Patent Publication Number: US-7219865-B2

Title: Rollable sports base

Description:
This application is a Continuation of application Ser. No. 09/813,823 filed Mar. 22, 2001 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,243, which is a Divisional of application Ser. No. 09/275,021 filed Mar. 24, 1999 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,427,963. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates in general to sports assemblies and more particularly to portable sports assemblies that are rollable. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   Various types of sports assemblies, and in particular, basketball goal support assemblies, volleyball net support assemblies and the like, have been proposed and used in the past. Such proposals have recognized that stability and portability are desirable if perhaps competing characteristics. In the past, providing both stability and portability in a particular construction has come at the price of requiring a more complex structural arrangement and, in many instances, the use of additional equipment to serve as a way of either transporting or stabilizing the assembly. 
   While there are patents which disclose the use of wheels or casters rigidly mounted to the base of a sports assembly, one must typically tilt the entire assembly for the wheels to engage the support surface. In the tilted position, the mover bears a significant portion of the assembly weight and stability. In several basketball sports assemblies, the basketball backboard is oversized and extremely heavy. The average person is not able to readily tilt the entire assembly. In the event that one is able to tilt or overturn the assembly, they would still have to bear a significant portion of the weight of the assembly during transportation. 
   Moreover, there are patents which disclose apparatuses having retractable wheels that can be deployed to engage the ground. However, in some of these apparatuses, one is still required to substantially tilt the apparatus in order to transport it. Other apparatuses which disclose deployable wheels typically utilize such wheels for added support or stability and do not disclose deployable wheels which are the primary means of transporting the particular apparatus. 
   Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a rollable sports base which is securely in contact with the ground during operation and is easily transported without having to substantially tilt the assembly. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a rollable sports base for supporting a sports apparatus. It is a principal advantage of the present invention to provide a sports base which is stable in operation, yet is easily transported without the need for the person transporting the apparatus to bear the weight of the assembly during transportation. 
   Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description that follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the apparatus particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
   To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described, the invention consists of a sports ballast base for supporting a sports apparatus support member comprising a base member having a first edge and a second edge, a top surface and a bottom surface. The bottom surface is adapted to substantially contact a support surface. There is a wheel assembly having at least one wheel for contacting the support surface. The wheel assembly is retractable or displaceable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface of the base member substantially contacts the support surface and in the lowered position the wheel contacts the support surface thereby separating the base member from the support surface. 
   It is also desirable for the sports ballast base to have two wheel assemblies, a first wheel assembly and a second wheel assembly, for contacting the support surface. One or both of the wheel assemblies are retractable or displaceable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface of the base member substantially contacts the support surface. In the lowered position, both the first and second wheel assemblies contact the support surface thereby separating or elevating the base member from the support surface. 
   In another embodiment, the invention consists of a similar rollable sports base for supporting a sports apparatus support member wherein the first wheel assembly is displaceable or retractable and comprises a pivoting connector coupled to the base member and a wheel bracket coupled to the pivoting connector. The wheel bracket is adapted to receive an axle and at least one wheel, and is further provided with a handle extending outwardly from the wheel bracket. The handle is used to pivotally rotate the second wheel assembly about a transverse axis such that when the handle is rotated away from the base member, the wheel contacts the support surface and the bottom surface of the base member is separated or elevated from the support surface. 
   It is an object of the present invention to provide a rollable sports base that is securely in contact with the ground during operation and is easily transported without having to substantially tilt the assembly. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a rollable sports base having rollers or wheels which are displaceable. 
   It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a rollable sports base which is easily maneuvered during transportation. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. It is understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. 
   The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a rollable sports base according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a cross sectional side view of the rollable sports base of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a further embodiment of a rollable sports base according to the present invention utilizing a screw-jack handle. 
       FIG. 4  is a cross sectional view of the rollable sports base of  FIG. 3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rollable sports base according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a wheel assembly of the rollable sports base of  FIG. 5 . 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of yet another embodiment of a rollable sports base according to the present invention depicting a recessed handle. 
       FIG. 8   a  is a perspective view of another embodiment of a rollable sports base according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 8   b  is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention according to  FIG. 8   a.    
       FIG. 8   c  is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention according to  FIGS. 8   a  and  8   b.    
       FIG. 8   d  is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention according to  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b , and  8   c.    
       FIG. 8   e  is a front view of the embodiment of the present invention according to  FIGS. 8   a ,  8   b ,  8   c , and  8   d.    
       FIG. 9   a  is a side view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9   b  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention according to  FIG. 9   a.    
       FIG. 9   c  is a side view of the embodiment of the present invention according to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b.    
   

   Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. 
   The exemplary embodiment of the rollable sports base is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  and is designated generally by reference numeral  10 . As embodied herein and referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the rollable sports base  10  is preferably attached to a portable basketball goal assembly  5  and includes a base member  20  which has a first edge  22  and a second edge  24 , and a top surface  26  and a bottom surface  28 . The bottom surface  28  is adapted to contact a support surface  50  such as a driveway or other playing surface. There is at least one retractable or displaceable wheel assembly  30  having at least one wheel  70  for contacting the support surface. It is preferred that there be two wheel assemblies, a second wheel assembly  30  and a first wheel assembly  40 , for contacting the support surface  50 . One or both of the wheel assemblies are displaceable or retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface  28  of the base member  20  substantially contacts the support surface  50 . In the lowered position, the wheels  70  of both the second and first wheel assemblies  30 ,  40  contact the support surface  50  thereby separating or elevating the base member  20  from the support surface  50 , such that the base  10  is rollable. A displaceable wheel assembly has the ability to change its position relative to the support surface  50  and the base  10 . A retractable wheel assembly has the ability to be drawn back within the base  10  from a position where it is displaced from the base  10 . 
   Although it need not be present, it is desirable for the base member  20  to have a first recession  60  in the top surface  26  of the base member  20  and a second recession  62  in the bottom surface  28  of the base member  20 . A hole  64  is defined through the base member  20  which extends from the first recession  60  through to the top surface  26 . Where there is a second recession  62 , the top of the recession is essentially the top surface  26 . In practice, either one of the wheel assemblies  30 ,  40  or both wheel assemblies  30 ,  40  may be displaceable. In a preferred embodiment, the second wheel assembly  30  is fixed in position such that the second wheel assembly  30  engages the support surface  50  during routine use and the first wheel assembly  40  is displaceable or retractable. 
   Where the first wheel assembly  40  is retractable it preferably comprises a caster, wheel, or similar roller  70 , having a top portion  72  attached to the base member  20  and a retraction device  80 . The retraction device  80  has a first end  82  and a second end  84  and is pivotally attached at the second end  84  by a mounting bracket  76  disposed within the hole  64  defined between the first recession  60  and second recession  62 . The second end  84  of the retraction device  80  is adapted to engage the top portion  72  of the caster  70 . It is preferred that the caster or wheel  70  be pivotally attached to the base member  20  within the second recession  62 , such that downward force on the top portion  72  of the caster  70  causes the caster  70  to engage the support surface  50  thereby separating the base member  20  from the support surface  50 , thus being easily transported or rollable. 
   As depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , it is preferred that the retraction device  80  is a lever adapted to communicate with either the top surface  26  or the first recession  60 . The second end  84  of the retraction device  80  is provided with a cam  83  thereon and the first end  82  of the retraction device is provided with a handle  81  such that when the first end  82  is separated from the top surface  26  or the first recession  60 , the second end  84  rollably communicates with the top portion  72  of the caster  70  such that the caster  70  contacts the support surface  50  and the bottom surface  28  of the base member  20  is separated or elevated away from the support surface  50 , so the base  10  is rollable. 
   In order to provide increased maneuverability and a more secure grip, the sports apparatus support member  7  further comprises a handgrip  15  positioned thereon. The handgrip  15  is preferably made of a pliable material such as foam rubber in order to ensure a tight grip, but can be made of essentially any material that would serve the purpose of the invention. 
   In another preferred embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4  the hole  64  in the base member  20  is adapted to communicate with threads  73  provided on the top portion  72  of the caster  70 . The handle  18  in the depicted embodiment is adapted to be easily rotated about a vertical axis perpendicular to the bottom surface  28  of the base member  20 . Moreover, it is preferred that the handle  18  is adapted to slidably contact a first recession  60  during use of the sports apparatus. When the handle  18  is lifted away or separated from the first recession  60 , rotation of the handle  18  about the vertical axis displaces the caster  70  relative to the support surface  50 . For example, clock-wise rotation of the handle  18  about the vertical axis displaces the caster  70  towards the support surface  50 , thereby eventually contacting the support surface  50  and elevating the base member  20  away from the support surface  50 . Counterclockwise rotation of the handle  18  about the vertical axis will displace the caster  70  away from the support surface  50  towards the base member  20 . 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, and referring to  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the rollable sports base  100  is preferably attached to a portable basketball goal assembly  55  and includes a base member  120  which has a first edge  122  and a second edge  124 , and a top surface  126  and a bottom surface  128 . The bottom surface  128  is adapted to contact a support surface  150  such as a driveway or other playing surface. There are two wheel assemblies, a second wheel assembly  130  and a first wheel assembly  140 , having wheels  172  for contacting the support surface  150 . One or both of the wheel assemblies are retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface  128  of the base member  120  substantially contacts the support surface  150 . In the lowered position, wheels  172  on both the first and second wheel assemblies  140 ,  130  contact the support surface  150  thereby separating or elevating the base member  120  from the support surface  150  such that the base  100  is rollable. 
   It is preferred that the second wheel assembly  130  is fixed in position such that the second wheel assembly  130  engages the support surface  150 . The first wheel assembly  140  is retractable and comprises a pivoting connector  160  coupled to the base member  120 , and a wheel bracket  170  coupled to the pivoting connector  160  adapted to receive an axle  171  and at least one wheel  172 . In the embodiment where only one wheel is present, the center of the wheel is preferably positioned beneath the support member  7 . The wheel bracket  170  is further provided with a handle  180  extending outwardly from the wheel bracket  170  for pivotally rotating the first wheel assembly  140  about a transverse axis such that when the handle  180  is rotated away from the base member  120 , the wheel  172  contacts the support surface  150  and the bottom surface  128  of the base member  120  is separated or elevated away from the support surface  150 , such that the base  100  is rollable. 
   It is preferred that the base member  120  be provided with a first recession  121  in the bottom surface  128  and that the pivoting connector  160  be coupled to the bottom surface  128  of the base member  120  within the first recession  121 . The handle  180  comprises a first element  181  which is parallel to a second element  182 , each element extending outwardly from the wheel bracket  170 . The first element  181  of the handle  180  and the second element  182  of the handle  180  could be connected by a linkage member  185  that is disposed between each element. The sports apparatus support member  7  would be provided with a corresponding indentation  9  therein for communicating with, and lockably receiving, the linkage member  185 . 
   The base member  128  is preferably provided with a first indent  123  and a second indent  125  in the first edge  122  of the base member  120 . The first and second indents  123 ,  125  are adapted to receive the first element  181  and second element  182  of the handle  180  respectively. When the first element  181  and second element  182  of the handle  180  are positioned such that they slidably engage the first indent  123  and second indent  125 , the second wheel assembly  140  is retracted in the first recession  121  and the bottom surface  128  of the base member  120  is in contact with the support surface  150 . When the handle  180  is rotated away from the base member  120  the first wheel assembly  140  deploys such that the wheels  172  contact the support surface  150  and thereby separate the base member  120  from the support surface  150 , such that the base  100  is rollable. 
   The pivoting connector  160  preferably comprises an upper pivot bracket  161  coupled to the base member  120 , a lower pivot bracket  162  pivotally connected to the upper pivot bracket  161 , and a swivel connector  163  coupled between the lower pivot bracket and the wheel bracket  170 . The swivel connector  163  serves as an anti-friction device between the wheel bracket  170  and the pivot bracket  162 . The pivoting connector  160  is connected to the sports apparatus  55  by an eyebolt  8  provided within the support member  7 , proximate the base member  120 , which threadedly engages the upper pivot bracket  161 . The connection between the lower pivot bracket  162  and upper pivot bracket  161  enables the first wheel assembly  140  to swivel about the transverse axis. The swivel connector  163  enables the first wheel assembly  140  to swivel about a vertical axis perpendicular to the bottom surface  128  of the base member  120 . 
   The ability of the first wheel assembly  140  to pivot around the vertical axis is limited in order to prevent the apparatus  55  from hyper-extending around the vertical axis. In order to limit the rotation, the base member  120  further comprises a second recession  131  within the first recession  121  thereby defining a flange  133  for contacting the handle  180 . The flange  133  defines a limit for an arc of rotation about the vertical axis which the first wheel assembly  140  can rotate. Preferably, the arc is about 60 degrees (i.e. 30 degrees to either side of the centerline). 
   In yet another embodiment of the present invention, and referring to  FIG. 7 , the rollable sports base  200  is preferably attached to a portable basketball goal assembly  255  and includes a base member  220  which has a first edge  222  and a second edge  224 , and a top surface  226  and a bottom surface  228 . The bottom surface  228  is adapted to contact a support surface  250  such as a driveway or other playing surface. There are two wheel assemblies, a first wheel assembly  240  and a second wheel assembly  230 , provided with at least one wheel  241  for contacting the support surface  250 . One or both of the wheel assemblies  240 ,  230  are retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface  228  of the base member  220  substantially contacts the support surface  250 . In the lowered position, both the first and second wheel assemblies  240 ,  230  contact the support surface  250  thereby separating or elevating the base member  220  from the support surface  250 , such that the base  200  is rollable. 
   It is preferred that the second wheel assembly  230  is fixed in position such that the second wheel assembly  230  engages the support surface  250 . The first wheel assembly  240  is retractable and is pivotally coupled to the base member  220 . The first wheel assembly  240  is further provided with a handle  280  extending outwardly therefrom for rotating it about a transverse axis such that when the handle  280  is rotated away from the base member  220 , the wheels  241  contact the support surface  250  and the bottom surface  228  of the base member  220  is separated or elevated away from the support surface  250 . 
   It is preferred that the base member  220  be provided with a first recession  221  in the top surface  226  for receiving the handle  280 . It is also desirable, in the present embodiment, that the first wheel assembly  240  comprises two wheels  241 ,. each disposed on opposite sides of the axle  243 . It is clear from the foregoing discussion that the retractable first wheel assembly  240  can be located at either the first edge  222  or the second edge  224  of the base member  220 . Additionally, depending on the particular configuration, the handle  280  can be situated such that it rotates away from the base member  220  or towards the base member  220 . As an alternative to having a first recession  221  in the top surface  226 , the handle  280  may be configured to contact the support pole of the assembly  255 . 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, and referring to  FIGS. 8   a - 8   e , the rollable sports base  300  is preferably attached to a portable basketball goal assembly  355  and includes a base member  320  which has a first edge  322  and a second edge  323 , a first side  324  and a second side  325 , and a top surface  326  and a bottom surface  328 . The bottom surface  328  is adapted to contact a support surface  350  such as a driveway or other playing surface. There are two wheel assemblies, a first wheel assembly  330  and a second wheel assembly  340 , having wheels  370  for contacting the support surface  350 . 
   The first and second wheel assemblies  330 ,  340  are retractable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface  328  of the base member  320  substantially contacts the support surface  350  and in the lowered position, the wheels  370  contact the support surface  350  thereby separating the base member  320  from the support surface  350 . 
   The bottom surface  328  of the base member  320  is preferably provided with a first recession  361  and a second recession  362  for receiving the first wheel assembly  330  and second wheel assembly  340  respectively as shown in  FIG. 8   b . The first wheel assembly  330  is positioned proximate the first side  324  of the base member  320  and the second wheel assembly  340  is positioned proximate the second side  325  of the base member  320  and each comprises a pair of wheels  370  connected to opposite ends of a first axle member  371  and a second axle member  372  respectively. Each axle member  371 ,  372  is pivotally connected to the base member  320  and extends from the first edge  322  of the base member  320  to the second edge  323  of the base member  320 . While the sports assembly  355  is in use, the wheel assemblies  330 ,  340  are locked in their respective recessions  361 ,  362  using methods known to one of ordinary skill in the art such as a detent mechanism or the like. Although it is preferred that the wheels  370  are mounted to axles, it would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art to individually mount each wheel  370  such that each one may be raised and lowered individually. When a force is applied to the sports apparatus support member  7  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first side  324  of the base member  320 , the first wheel assembly  330  is adapted to deploy such that the wheel  370  engages the support surface  350  as shown in  FIG. 8   c . When a force is applied to the sports apparatus support member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second side  325  of the base member  320 , the second wheel assembly  340  is able to deploy such that the wheel  370  engages the support surface  350  as shown in  FIG. 8   d . When both wheel assemblies  330 ,  340  are deployed, the base member  320  is separated from the support surface  350  such that the base  300  is rollable. 
   In another embodiment of the present invention, and referring to  FIGS. 9   a - 9   c , the rollable sports base  400  is preferably attached to a portable basketball goal assembly  455  and includes a base member  420  which has a first edge  422  and a second edge  423 , a first side  424  and a second side  425 , and a top surface  426  and a bottom surface  428 . The bottom surface  428  is adapted to contact a support surface  450  such as a driveway or other playing surface. There is at least one wheel assembly  430  having at least one wheel  470  for contacting the support surface  450 . 
   The deployable first wheel assembly  430  is deployable from a lowered position to a raised position such that when in the raised position, the bottom surface  428  of the base member  420  substantially contacts the support surface  450  and in the lowered position, the wheel  470  contacts the support surface  450  thereby separating the base member  420  from the support surface  450 . 
   The bottom surface  428  of the base member  420  is preferably provided with a first recession  461  and a second recession  462  for receiving the wheel assembly  430 . The deployable first wheel assembly  430  is preferably connected to the bottom surface  428  of the base member  420  by a pivot member  490 . The wheel  470  is provided with an axle member  471  configured to engage the base member  420  adjacent the first recession  461  and the second recession  462 . While the sports assembly  455  is in use, the wheel assembly  430  resides substantially within the first recession  461 . Preferably, the axle member  471  engages the base member  420  at first slots  421  adjacent the first recession  461  or second slots  491  adjacent the second recession  462 . When a force is applied to the sports apparatus support member  7  in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first edge  422  of the base member  420 , the wheel assembly  430  is adapted to deploy such that the wheel  470  swivels towards the support surface  450  as shown in  FIG. 9   b . The axle member  471  is adapted to engage the base member  420  at slots  421 ,  491  to allow the wheel  470  to freely spin within the second recession  462  while it engages the support surface  450  S as shown in  FIG. 9   c . When a force is applied to the sports apparatus support member in a direction substantially perpendicular to the second edge  423  of the base member  420 , the wheel assembly  430  returns to the “in use” position. When the wheel assembly  430  is configured such that the wheel  470  is engaging the support surface  450 , the base member  420  is substantially displaced from the support surface  450  and the assembly  455  is easily transported. 
   It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the rollable sports base of the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. It is intended that the present invention covers any method and apparatus related to deployable and retractable wheel assemblies for a sports apparatus. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.