Suspended Patents (Class 473/482)
  • Patent number: 11642564
    Abstract: An exercise machine may include a frame, a resistance mechanism supported by the frame, first and second pull cables supported by the frame and linked to the resistance mechanism, a power rack attached to the frame, first and second handles selectively attachable to the first and second pull cable, and first and second pulleys. The power rack includes upright posts configured to have barbell holders adjustably attached thereto such that the barbell holders are configured to be adjusted in various positions between highest positions and lowest positions on the upright posts. The pulleys are configured to selectively receive the pull cables to enable the pull cables to be selectively attached to a barbell to assist or hinder a user in lifting the barbell in a combined cable and free weight workout, the pull cables decoupled from the pulleys for cable workouts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: iFIT Inc.
    Inventor: Scott R. Watterson
  • Publication number: 20140187359
    Abstract: A suspension basketball board has a backboard, a basketball hoop and at least one hanging device. The at least one hanging device is mounted on the back surface of the backboard. Each one of the at least one hanging device has a hanger and at least one clamping panel. The at least one clamping panel connects to the hanger and is resilient relative to the hanger. When the suspension basketball board is in use, the door is clamped between the backboard and the at least one clamping panel. As the at least one clamping panel connects to the hanger and is resilient relative to the hanger, the at least one clamping panel can abut doors of different thicknesses. Thus, the suspension basketball board can be horizontally and stably mounted on a door of any thickness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Inventor: Keng-Fong Chu
  • Publication number: 20130143697
    Abstract: The miniature basketball hoop of the present: invention includes a rectangular backboard having front and rear faces, The backboard is transparent substantially across its entire area. A pair of spaced apart hooks are provided on the top of the backboard to hook the backboard over the top of a door. The hoop includes a break-away rim mounted to the front of the backboard, and sound dampening material on the rear face of the backboard, so as to minimize sound when a bail hits the backboard or rim during use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Pro Performance Sports
    Inventor: Thomas A.M. Quinn
  • Patent number: 6776733
    Abstract: An overhead supported net system including a net and a spaced pair of masts pivotally connected to an overhead structure to pivot about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the net between a stored position and a play position. A pair of braces are connected to the overhead structure and the masts to lock the masts in the play position. The mast terminates short of the floor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Porter Athletic Equipment Company
    Inventor: Edward A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6699146
    Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal system allowing for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal system including a rigid support pole having a first end, a second opposing end, and an intermediate body portion disposed between the first and second ends. A first parallelogrammic structure configured to pivotally engage the first end of the rigid support. A basketball goal attached to the first parallelogrammic structure. The first deformable parallelogrammic structure may be deformed into a plurality of configurations resulting in an adjustment to the height of the basketball goal above the playing surface corresponding to each configuration. A second parallelogrammic structure, which may also be deformed into a plurality of configurations, includes a first end pivotally connected to the first parallelogrammic structure and a second opposing end configured to pivotally engage the rigid support pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Edward G. van Nimwegen, Coplan E. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6645095
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a basketball goal assembly with a basketball goal supported over a playing surface by a deformable goal support structure connected to a support pole. The deformable goal support structure may be connected to an adjustment collar configured to selectively slide over a series of holes arrayed along a portion of the length of the support pole. The adjustment collar may have a handle and a trigger, through which a user can retract an extension within the collar from a hole. The user can then slide the adjustment collar along the support pole until the extension is aligned over the desired hole and release the trigger, so that the adjustment collar locks in place, thereby locking the basketball goal at the desired height. The adjustment collar may be connected to the goal support structure by an adjustment arm pivotally attached to the goal support structure and the adjustment collar. The adjustment arm may be retained by the trigger, or by a housing of the adjustment collar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: S. Curtis Nye, David C. Winter
  • Patent number: 6511391
    Abstract: An overhead sport assembly includes a mast pivotally coupled to an overhead structure near a first end of the mast, and a sport apparatus, such as a basketball goal or volleyball net, for example, coupled near a second end of the mast. A pair of braces hold the masts in the play position. The braces include a first brace with a first end pivotally coupled to an overhead structure at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast, and a second brace with a first end pivotally connected to the mast at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast. The second ends of the braces are pivotally coupled to a connector at respective pivot points displaced from one another along the connector. The braces and the connector being cooperatively configured to allow the braces to pivot from the stowed position to the play position, and further configured to prevent further rotation past the play position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2003
    Assignee: Porter Athletic Equipment Company
    Inventor: Edward A. Schroeder
  • Publication number: 20020147063
    Abstract: An overhead sport assembly includes a mast pivotally coupled to an overhead structure near a first end of the mast, and a sport apparatus, such as a basketball goal or volleyball net, for example, coupled near a second end of the mast. A pair of braces hold the masts in the play position. The braces include a first brace with a first end pivotally coupled to an overhead structure at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast, and a second brace with a first end pivotally connected to the mast at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast. The second ends of the braces are pivotally coupled to a connector at respective pivot points displaced from one another along the connector. The braces and the connector being cooperatively configured to allow the braces to pivot from the stowed position to the play position, and further configured to prevent further rotation past the play position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 10, 2002
    Applicant: Porter Athletic Equipment Company
    Inventor: Edward A. Schroeder
  • Patent number: 6422957
    Abstract: A basketball goal assembly having a quick-release, self-adjusting adjustable latch mechanism for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface is disclosed. The basketball goal assembly includes a deformable goal support structure pivotally attached at a first end of a support pole. An extension arm includes a first end pivotally connected to the goal support structure and a second opposing end having a locking tab attached thereto for selective engagement with a plurality of slots associated with the support pole. An adjustment mechanism disposed in relation to the extension arm selectively deforms the goal support structure, thereby adjusting the height of the basketball goal in relation to the playing surface. A biasing member is operably disposed in relation to the goal support structure to assist in controlling adjustment in the height of the basketball goal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2002
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, S. Curtis Nye
  • Patent number: 6419598
    Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal system allowing for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal system including a rigid support pole having a first end, a second opposing end, and an intermediate body portion disposed between the first and second ends. A first parallelogrammic structure configured to pivotally engage the first end of the rigid support. A basketball goal attached to the first parallelogrammic structure. The first deformable parallelogrammic structure may be deformed into a plurality of configurations resulting in an adjustment to the height of the basketball goal above the playing surface corresponding to each configuration. A second parallelogrammic structure, which may also be deformed into a plurality of configurations, includes a first end pivotally connected to the first parallelogrammic structure and a second opposing end configured to pivotally engage the rigid support pole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Edward G. van Nimwegen, Coplan E. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 6419597
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compression crank adjustment mechanism for a basketball goal assembly that allows for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal into a plurality of configurations above a playing surface. The basketball goal assembly includes a deformable goal support structure having a first end pivotally attached to a rigid support pole. A basketball goal is preferably attached at a second opposing end of the goal support structure. An extension arm may be connected between the goal support structure and a first adjustment member preferably positioned along the back side of the support pole. A second adjustment member may be connected to the support pole and configured for threaded engagement with the first adjustment member. Preferably, the first and second adjustment members are operably disposed in compression relative to each other under the forces acting on the basketball goal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. van Nimwegen, David C. Winter
  • Patent number: 6402644
    Abstract: A novel constant force adjustment assembly for a basketball goal assembly is disclosed. The basketball goal assembly includes a deformable goal support structure attached at a first end to a support pole. A basketball goal is preferably attached at a second end of the goal support structure. An extension arm is operably connected between the goal support structure and a handle member operable by a user to adjust the height of the basketball goal. The constant force adjustment assembly includes one or more resilient members attached to the deformable goal support structure to counterbalance the weight of the basketball goal. The resilient members maybe attached to a cam fixture rigidly mounted, pivotally attached, or otherwise connected to the deformable goal support structure. The cam fixture varies the moment arm of the restorative force of each resilient member so that as the restorative force of the resilient member increases, the length of the moment arm of that force decreases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2002
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl R. Stanford, Charles Monsen
  • Patent number: 6273834
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a basketball goal assembly having a quick-release, self-adjusting adjustable latch mechanism for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal assembly includes a deformable goal support structure pivotally attached at a first end of a support pole. An extension arm includes a first end pivotally connected to the goal support structure and a second opposing end having a locking tab attached thereto for selective engagement with a plurality of slots formed in relation to the support pole. An adjustment mechanism disposed in relation to the extension arm allows the position of an anchor point to be adjusted. The adjustment of the position of the anchor point selectively deforms the goal support structure, thereby adjusting the height of the basketball goal in relation to the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Winter
  • Patent number: 6155938
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a push button height adjustment mechanism for a basketball goal assembly for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal assembly includes a deformable goal support structure interposed between a rigid support member and a basketball goal. A first end of an extension arm pivotally connects to an extension that protrudes from the back side of the goal support structure. A second end of the extension arm is pivotally connected to the support member. An adjustment mechanism disposed in relation to the extension arm allows the length of the extension arm to be adjusted. The adjustment of the length of the extension arm selectively deforms the goal support structure, thereby adjusting the height of the basketball goal in relation to the playing surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2000
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Barry D. Mower
  • Patent number: 6142891
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. A locking rod is also attached to the rigid support. An extension arm positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and a housing which is slidably engaged with the locking arm. The housing is configured with a pair of plates kept at non-perpendicular angles to the locking rod by a biasing spring. In this configuration, the locking plates bind with the locking rod and prevent movement of the housing relative to the locking rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Edward van Nimwegen
  • Patent number: 6135901
    Abstract: A novel compression crank adjustment mechanism for a basketball goal assembly is disclosed in one presently preferred embodiment which facilitates an adjustment in the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal assembly includes a deformable goal support structure attached at a first end to a rigid support pole. A basketball goal is preferably attached at a second opposing end of the goal support structure. An extension arm is operably connected between the goal support structure and a first adjustment member positioned along the back side of the support pole. A second adjustment member is connected to the support pole and configured for threaded engagement with the first adjustment member. The first and second adjustment members are operably disposed in compression relative to each other under the force acting on the basketball goal assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Edward G. van Nimwegen
  • Patent number: 6120396
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick-release locking mechanism for adjustable basketball goal system and methods for using the same which facilitates an adjustment in the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The adjustable basketball goal system includes a deformable goal support structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is preferably attached at the other end of the goal support structure. A locking rod is also attached to the rigid support. An extension arm is positioned between the goal support structure and a housing which movably engages the locking rod. The housing is configured with one or more locking plates kept at non-perpendicular angles to the locking rod by a biasing spring. In this configuration, the locking plates selectively bind the locking rod and prevent movement of the extension arm relative to the locking rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Edward G. Van Nimwegen, David C. Winter
  • Patent number: 6077177
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. A locking rod is also attached to the rigid support. An extension arm positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and a housing which is slidably engaged with the locking arm. The housing is configured with a pair of plates kept at non-perpendicular angles to the locking rod by a biasing spring. In this configuration, the locking plates bind with the locking rod and prevent movement of the housing relative to the locking rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Edward van Nimwegen
  • Patent number: 5879247
    Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface is disclosed. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. An adjustment lever is pivotally mounted to the rigid support below the parallelogrammic structure. An extension arm is positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and the adjustment lever such that movement of the adjustment lever deforms the parallelogrammic structure which repositions the basketball goal to a different height above the playing surface. A lockable piston assembly is attached to the rigid support and to the adjustment lever. The piston assembly includes a switch which locks the piston assembly preventing the parallelogrammic structure from deforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 9, 1999
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Richard C. Nordgran, Coplan E. Vaughan
  • Patent number: 5695417
    Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface is disclosed. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. An adjustment lever is pivotally mounted to the rigid support below the parallelogrammic structure. An extension arm is positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and the adjustment lever such that movement of the adjustment lever deforms the parallelogrammic structure which repositions the basketball goal to a different height above the playing surface. A lockable piston assembly is attached to the rigid support and to the adjustment lever. The piston assembly includes a switch which locks the piston assembly preventing the parallelogrammic structure from deforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 9, 1997
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Richard C. Nordgran, Coplan E. Vaughan