Basketball hoop system
The present specification describes sporting equipment methods and apparatus that may be used for basketball, and may be particularly useful for height adjustment. One aspect of the novel basketball standard relates to a mechanism for adjusting the height of the basketball hoop. The adjustment mechanism may be cable driven, and all or most of the adjustment mechanism may be located internal to a support pole of the basketball standard. In contrast, conventional adjustable basketball standards are not cable driven and often include many exposed moving parts.
This invention relates to sports systems, including in particular basketball hoop systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe game of basketball is played and enjoyed by people of all ages. The popularity of the game has led many people to install basketball standards near their homes. A regulation basketball standard generally includes a hoop mounted to a backboard and elevated from a playing surface to a height of ten feet. While most adults can play comfortably with the hoop elevated to ten feet, many children do not possess the physical ability to successfully shoot a basketball through a ten foot hoop. Children playing basketball with a regulation hoop can become frustrated due to their inability to successfully shoot the basketball into the hoop. The frustration can lead to a loss of interest in the game.
Therefore, various basketball standards including adjustable height rims have been developed. Adults and children alike enjoy playing on a basketball standard having a lower hoop. Depending on the physical capabilities and intents of the players, the hoop may need to be lowered a few inches or several feet.
Building a basketball standard that can be adjusted to various heights involves consideration of a number of factors. One significant issue is providing a support structure that is sufficient to adequately bear the weight posed by a typical backboard assembly. In addition to the weight posed by these materials, the entire structure must be strong enough to bear the rigors of extended use, including repeated dunking of a basketball and the hanging of a player from the rim that is often associated with the adjustable height hoops. Further, the backboard of the basketball assembly must remain substantially perpendicular to the playing surface regardless of the height at which it is set. In order to address these concerns, conventional adjustable standards often include linkage assemblies capable of maintaining the perpendicular relationship between the backboard and the playing surface over a range of heights, while also supporting the weight associated with the standard. In one typical configuration, a four bar linkage is pinned to the basketball backboard at one end, pinned to a support device at an intermediate location, and extends at a distal end beyond the support device to provide a section that can be raised or lowered. An operator typically raises or lowers the hoop by applying leverage to the portion extending beyond the support device to cause the linkage assembly to pivot or rotate relative to the support device.
While conventional adjustable standards have been developed, some of the resulting linkage assemblies are problematic in a number of aspects. One problem is that the linkages present pinch or crushing hazards due to the exposed linkages, braces, pivot points, etc. An operator can inadvertently place a hand or finger in these exposed areas and have the hand or finger become crushed or pinched under the weight of the backboard and linkage assemblies. This hazard is of particular concern for children.
In addition to presenting safety hazards, conventional linkage assemblies provided on adjustable height standards are often too high for children and some adults to easily reach. Conventional adjustable height standards may also be equipped with elaborate, complex mechanisms which an operator uses to adjust the height of the standard. These mechanisms are often difficult to operate and include numerous moving components that are left exposed to operators. The exposed moving components can lead to even more potentially hazardous pinch or crush points.
As a result, devices and methods for height adjustable basketball standards that present an aesthetically pleasing appearance, are quickly and easily adjustable through a wide range of heights, and that reduce potentially dangerous pinch or crush points to endanger operators continue to be sought.
Further, conventional basketball standards can generally be categorized as portable or permanent. Portable systems are generally less robust than permanent systems. Portable systems may wobble or shift during play. To provide stabilizing support to the system, the base of many conventional portable basketball goal systems are weighted. For example, the base may include a ballast cavity, which can be filled with water or sand. The weighted base can sometimes stabilize the system during light to moderate play conditions, but typically fails to provide adequate support during heavier play conditions. Due to shifting of the base during extreme play, total failure of the system is unlikely but the shifting can be frustrating to the players during play of the game.
Permanent systems are often bolted to the ground and offer more stability than portable systems. However, permanent installations can be costly and difficult to install. Therefore, permanent systems continue to be sought and developed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe principles described herein may be followed to provide a basketball standard that is easy to assemble and simple to adjust to various heights. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a sporting equipment apparatus is disclosed. The sporting equipment apparatus comprises a support pole, a backboard, an adjustment assembly connected between the backboard and the support pole, a hoop attached to the backboard, and an adjustment cable attached to the adjustment assembly and extending through an interior of the support pole. A winch may be attached to the support pole and connected to the adjustment cable. The winch may be disposed inside of the support pole. The winch may comprise a cable spool having a first gear, and a worm gear meshed with the first gear of the cable spool. A hand crank may be attached to the worm gear. A motor may drive the worm gear and/or the first gear.
According to some embodiments, the sporting equipment apparatus comprises a stationary anchor disposed in a ground location and extending up from the ground. The support pole may be disposed over the anchor.
Some embodiments of the sporting equipment apparatus further comprise a pulley disposed at a top portion of the support pole. The adjustment cable may thus extend from the adjustment assembly, around the pulley, through the interior of the support pole, and to a winch. The adjustment assembly may comprise a four-bar mechanism capable of curvilinearly translating the backboard and the hoop.
Another embodiment of the invention provides a basketball standard assembly. The basketball standard assembly may comprise a basketball backboard, a basketball hoop for attachment to the backboard, a support pole, and a basketball hoop adjustment assembly. The basketball hoop adjustment assembly comprises a cable drive mechanism. The basketball standard assembly may further comprise an anchor for at least partial subterranean insertion, the anchor being receptive of the support pole. The cable drive mechanism may comprise a cable extending internally though the support pole. The cable drive mechanism may further comprise a cable spool comprising an edge gear mounted to the support pole, a worm gear meshed with the edge gear of the cable spool, and a hand crank attached to the worm gear. The cable drive mechanism may also comprise an internal cable, an external cable spool comprising an edge gear mounted to the support pole, an external worm gear meshed with the edge gear of the cable spool, a hand crank attached to the worm gear, a first internal cable pulley attached to a top portion of the support pole, and a second internal cable pulley attached to the support pole adjacent to the external cable spool. According to some embodiments, the cable drive mechanism comprises an internal cable and a motorized cable spool mounted to the support pole.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of constructing a basketball standard. The method comprises providing a support pole, inserting an anchor pole into the ground, receiving the support pole by the anchor pole, and attaching a basketball backboard and hoop to the support pole. Receiving the support pole by the anchor pole may comprise disposing the support pole over the anchor pole concentrically. The method may further comprise providing a cable drive system for adjusting the basketball backboard and hoop relative to the support pole. Providing the cable drive system may comprise running a cable inside of the support pole.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of making a basketball standard. The method comprises providing a support pole, attaching a winch and a first pulley to the support pole, extending a cable around the first pulley, through the support pole, and to the winch, and attaching a backboard and hoop to the support pole. The method may further comprise partially burying an anchor in the ground, and concentrically attaching the support pole to the anchor. The method may include burying a flared anchor to a depth of at least two feet, leaving at least two feet of the flared anchor above grade, and disposing the support pole over the anchor.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method of using a basketball standard. The method comprises adjusting a height of a basketball hoop. The adjusting comprises actuating a cable extending through a basketball hoop support pole. Actuating the cable may comprise rotating a hand crank attached to a worm gear, the worm gear driving a cable spool. Actuating a cable may also comprise turning on an electrically powered winch which is attached to the cable.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThe accompanying drawings illustrate various embodiments of the present invention and are a part of the specification. The illustrated embodiments are merely examples of the present invention and do not limit the scope of the invention.
Throughout the drawings, identical reference numbers designate similar, but not necessarily identical, elements.
DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThe present specification describes sporting equipment methods and apparatus that may be used for basketball, and may be particularly useful for height adjustment. One aspect of the novel basketball standard relates to a mechanism for adjusting the height of the basketball hoop. The adjustment mechanism may be cable driven, and all or most of the adjustment mechanism may be located internal to a support pole of the basketball standard. In contrast, conventional adjustable basketball standards are not cable driven and often include many exposed moving parts.
Another aspect of the novel basketball standard relates to anchoring the system. The novel anchoring system facilitates robust and easy installation of the basketball standard. A simple anchor may be installed that is receptive of the support pole and other components. Previous permanent basketball standards generally require the installation of the support pole directly, and the support pole can be large, bulky, and difficult to handle as it is mounted in the ground. The simple anchor taught herein can be more easily handled and plumbed.
Accordingly, the specification describes various aspects of the invention according to the following order. First, embodiments of a basketball standard are shown and described. Second, embodiments of an anchoring system are disclosed. Third, methods of assembling and using embodiments of the basketball standard and anchoring system are described.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the term “winch” is used broadly to encompass any apparatus that is used for hoisting or hauling or moving, which has a drum or spool around which a cable, rope, chain, or other filament is at least partially wound or attached. A “winch” may be motor-driven or hand powered. The words “including” and “having,” as used in the specification, including the claims, shall have the same meaning as the word “comprising.”
As mentioned above, a number of developments related to basketball standard technology, and particularly adjustable height basketball standards, have recently occurred. While there are many different options available, conventional basketball standards have traditionally not provided the combination of safety, strength, adjustability, and ease of use offered by principles of the present invention. Further, conventional basketball standards can be very difficult to permanently mount while ensuring that the standard is plumb. The methods and apparatus described herein include various devices that offer many advantages over conventional basketball standards. The particular implementations, however, are exemplary in nature, and not limiting.
Turning now to the figures, and in particular to
An adjustment assembly 104 is attached to the support pole 102 and interconnects the support pole 102 and a basketball backboard 106. The adjustment assembly 104 comprises a four bar mechanism and includes a first or upper arm 108 and a second or lower arm 110. Each of the first and second arms 108, 110 comprises structural materials such as steel. The first and second arms 108, 110 are generally Y-shaped and comprise a forked pillar 112 and diverging branches 114. The forked pillars 112 of each of the first and second arms 108, 110 are pinned or hingedly connected to the support pole 102. The support pole 102 may include first and second journals 116, 118 (
The diverging branches 114 of each of the first and second arms 108, 110 are pinned or hingedly connected to the backboard 106. Accordingly, pins 134, 136 (
According to some aspects of the invention, the adjustment assembly 104 and thus the backboard 106 and hoop 142 are adjusted by a cable drive mechanism. The cable drive mechanism may include a winch 144 and an adjustment cable 146. The adjustment cable 146 is attached at a first end 148 to the adjustment assembly 104. According to the embodiment of
The adjustment assembly 104 may be raised and lowered via the adjustment cable 146 by operating the winch 144. The winch 144 is shown in detail in
Some embodiments of the winch 144 may include a motor such as electric motor 166 (
As mentioned above, the winch 144 may be located inside or outside of the support pole 102. The embodiment of
According to principles described below, the basketball standard 100 may be mounted to the ground more simply and conveniently than previous systems. For example, referring again to
The anchor 170 may include a flared end 172 for enhanced support. The anchor 170 may extend into the ground a distance of one to four feet, or about three feet. However, the anchor also extends up from the ground at least about one to three feet, or about two feet. The anchor 170 can be installed and plumbed independent of the assembly of the support pole 102, adjustment assembly 104, backboard 106, and hoop 142. The anchor 170 is much easier to work with and plumb than a full basketball standard, or even just a support pole. When the anchor 170 is properly set, the support pole 102 can slide easily over the anchor 102. One or more set screws 172 may extend through the support pole 102 and to the anchor 170 to assure relative positioning between the anchor 170 and the support pole 102.
The basketball standard 100 may be installed with the anchor 170 for home or commercial use. According to some aspects of the invention, a hole is formed in the ground, and the hole may be at least twenty-four inches in diameter and thirty-six inches deep. Concrete or another curable material is mixed and poured into the hole. The anchor 170 is inserted into the center of the hole with the flared end 172 down. The anchor is plumbed and the concrete or other material is cured.
After the concrete has cured, for example, for at least forty-eight hours, the anchor 170 may receive the support pole. As shown in
The basketball standard 100 of
According to some embodiments, the basketball standard 100 of
While this invention has been described with reference to certain specific embodiments and examples, it will be recognized by those skilled in the art that many variations are possible without departing from the scope and spirit of this invention. The invention, as defined by the claims, is intended to cover all changes and modifications of the invention which do not depart from the spirit of the invention.
Claims
1. A sporting equipment apparatus, comprising:
- a support pole;
- a backboard;
- an adjustment assembly connected between the backboard and the support pole;
- a hoop attached to the backboard;
- an adjustment cable attached to the adjustment assembly and extending through an interior of the support pole.
2. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a winch attached to the support pole and connected to the adjustment cable.
3. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a winch disposed inside the support pole and connected to the adjustment cable.
4. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a winch attached to the support pole and connected to the adjustment cable, the winch comprising:
- a cable spool having a first gear;
- a worm gear meshed with the first gear of the cable spool.
5. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a winch attached to the support pole and connected to the adjustment cable, the winch comprising:
- a cable spool having a first gear mounted to support pole;
- a worm gear meshed with the first gear of the cable spool;
- a hand crank attached to the worm gear.
6. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a winch attached to the support pole and connected to the adjustment cable, the winch comprising:
- a cable spool having a first gear mounted to support pole;
- a worm gear meshed with the first gear of the cable spool;
- a motor driving the worm gear.
7. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a stationary anchor disposed in a ground location and extending up from the ground, wherein the support pole is disposed over the anchor.
8. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a pulley disposed at a top portion of the support pole, wherein the adjustment cable extends from the adjustment assembly, around the pulley, through the interior of the support pole, and to a winch.
9. A sporting equipment apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the adjustment assembly comprises a four-bar mechanism capable of curvilinearly translating the backboard and the hoop.
10. A basketball standard assembly, comprising:
- a basketball backboard;
- a basketball hoop for attachment to the backboard;
- a support pole;
- a basketball hoop adjustment assembly, the basketball hoop adjustment assembly comprising a cable drive mechanism.
11. A basketball standard assembly according to claim 10, further comprising an anchor for at least partial subterranean insertion, the anchor being receptive of the support pole.
12. A basketball standard assembly according to claim 10 wherein the cable drive mechanism comprises a cable extending internally though the support pole.
13. A basketball standard assembly according to claim 10 wherein the cable drive mechanism comprises:
- an internal cable;
- a cable spool comprising an edge gear mounted to the support pole;
- a worm gear meshed with the edge gear of the cable spool;
- a hand crank attached to the worm gear.
14. A basketball standard assembly according to claim 10 wherein the cable drive mechanism comprises:
- an internal cable;
- an external cable spool comprising an edge gear mounted to the support pole;
- an external worm gear meshed with the edge gear of the cable spool;
- a hand crank attached to the worm gear;
- a first internal cable pulley attached to a top portion of the support pole;
- a second internal cable pulley attached to the support pole adjacent to the external cable spool.
15. A basketball standard assembly according to claim 10 wherein the cable drive mechanism comprises:
- an internal cable;
- a motorized cable spool mounted to the support pole.
16. A method of constructing a basketball standard, comprising:
- providing a support pole;
- inserting an anchor pole into the ground;
- receiving the support pole by the anchor pole;
- attaching a basketball backboard and hoop to the support pole.
17. A method of constructing a basketball standard according to claim 16 wherein the receiving the support pole by the anchor pole comprises disposing the support pole over the anchor pole concentrically.
18. A method of constructing a basketball standard according to claim 16, further comprising:
- providing a cable drive system for adjusting the basketball backboard and hoop relative to the support pole.
19. A method of constructing a basketball standard according to claim 16, further comprising:
- providing a cable drive system for adjusting the basketball backboard and hoop relative to the support pole, the providing a cable drive system comprising running a cable inside of the support pole.
20. A method of making a basketball standard, comprising:
- providing a support pole;
- attaching a winch and a first pulley to the support pole;
- extending a cable around the first pulley, through the support pole, and to the winch;
- attaching a backboard and hoop to the support pole.
21. A method of making a basketball standard according to claim 20, further comprising:
- partially burying an anchor in the ground;
- concentrically attaching the support pole to the anchor.
22. A method of making a basketball standard according to claim 20, further comprising:
- burying a flared anchor to a depth of at least two feet;
- leaving at least two feet of the flared anchor above grade;
- disposing the support pole over the anchor.
23. A method of using a basketball standard, comprising:
- adjusting a height of a basketball hoop, the adjusting comprising: actuating a cable extending through a basketball hoop support pole.
24. A method of using a basketball standard according to claim 23 wherein the actuating a cable comprises rotating a hand crank attached to a worm gear, the worm gear driving a cable spool.
25. A method of using a basketball standard according to claim 23 wherein the actuating a cable comprises turning on an electrically powered winch which is attached to the cable.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 8, 2005
Publication Date: Jan 11, 2007
Inventor: Jorgen Moller (Salt Lake City, UT)
Application Number: 11/178,149
International Classification: A63B 63/08 (20060101);