Multi task, exercising, and sport, self propelled backboard, MTESB

Abstract

A multi-task, exercising, sports use type backboard, “MTESB” which is comprised of a number of hinged connected panels with 2 sets of 2 rectangular, telescoping legs configured in the shape of an “A” hinged at the top and connected on each side of the panels. The device, MTESB, is foldable for compact storage and transportation and has a set of casters and handle attached to accommodate this. When unfolded and unlocked and supporting telescoping legs are extended, the device presents a self-supported moveable backboard for sports activities such as, but not limited to, tennis or basketball practice. The device is self-expandable by means of the spring hinges and unfolds automatically when the locking device is released. The unfolded target area for the activity is comprised of the hinged panels and the frontal telescoping legs, which become a total flat target surface to rebound the ball used for the activity. When the activity is completed the device is folded up and moved to storage by means of the casters and handle attached to one of the legs. This invention will provide a unit that has the uniqueness of being large enough to perform various sports activities and yet is able to be folded into a compact unit that is easily transportable and stored.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSERED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The “MTESB” invention is a multi-task exercising sport backboard unit that provides a means of exercise activities such as tennis, basketball and handball practice and that can be used anywhere such as the backyard or playfield. Being portable it can easily be stored or removed from storage to an area of use and can be easily loaded into a vehicle for transport to a playing field or other determined area.

The invention features and capabilities that are not found in existing backboards, such as being portable, compact, lightweight and auto-expanding with a minimum of effort on the part of the user.

After being set up and by attaching tennis net to the top and bottom and partially extending the supporting legs it becomes a unit that provides a means of tennis practice.

When the unit is set up as for basket ball practice, it provides a backboard and an attaching basketball hoop at the top and fully extending the supporting legs, which simulates the approximate height and area of a standard basketball backboard.

The unit can also be used for handball or similar activity of bouncing and returning the ball practice and can be adjusted to any desired height by means of telescoping the supporting legs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken as a limiting sense, but is merely for illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

10 MTESB assembly

11 Flat panel 1

12 Flat panel 2

13 Flat panel 3

14 Flat panel 4

15 Frontal left hand leg

16 Frontal right hand leg

15a, 15b, 15c, 15d Telescoping frontal left hand leg section

16a, 16b, 16c, 16d Telescoping frontal right hand leg section

17a, 17b, 17c, 17d Telescoping rear left hand leg section

18a, 18b, 18c, 18d Telescoping rear right hand leg section

17 Rear left hand leg

18 Rear right hand leg

19 Leg pair assembly

20 Flat panel assembly

21 Locking spring hinge

22 Locking leg detent button

23 Reversible cushion glide

24 Gripping prongs

25 Glide cavity

31 Locking strap device

32 Lockable leg hinge

33 Leg hinge locking button

40 Tennis configuration

41 Tennis net

42 Hollow net attaching tube

43 Net support bracket

44 Support bracket receptacle

50 Basketball configuration

51 Basketball net

52 Net hoop

54 Attaching bracket

60 Handball configuration

64 Transport handle

68 Transport casters

70 Transport configuration

80 Hockey configuration

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view and illustrates the embodiment of the present invention MTESB in the unfolded, locked and useable position with the backboard in a vertical position 90 degrees to the playing surface and with telescoping legs extended at an angle to the rear.

FIG. 1B is a top view of invention in an unfolded position with the left and right legs not opened for use.

FIG. 1C is a top view illustrating the process of unfolding the 4 panels into a use position.

FIG. 1D is and end view of the invention in a folded, transport position showing the casters and handle used for transport.

FIG. 1E is a cross section view of the lower leg section containing the reversible cushioned glide in the non-skid position for use on a smooth surface such as a gym floor.

FIG. 1F is a cross section view of the lower leg section containing the reversible cushioned glide in the position to be used on a soft surface such as a lawn or gravel bed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the invention in the unfolded, locked and useable position with the backboard in a vertical 90 degrees to the playing surface and the telescoping legs extended at angle rearward to form the “A” shape.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the invention in the unfolded, locked and useable position showing the telescoping legs shortened to provide use of the invention in a lowered position with tennis nets attached above and below the flat panel backboard by means of a wire bracket to catch a tennis ball.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the invention in the unfolded, locked position and fully extended legs with a basket ball net and ring attached by means of a “U” shaped bracket at the top of the flat panel backboard.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the invention folded and in the transport position with casters and transport handle ready to be transported to another location or storage area.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention in the hockey configuration with the telescoping legs completely collapsed and the backboard at ground level to accommodate hockey puck shooting practice.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates in a frontal view, the invention 10 in a use position with the unfolded backboard presenting a flat multi-paneled surface 20, consisting of flat rectangular panels 11, 12, 13, 14 which are composed of aluminum or composite material and are hinged together with hinges 21 and arranged between the rectangular telescoping legs 19 which are rectangular in shape and of aluminum, or composite material and shown in a fully extended position with leg sections 15b, 15c, 15d and 16a, 16b, 16c being locked by the detent buttons 22. This view does not show the rear set of legs 17,18 which are hinged via a lockable hinge 32 at the top of each pair of legs 19 to form an “A” when the hinge 32 is unlocked by depressing the button 33 and opened. The top leg section 15a, 16a is also hinged to panel sections 11, 14 thus providing additional backboard space. This presents an elevated flat backboard surface that permits a ball to bounce against it. The telescoping legs permit the flat panel section to be elevated to any desired position within the limits of the legs. The unit is not limited by the number of flat panels or the length or the width of these panels as custom sizes for alternate uses can be assembled for a variety of special use such as a partition or space divider or a display board.

FIG. 2 illustrates the “A” shape of the legs 15, 16, 17, 18 in an unfolded, fully extended and use position with the lower sections 15d, 16d, 17d, 18d having inserted by force fit in the cavity of the leg 25, the self gripping cushioned glides 23 comprised of a soft rubber like composition for use on a smooth surface as also seen in the detailed cross section in FIG. 1E. The glides can be reversed and re-inserted in the cavity 25 as seen in detailed cross section 1F so that the 2 gripping prongs 24 will present a gripping force for used on a soft permeable surface such as a lawn or gravel as shown in FIG. 1F.

FIG. 3 illustrates another use of the invention as a practice net for tennis. In this case the unit can be configured so by inserting into a circular recessed receptacle 44 on the outer side of the telescoping legs 15 and 16 an angle shaped wire 43 creating a vertically stable mast for insertion with a hollow tube 42 to which a net 41 is stretched and fastened. This configuration can be also repeated at the bottom section of the legs to present another stop net for balls that would go under the panels. Also, the legs 15, 16, 17, 18 are not extended fully as depicted in the length (x) so as to present the normal height of a regulation tennis net.

FIG. 4 illustrates another use of the invention configured as a backboard for practicing basketball 50. In this case the legs 15, 16, 17, 18 are fully extended as depicted in the length (y) to provide the normal height of a regulation basketball backboard. A net 51 and hoop 52 are then positioned over the top of the panels by means of a vertically “U” shaped bracket 54.

FIG. 5 illustrates the invention fully collapsed and locked together into a compact form and in a storage and moveable position 70 which is attained by collapsing the telescoping legs 15,16,17,18, into the top sections 15a, 16a, 17a, 18a, from the extended position, then folding flat from the opened position, the panels 11,12,13,14, in which the hinges 21 are closed and folded and the telescoping legs 15, 16, 17, 18 are folded flat against each other and locked each together at the top by locking the hinge 32. The tension of the hinges 21 is overcome by clasping together the two ends of the locking straps 31. The unit is now compacted and ready to transport on casters 68 and by holding onto handle 64 to a desired storage area or to a vehicle. This process is reversed when moved from storage area to a location where the invention will be set up for use.

FIG. 6 illustrates the invention configured to a hockey practice position 80 with the telescoping legs 15, 16, 17, 18, completely collapsed with the backboard 20 and the frontal legs 15 and 16 in a vertical position 90 degrees from the horizontal ground with the rear legs 17 and 18 canted at an angle rearward.

Claims

1- A Multi Task Exercising and Sport Backboard, named “MTESB” (10), comprising of: A flat rectangular backboard (20) containing a number of rectangular units (11-14) attached together by spring hinges (21) and locking devices, four rectangular telescoping leg units (15-18) arranged in two pairs of front and rear legs wherein each pair is attached together at the top by a locking hinge (32) and the front legs being hinged to the edge surfaces of the backboard (20) to form additional flat surface area for the backboard when unfolded by releasing the locking device.

2- The device of claim 1 wherein a number of rectangular units (11-14), form a backboard rigid surface of approximately, but not limited to 4 feet wide, and supported by a set of telescoping hinged legs (15-18) which open to form an “A” framed support at each side and can extend to a length of eight feet, forming the unfolded unit (10) “MTESB”.

3- The device of claim 1 wherein the “MTESB” units can be made out of any suitable material that the sum of their weight should not exceed 150 pounds.

4- The device of claim 1 wherein the material herein used to manufacture the units must be strong and capable of resisting exercising strains, able to absorb impacts of bouncing a tennis ball or basketball against it.

5- The device of claim 1 wherein spring hinges (21) are mounted each, one near the top and the other near the bottom at the side edges of each two adjacent units (11-14).

6- The device of claim 1 wherein spring hinges (21) are mounted in alternating arrangements with two of them in the front of one of the units and two in the back of the next unit, therefore all the units constituting the backboard (20) will form a uniform flat rectangular surface (20) when unlocked and unfolded and will lock together when releasing the locking strap device (31).

7- The device of claim 1 wherein the spring hinge (21) tension is strong enough to open the folded units when the locking strap device (31) is unlocked or unclasped, and not too strong as to be a burden on the user to fold the hereto units when needed.

8- The device of claim 1 wherein each end of the locking strap device (31) is attached to each side of the legs (17,18) by means of a rivet and clasped together serves to restrain the panels in a folded and transportable position of one on top of the other thereby overcoming the spring tension of the hinges (21).

9- The device of claim 1 wherein the arrangement of the locking strap device (31) can vary as long as it would do the same task that it is assigned for and as long as it does not restrain the movement of the other parts of the backboard (20) when releasing their locking devices.

10- The device of claim 1 wherein the telescoping leg units (15,16,17,18) are made each of rectangular hollow tubes that collapse inside each other and lock by means of a detent button (22) so that they give an extended variable length of each leg unit.

11- The device of claim 1 wherein the four telescoping leg units are arranged in two pairs (19) and each pair is attached at the top by a lockable hinge (32).

12- The device of claim 1 wherein the two telescoping legs in each pair (19) are attached together with means of a hinge attachment (32), and accordingly, form a support frame in the shape of an “A” for the backboard section (20).

13- The device of claim 1 wherein a handle (64) is attached to the leg unit (18) near the lower end and two casters (72) located and attached at the upper end of the leg unit (18) allow for transporting the assembly.

14- The device of claim 1 wherein the MTESB (10) when unfolded and set up in the tennis configuration (40) and at the desired height by adjusting the telescoping leg units (19) can be used for tennis practice or exercise.

15- The device of claim 1 wherein the MTESB (10) when unfolded and set up in the basketball configuration (50) and at the desired height by adjusting the telescoping leg units (19) can be used for basketball practice or exercise.

16- The device in claim 1 wherein the MTESB (10) when unfolded and set up in a handball configuration (60) and at the desired height by adjusting the telescoping leg units (19) to the desired height, as a handball wall.

17- The device of claim 1 wherein the MTESB (10) when folded is more compact, flexible, and portable than any similar device and can be used in many applications, such as, but not limited to, a divider panel or a hockey practice stop.

18- The “MTESB” mentioned hereto in claim 1 is a multi task exercising and sport device that can be used by various ages and has various flexible uses, is mobile, and easily portable and can be used at home in the backyard, at school, or transported via vehicle to a remote practice site or other site. It also has the asset of being compact for storage in small areas