Abstract:
The invention concerns a structure for holding a device such as a basketball goal or flag which can be lowered into a well cavity in the ground. The structure includes a pipe assembly located in a casing inside the well cavity that is raised by filling the casing with fluid, such as water from a household water source. To lower the structure, the fluid is removed from the casing.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a structure for holding a device such as a basketball goal or flag that can be retracted into a well cavity in the ground when not in use.  
         [0002]     Structures for holding devices such as basketball goals or flags are typically found in the front yards or driveways of many homes. These structures detract from the appearance of the home and are prohibited in many suburbs that have covenant restrictions.  
         [0003]     Thus, there exists the need for a simple, neat appearing, easily operated and economical structure for holding such devices that can be retracted into a well cavity in the ground when not in use.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a structure for holding a device such as a basketball goal or flag that can be retracted into a well cavity in the ground when not in use thereby not detracting from the aesthetic appearance of a home. When used with a basketball goal, the backboard and net and rim assembly can be removed from the structure or rotated on the structure after it is retracted to obscure its appearance such as behind shrubs in the yard.  
         [0005]     To attain this, the present invention comprises a structure having a casing positioned upright in the well cavity, a pipe assembly located within the casing that is movable between a lower retracted position in the well cavity and an upright extended position above the ground, means for raising and lowering the pipe assembly between the retracted position and extended positions, and clamp means to secure the pipe assembly to the casing when the pipe assembly is in an upright extended position. When used with a basketball goal, the goal may be mounted using an arm cantilevered from the top of the pipe assembly to hold a backboard and net and rim assembly to the pipe assembly.  
         [0006]     It is an object of the invention to provide the unique design of a structure which may be retracted into a well cavity in the ground by hydraulic means when not in use.  
         [0007]     Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved structure which is simple, neat appearing, easily operated, and economical that uses fluid such as water, gas, or compressed air as a means to raise and lower the structure for use and nonuse.  
         [0008]     With the foregoing and other objects in view, my present invention comprises certain constructions, combinations and arrangements of parts and elements as hereinafter described, defined in the appended claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]      FIG. 1  is a front elevational view of the retractable structure in the raised position and holding a basketball goal.  
         [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front elevational view of the retractable structure in the retracted position inside the well cavity.  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a front elevational view of the retractable structure in the raised position and holding a flag pole. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]     Referring to the embodiments of the invention shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the retractable structure when used as a basketball goal includes a backboard  9  and net and rim assembly  13  mounted to an extension arm  21 . The extension arm  21  is cantilevered from the top of a pipe assembly  11 . The pipe assembly  11  stands upright from a well cavity  12 . The pipe assembly  11  is adapted to be retracted into the well cavity  12 , as will be hereinafter described.  
         [0013]     The pipe  23  of the pipe assembly  11  is preferably a tubular member of aluminum or the like having an inside diameter of about 3 inches. The length of this pipe is such as to permit the pipe assembly  11  to be extended to a height sufficient to hold the backboard  9  and net and rim assembly  13  at a desired elevation for playing basketball. The pipe assembly  11  is adjustable in the well cavity  12  to vary the elevation of the backboard  9  and net and rim assembly  13 , for example from 6 feet to 12 feet.  
         [0014]     The pipe assembly  11  is sealed at the bottom such as a cap  20  to prevent water from entering the pipe assembly  11 . A first seal  17 , such as a swab cup commonly used in the oil and gas industry, is located at the lower end of pipe assembly  11  to form a seal in the annular space between pipe assembly  11  and casing  7 . A second seal  19  can be installed as shown in  FIG. 1 , although not required, for redundancy in the event that there is a section of the casing  7  that is damaged and will not allow one seal to hold pressure. A first extension  18  between the first seal  17  and second seal  19  of approximately one foot provides a redundancy seal in the event that there is a section of the casing  7  which is damaged and does not allow one of the seals to hold pressure.  
         [0015]     At the upper end of the casing  7  is a clamp assembly  4  attached to the casing  7  to clamp the pipe assembly  11  at the desired height and to help prevent rotation of the pipe assembly  11 . This clamp assembly  4  may include a nipple  5 , such as a steel component with a blank top and pipe male thread, and female adapter  6 .  
         [0016]     A conduit  2  is connected to the lower end of the casing  7  at inlet  8 . The conduit  2  has a first valve  1  to allow fluid such as water to enter the conduit  2  and a second valve  3  to allow fluid to exit conduit  2 .  
         [0017]     The casing  7  is lowered into the well cavity  12  in the ground having a depth substantially the same as the height of the casing. Typically, the well cavity depth and diameter are approximately 15 feet and 8 inches, respectively. The conduit  2  can be, although not required, strapped to the outside of the casing  7 .  
         [0018]     The pipe assembly  11  is lowered into the casing  7  located in the well cavity  12 . The annulus between the well cavity  12  and casing  7  is backfilled with dirt to about 4 feet below ground level. The remaining space in the well cavity  12  is filled with cement to secure the casing  7  leaving the conduit  2  and valves  1  and  3  exposed for access.  
         [0019]     Prior to raising the pipe assembly  11  for playing basketball, one end of the extension arm  21  is connected to the backboard  9  and the other end of the arm  21  is placed in the opening at the upper end of pipe assembly  11 . The clamp  10  connected to pipe assembly  11  secures the backboard  9  and net and rim assembly  13  and reduces possible rotation. Additionally, the clamp  10  provides a stop so that the top of the pipe assembly  11  is at about ground level when fully retracted.  
         [0020]     To raise the pipe assembly  11  for playing, a fluid source such as water from a house water source, is connected to the conduit  2 . When valve  1  is open and valve  3  is closed, the water flows into the annulus between the casing  7  and pipe assembly  11  thereby raising the pipe assembly  11 . Although not required, the pipe assembly  11  can be made more rigid using a coupling  14  and adapter  16  which fit closely inside the casing  7 . The spacing between the coupling  14  and adapter  16 , preferably about 4 feet, helps to keep the pipe assembly  11  rigid.  
         [0021]     Raising the pipe assembly  11  will cease when the fluid flow is stopped or the coupling  14  contacts the clamp assembly  4 . When the pipe assembly  11  is at the desired height, the clamp assembly  4  is tightened against the pipe assembly  11 , such as using a set screw to stabilize and prevent the pipe from rotating.  
         [0022]     The pipe assembly  11  can be lowered by loosening the clamp assembly  4 , closing valve  1  and opening valve  3 . The pipe assembly  11  will retract into casing  7 . Lowering of the pipe assembly  11  will cease when valve  3  is closed or when the clamp  10  contacts the clamp assembly  4 . If desired, the backboard  9  and net and rim assembly  13  may be removed by loosening clamp  10 .