Universal, position-adjustable backstop net system

• US 7,175,548 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2005
• Issued: 02/13/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John M. Mcnulty
• Original Assignee: John M. Mcnulty
• Inventors: McNulty, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim; Eugene
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/208,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20060040769A1
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 473/484, 473/431, 473/433, 473/432, 473/447, 473/416, 473/473, 473/460, 473/158, 473/434, 473/435, 473/421, 248/165, 406/03, 116/173
• US Class Current: 473/431
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls

Abstract

A multiple sports, universally positionable, adjustable net-type backstop system mounted to a pole, such as a basketball hoop pole, comprising an outrigger assembly that is vertically and horizontally adjustable and rotatable 360° on a vertical axis, so that the net can be selectively positioned in front, behind or to either side of a basketball backboard. The outrigger assembly is mounted on the support pole via a horizontally pivotable bracket assembly which permits a net assembly retainer bracket to be pivoted down to a convenient height, such as from chest height down to as low as ground level, for ease and safety in mounting and removing the net assembly. The vertical and horizontal adjustability, 360° rotation, and pivoting functionalities are very important safety features, in that the user need not use a tall step ladder to mount and adjust the position of the net, or remove it for storage.

Claims

1. A universal net-type backstop system mountable to a vertically oriented support pole for multi-sports and exercise use, comprising in operative combination:

a) a mounting support assembly which includes at least one pole bracket having a horizontal pivot adjustably mountable to said support pole at any preselected vertical distance above ground or floor level;

b) a vertically oriented outrigger assembly secured to said at least one pivotable pole bracket and which includes;

i) an axially pivotable elevator assembly having a top and a bottom end;

ii) a horizontally oriented extension arm assembly one end of which is mounted to said top end of said elevator assembly, and having an outer end; and

iii) a hanger bracket assembly attached to said outer end of said extension arm assembly for receivingly supporting a hanger rod;

c) a net assembly including a hanger rod receivable in said hanger rod support bracket; and

a net suspendable from said hanger rod to provide a barrier backstop when deployed;

d) said outrigger assembly is pivotable at said support bracket from a vertical position down to be accessible from ground or floor level for safe mounting and removing said net assembly from said hanger bracket so that the user does not have to ascend a ladder to mount, remove or adjust the position of said net; and

e) said outrigger is pivotable on its axis to permit positioning said net from in front of said support pole, in back of said support pole, to either side or to any angle intermediate thereof.

2. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 1 wherein said outrigger mounting support assembly includes a second pole bracket which includes a member for retaining said outrigger in a vertical position.

3. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 2 wherein said outrigger elevator assembly includes a pair of nested members, an inner one of which is selected from a tube or pole that is rotatably adjustable with respect to an outer tubular member, said outer tube is secured to said pivotable support bracket and said extension arm assembly is secured to the top of said inner tube.

4. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 3 wherein said hanger bracket assembly includes U-brackets for receiving said hanger rod.

5. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 2 which includes a counterbalance assembly linking said pole to said elevator assembly to assist in raising said elevator assembly from a generally lowered position to the vertical, use position.

6. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 5 wherein said counterbalance assembly includes a pole bracket and a bracket secured to said outer elevator assembly outer tube, and said counterbalance brackets are joined by an extension spring.

7. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 6 wherein said pole and elevator tube brackets include notches for receivingly engaging clamping bands that can be tightened around said pole and said tube, respectively.

8. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 3 wherein said elevator assembly inner tube is vertically adjustable with respect to said outer tube.

9. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 3 wherein said elevator assembly includes a pin to engage holes in at least one of said tubes to provide an array of stop positions at predetermined angular orientations of said net assembly with respect to said support pole.

10. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 9 wherein said elevator assembly inner tube includes a plurality of holes to permit height adjustment by engagement of a pin in said inner tube holes.

11. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 3 wherein said elevator assembly includes a pull member secured adjacent a lower end thereof to assist in returning said outrigger from a generally lowered position to an upright vertical position.

12. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 3 wherein said net assembly includes weight providing members to assist in stabilizing the net.

13. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 1 wherein said outrigger assembly parts do not exceed four feet in length, and include connector elements to connect the respective parts to their full operational length, to permit shipment of said system in standard-length containers.

14. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 1 provided as a kit for user assembly.

15. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 13 provided as a kit for user assembly.

16. A universal net-type backstop system as in claim 1 wherein said extension arm assembly includes telescoping tube members to permit horizontal adjustment of the distance of the hanger bracket from the top of said elevator assembly.