UNIVERSAL TRAMPOLINE BACKBOARD MOUNT

Abstract

A universal trampoline backboard mount has a backboard. The backboard includes a hoop connection configured for receiving a basketball hoop. A right post has a right post upper connector and a right post lower connector. A right upper line connects to the right post upper connector. The right upper line connects to the backboard. A right lower line connects to the right post lower connector. The right lower line connects to the backboard. The right lower line is mounted below the right upper line. A right enclosure pole adapter connects the right post to an upper end of a right enclosure pole. A left post has a left post upper connector and a left post lower connector. A left upper line connects to the left post upper connector and the right side is symmetrical to the left side.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is in the field of trampoline basketball structures.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of different trampoline basketball structures have been implemented for trampolines so that trampoline users can play basketball during exercise.

DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART

A variety of prior art references describe various structures for universal trampoline backboard mount.

For example, in U.S. Pat. No. 10,258,854 Arch Basketball Trampoline Support by inventor Samuel Chen published Apr. 16, 2019 the abstract discloses, “A basketball trampoline device includes a trampoline having a trampoline bed, an enclosure, and enclosure poles supporting the enclosure. The basketball traveling has an upper arch member attached to a first enclosure pole. A lower arch member is attached to a second enclosure pole. The upper arch member and the lower arch member form an arch member pair. A basketball backboard and hoop are mounted to the upper arch member and the lower arch member by at least three backboard connectors. An upper backboard connector connects to the upper arch member and a lower backboard connector connects to the lower arch member. The upper arch member is fitted above the lower arch member to form the arch member pair defining a crescent-shaped flexible extension frame.”

Also in U.S. Pat. No. 9,084,908 Trampoline Basketball Goal by inventor Samuel Chen published Jul. 21, 2015 the abstract discloses, “A basketball trampoline device includes a trampoline having a trampoline bed, an enclosure, and enclosure poles supporting the enclosure. The basketball traveling has an upper arch member attached to a first enclosure pole. A lower arch member is attached to a second enclosure pole. The upper arch member and the lower arch member form an arch member pair. A basketball backboard and hoop are mounted to the upper arch member and the lower arch member by at least three backboard connectors. An upper backboard connector connects to the upper arch member and a lower backboard connector connects to the lower arch member. The upper arch member is fitted above the lower arch member to form the arch member pair defining a crescent-shaped flexible extension frame.”

In U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,846 Inflatable Basketball Structure by inventor Samuel Chen published Jul. 19, 2005 the abstract discloses, “The inflatable basketball structure includes an inflatable basketball backboard, an inflatable basketball rim, a basketball net, an inflatable supporting pole, and an inflatable safety enclosure. The inflatable basketball structure on a trampoline allows height challenged users the opportunity to slam-dunk and otherwise fulfill athletic basketball fantasies in a safe environment.”

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,557 Trampoline Basketball Game by inventor Edward W. Cole published Nov. 10, 1998 the abstract discloses, “A trampoline basketball game structure comprising an elevated horizontal rebound surface, two opposing and facing goals, and a resilient barrier separating the horizontal rebound surface into two playing areas is disclosed. Also disclosed is a game employing the structure.”

In United States publication number 20060058123 Basketball Hoop and Backboard For A Trampoline by inventor Mark Publicover published Mar. 16, 2006 the abstract discloses, “A padded basketball hoop is flexibly mounted to a backboard or other rigid vertical surface via an energy or shock absorbing connection device disposed between the backboard and the vertical surface supporting the hoop. The hoop responds to upward and downward vertical displacement by transferring energy to the shock absorbing connector, wherein the absorbing connector then urges said hoop to a substantially horizontal orientation. The hoop is particularly useful connection with play on a trampoline or other instances where players are likely to connect the rim during upward.”

In U.S. Pat. No. 4,846,469 Apparatus for flexibly mounting a basketball goal by inventor Stephen F. Nye published Jul. 11, 1989 the abstract discloses, “A basketball trampoline device includes a trampoline having a trampoline bed, an enclosure, and enclosure poles supporting the enclosure. The basketball traveling has an upper arch member attached to a first enclosure pole. A lower arch member is attached to a second enclosure pole. The upper arch member and the lower arch member form an arch member pair. A basketball backboard and hoop are mounted to the upper arch member and the lower arch member by at least three backboard connectors. An upper backboard connector connects to the upper arch member and a lower backboard connector connects to the lower arch member. The upper arch member is fitted above the lower arch member to form the arch member pair defining a crescent-shaped flexible extension frame.”

In U.S. Pat. No. 5,816,955 Apparatus For Flexibly Mounting A Basketball Goal by inventor Richard C. Nordgran et. al. published Oct. 6, 1998 the abstract discloses, “A mechanism for flexibly mounting a basketball goal to a backboard to permit the goal to retractably break away from the backboard if a force exceeding a threshold force is applied to the goal. The mechanism has at least one flexible mount disposed near the lower portion of the mounting plate of the goal which secures the lower portion of the mounting plate in flexible connection to the backboard. This flexible mount permits pivoting of the goal away from the backboard about a point near the lower portion of the mounting plate. The mechanism also has a biased mounting assembly disposed near the upper portion of the mounting plate and securing the upper portion of the mounting plate in biased abutment to the backboard. This biased mounting assembly is connected to the backboard in pivotal engagement to permit the upper portion of the mounting plate to separate from the backboard along a substantially arc-shaped path as the goal pivots about the point near the lower portion of the mounting plate. The biased mounting assembly has a pivotally mounted bolt, a pair of nuts, and a pair of springs, wherein each of the nuts secures at least one of the springs around a pivotally mounted bolt in abutment with the mounting plate. Due to the pivoting of the pivotally mounted bolt, damage to the backboard, goal, and pivotally mounted bolt is minimized or eliminated while maintaining a reliable break away ability.”

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A universal trampoline backboard mount has a backboard. The backboard includes a hoop connection configured for receiving a basketball hoop. A right post has a right post upper connector and a right post lower connector. A right upper line connects to the right post upper connector. The right upper line connects to the backboard. A right lower line connects to the right post lower connector. The right lower line connects to the backboard. The right lower line is mounted below the right upper line. A right enclosure pole adapter connects the right post to an upper end of a right enclosure pole. A left post has a left post upper connector and a left post lower connector. A left upper line connects to the left post upper connector. The left upper line connects to the backboard. A left lower line connects to the left post lower connector. The left lower line connects to the backboard. The left lower line is mounted below the left upper line. A left enclosure pole adapter connects the left post to an upper end of a left enclosure pole.

A left upper strap has a left upper grommet. The left upper strap connects to the backboard. The left upper grommet connects to the left upper line. A right upper strap has a right upper grommet. The right upper strap connects to the backboard and the right upper grommet connects to the right upper line. A left lower strap has a left lower grommet. The left lower strap connects to the backboard. The left lower grommet connects to the left lower line. A right lower strap has a right lower grommet. The right lower strap connects to the backboard. The right lower grommet connects to the right lower line. The hoop connection can be a magnetic connection.

Preferably, the right enclosure pole adapter and the left enclosure pole adapter both respectively have a right eyelet and a left eyelet. The right enclosure pole adapter and the left enclosure pole adapter both respectively have net hook, wherein the net hook is configured to connect to a net strap. The right enclosure pole adapter has a right post socket, wherein the right post socket is configured for receiving the right post, and the left enclosure pole adapter has a left post socket. The left post socket is configured for receiving the left post.

The right enclosure pole adapter has a right enclosure pole socket, wherein the right enclosure pole socket is configured to attach to a right enclosure pole, and the left enclosure pole adapter has a left enclosure pole socket. The left enclosure pole socket is configured to attach to a left enclosure pole. The right enclosure pole socket has a right leeway gap. The right leeway gap is configured for receiving a right collar insert wherein the left enclosure pole socket has a left leeway gap. The left leeway gap is configured for receiving a left collar insert.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the basketball backboard showing connection to a support post.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of an enclosure pole adapter 36.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the basketball backboard after assembly and mounting.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the enclosure pole adapter.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the enclosure pole adapter.

FIG. 6 is a cross section view of the enclosure pole adapter.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention enclosure pole adapter.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the enclosure pole adapter.

FIG. 9 is an installed view of the present invention on the trampoline showing the trampoline as a whole.

The following call out list of elements can be a useful guide in referencing the element numbers of the drawings.

• 20 Backboard
• 21 Right Upper Strap
• 22 Right Lower Grommet
• 23 Right Upper Line
• 24 Right Lower Line
• 25 Right Upper Grommet
• 26 Right Lower Grommet
• 27 Right Upper Clip
• 28 Right Lower Clip
• 29 Hoop Connection
• 30 Right Post
• 31 Right Post Upper Connector
• 32 Right Post Lower Connector
• 33 Net Hook
• 34 Left Eyelet
• 35 Right Eyelet
• 36 Enclosure Pole Adapter
• 37 Straight Collar Insert
• 38 Flange Collar Insert
• 39 Tapered Flange Collar Insert
• 40 Left Post
• 41 Left Upper Strap
• 42 Left Lower Strap
• 43 Left Upper Line
• 44 Left Lower Line
• 45 Left Upper Grommet
• 46 Left Lower Grommet
• 47 Left Upper Clip
• 48 Left Lower Clip
• 49 Basket Ball Hoop
• 50 Insert Gap
• 51 Small Diameter Enclosure Pole Upper End
• 52 Large Diameter Enclosure Pole Upper End
• 53 Set Screw
• 54 Hook Slot
• 55 Upper Locking Bolt
• 56 Lower Locking Bolt
• 57 First Inside Grip
• 58 Second Inside Grip
• 59 Enclosure Pole Socket
• 157 Post Socket
• 60 Trampoline Enclosure
• 61 Trampoline Net
• 62 Net Strap
• 63 Right Enclosure Pole
• 64 Left Enclosure Pole
• 65 Leeway Gap

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As seen in FIG. 1, a basketball backboard 20 has a front side and a rear side and is generally planar. The basketball backboard 20 can be made with a light foam or plastic panel structure. The basketball backboard 20 has a hoop connection 29 which could be made detachable for safety. The hoop connection 29 can be a magnetic connection or a hook and loop tape connection. The basketball backboard 20 has a connection structure to a pair of posts, namely a right post and a left post.

The right post 30 has a right post upper connector 31 and a right post lower connector 32. The right post can be a made of a metal tube or a polymer. The right post could also be made of a fiberglass tube. The backboard 20 has a right upper strap 21 and a right lower strap 22. The right upper strap 21 connects to the right upper post connection 31 via a right upper line 23 having a right upper clip 27. The right lower strap 22 connects to the right post lower connector 32 via a right lower line 24 having a right lower clip 28. The left post has a similar and preferably symmetrical connection structure.

As seen in FIG. 2, the right enclosure pole adapter 36 adapts the upper end of the right enclosure pole 63 of the trampoline to the right post 30 the enclosure pole adapter 30 has a right eyelet 35 and a left eyelet 34. A net hook 35 extends from a side wall of the enclosure pole adapter 36.

The right post lower connector 32 forms the socket that receives the upper end of the right enclosure pole 63. The right post lower connector 32 is formed at a lower end of the enclosure pole adapter 36. An upper end of the enclosure pole adapter 36 receives the right post 30 in an upward facing socket. The right post upper connector 31 is formed at an upper end of the right post 30, and the right post lower connector is formed as the right eyelet 35 and the left eyelet 34. The right lower clip 28 can connect to the left eyelet 34. The right lower strap 22 and the right lower line 24 are preferably elastic and can have a buckle to allow tightening. The net hook 33 that extends from the side wall of the enclosure pole adapter 36 can retain a net line for retaining the enclosure net.

A variety of different inserts can adapt the enclosure pole lower socket to the enclosure pole adapter 36. For example, the straight collar insert 37 can be selected. Alternatively, a flanged collar insert 38 can be selected for use with a large diameter enclosure pole upper end 52. Alternatively, a tapered flanged collar insert 39 can be used with a small diameter enclosure pole upper end 51. The insert can be made of a rubber, PVC or other elastomeric material that provides firm support but is also flexible. An insert gap 50 can be formed on the flanged collar insert 38 and the tapered flanged collar insert 39 to allow insertion of a small diameter enclosure pole upper end 51, or a large diameter enclosure pole upper and 52.

As seen in FIG. 3, a trampoline enclosure 60 has a net strap 62 that connects to the enclosure pole adapter 36. The enclosure pole adapter 36 connects to the left enclosure pole 64. The left enclosure pole 64 connects to the trampoline frame which has legs for engaging the ground. The net strap 62 supports the trampoline net 61. The left enclosure pole 64 adapts to the left post 40 at the enclosure pole adapter 36. The right post extends from the right enclosure pole, and the left post extends from the left enclosure pole.

The upper left strap 41 has an upper left grommet 45. The upper left grommet 45 connects to the upper left line 43. The upper left line 43 has a left upper clip 47 that connects to the left post. Similarly, the left lower strap 42 has a left lower grommet 46 and the left lower grommet 46 connects with a left lower line 44. The left lower line connects to a left lower clip 48. The left lower clip 48 is mounted next to the left post below the left upper clip 47. The basketball hoop 49 is thus supported on the backboard 20, and the backboard 20 is supported by four straps. The four straps are tensioned by four lines that are elastic. The four elastic lines retain the backboard 20 in an upright position.

As seen in FIG. 4, the set screw 53 secures the post socket 157 to the upper end of the enclosure pole adapter 36. The enclosure pole adapter 36 also has an upper locking bolt 55 and a lower and a lower locking bolt 56. The upper locking bolt and the lower locking bolt change a radius of the enclosure pole socket 59. As seen in FIG. 5, the set screw 53 can be formed above a hook slot 54, and the hook slot 54 can be formed as a cut away from the enclosure pole adapter 36.

As seen in FIG. 6, the right post 30 has an upper portion that forms a post socket 157. The post socket 157 is slightly larger than the right post 30. The set screw 53 retains the lower end of the right post 30. The left post is analogous in structure to the right post 30 and is preferably symmetrical, using the same parts. Since the enclosure pole adapter 36 is bilaterally symmetrical, the enclosure pole adapter 36 can be used for supporting the right or left side of the backboard. The set screw 53 can be a thin threaded machine screw, or a self tapping screw.

The hook slot 54 preferably has a rounded lower end to support a trampoline line or enclosure support ring. The hook slot 54 adapts to a circular cross-section enclosure support ring, or a flat steel enclosure support ring. The upper locking bolt 55 is preferably the same as the lower locking bolt 56. The upper and lower locking bolts cooperate to engage a plurality of inside grips mounted within the enclosure pole socket 59. The plurality of inside grips can include a first inside grip 57, and a second inside grip 58. The enclosure pole socket 59 is a cylindrical cavity that is downwardly oriented. The inside grips can be elastomeric and formed betweens. For example, the upper locking bolt 55 and the lower locking bolt 56 can bias closed a leeway gap 65 between a pair of sides of the enclosure pole adapter 36. The leeway gap allows the enclosure pole socket 59 to fit over and enclosure pole and then decrease in circumference so as to secure to the enclosure pole snugly.

As seen in FIG. 7, the net hook 33 can be recessed into the enclosure pole adapter 36. The combination of the locking bolts and the color inserts can allow the enclosure pole adapter 36 to adapt to a small diameter enclosure pole 51 and a large diameter enclosure pole 52. The set screw 53 can be mounted on a metal threaded nut that is molded with or thermally lodged to the plastic body of the enclosure pole adapter 36.

As seen in FIG. 8, the enclosure reported after 36 has a first inside grip 57, and a second inside grip 58

As seen in FIG. 9, the basketball hoop is mounted above the trampoline.

Claims

1. A trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount comprising:

a trampoline, wherein the trampoline includes a trampoline frame supporting a trampoline bed, wherein the trampoline bed is enclosed by a trampoline enclosure having a trampoline enclosure net;

a backboard, wherein the backboard includes a hoop connection configured for receiving a basketball hoop;

a right post having a right post upper connector and a right post lower connector, wherein the right post is part of the trampoline enclosure;

a right upper line connecting to the right post upper connector, wherein the right upper line connects to the backboard;

a right lower line connecting to the right post lower connector, wherein the right lower line connects to the backboard, wherein the right lower line is mounted below the right upper line;

a right enclosure pole adapter, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter connects the right post to an upper end of a right enclosure pole;

a left post having a left post upper connector and a left post lower connector, wherein the left post is part of the trampoline enclosure;

a left upper line connecting to the left post upper connector, wherein the left upper line connects to the backboard;

a left lower line connecting to the left post lower connector, wherein the left lower line connects to the backboard, wherein the left lower line is mounted below the left upper line; and

a left enclosure pole adapter, wherein the left enclosure pole adapter connects the left post to an upper end of a left enclosure pole.

2. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 1, further comprising:

a left upper strap having a left upper grommet, wherein the left upper strap connects to the backboard, wherein the left upper grommet connects to the left upper line;

a right upper strap having a right upper grommet, wherein the right upper strap connects to the backboard, wherein the right upper grommet connects to the right upper line;

a left lower strap having a left lower grommet, wherein the left lower strap connects to the backboard, wherein the left lower grommet connects to the left lower line;

a right lower strap having a right lower grommet, wherein the right lower strap connects to the backboard, wherein the right lower grommet connects to the right lower line.

3. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 1, wherein the hoop connection is a magnetic connection.

4. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 1, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter and the left enclosure pole adapter both respectively have a right eyelet and a left eyelet, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter further includes a right hook slot, and wherein the left enclosure pole adapter further includes a left hook slot.

5. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 1, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter and the left enclosure pole adapter both respectively have net hook, wherein the net hook is configured to connect to a net strap.

6. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 1, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter has a right post socket, wherein the right post socket is configured for receiving the right post, and wherein the left enclosure pole adapter has a left post socket, wherein the left post socket is configured for receiving the left post, wherein the right post socket has a right post socket inside grip, and wherein the left post socket has a left post socket inside grip.

7. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 1, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter has a right enclosure pole socket, wherein the right enclosure pole socket is configured to attach to a right enclosure pole, and wherein the left enclosure pole adapter has a left enclosure pole socket, wherein the left enclosure pole socket is configured to attach to a left enclosure pole.

8. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 7, wherein the right enclosure pole socket has a right leeway gap, wherein the right leeway gap is configured for receiving a right collar insert wherein the left enclosure pole socket has a left leeway gap, wherein the left leeway gap is configured for receiving a left collar insert.

9. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 8, further comprising:

a left upper strap having a left upper grommet, wherein the left upper strap connects to the backboard, wherein the left upper grommet connects to the left upper line;

a right upper strap having a right upper grommet, wherein the right upper strap connects to the backboard, wherein the right upper grommet connects to the right upper line;

a left lower strap having a left lower grommet, wherein the left lower strap connects to the backboard, wherein the left lower grommet connects to the left lower line;

a right lower strap having a right lower grommet, wherein the right lower strap connects to the backboard, wherein the right lower grommet connects to the right lower line.

10. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 9, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter and the left enclosure pole adapter both respectively have a right eyelet and a left eyelet.

11. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 10, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter and the left enclosure pole adapter both respectively have net hook, wherein the net hook is configured to connect to a net strap.

12. The trampoline with a universal trampoline backboard mount of claim 10, wherein the right enclosure pole adapter has a right post socket, wherein the right post socket is configured for receiving the right post, and wherein the left enclosure pole adapter has a left post socket, wherein the left post socket is configured for receiving the left post.