Basketball goal assembly with lift actuator

Abstract

A basketball goal assembly with lift actuator that has up and down vertical movement to let a user make shots at different positions. A scissor lift mechanism for use on a basketball goal or the like, the lift having scissor leg units connected to each. The lift is raised and lowered by a means for providing movement for the basketball goal. The means may be provided by a linear actuator. A safety guard is added to prevent objects from entering the scissor units. The safety guard can be on at least one side of the chassis. The linear actuator is connected to a motor housing. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the motor and the battery by use of a remote control.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior art basketball goals comprises generally a hoop attached to a backboard with stand, making the goal in that position permanently for shooting the ball. This invention allows the goal to become moveable. Prior scissor lifts are for work platforms mostly and are being used in construction, hospital environments and other places for raising and lowering of work support structures. Thus, in this invention, the scissor lift mechanism is being used for sports or games, but not limited to that function. The preferred embodiment of this invention has a scissor lift that may have four scissor units to help reach higher heights, but is not limited to.

Various applications which require substantial elevations use three or more scissors interconnected in stacked relationship to obtain the necessary elevation. The bottom stand of the scissor lift assembly can have wheels added underneath (not depicted) to make the assembly movable or portable if desired. A basketball goal assembly with lift actuator has a motor housing that allows the scissor lift to become operable by a control signal generator that generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the battery and the motor. The control signal can be generated in response to a user-generated remote command signal. The actuator can be used to rotate the scissor movement that allows the goal to extend or retract.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the basketball goals and scissor lifts, more particularly to a new basketball goal that incorporates a scissor lift assembly that allows a shooter different positions of the basketball goal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a basketball goal assembly with lift actuator which is easily transported, and which also provides for selection of a wide variety of height movements for the goal. The scissor lift is extended and retracted for positioning the goal at various heights up to a maximum height controlled by a speed adjusted by a control switch. An actuator, said actuator being responsive to said controller, said actuator has linear movement that rotates the scissor lift; and a basketball goal assembly with lift actuator has the scissor lift attached to the basketball goal that is in vertical up-down position in the section above said scissor lift.

Basketball goal assembly with lift actuator includes a pole, table top, stand, basketball goal, motor housing assembly atop bottom stand, safety guard and a wired (not depicted) or wireless receiver. The scissor lift has a table top and bottom table stand and can have four scissor units to help reach higher heights, but is not limited to. The bottom stand of the scissor lift assembly can have wheels added underneath (not depicted) to make the assembly movable or portable if desired.

The basketball goal assembly unit can be adapted to operate at a speed set by a setting device by virtue of a control circuit or like device, or if not by speed control, continuously moving at a stable rate nonstop until the stop button is pushed or power is off. The control circuit functions to control the motor to its full speed from a selected, set speed in response to an electric signal from a pulse button or switch for the duration of the signal from the pulse button; and in that the control circuit is adapted to control the motor back to the set selected speed when the signal from the pulse button ceases.

The goal can be formed in any style or shape, made for kids or adults; The pole, atop the scissor lift table, can be positioned in any area or any height length a person skilled in the art prefers, as some example figures illustrate. The linear actuator can be made any size customized to fit the present invention and can also be positioned in other areas (not depicted) of the scissor lift to not limit the scope of the present invention. The present invention can be any size or shape and made from metal, plastic, wood or any suitable material.

It is contemplated that various different lift actuator methods (not depicted), may be used in some alternate embodiments such as, but not limited to, pulley and cable, telescopic, timing belt drive, worm gear drive, direct drive, and also formed with different types of batteries and motors, depending on those skilled in the art will readily recognize to use.

In one alternative embodiment, an actuator lift system, comprising: a controller; an actuator, said actuator being responsive to said controller, said actuator including a pulley with a cable affixed thereto, said cable wound thereon in a single layer to support a load on a free end of said cable, where the pulley is driven by a motor and an associated transmission, said transmission having a building block gear configuration wherein the configuration is operative of the actuator; and operatively connected to the end of said cable, said the load interface including user controls and generating signals to be transmitted to said controller, wherein in response to the signals, said controller causes the operation of the actuator to raise and lower the load, (basketball goal assembly), suspended from said actuator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its extended position;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention without the safety guard in its retracted position;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention without the safety guard in its extended position;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention with portions cutaway to illustrate the internal features;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the wireless controller with front cover opened;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a preferred wireless controller illustrating the front cover;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the wireless remote control;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

For the purpose of providing a description of the invention, reference will now be made to the drawings, and specific language will be used to describe the drawings. It is not intended that the scope of the invention is to be limited by the specific language of this description.

A basketball goal assembly with lift actuator will now be described. The illustrations will show various features of shapes and sizes that can be used. In the following exemplary description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. It will be apparent, however, to an artisan of ordinary skill that the present invention may be practiced without incorporating all aspects of the specific details described herein. In other instances, specific features, quantities, or measurements well known to those of ordinary skill in the art have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the invention. Readers should note that although examples of the invention are set forth herein, the claims, and the full scope of any equivalents, are what define the true scope of the invention.

The present invention may be configured according to the needs of the particular application, whereby any aspect(s), feature(s), function(s), result(s), component(s), approach(es), or step(s) of the teachings related to any described embodiment of the present invention may be suitably omitted, included, adapted, mixed and matched, or improved and/or optimized by those skilled in the art, using their average skills and known techniques, to achieve the desired implementation that addresses the needs of the particular application.

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its extended position with safety guard on illustrating one of several goal designs;

FIG. 2 is a detailed front view of the present invention without the safety guard in its retracted position illustrating one of several goal designs;

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position with a different goal design;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the present invention without the safety guard in its extended position with the goal of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the present invention with portions cutaway to illustrate the linear actuator and motor housing atop bottom stand and scissor lift in its extended position;

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position with a different goal design;

FIG. 7 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position with a different goal design;

FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position with a different goal design;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of the present invention in its retracted position and has a different pole size from FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the wireless controller with front cover removed or opened;

FIG. 11 is a front view of a preferred wireless controller illustrating the front cover;

FIG. 12 is a front view of the wireless remote control; and

embodiments of the invention include a remote control and wireless controller which controls actuator movement. Referring to FIGS. 10 and 12, a wireless control system for controlling the linear actuator in accordance with the present invention comprises: at least one wireless controller and remote control which is characterized in that:

The wireless controller can control the linear actuator by pushing a button on a remote control device.

Embodiments of the invention include different goal designs. Referring to FIGS. 1, 3, 6 and 8, there are different goal designs that can be used as the illustrations show. Any goal design can be used to not limit the scope on the invention.

It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, compounds, materials, manufacturing techniques, uses, and applications, described herein, as these may vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present invention also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalization thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention.

Features which are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable subcombination. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of such features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom.

Claims

1. A basketball goal assembly with lift actuator, the device comprising:

an actuator, with linear movement, including at least one motor, circuit, battery or plug-in cord; and the battery or plug-in cord energizing the motor to move the operator in response to a control signal by a wired or wireless remote; said actuator is engaged and operating the scissor lift; A safety guard mechanism attached to at least one side of the chassis.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said scissor lift is attached to the basketball goal that is in vertical up-down position in the section above said scissor lift; and

3. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one battery or power plug-in cord is the sole source of power for the motor;

4. The device of claim 1, wherein a linear actuator connected to said scissor lift, operatively raising and lowering the platform;

5. The device of claim 1, wherein a safety guard mechanism attached to at least one side of the chassis;

6. The device of claim 1, further comprising a control signal that can be generated in response to a predetermined speed, or in response to a user-generated remote command signal. A control signal generator generates a control signal for completing the electrical circuit between the motor and the battery by use of a controller and remote.