Abstract:
A basketball goal provides a support that has upper and lower end portions. A backboard is affixed to the upper end portion of the support. A hoop or rim is affixed to the backboard. A jacking mechanism elevates the hoop when the hoop pivots downwardly when a player dunks a basketball through the hoop or rim. In such a case, the player typically contacts the rim or hoop with his or her hands or hand forcing it downwardly. With each such dunk shot, the rim or hoop is deflected downwardly and the jacking mechanism elevates the hoop about half an inch. A control positioned on the support enables the hoop to be selectively used in the jacking mode or in a fixed mode wherein the hoop or rim is affixed to a selected position in a selected elevation thus overriding the jacking mechanism. The control has multiple selectable positions including a position that engages the jacking mechanism and a fixed position that overrides the jacking mechanism. A third mode can be optionally provided that lowers the hoop or rim when the control is placed in the third, lowering position.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Priority of my U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/014,784, filed Dec. 19, 2007, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable 
     REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
     Not applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to basketball goals. More particularly, the present invention relates to an improved basketball goal that employs a specially configured mechanism that elevates the circular hoop or rim part of the goal (and preferably the backboard assembly) each time a player dunks a basketball through the hoop or rim and displaces the hoop or rim downwardly. 
     2. General Background of the Invention 
     Basketball was invented by Dr. James Naismith in Springfield Mass. in 1891. Bob Kurland has been credited with the first dunk shot to be performed in an official game around 1942. Since that time, the dunk shot or slam dunk, has steadily grown in reputation for being the most exciting and intimidating singular performance in basketball. Anyone who has ever played the game has dreamed of having the ability to perform the slam dunk, however, most were unable to realize it. This changed with the first adjustable height basketball goals. Now we can all dunk, (well, almost). 
     In general, adjustable height basketball goals have been known for years. The design of these goals incorporates many different mechanisms including crank screws, adjusting arms, and other devices to accomplish the height adjustment. There are models that even require the player to stand underneath the goal and push it into position with a broom handle. While a few of these adjustable goals function quite well, all of them, however, have one common disadvantage. The player must stop playing in order to change the height of the basketball goal. This interruption is distracting and often the change in goal height is too large and inaccurate. 
     The following U.S. patents are incorporated herein by reference: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 PAT. NO. 
                 TITLE 
                 ISSUE DATE 
               
               
                   
               
             
             
               
                 1,767,424 
                 Educational Game Apparatus 
                 Jun. 24, 1930 
               
               
                 4,151,989 
                 Basketball Practice Device 
                 May 1, 1979 
               
               
                 4,266,763 
                 Recreational Basketball Apparatus  
                 May 12, 1981 
               
               
                   
                 with Moving Backboards 
                   
               
               
                 4,465,277 
                 Basketball Goal Structure 
                 Aug. 14, 1984 
               
               
                 4,738,448 
                 Support Assembly for a Basketball  
                 Apr. 19, 1988 
               
               
                   
                 Basket and Backboard 
                   
               
               
                 5,800,295 
                 Automatically Lowering Basketball  
                 Sep. 1, 1998 
               
               
                   
                 Hoop for Dunking 
                   
               
               
                 6,984,129 
                 Educational Basketball Game Device  
                 Jan. 10, 2006 
               
               
                   
                 and Method 
                   
               
               
                 2006/0240916 
                 Method and System for Improving  
                 Oct. 26, 2006 
               
               
                   
                 Basketball Shooting 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a self-adjusting basketball goal system designed to increase the height of the hoop or rim (and preferably backboard assembly) each time the ball is slam dunked. With the apparatus of the present invention, the game is never interrupted and the change in height is small and can be consistent. No cranks, broom handles, or other device need be employed to elevate the hoop or rim and backboard assembly. 
     The apparatus of the present invention is a self-adjusting basketball goal system which adjusts the height of the goal assembly each time the basketball is slam dunked. It requires no other actions to be performed by the player outside of playing the game itself. When a player executes a dunk shot, the player&#39;s hand or hands contact the rim of the goal usually applying considerable force to it. 
     The deformable goals (rims, hoops) seen today are a result of this action in an effort to prevent damage to the goal assemblies. The apparatus of the present invention utilizes this force through a pivoting rim assembly to actuate the lifting, or jacking, mechanism which raises the height of the entire goal assembly by a height of half an inch. 
     The height can be adjusted so that inexperienced, younger, or even handicapped players can play the game. Often though, the main reason for lowering the goal is simply to enable more players to dunk the basketball. Once players have played using the goal at a given height, the goal is usually raised in order to increase the challenge. However, with many of the adjustable goals on the market, the change to the next height increment is too great, rendering the goal out of reach and defeating the purpose of adjustability. In the case of infinitely adjustable goals, the change can be inaccurate or difficult to achieve a consistent increase in height. 
     In comparison to other adjustable height basketball goals, the apparatus of the present invention height adjustment is automatic when dunking. The change can be small such as only half an inch for each and every dunk shot. The height increase can be small, accurate, and consistent. This small change goes virtually unnoticed while play continues without interruption. As play continues, however, the change becomes more apparent as the difficulty gradually increases. This induces a training effect by increasing resistance for the player which is another advantage of the system. The apparatus of the present invention has a range of movement of about two feet. This equates to twenty four inches or forty eight dunk shots before the maximum is reached, quite a workout for any player. 
     Once the maximum height for the system is reached, play can continue as normal or the goal can be lowered to its lowest setting or any height in between by means of the selector control located on the rear of the main support tube. The selector control can be a small lever which controls the mode that the system is in. The apparatus of the present invention has three modes: jacking mode, stationary mode, and lower mode. In jacking mode, the apparatus of the present invention will raise its position by half an inch each time the ball is dunked until it reaches its maximum height. If a dunk shot is not performed, the apparatus of the present invention will play normally and will remain stationary. 
     In stationary mode, the apparatus of the present invention will play as any other basketball goal and maintain its position regardless of shot type even when a dunk shot is performed. In lower mode, the apparatus of the present invention will decrease in height by force of gravity until the selector control lever is released or it reaches its minimum height. The versatility of the apparatus of the present invention allows it to accommodate many different forms of basketball. A traditional game can be played normally or the jacking feature can be incorporated as an exciting alternative. 
     The apparatus of the present invention can be used as an effective training device for those seeking to improve their games. The apparatus of the present invention is simply more fun, providing hours of enjoyment with a unique twist. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a side sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a fragmentary view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top, sectional view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a fragmentary cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a fragmentary cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a fragmentary cutaway view of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; 
         FIGS. 9   a ,  9   b ,  9   c  are fragmentary views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention; and 
         FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are fragmentary views of the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIGS. 1-8 ,  9   a ,  9   b ,  9   c ,  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  show the preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, designated generally by the numeral  50 . The apparatus  50  of the present invention is supported from the ground by the main tube  1 . The main tube  1  is attached to two goal support arms  2  secured to opposite sides of the main tube  1 . The goal support arms  2  are held together by twelve goal support arm spacers  3  and two pawl axles  27 . Located on a wide end of the goal support arms  2  are four pairs of rollers  4  attached to the outside top and bottom of the goal support arms  2 . Clearance is provided between the goal support arms  2  and the rollers  4  by a plurality of preferably eight (8) roller spacers  5 . 
     The front backboard frame  6  and the rear backboard frame  7  are mated together capturing the four pairs of rollers  4  attached to the goal support arms  2 . Both the front backboard frame  6  and the rear backboard frame  7  are equipped with two tracks in which the paired rollers  4  will travel. A small opening is located in the lower front portion of the front backboard frame  6  through which the jack arm  14 , discussed later, will pass. A crush block  8  is attached to the top of this opening. The backboard  9  is captured between the front backboard frame  6  and the backboard retainer  10 . 
     The apparatus of the present invention is equipped with two dampers  11 . One end of each damper  11  is attached to the outside of each goal support arm  2  with clearance provided by two damper spacers  12 . The other end of each damper  11  is attached to the base of the front backboard frame  6 . 
     Rim  13  can be a regulation eighteen inch ( 18 ″) gusseted ring attached to a mount containing a threaded and gusseted tube attached to the underside of the mount. The jack arm  14  is placed on rim axle  15  on which jack arm  14  is allowed to freely rotate. The rim axle  15  and jack arm  14  are then fitted into the rim  13  mount. The rim  13  is then attached to the front backboard frame  6  with the jack arm  14  inserted into an opening in the front backboard frame  6 . The overload spring  16  is placed onto the overload spring screw  17  which then passes through a slotted hole in the jack arm  14  and threaded into the rim  13  at the threaded tube. 
     The apparatus  50  of the present invention is equipped with two rack gears: the jack rack gear  18  and the stationary rack gear  19 . The stationary rack gear  19  is actually two rack gears that are attached to the inside of the front backboard frame  6 . The jack rack gear  18  is fitted between the two stationary rack gears  19  and is captured by means of a slot formed between the front backboard frame  6  and the two stationary rack gears  19  and is allowed to freely slide up and down. The jack spring  20  is placed onto the jack spring screw  21  which then passes through a hole in the bottom of the front backboard frame  06  and threaded into the bottom of the jack rack gear  18 . 
     The apparatus  50  of the present invention is equipped with two pawls: the jack pawl  22  and the U-shaped stationary pawl  23 . The jack pawl spring  24  is fitted into a hole in the rear of the jack pawl  22  and two stationary pawl springs  25  are fitted into the rear of the stationary pawl  23 . The jack pawl  22  is then fitted into the center of the stationary pawl  23  with clearance provided by four jack pawl spacers  26  allowing both pawls to move independently. Both pawls have a slotted hole through which two pawl axles  27  pass. Both the jack pawl spring  24  and the stationary pawl springs  25  are captured by the rear pawl axle  27 . 
     The selector control is attached to the rear of the main tube  1  and consists of the selector control housing  28  and the selector control lever  29 . The selector control lever  29  is equipped with a spring loaded pin which engages one of three position notches in the selector control housing  28  (see  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ). Each position notch correlates to one of the three modes that the system is capable of. The selector control lever  29  is attached to one end of the control cable  30 . The other end of the control cable  30  is attached to the jack pawl  22 . 
     The selector control is attached to the rear of the main tube  1  by the selector control housing  28 . Contained within the selector control housing  28  is the selector control lever  29 , which is retained by the selector control lever axle  32 . Within the selector control lever  29  are the selector control pin  33  and the selector control pin spring  34 , which are retained by the selector control pin retainer  35 . The portion of the selector control pin  33  opposite the selector control lever axle  32  is threaded and passes thru a hole in the selector control pin retainer  35  and is threaded into the selector control lever knob  36 . The selector control pin  33  engages one of three position notches in the selector control housing  28 . Each position notch correlates to one of the three modes the system is capable of (see  FIGS. 10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ). The selector control lever  29  is attached to a control cable  30  by a barrel cable end  37 . The opposite end of the control cable  30  passes thru the control cable housing  31 , which is captured by the selector control housing  28  and a barrel cable adjuster  39  attached to one of the goal support arm spacers  3 . This end of the control cable  30  is fitted with a rod cable end  38  that passes thru an enlarged hole in the rear of the stationary pawl  23 . The rod cable end  38  is then attached to the jack pawl  22  by a clevis pin  40 . 
     The apparatus  50  of the present invention has three modes of function, each controlled by the selector control lever  29 . The players have the choice of any of these modes at any time they choose regardless of the position of the goal assembly. 
     When the selector control lever  29  is in its top position, the system is in the jack mode. The apparatus  50  of the present invention will play as a normal basketball goal with the added benefit of increasing its height by half an inch each time the basketball is dunked and rim  13  pivoted downwardly. The jack cycle begins with the goal assembly being held in place by the stationary pawl  23  which is engaged into the stationary rack gear  19  attached to the front backboard frame  6 . A player performing a dunk shot must put downward pressure on the rim  13 . The rim  13  must rotate eight degrees resulting in the outermost point of the rim  13  moving downward about three inches. This is not an unusual result of a dunk shot and is required for the jack to occur. The rotation of the rim  13  around rim axle  15  causes the jack arm  14 , which is held in place by the overload spring  16  and overload screw  17 , to rotate. The jack arm  14  then pushes the jack rack gear  18  upward resulting in the jack spring screw  21  compressing the jack spring  20  against the bottom of the front backboard frame  6 . At the same time, the jack rack gear  18  pushes the jack pawl  22  rearward compressing the jack pawl spring  24  against the rear pawl axle  27  until the eight degree rotation of the rim  13  is completed. The jack pawl  22  is then pushed forward by the jack pawl spring  24  re-engaging the jack rack gear  18 . The jack arm  14 , having now completed its movement, is prevented from further rotation by coming into contact with the crush block  8  located at the top of the opening in the front backboard frame  6  through which the jack arm  14  passes. At this point, the overload spring  16  will begin to be compressed by the overload spring screw  17  against the jack arm  14  to absorb any additional force applied to the rim  13 . The dampers  11  attached to the front backboard frame  6  and the goal support arms  2  also absorb the impact from the shot. The player, dunk shot successfully completed, now releases the rim  13 . Once released, the overload spring  16  now relaxes, returning the rim  13  to the jack arm  14 . The jack spring  20  then pushes upward on the front backboard frame  6  away from jack spring screw  21 , which is threaded into the jack rack gear  18 , which is held in place by the jack pawl  22 . The stationary rack gear  18 , which is rigidly attached to the front backboard frame  6 , also moves upward pushing the stationary pawl  23  rearward compressing the stationary pawl spring  25  against the rear pawl axle  27  until the rim  13  returns to its original position. 
     The stationary pawl  23  then re-engages the stationary rack gear  18  and the jack cycle is now complete. The cycle will repeat after each dunk shot or until the goal reaches its maximum position. The spring rates of both the jack spring  20  and the overload spring  16  are adjustable via the jack spring screw  21  and the overload spring screws  17 . Also, the springs  16  &amp;  20  can also be replaced with others having more appropriate load ratings. 
     When the selector control lever  29  is in the center position, the system  50  is in stationary mode. By pulling the selector control lever knob  36 , the selector control pin  33  compresses the selector control pin spring  34  against the selector control pin retainer  35  and disengages the selector control pin  33  from the top position in the selector control housing  28 . The selector control lever  29  can then be rotated downward. The selector control lever  29  pulls the control cable  30 , which in turn pulls the jack pawl  22 , disengaging it from the jack rack  18 . The selector control lever knob  36  is then released allowing the selector control pin  33  to engage the center position in the selector control housing  28 . The apparatus  50  of the present invention will play as a normal basketball goal and will remain at a constant height determined by when this mode was selected. The jacking feature is now disabled. The goal  13  is held in place by the stationary pawl  23  which is engaged into the stationary rack gear  19  attached to the front backboard frame  6 . Moving the selector control lever back to the top position relaxes the control cable, which in turn reengages the jack pawl into the jack rack, and restores the jacking feature. 
     When the selector control lever is in the bottom position, the system is in lower mode. By pulling the selector control lever knob, the selector control pin compresses the selector control pin spring against the selector control pin retainer and disengages the selector control pin from the center position in the selector control housing. The selector control lever can then be rotated downward. The selector control lever pulls the control cable, which in turn pulls the jack pawl, which in turn pulls the stationary pawl, disengaging it from the stationary rack. The selector control lever knob can then be released allowing the selector control pin to engage the bottom position in the selector control housing. The goal begins to lower by force of gravity with the dampers controlling its decent. The apparatus of the present invention will continue lowering until the selector control lever is returned to another position or until the goal reaches its minimum height. 
     When the selector control lever is in the center position, the system  50  is in stationary mode. The apparatus  50  of the present invention will play as a normal basketball goal and will remain at a constant height determined by when this mode was selected. The jacking feature is now disabled. The goal  13  is held in place by the stationary pawl  23  which is engaged into the stationary rack gear  19  attached to the front backboard frame  6 . Moving the selector control lever  29  to the center position pulls the control cable  30  which in turn pulls the jack pawl disengaging it from the jack rack gear  18 . 
     When the selector control lever  29  is in the bottom position, the system  50  is in lower mode. The rim  13  will begin to lower and will continue until the selector lever  29  is returned to another position or until the goal  13  reaches its minimum position. Moving the selector control lever  29  to the lower position pulls the control cable  30  which in turn pulls the jack pawl  22  against the stationary pawl  23  disengaging it from the stationary rack gear  19 . The goal  13  begins to lower by force of gravity with the dampers  11  controlling its decent. To stop the goal  13  at any position, simply return the control selector lever  29  to another mode. 
     The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention: 
     
       
         
               
             
               
               
             
               
               
             
           
               
                   
               
               
                 PARTS LIST 
               
             
          
           
               
                 Part Number 
                 Description 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
           
               
                 1 
                 main tube 
               
               
                 2 
                 goal support arms 
               
               
                 3 
                 goal support arm spacers 
               
               
                 4 
                 rollers 
               
               
                 5 
                 roller spacers 
               
               
                 6 
                 front backboard frame 
               
               
                 7 
                 rear backboard frame 
               
               
                 8 
                 crush block 
               
               
                 9 
                 backboard 
               
               
                 10 
                 backboard retainer 
               
               
                 11 
                 dampers 
               
               
                 12 
                 damper spacers 
               
               
                 13 
                 rim 
               
               
                 14 
                 jack arm 
               
               
                 15 
                 rim axle 
               
               
                 16 
                 overload spring 
               
               
                 17 
                 overload spring screw 
               
               
                 18 
                 jack rack gear 
               
               
                 19 
                 stationary rack gear 
               
               
                 20 
                 jack spring 
               
               
                 21 
                 jack spring screw 
               
               
                 22 
                 jack pawl 
               
               
                 23 
                 stationary pawl 
               
               
                 24 
                 jack pawl spring 
               
               
                 25 
                 stationary pawl spring 
               
               
                 26 
                 jack pawl spacer 
               
               
                 27 
                 pawl axle 
               
               
                 28 
                 selector control housing 
               
               
                 29 
                 selector control lever 
               
               
                 30 
                 control cable 
               
               
                 31 
                 control cable housing 
               
               
                 32 
                 selector control lever axle 
               
               
                 33 
                 selector control pin 
               
               
                 34 
                 selector control pin spring 
               
               
                 35 
                 selector control pin retainer 
               
               
                 36 
                 selector control lever knob 
               
               
                 37 
                 barrel cable end 
               
               
                 38 
                 rod cable end 
               
               
                 39 
                 barrel cable adjuster 
               
               
                 40 
                 clevis pin 
               
               
                 50 
                 basketball goal apparatus 
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. 
     The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.