BASKETBALL SYSTEM SHAKE REDUCTION SYSTEM
A device to assist a basketball assembly in returning to a static state (i.e., a device to reduce vibrations) after the basketball assembly has been impacted by a basketball or a player. The device includes a weight (i.e., a mass) atop a rubber/urethane rod. The device is configured to allow the weight to oscillate in the plane of the force of the impact. Simultaneously, the rubber/urethane rod absorbs the vibrational energy of the impact. The combination of the weight and the rod assist the basketball assembly to return to a static position more quickly.
Latest Indian Industries, Inc. Patents:
Aspects of the present invention deal with accessories for basketball assemblies (i.e., basketball goals and basketball posts). More particularly, the present invention deals with devices to reduce vibrations and/or shaking of the basketball assembly.
BACKGROUNDIn the popular sport of basketball, normal play includes impacts against the basketball goal assembly, primarily the backboard assembly. Impacts can occur from the basketball striking the backboard or rim assembly or from player contact, such as hanging on the rim assembly. Correspondingly, the impact can cause a vibration in the basketball goal structure. Such vibrations can interfere with later shots at the basket and can contribute to wear and tear on the goal assembly. Accordingly, it is desirable for the basketball goal assembly to return to a static, non-vibrating state as soon as possible after an impact. For example, NCAA rules require official competition backboards to return to a static state within four seconds of an impact.
The time necessary for a basketball goal system to naturally return or dampen to a static state is a function, among other variables, of its mass and rigidity. Typically, the approach to reducing vibrations has been to use a heavier mass and more rigid mountings and materials. However, such an approach adds weight and cost to a basketball goal assembly.
The concerns in pole mounted basketball goal assemblies are of especial concern because in pole-based arrangements the basketball backboard assembly functions as a weight mounted at the end of a cantilevered lever arm extending from a base, creating a leveraging effect against the base. Traditional pole mounted systems have correspondingly had to balance a longer natural damping time before the system returns to a static state versus using heavy materials and a secure or heavy base to minimize the goal's natural damping time.
Arrangements to accelerate damping and to minimize the damping time for basketball goal assemblies are desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONCertain disclosed embodiments include a basketball assembly including a basketball rim assembly attached to a backboard. The backboard is attached to a basketball goal post. A damper reduces the intensity and duration of vibrations transferred to the basketball assembly during use. Vibrations are transferred to the basketball assembly via impacts of either the basketball or a player during play. The damper is configured to reduce the time it takes the basketball goal to return to a static state so the shaking of the basketball assembly does not interfere with ongoing play.
In some embodiments, the damper is mounted to the goal post of the basketball assembly. For example, this can be accomplished by mounting the damper on a top surface of the goal post or by securing the damper to a top portion of the goal post. In other embodiments, for example using a hollow goal post, the damper can be mounted inside the upper end of the goal post.
An example embodiment of the damper includes a weight (e.g., a mass) coupled to an end of an elastic, flexible rod (i.e., rubber or urethane). When a basketball or player impacts the basketball goal assembly, vibrational energy is transferred to the assembly. The energy is then transferred from the assembly to the damper. Further, the impact and the flex of the elastic rod cause the weight to oscillate counter to the goal system. Importantly, the weight may move radially in any direction (i.e., 360°). Thus, the weight can oscillate in a plane aligned with the force of the impact from the basketball and/or player, which more efficiently dissipates the vibrational energy transferred to the basketball goal assembly.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
With respect to the specification and claims, it should be noted that the singular forms “a”, “an”. “the”, and the like include plural referents unless expressly discussed otherwise. As an illustration, references to “a device” or “the device” include one or more of such devices and equivalents thereof. It also should be noted that directional terms, such as “up”, “down”, “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear” and the like, are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader in order to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is not the intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the described, illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or orientation.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a dampening apparatus operatively attached or for attachment to a basketball goal assembly.
Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to a representative basketball goal assembly 100 illustrated in
Embodiments of the present disclosure also include basketball goal assemblies with slanted, segmented and/or curvilinear posts and basketball goal assemblies that are not mounted on a post. For example, some basketball goal assemblies are mounted on a wall and/or are suspended from a ceiling. As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, different arrangements of basketball goal assemblies are contemplated by the inventor(s) of the present disclosure and the embodiments illustrated and described in the present disclosure may be modified for the various arrangements of basketball goal assemblies.
The damper 10 includes a flexible, vertical rod 30 and a weighted mass 35 (discussed in more detail below) that are configured to oscillate in counterpoint to the vibrations of the basketball assembly 100 after an external impact. When an impact occurs, due to inertia, the basketball assembly begins moving before the weight, slightly flexing the rod. As the force is transferred from the assembly 100 to the damper 10, the rod urges the mass in the same direction, while the assembly then rebounds and oscillates. In effect, the rebound of the assembly 100 is opposite the rebound movement of the mass. By oscillating in counterpoint (i.e., out-of-phase) with the movement of the assembly 100, the rod 30 and mass 35 dampen the vibration/shaking felt by the assembly 100. Specifically, when an external force impacts assembly 100, the inertia of the weight 35 causes a slight temporal delay in the weight's 35 movement relative to the movement of the assembly 100. This temporal delay causes the weight 35 to move in counterpoint to the movement of the assembly 100. Simultaneously, the elasticity of the rod 30 provides a restoring force that attempts to return the rod 30 and weight 35 to equilibrium. However, the inertia of the weight 35 also causes the damper 10 to overshoot equilibrium, and thus oscillate. Therefore, the rod 30 and weight 35 oscillate in counterpoint to the movement of assembly 100.
The flexible rod 30 can flex forward, rearward, laterally, or at any angle, which allows the mass 35 to move in any radial direction in a 360° range relative to its central axis to counteract external forces applied from any direction. The flexible rod 30 is configured to allow the mass 35 to oscillate in the plane of the impact.
As shown in this example, the horizontal component of impact force F1 impacts the assembly 100 perpendicularly relative to the vertical axis of the flexible rod 30. The horizontal component of the impact force and the vertical axis of the flexible rod define an x-z plane aligned with the direction of impact. As the impact force reverberates through assembly 100, the upper end of the flexible rod 30 and the weight 35 then oscillate in counterpoint to the vibration/movement of assembly 100. Specifically, upon an impact the flexible rod 30 and the weight 35 begin to oscillate in alignment with the specific x-z plane defined by the direction of impact. To clarify, to account for various directions of impact, the flexible rod 30 and weight 35 are able to radially flex in any direction within the x-y plane consistent with arrows A, yet with respect to a specific impact the flexible rod 30 and weight 35 will flex and oscillate within the specific x-z plane defined by that specific impact force F1. The oscillation of the upper end of the flexible rod 30 and the weight 35 dissipates the vibrational energy felt by the overall assembly 100. Thus, damper 10 reduces the amount of time it takes for assembly 100 to return to a static state.
The damper 10 includes a base plate 70 that is securely attached to the top end 104 of the goal post 102. The goal post 102 can have a solid or hollow top end 104. The damper 10 includes a clamp 65. Clamp 65 includes one or more sidewalls that define a cavity configured to match the shape of rod 30. For example, clamp 65 may have a semi-circular shape to correspond to the shape of rod 30. Clamp 65 may be any shape suitable to surround and hold the rod 30, which may also take any shape. In some embodiments, clamp 65 may include a floor plate (not shown) configured to support and hold the distal end (relative to weight 35) of rod 30. Alternatively, a floor plate may extend outward from base plate 70, perpendicularly to rod 30. Clamp 65 includes fasteners 75 to attach clamp 65 to base plate 70 with rod 30 placed therebetween. When fasteners 75 are engaged, rod 30 is supported and held along the vertical axis of goal post 102. Fasteners 75, as illustrated, may include bolts configured to attach clamp 65 to base plate 70. However, other attachment mechanisms are envisioned. For example, fasteners 75 may include bolts, nuts, screws, nails, clamps, clasps, adhesives, or any other suitable attachment means that are known to those of skill in the art. Further, alternative embodiments of top cover 15 and bottom cover 20 are envisioned with the embodiment of damper 10 illustrated in
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include methods for mounting a damper 10 on a basketball goal assembly. Broadly, the steps include providing a basketball backboard and rim assembly and optionally also providing a support pole to which the basketball backboard and rim assembly can be mounted. The steps further broadly include mounting a base 25 and/or base plate 70 near the top end 104 of the goal post 102 of basketball assembly 100. The lower end of the flexible rod 30 is attached to the base 25 or the base plate 70. The weight 35 is attached to the upper end of the flexible rod 30. Optionally, at least the weight 35 and the flexible rod 30 are covered with sufficient interior space such that movement of weight 35 and rod 30 is not inhibited by a top cover 15 and a bottom cover 20. One particular method is described with reference to
It will be apparent to one of skill in the art that other, alternative methods of attaching damper 10 to basketball assembly 102 may be employed. For example, the top portion of basketball goal post 102 may be removed to allow damper 10 to be secured within a hollow end of goal post 102. Additionally, the methods recited herein are not intended to refer to any particular order of operations, but are rather discussed without reference to sequence.
It should further be appreciated that damper 10 can be used in conjunction with basketball goal posts 102 of various shapes and sizes.
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
Claims
1. A damper for a basketball goal assembly, comprising:
- a base selectively attachable to a top end of a goal post of a basketball goal assembly;
- a flexible rod extending vertically from the base, wherein an upper end of the flexible rod is configured to flex radially at any angle within 360 degrees in an x-y plane perpendicular to a central vertical axis of the flexible rod; and
- a weighted mass coupled to the upper end of the flexible rod;
- wherein upon an impact force being applied to the basketball assembly, the weighted mass and the upper end of the flexible rod oscillate in counterpoint to the basketball goal assembly in an x-z plane defined by the direction of impact and the central vertical axis of the flexible rod to dampen vibration of the basketball goal assembly.
2. The damper of claim 1, wherein the goal post has a hollow top end and the base is installed in the top end of the goal post.
3. The damper of claim 1, wherein the flexible rod is made of rubber and/or urethane.
4. The damper of claim 1, wherein the damper includes a cover secured to the post of the basketball goal assembly and configured to surround and protect at least the flexible rod and the weighted mass of the damper without inhibiting the radial movement of the flexible rod and the weighted mass.
5. The damper of claim 4, wherein the cover comprises a top cover and a bottom cover;
- wherein the top cover is operatively coupled to the bottom cover; and
- wherein the bottom cover is operatively coupled to the top end of the post of the basketball goal assembly and/or the base of the damper.
6. The damper of claim 1, wherein the base is selectively attachable to the top end of the goal post by a j-bolt configured to clamp to a crossarm bolt of the basketball goal assembly by rotating about its central axis such that a lateral arm of the j-bolt is positioned perpendicular relative to the crossarm bolt.
7. The damper of claim 6, wherein the base includes a flange that acts as a backstop to ensure that the lateral arm of the j-bolt is rotated to a perpendicular position relative to the crossarm bolt.
8. The damper of claim 6, wherein the base is further selectively attachable to the top end of the basketball goal assembly by one or more wedges configured to slide outward as they are tightened to the base, effectively increasing the width of the base to clamp it within the top end of the goal post.
9. The damper of claim 1, wherein the flexible rod is attached to the base via adhesives and/or fasteners.
10. The damper of claim 9, wherein the base includes a cavity configured to support and receive a lower end of the flexible rod.
11. The damper of claim 1, wherein the weighted mass is attached to the flexible rod via adhesives and/or fasteners.
12. The damper of claim 11, wherein the weighed mass includes a bore configured to receive the upper end of the flexible rod.
13. A damper for a basketball goal assembly, comprising:
- a base plate attachable to an outer surface of a top end of a goal post of a basketball goal assembly;
- a flexible rod extending from the base plate parallel to the vertical axis of the basketball goal assembly wherein the flexible rod defines a central vertical axis;
- a weighted mass coupled to the flexible rod;
- wherein an upper end of the flexible rod and the weighted mass are configured to flex radially at any angle within 360 degrees in an x-y plane perpendicular relative to the central vertical axis of the flexible rod;
- a clamp configured to receive and hold the flexible rod, wherein the clamp is securely attachable to the base plate such that the flexible rod is secured between the clamp and the base plate;
- wherein upon an impact force being applied to the basketball assembly, the weighted mass and the upper end of the flexible rod oscillate in counterpoint to the basketball goal assembly in an x-z plane defined by the direction of impact and the central vertical axis of the flexible rod to dampen vibration of the basketball goal assembly.
14. The damper of claim 13, wherein the flexible rod is made of rubber and/or urethane.
15. The damper of claim 13, wherein the damper includes a cover configured to surround and protect at least the flexible rod and the weighted mass of the damper without inhibiting the radial movement of the flexible rod and the weighted mass.
16. A kit for use in damping the movement of a basketball goal assembly after an impact on the basketball goal assembly, the kit comprising:
- a flexible rod selectively attachable to a top end of a goal post of a basketball goal assembly, wherein the flexible rod defines a central vertical axis; and
- a weighted mass securable to an upper end of the flexible rod;
- wherein when assembled an upper end of the flexible rod and the weighted mass are configured to flex radially at any angle within 360 degrees in an x-y plane perpendicular to the central vertical axis of the flexible rod;
- wherein upon an impact force being applied to the basketball goal assembly, the weighted mass and the upper end of the flexible rod oscillate in counterpoint to the basketball goal assembly in an x-z plane defined by the direction of impact and the central vertical axis of the flexible rod to dampen vibration of the basketball goal assembly.
17. The kit of claim 16 comprising a base installable in a hollow top end of the goal post, and wherein a lower end of the flexible rod is attachable to the base to secure the flexible rod to the goal post.
18. The kit of claim 17, wherein the base comprises a j-bolt configured to vertically secure the base to a crossarm bolt of the basketball goal assembly and one or more wedges configured to slide outward as they are tightened to the base to horizontally secure the base within the top end of the goal post.
19. The kit of claim 16 comprising a clamp assembly installable adjacent a top end of the goal post and configured to secure a lower end of the flexible rod to the goal post.
20. The kit of claim 16, wherein the kit comprising a cover connectable to the base and/or the top end of the goal post configured to surround and protect at least the flexible rod and the weighted mass of the damper without inhibiting the movement of the flexible rod and the weighted mass.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 20, 2023
Publication Date: Oct 5, 2023
Applicant: Indian Industries, Inc. (Evansville, IN)
Inventors: Clay Seitz (Evansville, IN), Robert Cornell (Evansville, IN)
Application Number: 18/123,548