Basketball goal assembly

Aspects of the disclosure include a basketball goal assembly with a vertical support assembly formed with a lower support assembly and an upper support assembly. The basketball goal assembly facilitates packaging, transport, display and installation of the assembly.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to basketball goals, and more particularly to a basketball goal system including a vertical support assembly which can be conveniently packaged and transported in a partially disassembled arrangement and then assembled into a basketball goal for playing the sport of basketball.

BACKGROUND

To play the popular sport of basketball, consumers offer desire to have a basketball goal available at a consumer's home, in a park or in other recreational areas. Portable basketball goal systems have certain advantages and disadvantages compared to permanent basketball goals which are anchored in the ground. For example, in certain cases portable basketball systems are packaged in containers which can be sized to be readily displayed and transported by manufacturers and retailers and which can be readily transported by consumers in typical consumer passenger vehicles such as cars, SUVs and pick-up trucks. However, portable basketball systems have limitations. For example, they can be tipped over if not properly weighted and balanced and/or if exposed to excessive forces during play. Portable basketball system components are also often not as durable as in-ground system components.

In certain circumstances a permanent or in-ground basketball goal is preferred. However, a drawback to many in-ground basketball systems is that it can be difficult for them to be transported and installed by consumers, often requiring professional delivery and installation. As one example, most in-ground basketball systems incorporate a one-piece vertical support member such as a pole. The pole may have a length and weight which is not convenient for a manufacturer, retailer, installer or consumer to transport, display and install. For example a representative pole may be approximately 110″ in length. The pole may need to be packaged and/or shipped separately from other system components and may require special handling during transport. Such as trucks or trailers with cargo beds greater than 110″.

In some goal systems relatively shorter poles have been used. Using shorter poles improves the ease of display, transport and installation of the pole component, yet as a tradeoff longer and heavier support arms must be used to support the basketball backboard balance at the desired playing height. Lengthening the support arms can create weight, vibration and stress issues. For example, the backboard is usually offset or cantilevered from the support pole. The weight of the backboard assembly and impact forces applied to the backboard assembly are transmitted to the support pole via the support arms. When longer and heavier support arms are used, they act as longer lever arms and increase the vibration and stress forces applied to the pole. The vibration and stress issues in the system can lead to deterioration, breakage and/or lowered performance of the system.

A durable in-ground system where all components can be easily transported and displayed by a manufacturer and retailer and which can be easily transported by a consumer or installer is desirable.

With the increase in online ordering and deliveries and drop-ship sales, it is also desirable to have a durable in-ground basketball goal assembly which can be easily and cost-effectively packaged and delivered by commercial carrier and delivery services.

SUMMARY

Representative embodiments of the present disclosure provide a basketball goal assembly incorporating a vertical support assembly with a lower end anchored to a support surface and with an upper end supporting a backboard assembly. In some embodiments the backboard assembly is adjustable. The vertical support assembly is formed with a lower support assembly and an upper support assembly. The lower support assembly includes a pole section with opposing sides. The upper support assembly includes a pair of spaced apart parallel side bars connected by a bracket. The side bars are arranged on opposing sides of the pole section with a pair of inward surfaces facing the opposing sides of the pole section. Lower ends of the side bars overlap with the upper end of the pole section and the upper support assembly is secured to the lower support assembly.

In certain embodiments, mounting tubes extends through the pole section and define aligned pairs of mounting points. In some embodiments, the mounting tubes have opposing ends which protrude from the pole section so that the side bar inward surfaces contact the protruding ends of the respective mounting tubes. Correspondingly, the protruding ends define a gap spacing the side bar inward surfaces apart from the pole section sides.

In some embodiments, the bracket in the upper support assembly is offset to one side of the side bars, for example upward or rearward. The bracket may be a planar plate spanning the rear sides of the side bars and the distance separating them.

In further embodiments, the components of a basketball goal assembly can, in a partially assembled state, be packaged in a container in a manner which facilitates shipping, storage and transport. The container may be sized and shaped to hold the majority of the components of the basketball goal assembly. In some embodiments, a nest area defined by the upper support assembly allows the upper support assembly to be arranged with assembly components, such as an extension cylinder, support arm or frame portions or a portion of the lower support assembly, received within the nested volume as packaged. This may facilitate packing the assembly in a container with minimal height, length and width. Accordingly, the container may require reduced space during shipment and storage, and may optionally be placed completely in the cargo area of and transported by a consumer passenger vehicle or commercial carrier delivery vehicle.

Further objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein. Each embodiment described herein is not intended to address every object described herein, and each embodiment does not include each feature described. Some or all of these features may be present in the corresponding independent or dependent claims, but should not be construed to be a limitation unless expressly recited in a particular claim.

DETAILED 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 of the disclosure being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Representative embodiments of the present disclosure provide a basketball goal assembly incorporating a vertical support assembly with a lower end anchored to a support surface and with an upper end supporting a backboard assembly. In some embodiments the backboard assembly is adjustable. The vertical support assembly is formed with a lower support assembly and an upper support assembly. The lower support assembly includes a pole section with opposing sides. The upper support assembly includes a pair of spaced apart parallel side bars connected by a bracket. The side bars are arranged on opposing sides of the pole section with a pair of inward surfaces facing the opposing sides of the pole section. Lower ends of the side bars overlap with the upper end of the pole section, and the upper support assembly is secured to the lower support assembly.

In certain embodiments, mounting tubes extend through the pole section and define aligned pairs of mounting points. In some embodiments, the mounting tubes have opposing ends which protrude from the pole section so that the side bar inward surfaces contact the protruding ends of the respective mounting tubes. Correspondingly, the protruding ends define a gap spacing the side bar inward surfaces apart from the pole section sides.

In some embodiments, the bracket in the upper support assembly is offset to one side of the side bars, for example upward or rearward. The bracket may be a planar plate spanning the rear sides of the side bars and the distance separating them.

In further embodiments, the components of a basketball goal assembly can, in a partially assembled state, be packaged in a container in a manner which facilitates shipping, storage and transport. The container may be sized and shaped to hold the majority of the components of the basketball goal assembly. In some embodiments, a nest area defined by the upper support assembly allows the upper support assembly to be arranged with assembly components, such as an extension cylinder, support arms, frame portions or a portion of the lower support assembly, received within the nested volume as packaged. This may facilitate packing the assembly in a container with minimal height, length and width. Accordingly, the container may require reduced space during shipment and storage, and may optionally be placed completely in the cargo area of and transported by a consumer passenger vehicle or common carrier delivery vehicle.

Illustrated inFIGS. 1-3is a representative example of a basketball goal assembly10according to principles of the disclosure. The illustrated example is not intended to be limiting. Basketball goal assembly10includes a vertical support assembly20. The support assembly20is vertically oriented at approximately 90 degrees to the support surface, or alternately may be angled, and supports a backboard perpendicular to and above a playing surface. Basketball goal assembly10also includes a representative backboard assembly30including a frame32, a planar backboard34, a rim or hoop36and optionally a net38. Hoop38is attached on a forward side of backboard34near the lower edge. The hoop side of the backboard is referred to as the forward side herein, and the direction toward behind the backboard is referred to as rearward. Directional references are for ease of illustration and are not intended to be limiting.

As illustrated, backboard assembly30may be adjustable in height relative to support assembly20. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of upper support arms42and a lower support arm44extend from support assembly20to backboard assembly30. Alternately a pair of lower support arms and/or a single upper support arms can be used, with appropriate bracing and connections to the backboard. The upper and lower support arms are pivotally mounted to both the support assembly and the backboard assembly and form an adjustable parallelogram arrangement when viewed from the side. Backboard assembly30is supported by the parallelogram structure. The parallelogram is deformable to raise and lower the backboard assembly30in relation to support assembly20. The parallelogram arrangement enables backboard34to be raised and lowered while maintaining it as vertical relative to the playing surface, typically parallel to support assembly20or a vertical axis P-P through mounting points on the support assembly. In the depicted embodiment, the lower support arm44includes a rear extension portion or lever arm45extending rearward from the parallelogram which can be used to control the rotation of the parallelogram structure. Stops preferably are provided on the support assembly20as a safety device to limit the upward and downward travel of backboard assembly30. In alternate embodiments, basketball goal assembly10may incorporate other adjustment arrangements or can be non-adjustable.

In the illustrated example, an adjustment mechanism is provided using an expansion and retraction cylinder, for example telescoping cylinder46controlled with crank handle47. The telescoping cylinder46is pivotally attached to the rear portion of support assembly20and to lever arm45. Crank handle47may be detachable.

In greater detail, vertical support assembly20includes a lower support assembly50and an upper support assembly70. Lower support assembly50and upper support assembly70can be transported as separate sub-assemblies and then combined to form the assembled vertical support assembly20.

Illustrated in detail inFIGS. 4-5, lower support assembly50includes a pole section52. Pole section52defines a pair of opposing sidewalls54and extends from a base end56to an upper end60. Base end56is configured to be mounted as an in-ground system, for example by anchoring base end56via mounting flanges to an in-ground anchor of the support surface. Preferably pole section52is hollow. Pole section52is illustrated with a square cross-section. Alternate cross-sections, such as a round cross-section, can be used in other embodiments. A pair of flanges for mounting telescoping cylinder46extend from the rear side of pole section52. An upper edge of pole section52may form one of the safety stops limiting movement of support arm44in assembled goal10. Optionally, a cover59(shown inFIG. 7) may close the upper end of pole section52. Cover59may be permanent or removable.

Adjacent upper end58are a series of mounting points60. As illustrated, three mounting points60are defined in each side wall54. The illustrated mounting points60are offset in a triangular arrangement with two points adjacent the forward side and one point adjacent the rearward side of pole section52. In alternate embodiments, a different number of mounting points and/or mounting points in different locations may be used. Mounting points60are arranged as aligned pairs defined on opposing sidewalls54of pole section52.

As seen most clearly inFIGS. 5 & 7, lower support assembly50includes mounting tubes62arranged and extending between each pair of aligned mounting points60on opposing side walls54. Mounting tubes62extend across the interior of pole section52. As illustrated, three mounting tubes are parallel yet offset in a triangular arrangement. Mounting tubes62may be hollow along their length and configured to allow bolts84to be advanced through the tubes. The length of mounting tubes62is selected to have ends64which slightly protrude from the respective side walls54. Mounting tubes62may be secured in place to pole section52, for example by welding.

Upper support assembly70is illustrated in detail inFIG. 6. Upper support assembly70includes a pair of parallel side bars72, which are arranged vertically when goal10is assembled. Side bars72define upper ends74and lower ends76. As illustrated side bars72each have a rectangular cross-section with the shorter rectangular sides forming front and rear sides of the side bars. Side bars72define a pair of opposing inward facing surfaces75. Pivot points73define passages through the side walls of side bars72. When assembled, the support arms42,44are arranged between the side bars72. Fasteners extend through pivot points73to pivotally mount support arms42,44to upper support assembly70. Pivot points73define a vertical axis P-P which is parallel to backboard34and forms a side of the parallelogram shape in goal10. Axis P-P may or may not be parallel to the axis of the side bars in other embodiments.

A bracket78extends between and connects side bars72, for example forming a capital “H” profile. Upper support assembly70is formed as a rigid assembly, for example with bracket78welded to side bars27. Bracket78is configured to be rigidly assembled with side bars72to limit torque, bending or flexing of the assembly. Bracket78may be offset toward the upper ends74of side bars72. Bracket78may also be offset to one side of side bars72, for example bracket78is illustrated offset to the rearward side of side bars72.

In the illustrated embodiment, bracket78is formed as a planar plate spanning the rear sides of side bars72and the distance separating them. Side edges of bracket78may be bent to form flanges extending forward along the outward sides of side bars72. Portions of the upper and lower edges of bracket78may be bent forward between side bars72. A lower edge of bracket78may form one of the safety stops limiting movement of support arm44in assembled goal10.

A series of mounting locations are defined adjacent to the lower ends76of side bars72, for example by a series of bushings82. The arrangement of the mounting locations is placed to be aligned with mounting points60in the lower support assembly. The illustrated bushings82are offset in a triangular arrangement with two bushings adjacent the forward side and one adjacent the rearward side of each side bar72. In alternate embodiments, a different number of bushings and mounting points and/or different locations may be used. Bushings82are arranged as co-axially aligned pairs on opposing side bars72. At least one bushing in each pair may be internally threaded. Bushings82can be formed integrally with side bars72or mounted to the side bars, for example by welding.

When assembling goal10, upper support assembly70is stacked and secured to lower support assembly50to create the total height of support assembly20. As stacked, lower ends76of the side bars72overlap the upper end58of pole section52. As representative dimensions, the lower support assembly may have a height of approximately 78 inches and the upper support assembly may have a height of approximately 43 inches. They partially overlap when stacked and form an aggregate height of approximately 108 inches. The stacking and assembly can be done before or after lower support assembly50is anchored to the ground.

A cross-section illustrating a connection arrangement between upper support assembly70and lower support assembly50is illustrated inFIG. 7. Steps for assembling upper support assembly70to lower support assembly50include arranging upper end58of pole section52between side bars72so that the opposing pair of inward surfaces75are arranged facing opposing side walls54of the pole section. More precisely, the mounting locations such as bushings82are aligned with corresponding mounting points60and mounting tubes62. For each mounting location, a distal end88of a fastener, such as a bolt84, is advanced through one bushing82and the corresponding side bar72. As the fastener is further advanced the distal end88passes through the lower support assembly, namely a first mounting point60, then the interior passage of a mounting tube62and then through a second mounting point60. The fastener end then exits the lower support assembly and engages the second bushing82of the aligned pair. In one example, the distal end88of fastener84may be threaded and engages internal threads of the second bushing82. Each bolt84may have a proximal cap end86which can be used to apply torque to the bolt and which also helps to apply a clamping force allowing the fastener to tighten and pull the side bars72towards each other. In an alternate arrangement, one fastener can be used with each mounting point, for example a pair of bolts each having a length extending inward through a bushing and into a mounting tube. In this arrangement, the mounting tube would include threaded internal portions to engage the distal bolt ends.

As further illustrated inFIG. 7, in certain embodiments the side bar inward surfaces75(including bushings82) abut and contact the protruding ends64of the respective mounting tubes62in each mounting point. This spaces inward surfaces75apart from the side walls54of the pole section, creating a small gap G. Correspondingly the clamping force applied when the side bars72are pulled together is applied along the longitudinal length of mounting tubes62and is not directly applied to the pole side walls54.

Once the vertical support assembly20has been put together, support arms42,44are pivotally mounted to the respective pivot points, typically between side bars72. Adjustment cylinder46is mounted between vertical support assembly and lever45, and backboard assembly30is mounted to the forward ends of support arms42,44. The use of appropriate fasteners and order of assembly of various components such as the cylinder and backboard assembly is conventional and will be understood by those of skill in the art.

In certain embodiments, the components of goal assembly10can, in a preassembled state, be packaged in a container in a manner which facilitates shipping, storage, delivery and installation. An example is illustrated inFIG. 8.FIG. 8illustrates a packing container90, shown in a transparent form for ease of illustration. Packing container90is sized and shaped to hold the components of basketball goal assembly10, with the exception of backboard34which may be shipped separately for example in a flat container. The lower support assembly50is arranged longitudinally in a central flat position within container90.

In certain embodiments, support arms such as lower support arm44can be stored inside the hollow interior of lower assembly50. Generally, the lower pole section will be at least as long if not longer than the lower support arm44. Upper support assembly70is arranged longitudinally over lower support assembly50within container90. As illustrated inFIG. 6, bracket plate78is offset to one side of the side bars72. When placed in container90, upper assembly70is placed with the bracket offset on the upper side. This creates a nest area79as a volume below bracket plate78and between side bars72. In certain embodiments components of goal assembly10such as cylinder46and handle47are packed over the lower support assembly and extend through the nest area79. In other arrangements, components of the support structure or backboard frame can be packed to extend through nest area79. In still other embodiments, the pole section of lower support assembly50is received in nest area79for all or a portion of the nest depth. Side bars72are spaced apart a sufficient distance to allow the lower pole section to be received between them, allowing the side bars and pole section to overlap in height within container90. Various packing materials such as cardboard, plastic, foam, pious, sealed air pockets or the like can be used between and around the components during shipment to minimize movement, direct contact and potential damage to the components while in container90.

Preferably, container90is compact, with minimal height, length and width, thus requiring reduced space during shipment and storage. Optionally, the container may be sized to be placed completely in the cargo area of and transported by a consumer passenger vehicle such as a pick-up truck, SUV or car. As an example, the length of container90is the longest dimension and may be less than 96″. More preferably, the length may be less than 78″, corresponding to the height of lower support assembly50plus the thickness of packing materials. The height or thickness may be relatively short such as less than 10″ or more preferably less than 6″, such as approximately 5″. As representative examples, a vertical support assembly for a 72″ backboard sized goal may be packaged in a container with dimensions of 75″×43″×5″ with a total weight of 250.6 lbs. In another example, a vertical support assembly for a 63″ backboard sized goal may be packaged in a container with dimensions of 63″×41″×5″ with a total weight of 244 lbs., and a vertical support assembly for a 54″ backboard sized goal may be packaged in a container with dimensions of 57″×41″×5″ with a total weight of 217.2 lbs.

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. Dimensions are not intended to be limiting and may be altered as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.