WALL MOUNTED BASKETBALL SYSTEM REINFORCEMENT BRACKETS

Abstract

A wall mounted basketball system with one or more reinforcement brackets to additionally secure the frame of a basketball system to a wall. Reinforcement brackets include a base configured to mount to a wall. The base defines an aperture through which one or more secondary fasteners are arranged to secure the bracket to the wall. The bracket further includes at least one hook configured to receive and/or retain a portion of a frame of the basketball system, such as an outwardly extending upper flange of the frame. The hooks provide a counterbalancing force to resist downward or rotational forces applied to the basketball system during use.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

Aspects of the present invention deal with basketball systems, and in particular deal with reinforcement brackets usable with wall mounted basketball systems.

BACKGROUND

Wall mounted basketball systems are commonly fastened into a wall via one or more fasteners arranged through a frame and/or basketball goal support structure. The basketball systems may be fastened in walls made from concrete, brick, block, wood, drywall, and/or other substances. However, the frame and/or basketball goal support structure and the fastener engagement may not be strong enough to fully support the basketball system when impacts occur during play and/or wear and tear over time. For example, when subjected to impacts, wall mounted basketball systems may experience issues with the fasteners becoming loose or losing their connection strength to the wall. As should be appreciated, the risk of a basketball system detaching from the wall during play and/or falling off of the wall without warning is undesirable.

A more secure mounting arrangement is desirable.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure include one or more brackets configured to supply additional reinforcement for wall mounted basketball systems.

Typically, a wall mounted basketball system includes a frame mounted to a wall. The frame is secured on the wall via one or more primary fasteners extending through the frame and engaging the wall. According to the embodiments disclosed herein, additional structural integrity is providing by using one or more reinforcement brackets placed to increase the securement of the frame to the wall. The reinforcement brackets include a base configured to mount to a wall and/or other substrate. The base defines an aperture through which one or more secondary fasteners are positioned to attach the bracket to the wall. In one example, the base is an L-shaped mounting flange. The bracket may be mounted to concrete, block, wood, drywall, oriented strand board (OSB), and/or other materials.

The bracket further captures and retains a portion of the base, for example using one or more hooks connected to the base. The hooks are configured to capture and/or retain a portion of the frame, such as an outwardly extending upper flange of the frame. As should be appreciated, the hooks add clamping force to secure the frame to the wall, thereby mitigating the risk of the basketball system pulling away from the wall and/or detaching from the wall. Furthermore, a downward angled force applied to the basketball system during use may attempt to apply a rotational force, wherein if loose the basketball system would rotate around a pivot axis defined by the lower edge of the frame. In certain embodiments, the hooks provide a resisting force along an upper portion of the frame, maximizing the distance and thus the effective resistance lever arm, between the upper portion and lower edge of the frame.

In one embodiment, the bracket is configured for use with traditional (e.g. non-adjustable) basketball systems. In another embodiment, the bracket is configured for use with adjustable basketball systems.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be readily appreciated, as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a representative embodiment of an adjustable basketball system with one or more reinforcement brackets according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a frame of the adjustable basketball system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reinforcement bracket of the adjustable basketball system of FIG. 1

FIG. 4 is a rear perspective view of the reinforcement bracket of the adjustable basketball system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the reinforcement bracket of the adjustable basketball system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the reinforcement bracket of the adjustable basketball system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a portion of the adjustable basketball system including the reinforcement brackets of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a side view of a portion of the adjustable basketball system including the reinforcement brackets of FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a representative embodiment of a non-adjustable basketball system with one or more reinforcement brackets according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a frame of the non-adjustable basketball system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 11 is a front view of the frame of the non-adjustable basketball system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the reinforcement bracket of the non-adjustable basketball system of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a rear perspective view of the reinforcement bracket of the non-adjustable basketball system of FIG. 9.

FIG. 14 is a side view of the reinforcement bracket of the non-adjustable basketball system of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the reinforcement bracket of the non-adjustable basketball system of FIG. 9.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a portion of the non-adjustable basketball system including the reinforcement brackets of FIG. 9.

FIG. 17 is a side view of a portion of the non-adjustable basketball system including the reinforcement brackets of FIG. 9.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

FIG. 1 shows an example of an adjustable basketball system 100. The adjustable basketball system 100 typically includes a backboard 105 secured to a wall 155 and/or other support structure via a frame 110. In one example, the backboard 105 is secured to a first end 142 of the frame 110 while a second end 145 of the frame 110 is secured to the wall 155. The backboard 105 includes a rim 115 configured to receive a ball, such as a basketball. In one example, the frame 110 includes a pair of upper support arms 120 and a pair of lower support arms 125. In one example, the upper support arms 120 and lower support arms 125 form an adjustable parallelogram 150, which enables a user to adjust the height of the rim 115 by adjusting the position of the parallelogram 150. For example, a user may adjust the height via a height adjustment system 135. The frame 110 further includes one or more crossmembers 130 configured to provide additional structural support to the upper support arms 120 and lower support arms 125.

In the illustrated embodiment, the adjustable basketball system 100 is attached to a wall 155 via one or more primary fasteners arranged through the frame 110. To provide additional security one or more reinforcement brackets 140 are also used. The reinforcement brackets 140 add additional support to the frame 110 by surrounding and securing a portion of the frame 110 to clamp the frame against the wall. For example, the reinforcement brackets 140 are secured into the wall 155, such as a concrete, brick, block, wood, and/or drywall wall, to provide additional structural support to the adjustable basketball system 100. As should be appreciated, the reinforcement brackets 140 mitigate the risk of the adjustable basketball system 100 detaching from the wall.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portion of the adjustable basketball system 100. The illustrated embodiment includes a pair of vertically oriented frame or anchor pieces 205 configured to secure the adjustable basketball system 100 to a wall and/or other support structure. The upper support arms 120 and a lower support arms 125 are secured to anchor pieces 205. The frame or anchor pieces 205 define a series of apertures configured to receive one or more primary fasteners 210 used to secure the frame or anchor pieces 205 to the wall. The frame 110 further includes a pair of horizontally oriented frame pieces, including upper frame piece 215 and lower frame piece 220. In certain preferred embodiments, the reinforcement brackets 140 engage the upper frame piece 215 to clamp it against the wall. In alternate embodiments, the reinforcement brackets 140 engage the lower frame piece 220 and/or to both the upper frame piece 215 and the lower frame piece 220. Alternately, reinforcement brackets may engage the vertically oriented frame pieces 205, and correspondingly may be oriented horizontally.

Looking at FIGS. 3 and 4, in the illustrated embodiment the reinforcement brackets 140 include a base 305 sandwiched between a pair of rear facing hook plates 310 mounted on either side of the base 305. In one example, the base 305 includes a rearward face 405 configured to contact and abut a surface of a wall. The base 305 defines an aperture 410 to enable a secondary fastener 720, such as a bolt, screw, nail, and/or other fastener to secure the reinforcement bracket 140 to the wall. In one example, the base 305 is L-shaped. In other examples, the base 305 may define other shapes. The hook plates 310 are configured to engage a portion of the frame 110 of the adjustable basketball system 100. For example, the hooks plates 310 are configured to receive and/or lock into the upper frame piece 215 of the frame 110. In another example, a flange extending from the upper frame piece 215 is inserted into a slot 515 defined by the hook plate 310 during mounting of the reinforcement brackets 140.

In use, first the frame of the basketball system is placed against a wall and secured using one or more primary fasteners. Then the reinforcement brackets 140 are advanced towards the wall 155 to engage the upper frame piece and until the face 405 of the bracket abuts the wall 155. Thereby, the upper frame piece 215 is secured by the reinforcement brackets. A secondary fastener is then advanced through each aperture 410 to secure each reinforcement bracket 140 to the wall 155. The reinforcement brackets 140 add additional structural support to the adjustable basketball system 100 via an additional point of contact with the wall. Thus, gravitational and/or impact forces applied to the frame 110 are further counterbalanced via the reinforcement brackets 140, which mitigate the risk of the adjustable basketball system 100 becoming loose or detaching from the wall.

As should be appreciated, the arrangement of the reinforcement brackets 140 along the upper portion maximize the opposition to rotational forces applied to the basketball system 100. For example, an angled impact force may apply a rotational torque force to the basketball system 100 about an axis formed by the lower frame piece 220. Reinforcement brackets 140 along the upper portion resist such torque with a maximum effective lever arm.

As shown in FIG. 5, the reinforcement brackets 140 include a body 502 with a series of contoured sections corresponding to a shape of the frame 110 of the adjustable basketball system 100 and the wall. For example, the reinforcement brackets 140 may include a first section 505, a second section 510, a slot 515, and a protrusion 520. The first section 505 is configured to abut the wall 155 when the reinforcement brackets 140 are mounted on the frame 110. The second section 510 is configured to rest against the surface of a portion of an upward extending flange of the upper frame piece. By engaging the upper frame piece along an extended surface, force applied between the frame 110 and the reinforcement bracket is dispersed along the increased surface area.

The slot 515 is configured to receive and secure an outwardly extending portion of the upper frame piece 215 when the reinforcement brackets 140 are mounted on the frame 110. The hook protrusion 520 extends below a portion of the upper frame piece 215 to lock the upper frame piece into the slot.

As can be seen in FIG. 6, the base 305 of the reinforcement brackets 140 has a back 605 and a leg 610. The back 605 and the leg 610 form an L-shape, such that the leg 610 extends transverse from the back 605. In use, the back 605 of the base 305 is aligned parallel with and abuts the wall, while the leg 610 extends perpendicular to the wall. In the illustrated example, the hook plates 310 are fixed to the base 305, for example via welds 615. The welds 615 provide structural integrity and support to the reinforcement brackets 140. In other examples, the base 305 and the hooks 310 may be secured together via other fasteners, such as screws, bolts, nails, adhesive, and/or other fasteners. In yet another embodiment, the base 305 and the hook plates 310 may form a unitary reinforcement bracket 140, such that the hook plates 310 are integral with the base flange 305, for example via metal or plastic molding or a precut section of metal bent into the desired shape.

FIGS. 7 and 8 show examples of reinforcement brackets 140 secured to the frame 110. The upper frame piece 215 of the frame 110 has a vertical back 705 and a horizontal leg 710, which form an L-shape. The back 705 of the upper flange 215 is configured to interface with the second section 510 of the reinforcement brackets 140 and is clamped against wall 155. As mentioned previously, this configuration assists in force dispersion via the increased surface area of the connection. The horizontal leg 710 of the upper flange 215 extends within the slot 515 of the reinforcement brackets 140, while the hook protrusion 520 of the reinforcement brackets 140 extends below the leg 710. The protrusion 520 is configured to abut a bottom portion 715 of the leg 710.

As example secondary fasteners 720, the reinforcement brackets 140 may be secured to a brick and/or concrete wall via one or more concrete anchors. The reinforcement brackets 140 may be secured to a wood wall via one or more nuts and bolts, nails and/or screws, or the reinforcement brackets 140 may be secured into drywall via screws and drywall anchors.

In an alternate embodiment, FIG. 9 shows an example of a non-adjustable basketball system 900. The non-adjustable basketball system 900 includes many of the same components as the adjustable basketball system 100 described previously. Thus, for the sake of brevity as well as clarity, these components will not be described in detail. The non-adjustable basketball system 900 includes a frame 910 configured to mount the non-adjustable basketball system 900 to a wall 155, such as a concrete, block, wood, OSB, drywall, and/or other type of wall. In one example, the frame 910 mounts to the backboard 105 at a first end 942 and mounts to the wall 155 at a second, opposite, end 945. The non-adjustable basketball system 900 further includes one or more reinforcement brackets 940. The reinforcement brackets 940 are configured to mate with a portion of the frame 910 to provide additional securement force to the non-adjustable basketball system 900.

FIGS. 10 and 11 shows examples of the frame 910. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 910 includes a backplate 1005 with one or more apertures configured to receive one or more primary fasteners 1020. As illustrated, a planar backplate 1005 is configured to rest flush against the wall 155. The primary fasteners 1020 secure the frame 910 to the wall 155. The frame 910 further includes a pair of sides 1010, an upper flange 1015, and a lower flange 1025, for example formed as flanges where each is bent to extend outward/forward from the backplate 1005. In one embodiment, the reinforcement brackets 940 are configured to engage with the upper flange 1015 to provide additional security to the frame 910. However, in other embodiments, the reinforcement brackets 940 may mount to the sides 1010, upper flange 1015, lower flange 1025, and/or any combination thereof. The reinforcement brackets 940 are typically secured into the wall via one or more secondary fasteners 1105 such as bolts, screws or other types of anchoring fasteners.

In a typical mounting arrangement, the backplate 1005 is first secured to the wall 155 via the primary fasteners 1020. Following this, the upper flange 1015 is inserted into a slot defined by each reinforcement brackets 140. The reinforcement bracket 140 is advanced towards the wall until the reinforcement bracket 940 abuts the wall 155. The reinforcement bracket 940 is then secured to the wall via secondary fasteners 1105.

FIGS. 12 and 13 show examples of the reinforcement brackets 940. The illustrated reinforcement brackets 940 include a base 1205 sandwiched between a pair of hook plates 1210 mounted on either side of the base 1205. In one example, the base 1205 includes a face 1305 configured to abut a surface of the wall 155. The base 1205 further defines an aperture 1310 to enable a fastener, such as a bolt, screw, nail, and/or other fastener to secure the reinforcement bracket 940 to the wall 155. In one embodiment, the base may be L-shaped. The hook plates 1210 are configured to engage with the frame 910 of the fixed basketball system 900. For example, the hook plates 1210 are configured to receive and/or lock in place the upper flange 1015 of the frame 910. In certain examples, the upper flange 1015 is inserted into a slot defined by the hook plates 1210.

The reinforcement brackets 940 add additional support to the fixed basketball system 900 via an additional point of contact with the wall. Thus, gravitational and/or impact forces applied to the frame 910 are additionally resisted via the reinforcement brackets 940, which mitigate the risk of the adjustable basketball system 900 detaching from the wall. For example, impacts to the basketball system would tend to impart a rotational force to the basketball system 900, with rotation attempting to occur about an axis formed by the lower flange 1025. As should be appreciated, since the reinforcement brackets 940 are mounted to the upper frame piece 1015, it maximizes resistance to rotational forces applied to the basketball system 900.

As can be seen in FIG. 14, the reinforcement brackets 940 have a body 1402 with different sections and/or portions contoured to align with the upper flange 1015 and/or frame 910. For example, the reinforcement brackets 940 have a first section 1405 configured to abut the wall 155 when the reinforcement brackets 940 are mounted to the upper flange 1015. The reinforcement brackets 940 further include a slot 1415 configured to receive the outwardly extending portion of the upper frame piece 1015, such that a “positive lock” forms between the reinforcement brackets 940 and the frame 910. To assist in retention and force mitigation of the frame 910, a protrusion 1420 extends from the reinforcement brackets 940. The protrusion 1420 extends below the upper frame piece 1015 to lock the frame piece in place.

As can be seen in FIG. 15, the base 1205 of the reinforcement brackets 940 has a back 1505 and a leg 1510. The back 1505 and the leg 1510 form an L-shape, such that the leg 1510 extends transverse from the back 1505. In use, the back 1505 of the base 1205 is aligned parallel with and abuts the wall 155, while the leg 1510 extends perpendicular to the wall 155. In the illustrated example, the hook plates 1210 are fixed to the base 1205 via a series of welds 1515. The welds 1515 provide structural integrity and support to the reinforcement brackets 940. In other examples, the base 1205 and the hook plates 1210 may be secured together via other fasteners, such as screws, bolts, nails, or adhesive. In yet another embodiment, the base 1205 and the hook plates 1210 may form an integrated reinforcement bracket 940, such as one piece of bent or molded metal or molded plastic.

FIGS. 16 and 17 show examples of the reinforcement brackets 940 mounted to the upper frame piece 1015 of the frame 110. The upper frame piece 1015 is configured to extend within the slot 1415 of the reinforcement brackets 940, with the first section 1405 and the protrusion 1420 on either side of the upper frame piece 1015. Additionally, the leg 1510 is configured to rest adjacent the upper frame piece 1015, such that the upper flange 1015 and the leg 1510 are in contact. Put differently, the reinforcement bracket 940 is arranged such that the leg 1510 of the base 1205 abuts a top portion 1610 of the upper frame piece 1015 and the protrusion 1420 abuts a lower portion 1605 of the upper frame piece 1015. As should be appreciated, the first section 1405 and protrusion 1420 are oriented such that the first section 1405 rests flat against the wall 155. Thus, a secure connection between the reinforcement brackets 940 and the wall 155 is established via the secondary fastener 1105, such as a screw, nail, nut, bolt, adhesive, and/or other fastener.

While the disclosure 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 and modifications that come within the spirit of the disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

1. A method of mounting a basketball system, comprising:

placing an end of a frame of the basketball system against a wall, wherein the basketball system includes a backboard and a rim,

securing the end of the frame of the basketball system to the wall using one or more primary fasteners;

inserting a portion of the frame into a slot defined in a reinforcement bracket;

advancing the reinforcement bracket until a rearward face of the reinforcement bracket abuts the wall while retaining the portion in the slot; and,

securing the reinforcement bracket to the wall using a secondary fastener.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the frame includes an upper frame piece and wherein the portion of the frame inserted into the slot is the upper frame piece.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the upper frame piece has an outwardly extending leg portion; wherein the portion of the frame inserted into the slot is the outwardly extending leg portion.

4. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 3, comprising inserting the leg portion of the upper frame piece into a second slot defined in a second reinforcement bracket;

advancing the second reinforcement bracket until a rearward face of the second reinforcement bracket abuts the wall while retaining the leg portion in the slot; and,

securing the second reinforcement bracket to the wall using a secondary fastener.

5. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 4, wherein a protrusion of the reinforcement bracket abuts a lower portion of the upper frame piece.

6. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement bracket includes a body with a series of contoured sections along a rear side, including a first section is configured to abut the wall and a second section configured to engage and clamp an upward extending flange of the frame against the wall.

7. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 1, wherein the reinforcement bracket includes a base arranged between a pair of hook plates, wherein the base includes an aperture configured to receive a fastener.

8. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 7, wherein the base includes a back portion is arranged parallel the wall when the reinforcement bracket is mounted to the wall, and wherein a leg portion is extends perpendicular the wall when the reinforcement bracket is mounted to the wall.

9. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 7, wherein a leg portion abuts a top portion of an upper frame piece when the reinforcement bracket is mounted on the frame.

10. A method of mounting a basketball system, comprising:

placing an end of a frame of the basketball system which includes a backboard and a rim, against a wall, wherein the end of the frame includes an upper frame piece, and wherein the upper frame piece has an outwardly extending leg portion and an upwardly extending back portion;

securing the end of the frame to the wall using one or more primary fasteners;

inserting the leg portion of the upper frame piece into a slot defined by at least one reinforcement bracket;

advancing the reinforcement bracket such that a contoured portion of a rear face of the reinforcement bracket engages the upwardly extending back portion of the upper frame piece;

advancing the reinforcement bracket until a rearward face of the reinforcement bracket abuts the wall; and,

securing the reinforcement bracket to the wall via one or more secondary fasteners.

11. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement bracket includes two reinforcement brackets.

12. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 10, wherein the reinforcement bracket includes an L-shaped base arranged between a pair of hook plates.

13. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 12, wherein the hook plates include a body and a protrusion together defining the slot.

14. The method of mounting a basketball system of claim 13, wherein the protrusion abuts a lower portion of the upper frame piece when the reinforcement bracket is mounted on the frame.

15. A basketball system, comprising:

a backboard;

a rim mounted to the backboard;

a frame with a first end and a second end, wherein the first end mounts to the backboard, and wherein the second end mounts to a wall via one or more primary fasteners;

at least one reinforcement bracket;

wherein the reinforcement bracket includes at least one hook portion defining a slot configured to receive and engage a portion of the frame; and

wherein reinforcement bracket abuts the wall when the slot receives a portion of the frame, and wherein the reinforcement bracket is secured to the wall via one or more secondary fasteners.

16. The basketball system of claim 15, wherein the portion of the frame received in the slot is a flange extending perpendicular to the wall.

17. The basketball system of claim 16, wherein the flange extends horizontally along an upper piece of the frame.

18. The basketball system of claim 16, wherein the flange extends horizontally along a lower piece of the frame.

19. The basketball system of claim 16, wherein the flange extends vertically along a side of the frame.

20. The basketball system of claim 15, wherein the at least one reinforcement bracket comprises a pair of reinforcement brackets.