Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Goal or target structure for projectile; element thereof
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-14
2002-08-13
Sewell, Paul T. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Goal or target structure for projectile; element thereof
C473S479000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06432003
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. The Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to basketball goal assemblies and, more particularly, to novel adjustable wheel engagement assemblies for basketball goal systems employing a unique structural design that facilitates selective movement of the basketball goal system in relation to a playing surface.
2. The Relevant Technology
As the game of basketball has increased in popularity a greater number of people have purchased basketball goals for use at their homes. Typically, home basketball goals are permanently mounted in a manner such that the driveway of the home serves as a playable basketball court, as few homes have sufficient land surrounding the home to dedicate space for exclusive use as a basketball court. In some instances, deciding where to position or mount a basketball goal can pose some playing difficulties. For example, mounting a basketball goal adjacent to the driveway of a home may precipitate a risk to any traffic in the driveway, resulting in potential injury to the players or damage to parked or moving automobiles.
In some cases, the perfect location for mounting a basketball goal is the place where permanently mounting the basketball goal cannot be easily accomplished. Such a location may be where there is concrete or asphalt on the ground. To permanently mount the basketball goal assembly would therefore require breaking up the concrete or asphalt and then repairing the receiving hole after inserting an end of a support pole into the ground. Such a procedure could be relatively expensive and would most likely leave the driveway appearing unsightly at least during the period of construction and repair.
Other disadvantages are also associated with permanently installed basketball goal assemblies. Since basketball goal assemblies are generally mounted to a surface outdoors, they are generally exposed to the harsh elements of the weather throughout the entire year. As appreciated, constant exposure to the elements of the weather (e.g., rain, snow, sleet, high temperatures) will typically cause the component parts of the basketball goal assembly to prematurely wear by promoting oxidation. Premature oxidation can be particularly troublesome in basketball goal assemblies having any moving parts, such as height adjustment mechanisms or breakaway rim assemblies. Moreover, consistent exposure to the elements of the weather may cause premature failure of such mechanisms.
Mounted basketball goal assemblies that are utilized in an indoor environment may suffer from similar disadvantages associated with permanent placement. For example, schools typically have a gymnasium which generally serves many functional purposes. Having several basketball goals permanently mounted for use in the gymnasium may preclude, or at least interfere, with certain other activities. On formal occasions, objection may be made to the appearance of one or more permanently mounted basketball goals.
In response to these and other disadvantages inherent in basketball goal assemblies that are permanently mounted to a surface, those skilled in the art began developing portable basketball assemblies. In order for a portable basketball goal assembly to be effective, sufficient weight must be employed to maintain the basketball goal in a generally rigid, upright position for use when playing the game of basketball or shooting baskets. Hence, portable basketball goal assemblies were developed utilizing a great deal of weight at the base, thereby making the goal assembly particularly difficult to move and typically requiring the assistance of several people to set up or relocate the basketball goal. Additionally, such designs can be prohibitively expensive for people desiring to purchase one for home use.
Other prior art portable basketball goal assemblies were developed which incorporate removable weights such as, for example, sand bags or metal weights, that are generally disposed in relation to the support structure. A principal disadvantage in using these types of removable weights is that they can be extremely heavy, difficult to lift and arrange. Accordingly, although the basketball goal assemblies employing such designs may be easier to move in relation to permanently mounted goal assemblies, the weights or weighted members are not.
In an attempt to make portable basketball goal assemblies that are better suited for home use, support bases were developed having a hollow cavity sufficient for receiving a ballast material. The ballast material introduced into the cavity of the support base may include water, sand or other suitable material. Such portable basketball goal assemblies can be more easily moved to a desired location where the support base is then filled with the ballast material, thereby providing sufficient weight to maintain the goal in a generally rigid, upright position for game play. A principal advantage of using a support base fillable with a ballast material is that water, sand or other fillable materials are usually inexpensive and convenient to use. When it is desired to move these prior art portable basketball goal assemblies, the ballast material is generally emptied out of the internal cavity in the support base and then the basketball goal assembly is moved. However, having to fill and empty the goal each time the goal is to be set up or moved requires time and is inherently inconvenient.
To assist in moving prior art basketball goal assemblies, one or more wheels were incorporated into support bases to facilitate movement of the basketball goal assembly. For example, one such wheeled support base design is disclosed wherein the support base generally engages the ground and rests on one or more base wheels. Movement is achieved by lifting and tilting the support base generally on an end until substantially the weight of the base rests on the wheels. Thus, the base wheels serve as a rotating fulcrum upon which the effective weight of the basketball goal assembly may be supported such that the basketball goal assembly then is maneuverable in this position from place to place.
A disadvantage to prior art base support wheel assemblies is that pivoting a heavy base to facilitate its relocation can be difficult for some people and especially for children to move. Specifically, attempting to pivot a heavy support base may present dangers associated with having the entire basketball goal assembly dropped on one or more persons or children. This is especially true when someone without sufficient physical strength attempts to pivot or move a heavy support base. Whereas, a sudden release of the heavy base can cause bodily injury or damage to the base or those in its vicinity.
In addition, many portable basketball goal assemblies do not fully engage the playing surface when positioned for game play. This is particularly problematic for basketball goal assemblies that incorporate wheels in the support base. For example, a portion of the base must be lifted off the playing surface to keep the basketball goal assembly from resting on the wheels and being somewhat moveable under little force. As a result, there is less friction between the support base and the playing surface, therefore the support base is liable to move during play, especially during slain dunks and other maneuvers that place a substantial lateral force on the basketball coal assembly.
Another disadvantage with prior art portable basketball goal assemblies is that many are formed having the support pole positioned only a few inches from the inner edge of the base. As a result, the moveable support base extends outwardly and underneath the basketball net. This makes it difficult to execute game play strategies in which a player is positioned behind or beneath the basketball net because the support base extends into this area of game play, and may even cause a player to stumble.
Moreover, many prior art portable basketball goal assemblies do not permit lateral (sideways) motion of the front portion of the support base. Thus, anyone attempting to move the heavy support base and attached po
Chambers M.
Lifetime Products, Inc.
Sewell Paul T.
Workman & Nydegger & Seeley
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