Abstract:
A self-storing basketball goal system includes a foundation box enclosing a portable basketball goal including a backboard and hoop rim. The backboard attaches to the distal end section of a post assembly, which is preferably foldable and telescopic. The foundation box may be dug in the ground so that the post and goal assembly is installed upon a top cover of the foundation box which is flush with the ground, or the foundation box may be a remote storage container away from the playing surface. In that case, the post assembly and supporting struts are attached to keyways installed within the playing surface, such as a driveway, patio or other playing surface. The post assembly may then fold into the foundation box with the backboard and removable hoop rim.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to convenient, user operable, self-storing basketball goal systems.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Basketball goals in residential areas are often an eyesore, especially after a few years of weather deterioration. In some neighborhoods, local ordinances have restricted the location of such devices or have outright banned permanent erection of basketball goals. To attempt to answer the perceived need, the prior art reveals several inventions relating to portable basketball goals.  
         [0003]     Most existing basketball systems are semi-permanent when assembled, or are only partially diassembleable. Such systems include, as examples, US Patent Publication No. 2004/0157688 of Schroeder et al, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,100,132 of Anderson, 5,255,909 of Wendell, 5,628,508 of Koole, 5,730,668 of Hege et al, 5,772,167, also of Koole, 5,800,294 of Naecker, Jr., 5,902,197 of Davis et al, 5,947,847 of van Nimwegen et al, 5,983,602 of Allen et al, 6,783,472 B1 of Stanford et al, 6,866,696 B2 of Steed et al and 6,881,163 B2 of Schroeder et al.  
         [0004]     One basketball backboard and net set (U.S. Pat. No. 3,716,234 of Lancelotti) is disassembleable into a box, but all the parts have to be taken apart by loosening rigid nuts and bolts, which of curse are subject to strength requirements for removal and become tighter as time goes on due to the effects of outdoor weather.  
         [0005]     None offer the combined features of self-storage at the playing site, high goal stability with desirable offset between post and backboard, and ease of erection or disassembly without the use of tools.  
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a convenient, user operable, self-storing basketball goal system.  
         [0007]     Other objects which become apparent from the following description of the present invention.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the self-storing basketball goal system of this invention provides a watertight storage compartment in a foundation box. The foundation box is preferably installed within the ground so that the post assembly attaches to a top cover thereof flush with the ground. However, alternatively, it can be a remote storage container where the post assembly attaches to one or more keyways in the playing surface, such as a gymnasium floor, a driveway or a patio. When the foundation box is installed within the ground, it is accessible via a lid that is flush mounted with the ground surface. When not in use, all three subassemblies (rim, backboard, and post) are stored within the compartment. When in use, the post is assembled and locked to the lid of the storage compartment; the rim and backboard are attached to the post, and the entire task is completed in short time without the use of any tools. The post assembly is very robust, and its cantilever removes the post from the playing area providing safety for aggressive fast play. The goal stability is much higher and not subject to tip, like other portable goals. Existing portable goals are also too heavy and cumbersome to move, and too big to store. The rim height can be easily adjusted to accommodate shorter players. Auxiliary mounting plates can be installed to provide alternate playing areas to receive the goal system remote from its storage area. Three small floor plates with female socket features matching those on the auxiliary mounting plates can be mounted flush on a gym floor at the proper spacing to receive the post assembly of this basketball goal system for portable indoor use in a gym area.  
         [0009]     The foundation box with storage compartment is installed in an excavated area below grade, or is a remote storage container. When installed in the ground, this foundation for the goal system is installed without the use of concrete which makes it relatively easy to remove and reinstall in another location. Also, the installation area is not permanently altered, be it lawn area or beach sand. In some types of rocky soil material, it is adequate to just bury the foundation box to achieve sufficient stability. In sandy areas or in lighter soil, a ballast, such as a ballast box, ballast plate or other ballasted retaining area, is first installed and filled with heavy ballast such as rocks. The ballast box is installed and carefully leveled at a depth such that the foundation box which is then bolted to its top rim will have its lid flush with the ground surface. The ballast box has a bottom panel that can be removed during installation. The person performing the excavation can actually stand in a hole below the ballast box through this panel hole to more easily perform the leveling operation. After leveling, the foot hole is back-filled, and the bottom panel is bolted back in place before the ballast is introduced.  
         [0010]     The post assembly is articulated and telescoping to fit into a relatively small storage compartment. It is preferably constructed of aluminum square tubing of the order of four inches square. By “tubing” it is noted that while the preferably crossection of the tubing is square, it can have any geometric crossection, such as circular, triangular, rectangular or otherwise.  
         [0011]     The main post is foldable and/or telescopic in sections, so that it fits with the backboard and removable hoop rim within the foundation box. The main post is foldable and optionally also telescopic in a plurality of sections, preferably in four sections. A bottom length telescopes into an equal length section which is hinged to a similar upper section with its own telescoping section within; the telescoping upper section is then hinged to a shorter backboard attachment section. The telescoping members are captive within the outer members and preferably telescope freely on internal low friction sleeves (such as Teflon™). All sections of the post assembly are preferably pre-attached; another part is a sleeve which rides on the outer lower section (again with low friction internal sleeve). This sleeve collar carries a plurality of support struts, preferably two struts, which attach to the playing surface, such as to the lid of the storage compartment as does the bottom distal end of the lower telescoping section which attaches first via a rotary motion into a triple keyway. The two struts are preferably locked into the base by straightening a lock, such as a folding locking horizontal strut which action forces the strut bottoms laterally within their straight keyways. Note that the lid of the storage box is sturdily locked shut via a lock, such as a pair of cam locks that are then prevented from opening by interference from the two struts locked into their respective keyways adjacent to the lock handles.  
         [0012]     The backboard attaches to the attachment post via a fastener, such as a hinged member on a bracket which is locked around the post via a fastener, such as a toggle latch clamp. The rim attaches to the same post in the same manner via a fastener, such as through a rectangular hole in the bottom center of the backboard surface. The rim also engages the bottom of the backboard, creating a second attachment point for the backboard to the post.  
         [0013]     Preferably, fasteners, such as two spring-loaded index pins are attached to the upper surfaces of the two members with telescoping sections within. The bottom-most section is pulled out until its index hole matches up and is locked via the index pin. The upper telescoping section is advanced to the desired length (or all the way for regulation rim height) and the index pin is received into the nearest index hole. These holes are spaced about 3″ apart to provide this adjustment. After the telescoping sections are secured via the spring pins, the mast is raised to the operational angle which is preferably approximately 60 degrees from the horizontal, although other structurally sound angles of orientation may be employed. At this point, the collar to which the struts are pivoted is aligned with the lower folding member near its bottom end such that side holes align with through holes in the folding member; a spring pin is inserted through the collar and post member locking them together. Thus the post erection is completed.  
         [0014]     The actual assembly sequence of the three subsystems starts with unlatching the cam locks securing the cover of the base storage box; the cover is then opened and the backboard, rim and post assembly are retrieved from the storage compartment. Then the cover is re-closed and securely latched by the cam locks. Now the folded post assembly is attached to the base by inserting the distal end into keyways and applying a clockwise twist action. The support struts are then inserted into their keyways on the base storage box cover. The articulated sections of the post assembly are then unfolded, and the telescoping sections are pulled out of their housing members. At this point, the angle of the post has been reduced to bring the distal end down to about 3.5 feet so the rim and backboard can be mounted. The rim and backboard are then attached via their respective fasteners, such as toggle latch clamps. The post is then raised to its play position and secured by inserting a spring pin through the collar assembly.  
         [0015]     Disassembly of the three subsystems is started by lowering the post to the low intermediate position by removing the spring pin from the collar. Then the rim and backboard are detached. Once the post is lowered, the rim and backboard are detached by releasing their respective fasteners, such as one or more toggle latch clamps. Then the telescoping sections are pushed into their housing members and articulated sections are folded. The support struts are released from the base. Now the post assemble is released from the base by a counterclockwise twist and lift action. At this point, the backboard, rim and post assembly are placed in the base storage box and secured via cam locks. The two normal hinges and adjacent locking spring pins which are used with the articulated sections can be replaced with adjustable locking hinges of the type often used with adjustable high-end ladders. These are easily operated by pulling a handle or pushing a knob against spring resistance; they are more convenient and eliminate the separate spring pin parts.  
         [0016]     In an alternate embodiment of this self-storing portable basketball goal, a different configuration with all components pre-attached to the inside of the lid of the watertight storage compartment is described. The post is in a ladder configuration with preferably two parallel structural members which are pre-attached to the backboard at their distal end. Single structural members can also be used. In operation, the lid of the storage compartment is opened vertically to 90 degrees and locked in place with one or more locking struts, preferably two locking struts. The two folding struts which are straightened into an oblique angle and locked. Attached to the lid are one or more, preferably two parallel post members which are preferable aluminum square tubing, although other tubing crossections may be employed. Each preferably has an equal length telescoping member within which is withdrawn to a desired height (after the other distal members are adjusted) and locked in place by a fastener, such as a spring pin which is inserted through a hole near the top end of the members attached to the lid and also through one of a line of holes in the telescoping members. The telescoping members are attached together by a horizontal shaft near their top distal ends. An articulated member is also hinged at this site on each side. These are swung over the top of the telescoping members and locked into a single prescribed position of about an angle of 48 degrees to the horizontal via spring pins adjacent to the hinges. The distal ends of these parallel angled members are themselves similarly preferably attached together by a horizontal shaft and pivoted to the backboard structural members via fasteners, such as hinges and spring pins. Although a unitary backboard can be used, for space saving storage, preferably the backboard has two folding wings, one at each side that must be opened and locked in the open position prior to play. The rim is hinged and is swung down and locked into position at a right angle to the backboard. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0017]     The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in drawings, in which:  
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the self-storing portable basketball goal of this invention as erected and ready for use;  
         [0019]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the post assembly as folded into a configuration which fits in the storage box;  
         [0020]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the backboard assembly showing the toggle latch clamp locking configuration;  
         [0021]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the backboard;  
         [0022]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the rim assembly showing the toggle latch clamp attachment configuration;  
         [0023]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the rim assembly;  
         [0024]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the watertight foundation box with lid partially open;  
         [0025]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the ballast box with removable bottom plate;  
         [0026]      FIG. 9  is a side view of an excavation in progress with ballast box installed and excavator&#39;s feet extending below bottom of ballast box through the bottom hatch;  
         [0027]      FIG. 10  is a side subterranean view of foundation box with storage compartment attached to the ballast box;  
         [0028]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the basketball goal erected with an intermediate low position shown in dashed lines;  
         [0029]      FIG. 12  is a top view of an auxiliary mounting plate showing the female keyways which are used to anchor the post assembly;  
         [0030]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a kit consisting of three keyway plates which can be installed flush with a wooden gym floor to permit interior use of the basketball goal of this invention;  
         [0031]      FIG. 14  is a perspective detail of an adjustable locking hinge which can be used with this invention;  
         [0032]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the self-storing basketball goal wherein all components are pre-attached to the lid of the watertight storage compartment, and  
         [0033]      FIG. 16  is a side view of the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 15  showing the details of the telescoping and articulated sections. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0034]      FIG. 1  shows basketball goal  1  erected and ready for play. Area  3  is the playing area, while region  2  can be an adjacent lawn or sand or soil area. Post assembly  4  (as shown in  FIGS. 1, 2 , and  11 ) includes of various components that are all attached together. It folds and telescopes into the compact configuration shown in  FIG. 2  for storage in the watertight storage compartment of foundation box  10 .  
         [0035]     As shown in  FIG. 2 , post assembly  4  includes base pivot  15 , captive bottom telescoping section  16 , bottom main tube  17 , upper main tube  18 , captive upper telescoping tube  20 , backboard attachment tube  52 , and strut collar  25  with struts  26  and  27  and strut base pivots  28  and  29 .  
         [0036]     Low friction sleeves are used within tubes  17  and  18  to facilitate easy travel of captive telescoping sections  16  and  20  respectively. The low friction sleeves are sized to come together to block over travel of the telescoping members  16 , 17  and  18 , 20 .  
         [0037]     Lid  11  is hinged to box  10  by hinge  12 ; it has keyways under base pivot  15  and under strut pivots  28  and  29 . Folding horizontal strut  13  is pivoted on struts  26  and  27  keeping them spread apart and engaged with keyways in lid  11  when it is locked in the straight position.  
         [0038]     Both backboard  33  and rim  32  are attached to the distal end section of post assembly  4  which is section  52  as shown in  FIG. 2 . Note that tubing section  52  is hinged via hinge  53  to the distal end of telescoping tube  20 .  
         [0039]      FIGS. 3 and 4  show backboard  33  with frame  35 , face board  36  (preferably polycarbonate), mounting crossbar  37  and lower rim accommodating region  38 . The frame  35  and mounting hardware (wall  39 , swinging gate with a fastener, such as a toggle latch clamp  41  and wall  40  with clamp hook  40   a ) are preferably aluminum components which can be welded in place. The enclosed area  42  engages post square tubing member  52  in a snug fit when toggle latch clamp  41  is drawn down.  FIGS. 5 and 6  show the rim which has mounting features similar to those of backboard  33 . The clamp  41  is passed through notched slit  38   b  of lower rim accommodating region  38  and engages the lower section of tube  52 . Walls  39  and  40  of the backboard rim mount advance through notched slits  38   b  and  38   c  capturing tongue bar  38   a , which is flush with the face of backboard frame  35  of backboard  33 . Slit  38   b  is notched convexly outward to accommodate the width of clamp  41  pivotably attached to backboard claim wall  39 . Likewise, slit  38   c  is also notched convexly outward to accommodate the width of hook  40   a  of backward clamp wall  40 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 7  shows foundation box  10  with watertight storage compartment  60  as sealed by lid  11  against elastomeric gasket  61  under the pressure provided by hinge  12  and cam locks  65  and  66  when in the closed position. Note the circular pattern of three keyways  64 . These engage three male key prongs  51  on the bottom of base pivot  15  when prongs  51  are inserted in the enlarged openings and then twisted in a clockwise direction. Front keyways  62  and  63  engage male key prongs  51  on the ends of strut pivots  28  and  29  when they are inserted and then spread apart. Note that as a safety feature, struts  26  and  27  cannot be inserted until the handles of cam locks  65  and  66  are turned out of the interference position; this turning action also engages the cam locks to secure lid  11  in a closed engagement with foundation box  10 . Note that the keyway openings in lid  11  are sealed internally with spaced apart covers to prevent water seepage while not blocking the keyways themselves. In some types of substrate, box  10  with the help of rim  14  will provide adequate pull-out resistance to act as a foundation for the basketball goal. However, in softer ground a ballast box  70  as in  FIG. 8  is required. This is placed deeper down below foundation box  10  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Ballast box  70  has a hatch opening  73  on its bottom which provides access for the feet of a person during the excavation as shown in  FIG. 9 . This makes it more convenient to carefully level box  70 ;  56  is the upper excavation which will accommodate foundation box  10 , while lower excavation  57  makes space for the person to be at a lower level. After the leveling is complete, area  57  is backfilled with material  55  and hatch cover  72  is bolted to the bottom using bolts through clearance holes  75  into threaded holes  76 . Ballast, such as rocks or broken concrete, can then be introduced into box  70 . Then foundation box  10  is attached to the rim of ballast box  70  above side walls  71 . Bolts through clearance holes  67  in flange  14  are screwed into threaded holes  74  to accomplish the attachment. Note that box  10  can be inverted and nested within box  70  for shipping purposes.  
         [0041]      FIG. 11  shows a side view of goal  1  in the low position for attachment or detachment of backboard and rim (dashed lines), as well as in the deployed position. Note that collar  25  moves from the top of post section  17  to the bottom in making the transition. It is locked via a spring pin  82  when in the deployed position. Index pin  80  locks telescoping section  16  to section  17  at the extended position. Hinge  19 , between sections  17  and  18 , is locked by an adjacent spring pin. Index pin  81  adjusts the degree of extension of top telescoping member  20  via an array of holes on its top surface (about 31″ apart). Height h 1  is close to regulation height, while further extension of  20  will take it to its limit, and retraction inward will bring it down to height h 2 . Spring pin  83  locks in the appropriate angle between distal segment  52  and telescoping section  20  to insure the verticality of backboard  33  as segment  52  is rotated via hinge  53 . Telescoping member  16  can be retracted for a further lower height h 3 , such as six to eight feet above the ground.  
         [0042]      FIG. 12  is a top view of an auxiliary mounting plate  85  with pattern of keyways  62 ,  63  and  64  and straight keyways  62  and  63  at the same relative positions as on foundation box lid  11 . This rigid plate can be attached to a rigid in-ground framework or to a series of stakes via screw holes  86  at a location remote from the in-ground storage compartment.  FIG. 13  shows a kit  88  including one three-keyway plate  89  and two identical straight keyway plates  90 . These can be easily installed so that their upper surface is flush with the floor level inside a gym. If the floor is wood, round depressions can be routed at the appropriate spacings and plates  89  and  90  are then simply screwed down with flat heat screws in the countersink clearance holes in the plates. This would permit use of the portable goal of this invention in an interior space.  
         [0043]     While  FIG. 12  shows keyways  62  flush with plate  85 , in a further embodiment, plate  85  can be recessed within the ground, acting as a ballast, whereby keyways  62 ,  63  and  64  are elevated by structural tower posts (not shown) to be flush with the ground playing surface area.  
         [0044]      FIG. 14  shows a heavy duty adjustable hinge  95  that can be substituted for hinges  19  and  53  (and their adjacent spring pins). This particular design is operated by pulling out handle  96  until it clicks open to release the hinge. By rotating the members to the desired position and clicking it back in under spring force, the hinge would be locked in the alternate position. The design illustrated is an invention of Boothe (U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,045). A similar push button operated adjustable locking hinge can also be used; an example is the invention of Lee (U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,780).  
         [0045]     It is further noted that hinges  19  and  53  are on the rearward side of post assembly  4 , so that if a structural member or fastener fails, the backboard  33  will only fall rearward, away from the playing area.  
         [0046]     An alternate embodiment of this invention is shown in  FIGS. 15 and 16 . In this embodiment, all components are pre-attached; and fold and telescope such that they fit within a storage compartment in watertight foundation box  101  which may be attached to ballast box  130  via bolts through flange  102 . Lid  104  is the main attachment for the dual parallel posts that ultimately bear the weight of the other support elements as well as backboard  115  with folding rim  125  which is attached via hinge  126 . In the locked position, lid  104  is kept tightly closed via cam locks  105 , hinge  106  and gasket  103 . In the open position, two folding locking struts  107 , pivoted at one end at the inner sides of box  101  and at the distal end at lid  104 , are used to position lid  104  at a right angle to box  101 . Two square tubing sections  108  are attached to lid  104 . Telescoping sections  110  emanate from them with an array of holes which are used to set the desired rim height by using a spring pin through a single hole neat the top end of sections  108  (an index pin can also be used). Two parallel post members  112  are swung around on hinges  111  and locked at a preferable angle of 48 degrees (to the horizontal) using adjacent spring pins. Backboard  115  attached to support posts  122  is swung from the front side of members  112  into the deployed position via hinges  121  at each end of rod  120  and locked in the vertical position using adjacent spring pins and/or rigid strut  129 . To permit backboard  115  to fit into a smaller storage compartment, it has a central section  116  attached to support posts  122 . On each side of  116  are wing sections  117  which are hinged to  116  and are rotated parallel to  116  and locked in place with latches prior to use.  FIG. 16  shows the motion of the various sections during the deployment or take-down operations (using dashed lines with arrow heads).  
         [0047]     The alternate embodiment can be erected or taken down conveniently and quickly. The operation can be streamlined by replacing hinges  121  (and their adjacent spring pins) with two adjustable locking hinges such as are shown in  FIG. 14 .  
         [0048]     In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only, and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.  
         [0049]     It is further known that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing the scope of the invention, as noted in the appended Claims.