Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Goal or target structure for projectile; element thereof
Reexamination Certificate
2001-04-05
2003-01-28
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
Reexamination Certificate
active
06511391
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Overhead mounted sports equipment is well-known. For example, basketball goals may be suspended from overhead structures and pivoted between a play position and an overhead stowed position. The development of brackets and connectors used to suspend the equipment, however, continues to progress and improve.
Typically, a sporting apparatus, such as a basketball goal, was held in the play position by a pair of pivotally linked braces. In this typical arrangement, one brace was pivotally coupled to an overhead structure, and the other brace was pivotally connected to a mast which supported the apparatus. The braces were pivotally linked to one another at a single pivot point.
A linking mechanism was developed in order to lock out the braces when the goal was in the play position. The linking mechanism of the prior art coupled the pair of braces together in such a way as to “lock” the sporting apparatus into a play position. Additionally, the prior art provided a means for allowing the braces to rotate relative to one another until the braces reached the play position; however, when the braces reached the play position, they locked and were prevented from further rotation. This created a relatively stable goal for many purposes.
However, the typical locking linking mechanism of the prior art had a pivot point that was generally slightly offset from the longitudinal axes of the braces. Therefore, a strong compressive force in the braces—such as the force of a slam-dunk or one hanging on the rim—created a natural moment about the pivot point. This induced moment caused the braces to unlock.
Once the braces came unlocked, the braces had to be locked in order to make the apparatus stable once again. In order to address this problem, the prior art developed further. Specifically, the sport apparatus could be pivotally coupled at its mast in an off-center arrangement in order to create a natural moment—a moment caused by the weight of the mast—that tended to rotate the mast away from the braces and induce tensile forces in the braces. Therefore, if the braces became unlocked, the moment could act to pull the prior-art linking mechanism back to its locked position.
Notwithstanding the improved off-center mounting arrangement, the relocking of the braces often could not occur on its own, without manual assistance or urging; sometimes, the natural moment due to the off-center mounting of the mast did not induce enough pull to re-lock the braces.
In addition to the above-referenced problem in the prior art, other shortcomings existed. The prior art link coupled the pair of braces directly to one another. Therefore, there was a pre-set pattern for each of the links to follow as the apparatus was moved between the play and stowed positions. The placement of each of the pivot points was critical. Minor errors in placement of these points could cause the overhead sports assembly of the prior art to not fold or stow properly. The requirement for precision placement of the pivot points, ofcourse, required increased installation costs.
Additionally, the braces and mast will deform and creep over time. Joints may erode, braces may slightly expand, or welds may stretch. etc. Thus, a system that was properly installed and working smoothly initially may cease to fold properly.
The current invention addresses many of the shortcomings of the prior art. The invention provides a link between braces of an overhead sporting apparatus that will provide a sturdy support, and will also accommodate minor errors in installation and changes in the materials by allowing for a slight degree of ‘play’ that was not present in the prior art arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to an overhead sport assembly, such as a basketball goal or volleyball net, movable between a play position to a stowed position. The assembly includes a mast pivotally coupled to an overhead structure near a first end of the mast. A pair of braces hold the masts in the play position. A first brace is pivotally coupled near its first end to an overhead structure at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast. A second brace is pivotally connected near its first end to the mast at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast.
A connector links the second ends of the braces. The second ends of the braces are pivotally coupled to the connector body at respective pivot points displaced from one another along the connector. Preferably, the pivot points are substantially aligned when the apparatus is in the play position.
Typically, the overhead sports apparatus may be incorporated into an overhead basketball goal support; however, the apparatus may have other applications, such supports for nets for volleyball, badminton, or tennis, for example.
In the event one uses the invention as a basketball support apparatus, the invention will include a backboard with a front face. Generally, the backboard is mounted adjacent a second end of the mast. The braces of the assembly may be mounted to extend either behind or in front of the backboard.
The braces and the connector may be cooperatively formed so that, when in the play position, the first brace is allowed to rotate about with respect to the connector body only in a first direction of rotation, and the second brace is allowed to rotate with respect to the connector body opposite the first direction.
A yoke having aligned holes may extend from respective second ends of each of the first and second braces. In order to pivotally connect the braces to the connector, a pin extends through respectively aligned holes in the connector and yokes, each pin thereby defining a pivot point. Alternatively, the position of the yokes may be reversed; the yokes may extend from opposite ends of the connector.
In another embodiment, the connector includes a pair of spaced-apart plates, each plate having a pair of spaced-apart holes. In this embodiment, the second ends of each of the first and second braces terminate in a web having a hole. The braces are pivotally coupled to the connector by inserting a pin through the respectively aligned holes to define respective pivot points. In this embodiment, at least one torsion spring may be positioned between the spaced apart plates in order to bias the braces toward the play position.
The assembly will also include a stop configured to prevent the braces from extending past the play position. The stop includes a first portion on the connector extending from the connector parallel to its longitudinal axis, and a second portion on the connector substantially perpendicular its longitudinal axis. The stop further includes a raised area on the second end of each brace, each raised area having a first portion substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the respective brace. The raised area also has a second portion substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the brace. Each of the connector and raised areas include respective intermediate portions connecting the first and section sections. The first, second and intermediate portions are all cooperatively configured to respectively engage one another when the assembly is in the play position.
The raised area further comprises an angled portion extending from the second section and disposed at an acute angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the brace in a direction away from the connector. The angled portion provides a clearance as the connector rotates with respect to the brace. The connector may have chamfered ends configured to allow clearance as the assembly is moved toward the stowed position.
Typically, the connector further includes an intermediate, curved portion connecting the first and section portions of the connector. The raised area also further includes an intermediate portion connecting the first and second portions of the raised area. Thus, the respective intermediate portions of the raised area and the connector will engage one another when in the play position.
The apparatus may also have an off-center coupling arrangement
Barnes & Thornburg
Chambers M.
Porter Athletic Equipment Company
Sewell Paul T.
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