack member 32.

[0022] Operation of the jack member 32 allows precise control of the frame 14 to position the device 16 within a continuous range of positions between a lowest position and a highest position. With the frame 14 at rest, the lock plate 42 will engage the inner tube 38 to prevent movement relative to the outer tube 36. To adjust the frame 14, a stick or similar tool 52 is inserted into the cup 50 to depress the lock plate 42 freeing the inner tube 38 (FIG. 3). Because the cup 50 is positioned on the underneath side of the jack 32, the stick 52 will be used to manipulate the frame 14 while keeping the lock plate 42 depressed (FIG. 2). Once positioned as desired, the stick 52 may be removed allowing the lock plate 42 to pivot outwardly. The bias of the secondary spring 48 as well as the expansion movement of the inner tube 38 will quickly move the plate 42 to a locked position (FIG. 4) binding the inner tube 38 within the opening of the lock plate.

[0023] The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom as some modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. An adjustment structure for positionally adjusting a device comprising:

a stationary support;

a deformable frame assembly attached to said stationary support;

a device attached to said frame assembly, said device being positionally adjustable upon selective deformation of said frame assembly; and

at least one jack member controlling positional adjustment of said device, said at least one jack member including telescoping inner and outer tubes and a lock plate for controlling telescoping movement of said inner tube relative to said outer tube.

2. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame has a parallelogram configuration selectively deformable between a first configuration and a second configuration to positionally adjust said device.

3. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 2 wherein said device is a basketball goal, said structure allowing for adjustment of the height of said basketball goal above a playing surface.

4. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said at least one jack member includes an expansion spring disposed within said inner and outer tubes, said spring biasing said inner tube telescopically outwardly relative to said outer tube.

5. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 4 wherein said lock plate is pivotably mounted to said outer tube and includes an aperture through which said inner tube extends, said lock plate selectively lockingly engaging said inner tube to prevent telescoping movement of said inner tube relative to said outer tube.

6. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said lock plate includes release means for moving said lock plate from a locking position lockingly engaging said inner tube to a release position allowing telescoping movement of said inner tube relative to said outer tube.

7. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 5 wherein said release means facilitates deformation of said frame assembly while maintaining said lock plate in said release position.

8. An adjustment structure for positionally adjusting a device relative to a surface, said adjustment structure comprising:

a stationary support extending upwardly from the surface;

a deformable frame assembly attached to said stationary support, said frame assembly having a substantially parallelogram configuration with parallel arms pivotally connected to said stationary support;

a device attached to said frame assembly, said device being vertically adjustable relative to the surface upon selective deformation of said frame assembly, and

a jack member adjustably attached to said frame assembly for deformation of said frame assembly and positional adjustment of said device, said jack member including telescoping inner and outer tubes and a lock plate or controlling telescopic movement of said inner tube relative to said outer tube.

9. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 8 wherein said frame is adjustable between a first configuration extending said device a maximum height above the surface and a second configuration extending said device a minimum height above the surface, said jack member maintaining said frame is any one of a plurality of continuous positions between said first configuration and said second configuration.

10. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said deformable frame assembly includes a vertical bracket pivotally mounted to said parallel arms to form said deformable parallelogram whereby said arms remain parallel to each other and said vertical bracket remains parallel to said stationary support through the full range of adjustment of said frame assembly.

11. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 10 wherein said device is mounted to said vertical bracket of said frame assembly for movement between said first and second positions.

12. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 11 wherein said device is a basketball goal, said structure facilitating adjustment of the height of said basketball goal above the surface.

13. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 9 wherein said lock plate of said jack member is pivotably connected to said outer tube for selectively engaging said inner tube to prevent telescoping movement of said inner tube relative to said outer tube, remote ends of said inner and outer tubes pivotally connected to said frame assembly to control deformation of said frame assembly.

14. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 13 wherein said jack member includes an expansion spring disposed within said inner and outer tubes and biasing said inner tube telescopically outwardly relative to said outer tube.

15. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 14 wherein said lock plate includes an aperture through which said inner tube extends, an edge of said lock plate aperture selectively lockingly engaging said inner tube to prevent telescoping movement of said inner tube relative to said outer tube.

16. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 15 wherein said lock plate includes release means for moving said lock plate from a locking position lockingly engaging said inner tube to a release position allowing telescoping movement of said inner tube through said aperture relative to said outer tube.

17. The adjustment structure as defined in claim 16 and further comprising means for biasing said lock plate towards said locking position to lockingly engage said inner tube.

18. An adjustment structure for vertically adjusting a basketball goal relative to a fixed horizontal surface to alter the height of the goal above the surface, said adjustment structure comprising:

a fixed vertical support extending upwardly from the surface;

a deformable frame assembly attached to said support, said frame assembly including parallel arms pivotably connected to said support and a vertical bracket to form an adjustable parallelogram configuration, said vertical bracket adapted to receive the basketball goal for selective adjustment of the goal above the surface; and

a jack member adjustably attached to said frame assembly for controlling deformation of said frame assembly and positional adjustment of the basketball goal, said jack member including telescoping inner and outer tubes connected at their remote ends to said frame assembly, an expansion spring disposed within said inner and outer tubes for biasing said tubes telescopically outwardly, and a lock plate pivotally attached to said outer tube and selectively engaging said inner tube for controlling telescopic movement of said inner tube relative to said outer tube thereby positioning the basketball goal at a desired position above the horizontal surface.