Parallelogrammic adjustment assembly for basketball goal systems

• US 6,699,146 B1
• Filed: 07/15/2002
• Issued: 03/02/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/12/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Original Assignee: Lifetime Products (Lifetime)
• Inventors: van Nimwegen, Edward G., Vaughan, Coplan E., Winter, David C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US10/195,645
• Time in Patent Office: 596 Days
• Field of Search: 473/471, 473/481, 473/482, 473/483, 473/484, 248/283.1, 248/404, 248/280.11
• US Class Current: 473/484
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/086 deflectable under excessive loads
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball

Abstract

An adjustable basketball goal system allowing for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal system including a rigid support pole having a first end, a second opposing end, and an intermediate body portion disposed between the first and second ends. A first parallelogrammic structure configured to pivotally engage the first end of the rigid support. A basketball goal attached to the first parallelogrammic structure. The first deformable parallelogrammic structure may be deformed into a plurality of configurations resulting in an adjustment to the height of the basketball goal above the playing surface corresponding to each configuration. A second parallelogrammic structure, which may also be deformed into a plurality of configurations, includes a first end pivotally connected to the first parallelogrammic structure and a second opposing end configured to pivotally engage the rigid support pole. In operation, selective deformation of the second parallelogrammic structure results in selective deformation of the first parallelogrammic structure, thereby adjusting the height of the basketball goal above the playing surface. A locking mechanism may be operably disposed relative to the second parallelogrammic structure. The locking mechanism being positionable between an engaged position wherein the second parallelogrammic structure is restricted from deforming and a disengaged position wherein the second parallelogrammic structure may be freely deformed.

Claims

1. An adjustable basketball goal system that is capable of allowing the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface to be adjusted, the basketball goal system comprising:

a rigid support;

a basketball goal support structure, the basketball goal being connected to the basketball goal support structure;

a first support structure that is sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted relative to the playing surface, the first support structure including a first support arm connected to the basketball goal support structure and the rigid support, and a second support arm connected to the basketball goal support and the rigid support, the first support arm, the basketball support structure, the second support arm and the rigid support being interconnected to form a four-element linkage with a generally parallelogram configuration; and

a second support structure including a first support arm connected to the support and an extension arm, and a second support arm connected to the rigid support and the extension arm, the first support arm, the extension arm, the second support arm and the rigid support being interconnected to form a four-element linkage with a generally parallelogram configuration;

wherein adjustment of the second support structure causes the first support structure to be adjusted, and this allows the height of the basketball goal relative to the playing surface to be adjusted.

2. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, further comprising a proximal end and a distal end of the extension arm of the second support structure, the proximal end of the extension arm being connected to an end of the first support arm of the second support structure.

3. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, further comprising a locking mechanism with an engaged position that restricts movement of the second support structure and a disengaged position that allows relatively free movement of the second support structure.

4. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 3, further comprising a locking rod attached to the rigid support, the locking rod forming a portion of the locking mechanism.

5. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 4, further comprising one or more locking plates that are sized and configured to selectively engaging the locking rod.

6. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 5, further comprising a housing disposed about at least a portion of the locking rod.

7. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 6, wherein the one or more locking plates of the locking member are disposed within the housing.

8. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 5, further comprising a stop that is sized and configured to engage the one or more locking plates.

9. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 4, wherein the locking rod moves relative to the second support structure.

10. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 3, further comprising a release that is sized and configured to assist in disposing the locking mechanism between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

11. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 10, wherein the release includes at least one tab, the tab selectively engaging the one or more locking plates to urge the one or more locking plates into a substantially perpendicular position relative to the locking rod.

12. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 5, further comprising a biasing member that is sized and configured to bias the one or more locking plates into a non-perpendicular angle relative to the locking rod, thereby permitting the locking plates to frictionally engage the locking rod.

13. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 5, further comprising a second set of one or more locking plates that are sized and configured to selectively engaging the locking rod.

30. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein the first support arm of the first support structure and the first support arm of the second support structure are a unitary, one-piece structure;

and wherein the second support arm of the first support structure and the second support arm of the second support structure are a unitary, one-piece structure.

31. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein one portion of the rigid support forms an element of the four-element linkage of the first support structure and an element of the four-element linkage of the second support structure.

32. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, further comprising a goal side of the rigid support and a back side of the rigid support, the first support structure being at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the rigid support and the second support structure being at least substantially disposed on the back side of the rigid support.

33. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein the second support structure is connected to the first support structure by the first support arms and the second support arms.

34. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, further comprising an actuation trigger attached to the adjustment lever.

35. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein the extension arm is disposed substantially parallel to the rigid support.

36. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein the first support arm of the first support structure is generally aligned with the first support arm of the second support structure and the second support arm of the first support structure is generally aligned with the second support arm of the second support structure.

14. An adjustable basketball goal system that is capable of allowing a height of a basketball goal to be adjusted relative to a playing surface, the adjustable basketball goal system comprising:

a basketball goal assembly;

a rigid support;

a first support structure pivotally connected to the rigid support, the first support structure including a first support arm connected to the basketball goal assembly and the rigid support, the first support structure including a second support arm connected to the basketball goal assembly and the rigid support, the first support arm, the basketball goal assembly, the rigid support and the second support arm being interconnected to form a four-element linkage with a generally parallelogram configuration, the first support structure being sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted relative to the playing surface;

a second support structure including a first support arm connected to the rigid support and an extension arm, the second support structure including a second support arm connected to the rigid support and the extension arm, the first support arm, the rigid support, the extension arm and the second support arm being interconnected to form a four-element linkage with a generally parallelogram configuration, wherein adjustment of the second support structure causes the first support structure to be adjusted, which adjusts the height of the basketball goal relative to the playing surface; and

a locking mechanism operably disposed relative to the second support structure, the locking mechanism including an engaged position that restricts movement of the second support structure and a disengaged position that allows relatively free movement of the second support structure.

15. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the extension arm is connected to an end of the first support arm of the second support structure and to an end of the second support arm of the second support structure.

16. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the locking mechanism includes a locking rod attached to the rigid support.

17. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 16, further comprising at least one locking plate selectively engaging the locking rod.

18. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 17, further comprising a housing disposed in cooperation with the locking rod.

19. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 18, wherein the locking plate is disposed within the housing.

20. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 19, wherein the housing comprises a stop positioned to engage the locking plate.

21. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 16, wherein the locking rod moves relative to the second support structure.

22. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, further comprising a release adapted to assist in disposing the locking mechanism between the engaged position and the disengaged position.

23. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 22, wherein the release includes at least one tab, the tab selectively engaging the locking plate wherein urging the locking plate into a substantially perpendicular position relative to the locking rod.

24. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 23, further comprising a biasing member positioned to bias the locking plate into a non-perpendicular angle relative to the locking rod.

25. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 17, further comprising a second locking plate selectively engaging the locking rod.

37. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the first support arm of the first support structure and the first support arm of the second support structure are a unitary, one-piece structure;

and wherein the second support arm of the first support structure and the second support arm of the second support structure are a unitary, one-piece structure.

38. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein one portion of the rigid support forms an element of the four-element linkage of the first support structure and an element of the four-element linkage of the second support structure.

39. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, further comprising a goal side of the rigid support and a back side of the rigid support, the first support structure being at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the rigid support and the second support structure being at least substantially disposed on the back side of the rigid support.

40. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the second support structure is connected to the first support structure by the first support arms and the second support arms.

41. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the extension arm is disposed substantially parallel to the rigid support.

42. The adjustable basketball goal system of claim 14, wherein the first support arm of the first support structure is generally aligned with the first support arm of the second support structure and the second support arm of the first support structure is generally aligned with the second support arm of the second support structure.

26. A method for adjusting the height of a basketball goal system above a playing surface, the basketball goal system including a first support structure configured to pivotally engage a rigid support, the first support structure including a first support arm and a second support arm, the first support structure allowing the height of the basketball goal structure to be adjusted relative to the playing surface, and a second support structure including all a first support arm connected to the rigid support and an extension arm, the second support structure including a second support arm connected to the rigid support and the extension arm, the method capable of being performed with a single hand of a user comprising the steps of:

disengaging the second support structure from a first position;

adjusting the second support structure, which adjusts the first support structure so that the height of the basketball goal structure relative to the playing surface is adjusted; and

engaging the second support structure into a second position.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the second support structure includes an extension arm with a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end of the extension arm being connected to an end of the first support arm of the second support structure, wherein movement of the extension arm selectively adjusts the first support structure.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the basketball goal system further includes a locking mechanism operably disposed in relation to the second support structure for locking the second support structure in the second position.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the steps of disengaging the second support structure from the first position, deforming the second support structure, and engaging the second support structure into the second position can be performed using a single hand of a user.

43. An adjustable basketball goal system that is capable of allowing the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface to be adjusted, the basketball goal system comprising:

a support member;

a basketball goal assembly;

a first support structure including a first support arm connected to the basketball goal assembly and the support member, a second support arm connected to the basketball goal assembly and the support member, wherein the first support arm, the basketball goal assembly, the second support arm and the support member are interconnected to form a four-element linkage; and

a second support structure including a first support arm connected to the support member and an extension arm, a second support arm connected to the support member and the extension arm, wherein the first support arm, the extension arm, the second support arm and the support member interconnected to form a four-element linkage;

wherein adjustment of the second support structure causes the first support structure to be adjusted, and this allows the height of the basketball goal relative to the playing surface to be adjusted.

44. A basketball goal system comprising:

support member including a goal side and a back side;

a basketball goal assembly including a backboard and a rim that is positioned on the goal side of the support member;

a first support structure at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the support member and including a pair of upper support arms and a pair of lower support arms, the pair of upper support arms being positioned generally parallel to the pair of lower support arms, the pair of upper support arms being connected to the basketball goal assembly and the support members the pair of lower support arms being connected to the basketball goal assembly and the support member, the upper support arms, the basketball goal assembly, the lower support arms and the support member being interconnected to form a four-element linkage; and

a second support structure at least substantially disposed on the back side of the support member and including a pair of upper support arms, a pair of lower support arms and an extension arm, the pair of upper support arms being positioned generally parallel to the pair of lower support arms, the pair of upper support arms being connected to the support member and the extension arm, the pair of lower support arms being connected to the support member and the extension arm, the upper support arms, the support member, the lower support arms and the extension arm being interconnected to form a four-element linkage.

45. A basketball goal system comprising:

a support member including a goal side and a back side;

a basketball goal assembly including a backboard and rim;

a support structure connecting the basketball goal assembly to the support member and allowing the height of the basketball goal assembly to be adjusted relative to a playing surface, the support structure comprising;

a first portion at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the support member and including a pair of upper support arms and a pair of lower support arms, the pair of upper support arms being positioned generally parallel to the pair of lower support arms, the pair of upper support arms being connected to the basketball goal assembly and the support member, the pair of lower support arms being connected to the basketball goal assembly and the support member, the upper support arms, the basketball goal assembly, the lower support arms and the support member being interconnected to form a four-element linkage; and

a second portion at least substantially disposed on the back side of the support member and including a pair of upper support arms, a pair of lower support arms and an extension arm, the pair of upper support arms being positioned generally parallel to the pair of lower support arms, the pair of upper support arms being connected to the support member and the extension arm, the pair of lower support arms being connected to the support member and the extension arm, the upper support arms, the support member, the lower support arms and the extension arm being interconnected to form a four-element linkage.

46. A basketball goal system comprising:

a basketball goal assembly including a backboard and a rim;

a support member including a goal side and a back side;

a support structure connecting the basketball goal assembly to the support member, the support structure being sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal assembly to be adjusted relative to a playing surface, the support structure comprising;

a first portion at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the support member, the first portion including a pair of upper support arms connecting the basketball goal assembly to the support member and a pair of lower support arms connecting the basketball goal assembly to the support member, the pair of upper support arms, the basketball goal assembly, the pair of lower support arms and the support member having a generally parallelogram configuration; and

a second portion at least substantially disposed on the back side of the support member, the second portion including a pair of upper support arms, a pair of lower support arms, and an extension arm, the pair of upper support arms connecting the extension arm to the support member and the pair of lower support arms connecting the extension arm to the support member, the pair of upper support arms, the extension arm, the pair of lower support arms and the support member having a generally parallelogram configuration.

47. The basketball goal system as in claim 46, further comprising an actuation mechanism connected to the extension arm, the actuation mechanism including a first position which is sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal system to be adjusted and a second position in which the height of the basketball goal system is not adjustable.

48. The basketball goal system as in claim 46, wherein the extension arm is generally parallel to the support member.

49. The basketball goal system as in claim 46, further comprising a first distance from the support member to the basketball goal assembly and a second distance from the support member to the extension arm, the first distance being greater than the second distance.

50. The basketball goal system as in claim 46, wherein the upper support arms of the first portion of the support structure and the upper support arms of the second portion of the support structure are part of a unitary, one-piece structure;

and wherein the lower support arms of the first portion of the support structure and the lower support arms of the second portion of the support structure are part of a unitary, one-piece structure.

51. The basketball goal system as in claim 46, wherein the extension arm is disposed generally parallel to the support member.

52. A basketball system comprising:

a generally upright support member including a goal side and a back side;

a basketball goal assembly located on the goal side of the support member and including a backboard that is disposed generally parallel to the support member;

an extension arm located on the back side of the support member and beings disposed generally parallel to the support member;

a support structure connecting the basketball goal assembly to the support member and allowing a height of the basketball goal assembly to be adjusted relative to a playing surface, the support structure comprising;

a first portion at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the support member, the first portion including at least one upper arm interconnecting the basketball goal assembly and the support member and at least one lower arm interconnecting the basketball goal assembly and the support member, the upper arm, the basketball goal assembly, the lower arm and the support member forming a four-element linkage; and

a second portion at least substantially disposed on the back side of the support member, the second portion including at least one upper arm interconnecting the support member and the extension arm and at least one lower arm interconnecting the support member and the extension arm, the upper arm, the support member, the lower arm and the extension arm forming a four-element linkage;

wherein adjustment of the second portion of the support structure causes the first portion of the support structure to be adjusted, and this allows the height of the basketball goal assembly relative to the playing surface to be adjusted.

53. A basketball system comprising:

a generally upright support member including a goal side and a back side;

a basketball goal assembly located on the goal side of the support member and including a backboard that is disposed generally parallel to the support member;

an extension arm located on the back side of the support member and being disposed generally parallel to the support member;

a support structure connecting the basketball goal assembly to the support member and allowing a height of the basketball goal assembly to be adjusted relative to a playing surface, the support structure comprising;

a first portion at least substantially disposed on the goal side of the support member, the first portion including at least one upper arm interconnecting the basketball goal assembly and the support member and at least one lower arm interconnecting the basketball goal assembly and the support member, the upper arm, the basketball goal assembly, the lower arm and the support member having a generally parallelogram configuration; and

a second portion at least substantially disposed on the back side of the support member, the second portion including at least one upper arm interconnecting the support member and the extension arm and at least one lower arm interconnecting the support member and the extension arm, the upper arm, the support member, the lower arm and the extension arm having a generally parallelogram configuration;

wherein adjustment of the second portion of the support structure causes the first portion of the support structure to be adjusted, and this allows the height of the basketball goal assembly relative to the playing surface to be adjusted.