Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard and hoop assembly. One embodiment of the present invention may include an adjustment arm in telescoping relation with a threaded rod. The present invention may also include a threaded nut rotatably connected to the adjustment arm and in threadable engagement with the threaded rod such that rotation of the threaded nut on the threaded rod induces an adjustment in the vertical height of the basketball backboard and hoop assembly.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard/hoop assembly. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Basketball has become an increasing popular sport with backyard and neighborhood basketball goals increasing in popularity. These backyard basketball goals often function well for families and communities with a wide variety of playing, including grown adults and small children. Consequently, adjustable height basketball goals have become a favorite product of the backyard or personal basketball courts where individuals over various heights and skills desire to play on the same basketball goal. 
   Many such adjustable height basketball goals include movable support arms that may be locked in place to support the basketball goal at a given height above a playing surface. To lock the support arms in place, clamps, locking pins, and other mechanisms known in the art are often incorporated into an adjustment handle or mechanism which may be manipulated to unlock, adjust the height of the basketball goal, and finally relock the basketball goal at the desired height. Unfortunately, upon release of the locking mechanism, the weight of the basketball backboard and goal may be suddenly released, causing the adjustment handle to “jump” and surprise the user or consumer. 
   One attempt to counter act the sudden release of the weight of the basketball backboard and goal, is to incorporate an air spring or other type of spring mechanism, which may be configured and positioned to act on the supports arms in the opposite direction of the weight of the basketball backboard and goal. Unfortunately, the springs force varies the height of the basketball goal and the spring mechanisms degrade overtime. As such, the adjustment handle may still jump or suddenly release the weight of the backboard and goal upon unlocking the adjustment mechanism. 
   Another disadvantage of traditional adjustable height systems is that a precise, smooth height adjustment is very difficult. During adjustment, a user must support the weight of the basketball goal while making height adjustments, finally positioning the backboard precisely before locking the goal in place. Even if an air spring is used, the weight of the backboard and the goal may make controlling the weight and positioning the basketball goal precisely very difficult for smaller individuals, such as children. 
   Additionally, traditional locking mechanisms often failed to provide sufficiently small adjustment increments and to reliably secure the height of the basketball goal. For example, a clamp has been used to secure the adjustment handle to an adjustment pole at various locations in order to position the height of the basketball goal. While the clamp does provide continuous adjustment at any height, the clamp suffers from degradation and slippage on the adjustment pole, especially when the clamp experiences heavy load, such as a player dunking a basketball. 
   Therefore, there is a need for an adjustable basketball goal system that can be smoothly and easily adjusted. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is related to an apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard/hoop assembly. 
   One embodiment of the present invention may include an apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard and hoop. The apparatus may include a support pole, at least one elevator arm rotatably connected to both the basketball backboard and the basketball support pole, an adjustment pole rotatably connected to the at least one elevator arm. The apparatus may also include a threaded rod rotatably connected to the support pole, a threaded nut attached to the adjustment pole and configured to threadably engage with the threaded rod wherein rotation of the threaded nut adjusts the height of the basketball backboard. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention may include an apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard and hoop. The apparatus may include a support pole and at least one elevator arm rotatably connected to both the basketball backboard and the support pole. The apparatus may also include an adjustment device connecting the at least one elevator arm to the support pole, the adjustment device having a threaded rod in telescoping arrangement with an adjustment arm. The adjustment device may further include a threaded nut rotatably connected to the adjustment arm and threadably engaged to the threaded rod and a threaded nut being configured to rotate in response to a force applied to the adjustment arm wherein rotation of the threaded nut adjusts the height of the basketball backboard and hoop. 
   Another embodiment of the present invention may include a method for adjusting a height of a basketball goal, the basketball goal having a backboard and a hoop supported by a basketball support pole and at least one elevator arm rotatably connected to the support pole and the backboard. The method may include the step of releasing a threaded nut with an adjustment arm in a first position, the threaded nut being rotatably connected to the adjustment arm which is connected to the at least one elevator arm, the threaded nut being threadably engaged to a threaded rod which is connected to the support pole. The method may also include the step of applying a force to the adjustment arm sufficient to induce rotation of the threaded nut around the threaded rod whereby rotation of the threaded rod is configured to adjust the height of the backboard and hoop by translating the adjustment arm relative to the threaded rod. The method may also include the step of engaging the threaded nut with the adjustment arm in a second position such that the backboard and the hoop are substantially fixed. 
   These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in a non-limiting fashion, the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the Figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1A  shows a side view of an adjustable basketball goal system utilizing the present invention. 
       FIG. 1B  shows a side view of an embodiment of the adjustment system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2A  shows a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment system of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2B  shows a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment system of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the Figures in which various embodiments of the present invention are shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
     FIG. 1A  shows a side view of an adjustable basketball goal system  100  according to an embodiment the present invention. The basketball goal system may include a rigid basketball support pole  120  extending from a base  110  in a substantially upward direction. While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A  illustrates the use of a movable base  110 , the system may also be used where the basketball support pole  120  is fixed with respect to a playing surface (not shown). While a playing surface may be taken generally to mean the earth, it is also contemplated that the basketball support pole  120  may be fixed in concrete, an indoor floor of the type found in gymnasiums, asphalt or any basketball playing surface as would be known by one of skill in the art. 
   A basketball backboard  175  and hoop  170  may be attached to the basketball support pole  120  by a first elevator arm  134  and a second elevator arm  135 . The elevator arms  134 ,  135  may be connected to the basketball support pole  120  (at points of attachment  136 ). The backboard  175  and hoop  170  may be attached at one end of the elevator arms  134 ,  135 . The first elevator arm  134  may be attached at the opposite end to the basketball support pole  120  (at a point of attachment  133 ). The second elevator arm  135  may be connected between its ends to the basketball support pole  120  (at a point of attachment  137 ) and at one end to a first adjustment pole  132  (at a point of attachment  138 ). The points of attachment  133 ,  136 ,  137  and  138  may be rotatable connections, allowing the backboard  175  and elevator arms  134 ,  135  to pivot at each point of connection. 
   As stated above, the second end of the second elevator arm  135  may be attached to one end of a first adjustment pole  132 . The second end of the first adjustment pole  132  may be attached to an adjustment system  150 , discussed in greater detail below. The adjustment system  150  may also be movably attached to a second adjustment pole  130 . The second adjustment pole  130  may also be rotatably attached at point  139  to the basketball support pole  120 . While the lower adjustment tube  130  is shown in  FIG. 1  as being rotatably attached to support pole  120 , the lower adjustment tube  130  may also be rotatably attached to the base  110 , the ground, a playing surface (not shown) or any other suitable mounting surface as would be known of one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, while  FIG. 1  illustrates the first adjustment pole  132  being positioned below the second adjustment pole  130 , it is contemplated that the two adjustment poles  130 ,  132  may be connected in the opposite manner, with the first adjustment pole  132  being positioned below the second adjustment pole  130 . 
   As discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , the adjustment system  150  of the present invention may allow a user to easily and precisely adjust the height of the basketball backboard  175  and hoop  170 . The first adjustment pole  132  may include a fixed length and the second adjustment pole  130  may include threaded rod. The threaded rod  130  may be configured to permit height adjustments to be made to the basketball backboard  175  and hoop  170 . While the Figures show the second adjustment pole  130  as a threaded rod exposed to the elements, it is contemplated that the threaded rod may be covered, for example, by a telescoping tube or other such covering known in the art. A telescoping tube may be incorporated to protect the second adjustment pole  130  and may be configured to attach to both the adjustment system  150  and the basketball support pole  139 . Further, the covering tube may be configured to increase or decrease in length as height adjustments are made such that the threaded rod  130  remains covered at all times. 
   When the adjustment system  150  is locked in place, the basketball backboard  175  and hoop  170  may be held in place without being permitted to move. Upon unlocking the adjustment system  150 , the adjustment system  150  may moved along the axial length of the threaded rod  130 . As discussed with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B  below, movement of the adjustment system  150  upwards or downwards along the length of the threaded rod  130  may result in a change in the height of the backboard  175  and hoop  170 . 
   As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill, movement of the adjustment system  150  along the threaded rod  130  may result in rotation about the pivot joints  136 ,  137 ,  138  and  139 . Such rotation may be configured to permit adjustment poles  132  and  130 , the elevator arms  135  and  134 , and the backboard  175  to move relative to each other such that the backboard  175  may be raised or lowered while maintaining the vertical orientation of the backboard. 
   To counterbalance the weight of the backboard  175  and hoop  170  when the adjustment system  150  is unlocked and movable, a gas shock  160  or  165  may be connected at either of the positions shown in  FIG. 1A . It is also contemplated that an air spring, an extension spring, a constant force spring or other similar means for counterbalancing may be used as opposed to a gas shock without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. Additionally, while a gas shock  160 ,  165  may placed at either or both of the locations shown in  FIG. 1A , it would be apparent to one of skill in the art that the gas shock may be positioned at varying points on the basketball goal system  100  without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. As shown, the shock  160  applies a downward force to the adjustment pole  132  which may be configured to be substantially equal to the upward force applied to the adjustment pole  132  from the weight of the backboard  175  and the hoop  170 . 
   Unfortunately, as the shock  160  ages and degrades, the shock  160  may not adequately oppose the forces of the weight of the backboard  175  and the hoop  170 , resulting in additional strain on the adjustment system  150  and additional effort required to move the height of the basketball goal. Further, as would be apparent to those of skill in the art, the mechanical advantage of the mechanical linkages varies with the height. As such, the load on the adjustment system  150  and the ability of the shock  160  to counterbalance the weight of the backboard  175  and the hoop  170  may vary with any change in height. 
     FIG. 1B  shows a side view of an embodiment of the adjustment system  150  according to the present invention. The adjustment system  150  may include a handle portion  155 , an attachment portion  157  and a locking trigger  151 . As shown in  FIG. 1B , the attachment portion  157  may rigidly attached to the first adjustment pole  132  and may be integrally formed with the handle  155 . However, in other embodiments, it is contemplated that the handle portion  155  and the attachment portion  157  may be formed of two separate pieces that may be mechanically fastened together in any manner known to one of skill in the art. The handle portion  155 , the trigger  151 , and the attachment portion  157  may be formed of molded plastic, shaped metal, wood or other materials known in the art. 
   Additionally, it is contemplated that the shape of handle portion  155  and attachment portion  157  may be vary in shape, position, and otherwise without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   As discussed in detail below, the trigger  151  may be movably attached to the handle portion  155  such that, by depressing the trigger, the adjustment system  150  may be moved along the axial length of the threaded rod  130 . When activated, the trigger  151  may unlock the adjustment system  150  such that the position of the adjustment pole  132  on the threaded rod  130  may be changed, effectively changing the height of the backboard  175  and the hoop  170 . 
     FIG. 2A  shows a side cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment system  150  according to the present invention. The adjustment system  150  may include an adjustment nut  205  and thrust bearings  210  mounted on either side of the adjustment nut  205 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the adjustment nut  205  may include hi-lead threads with a pitch angle greater than approximately five degrees. Hi-lead threads are non-locking which allows the nut to spin easily on the threaded rod  130  in response to a upward or downward force being applied to the adjustment nut  205  from the thrust bearings  210 . Although shown and described as an adjustment nut with hi-lead threads, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that other types of nuts and threads may be employed without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   As shown in the attachment portion  157 , the adjustment nut  205  may be held in the attachment portion  157  between the thrust bearings  210  or any similar device known in the art. The thrust bearings  210  may be held in place and positioned by an insert  270 , which may configured as a hollow spacer so that the threaded rod  130  may pass through. 
   As discussed earlier with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the adjustment system  150  may be attached to the first adjustment pole  132 . As shown in  FIG. 2A , the adjustment system  150  may be movably attached to the threaded rod  130  by threadably engaging the adjustment nut  205  on the threads of the threaded rod  130 . On the far end, the threaded rod  130  may be attached to the pole  120  or other stationary fixture using the adapter  234  and the rotatable connection  139 . As would be apparent to those of skill in the art, the threaded rod  130  may be connected to the adapter  234  and, consequently, pole  120  using any type of mechanical fastening means known in the art including screws, bolts, rivets or welding. 
   The attachment portion may also include two spacers  220 ,  225  positioned above and below the adjustment nut  205 . It is contemplated the spacer  225  may transition between the attachment portion  157  and the adjustment pole  132 . Although not shown in  FIG. 2A , the spacer  220  may function as a connection between the attachment portion  157  and any telescoping covering discussed above with reference to  FIG. 1A  and the covering of the threaded rod  130 . As with the inserts  270 , the spacers  220  and  225  may be configured to allow the threaded rod to pass through the spacers and the attachment portion  157 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2A , the locking mechanism  245  is shown in the locked position, engaging the adjustment nut  205  such that rotation about the threaded rod  130  may be stopped. A spring  240  may be configured to bias the locking mechanism  245  to the right, as shown in  FIG. 2A . The locking mechanism  245  may be unlocked, or moved to the left of the position shown in  FIG. 2A , by depressing the trigger  151 . Once the trigger  151  is depress and the locking mechanism  245  disengaged from the adjustment nut  205 , adjustment of the height of the backboard  175  and hoop  170  may be accomplished. While locking mechanism  245  is illustrated in the figures as a spring-biased trigger, it is contemplated that any common braking mechanism may be used to prevent rotation of the adjustment nut  205  about the threaded rod  130  without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   Once unlocked, the adjustment system  150  may be moved upward or downward in the vertical direction indicated by Arrow A. By applying downward pressure, the thruster bearings  210  may apply downward force to the adjustment nut  205 , causing the nut  205  to spin. Once spinning, the nut  205  may permit the threaded rod to pass through the attachment portion  157  of the adjustment system  150 . As the nut  205  spins, the threaded rod  130  may extend through the attachment portion  157  and upwardly into the adjustment pole  132 , effectively shortening the distance between point  138  to point  139 . Conversely, by applying an upward force on the adjustment system  150 , the nut  205  may spin, the threaded rod  130  may translate down relative to the adjustment pole  132 , and the effective distance between point  138  and  139  may be increased. 
   While the figures illustrate the adjustment nut  205  spinning around the threaded rod  130  while the threaded rod  130  is held in a stationary position, it is also contemplated that the spinning nut  205  may be held stationary and the threaded rod  130  may rotate. In this embodiment, the threaded rod  130  may be attached to the first adjustment pole  130  in a manner so as to allow the threaded rod to rotate about its longitudinal axis and the adjustment nut  205  may be held stationary within the adjustment mechanism  150 . Further, a braking mechanism may be attached to the threaded rod  130  so as to prevent rotation and thus lock the vertical height of the basketball backboard  175  and hoop  170 . 
   It should be noted that, according to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2A , translation between the adjustment pole  132  and the threaded rod  130  requires that the adjustment nut  205  spin in a predetermined direction. Additionally, the threaded rod  130  may be prohibited from sliding or becoming disconnected from the adjustment pole  132  because of the threads engaging the adjustment system  150  with the threaded rod  130 . As a result, even large and sudden forces or energies, such as the weight of the basketball backboard and goal or a player hanging on the rim may have to be first converted into rotational energy of the nut in order to the height to change before any translation of the threaded rod  130  and the adjustment pole  132  may take place. Because such energies are translated into rotation of the adjustment nut  205 , the transition between a stationary adjustment system  150  and a moving adjustment system  150  may be smooth, without any sharp movements or jumps. 
     FIG. 2B  shows a top cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the adjustment system according to the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 2B , the locking mechanism  245  may have an engagement portion or tooth  246  configured to engage with the adjustment nut  205 . The locking mechanism  245  may be held in place in its resting position by the spring  240  which may exert a force on the locking mechanism  245  in the direction of Arrow B. While in its released position, where the trigger  151  remains inactivated, the engagement portion  246  may engage with exterior of the adjustment nut  205 , preventing any rotation of the adjustment nut  205  around the threaded rod  130 . 
   When a user depresses the trigger bar  151 , a force may be applied to the spring  240  in the direction of Arrow C and the locking mechanism  245  may disengage with the adjustment nut  205 . As such, the adjustment nut  205  may be permitted to turn around the threaded rod  130 . While  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate the use of a spring  240  and a trigger bar  151  for engaging with the locking mechanism  245 , it is contemplated that other locking mechanisms, including electronic systems, known to those in the art may be used without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   The attachment of the threaded rod  130  to the adjustment system  150  in the manner described above and the use of a locking mechanism  245  may permit a user to easily adjust the height of a basketball system using the present invention. Using the present invention, the adjustment system  150  may be moved by a user in the directions indicated by Arrow A in  FIG. 2A  along the axial direction of the threaded rod  130  with relative ease. As the adjustment system  150  moves along the length of the threaded rod  130 , the first adjustment pole  132  may be pulled downwards or pushed upwards, easily increasing or decreasing the height of the backboard/hoop assembly. 
   Unlike traditional systems, the use of an adjustment nut  205  and threaded rod  130  permit a user to make smooth, precise adjustments in the height of a basketball system by pushing and pulling rather than having to rotate the adjustment mechanism. For example, according to one embodiment of the present invention, the hi-lead threaded rod  130  and an adjustment nut  245  may each include threads configured for 0.5 inch of travel per revolution, resulting in 0.042 inch of vertical adjustment in the height of the basketball hoop  170 . 
   Furthermore, the locking mechanism  245  and the locking tooth or engagement portion  246  may engage the threaded nut  205  and the intervals between external teeth  206  to substantially prohibit rotation of the threaded nut  205  and substantially fix height of the basketball backboard  175 . As would be apparent to one of ordinary skill, the threaded nut  205  may include twelve external teeth  206 , as shown in  FIG. 2B , resulting in twelve intervals at which the threaded nut and the height of the backboard may be set per each revolution of the threaded nut. However, according to the present invention, different size, shape, and number of external teeth may be used. Contrary to the traditional adjustable basketball systems, the resolution resulting from the external teeth  206  and the locking mechanism  245  may be configured to provide very fine and precise adjustment of the height of the basketball hoop. 
   Although the adjustment system  150  may be configured as shown in  FIGS. 1A-2B , it should be understood that alternative configurations and designs may be employed without deviating from the scope and spirit of the present invention. 
   The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. While the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention, various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use are also possible. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.