TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention concerns a lift or elevator assembly for an adjustable basketball backboard system.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] Basketball goal assemblies are used to provide a basketball goal and backboard a set distance above the ground. While regulated basketball games set the height of the goal at 10 feet above the basketball court, basketball goal assemblies used in informal or recreational play may be disposed at various height locations. For such assemblies, a lift mechanism or subassembly is used to set the goal to a desired height. Prior lift mechanisms include a vertical bar with notches set at predetermined locations that correspond to discrete heights of the goal. A user sets a horizontal bar into the notch corresponding to the desired height. However, such systems allow a user to only set the goal to a few predetermined heights based on the location of the notches.

[0003] What is needed, then, is a variable lift mechanism that allows for infinite height locations.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

[0004] In some embodiments, the disclosure concerns a basketball goal system having a base supporting a pole; a backboard support assembly having an arm with a proximal end coupled to a backboard and a middle section rotatably coupled to the pole; a lift assembly comprising a fixed-length strut having a top end rotatably coupled to a distal end of the arm; a lockable gas strut rotatably coupled at a top end to the pole and at a bottom end to a bottom end of the fixed-length strut, the lockable gas strut comprising an activation pin that, when engaged permits the gas strut to change length; and a handle comprising a trigger and a triggering rod configured to engaged the activation pin.

[0005] In other embodiments, the disclosure concerns a height-adjustable basketball goal system having a vertical support, a backboard assembly having a goal, and a lift assembly, the lift assembly having: a fixed-length strut connected at a top end to the backboard assembly; a lockable gas strut having an activation pin and connected at a first end to the vertical support and at a second end to the fixed-length strut, wherein the activation pin is movable from a first state that locks the gas strut at a desired length to a second state that permits the gas strut to change lengths; and a handle attached to the pole fixed- length strut and comprising a trigger adapted to move the activation pin from the first state to the second state when engaged by a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0006] Figure 1 depicts a side view of a basketball backboard lift assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the system.

[0007] Figure 2 depicts a perspective view of a basketball backboard lift assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the system.

[0008] Figure 3 depicts a close usp view of the lower portion of a basketball backboard lift assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the system

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Applicant discloses herein a basketball goal assembly 10, an embodiment of which is depicted in Figure 1. Generally, a basketball goal assembly has a vertical support 12, such as a pole as depicted in Figure 1, with a backboard support assembly 20 attached at or near a proximal end 14 of the support assembly 20 to the top 16 of the vertical support 12. The backboard support assembly 20 has a backboard with a goal or rim (backboard goal and rim not shown) attached to the distal end 18 of the backboard support assembly 20.

[0010] More particularly focusing on the vertical support 12, the pole 12 may be secured in-place directly in the ground. Alternatively, the pole 12 may be attached to and situated on a base (not shown). The pole 12 may be substantially vertical, as shown in Figure 1, or it may lean forward. If the pole leans forward, it may be supported by additional support struts. The pole 12 is rigid and may be formed as a single piece or have multiple parts that are fit into each other. Some embodiments may also include a portable base (not shown). Such a portable base typically has wheels to allow the base to be moved into a desired location. The portable base may also include ballast, such as sand or water, to provide a counterweight for stabilizing the entire basketball goal assembly. A cover may also be provided to cover the struts, pole, and/ or base. In other embodiments the pole 12 may be substantially vertical and sunk in concrete poured into the ground. In such embodiments a base, supporting struts, and/ or a cover may be absent.

[0011] The backboard support assembly 20 is connected to the top 16 of and extends away from the pole 12. The backboard support assembly 20 includes at least one primary arm 22 that is attached to the pole 12 by a hinge 24 or rotatable link in the middle portion of the primary arm. The distal end 18 of the primary arm 22 is secured to and supports the backboard (not shown) by screws, bolts, welding, or other permanent or semi-permanent fasteners. The proximal end 14 of the arm 22 extends some distance behind the pole 12 in the opposite direction from the backboard. The primary arm 22 may be a single beam, or it may be multiple beams (e.g., one on each side of the pole to provide a pair of beams as the arm, as shown in Figure 1) and attached to and supporting the backboard at multiple points. The beams of the primary arm 22 may be curved or straight as desired. In some embodiments, the backboard support assembly 20 may also include one or more arms in addition to that shown in Figure 1. Such additional arms provide further support and stability to the backboard. For example, an additional arm at the distal end 18 is attached to and secures the backboard in the same manner as the primary arm. The proximal end 14 of the additional arm is attached with a hinge or rotatable link at the top of the pole 12. In other embodiments, the proximal end 14 of the additional arm may also extend backwards behind the pole 14, as does the primary arm 22. In addition, like the primary arm 22, the one or more additional arms may be formed of one or more beams for securing and stabilizing the backboard.

[0012] Figure 1 also depicts a lift assembly 26, which is shown in further detail in Figure 2. In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the lift assembly 26 includes two fixed-length struts 28. Each fixed-length strut 28 is rotatably linked to the proximal end 14 of a primary arm 22. Some distance below the primary arm and attached to the pole are two bars 30 rotatably linked at a proximal end 32 to the pole 12 and extending backwards and away from the pole 12. The distal end 34 of each bar 30 is rotatably linked to one of the fixed-length struts 28 extending downward from the primary arms 22 of the backboard support assembly 20. As depicted in Figure 2, the bars 30 are attached to the lower end 36 of each fixed-length strut 28. In other embodiments, the bars 30 may be located higher up the pole 12, such that they are attached to a middle section of each fixed-length strut 28.

[0013] The lower end 36 of each fixed-length strut 28 is preferably at a height that is roughly within reaching distance for adults or older children. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 2, attached to the lower end 36 of either or both fixed-length struts 28 is a handle 38. Located along the interior surface of the handle 38 facing the pole 12 is a trigger 40. When activated, the trigger 40 moves a rod 42 that unlocks a lockable gas strut 44. The gas strut 44 is connected at a first end to the two fixed-length struts 28, and at a second end to the pole 12.

[0014] In other embodiments, the handle 38 may be attached to the horizontal bars 30 or be integral with the bars 30 as a single movable piece. In still other embodiments, the handle 38 may be attached directly to the pole 12 and extend backward from the pole 12 to connect to the fixed-length struts 28.

[0015] Figure 3 provides a closer-up view of the handle 38, trigger 40, and rod

42 for engaging the activation pin 46 of the lockable gas strut 44. As depicted in Figure 3, the rod 42 is attached at the base of the trigger 40. When the trigger 40 is gripped and engaged, the rod 42 is rotated to make direct contact with the activation pin 46 of the lockable gas strut 44, thereby allowing the strut 44 to extend or retract. When the activation pin 46 is engaged, the lockable gas strut 44 is unlocked and can be retracted or extended. Thus, when the user grabs the handle 38 and engages the trigger 40, he can retract the gas strut 44 by pushing the handle 38 up, or extend the gas strut 44 by pulling the handle 38 down. This causes the lift assembly 26 to rotate upwards to lower backboard, or downwards to raise backboard.

[0016] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, a bracket 48 is attached between the two fixed-length struts 28 and situated below the gas strut 44. The bracket 48 supports the gas strut 44 and connects the fixed-length struts 28, bars 30, and handle 38 as a unit.

[0017] In the embodiment depicted in Figs. 1-3, by pushing the handle 38 up, the lockable gas strut 44 shortens in length. The fixed-length struts 28 are thus moved upward, causing the backboard support assembly 14 to rotate about the hinged point on the primary arms 22 of the backboard support assembly 14. Accordingly, by moving the handle 38 up, the backboard support assembly 14 is lowered. Conversely, when moving the handle 38 downward, the backboard support assembly 14 is raised. [0018] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the lockable gas strut 44 may include markings 50 identifying specific heights of the backboard. These markings 50 correlate a particular position of the lockable gas strut 44 with the height of the backboard when the gas strut 44 is moved to that position.

[0019] It is to be understood that any given elements of the disclosed embodiments of the invention may be embodied in a single structure, a single step, a single substance, or the like. Similarly, a given element of the disclosed embodiment may be embodied in multiple structures, steps, substances, or the like.

[0020] The foregoing description illustrates and describes the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure. Additionally, the disclosure shows and describes only certain embodiments of the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings disclosed, but, as mentioned above, it is to be understood that the teachings of the present disclosure are capable of use in various other combinations, modifications, and environments and are capable of changes or modifications within the scope of the teachings as expressed herein, commensurate with the skill and/ or knowledge of a person having ordinary skill in the relevant art. The embodiments described hereinabove are further intended to explain certain best modes known of practicing the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the teachings of the present disclosure in such, or other, embodiments and with the various modifications required by the particular applications or uses. Accordingly, the processes, machines, manufactures, compositions of matter, and other teachings of the present disclosure are not intended to limit the exact embodiments and examples disclosed herein.