BASKETBALL GOAL ASSEMBLY METHODS

Abstract

This disclosure provides a method for installing a basketball goal by using an actuator. The actuator, in a non-inverted orientation, is used to raise and lower a backboard for the basketball goal. The actuator can be inverted and used as a crank to raise a hinged post of the goal into an upright orientation.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 63/603,855, titled BASKETBALL GOAL ASSEMBLY METHODS and filed on Nov. 29, 2023, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

Aspects of the present disclosure relate to an improved method for assembling a basketball goal and, more particularly, to an improved assembly method that enables a single person to assemble a basketball goal and less chance of injury to the installer.

BACKGROUND

Basketball goals are prevalent throughout the United States, both for public and residential use. In the year 2022, it is estimated that the total market for backboards alone was over $200,000,000. And many of those backboards are assembled at home. Ordinarily, those backboards are assembled on one of several types of basketball posts. One type of post is a mobile post that has a large base that is fillable with water or sand. These posts work well for those who wish to have a transportable solution, since they are relatively light and easy to move. That said, they are not as sturdy or robust of a solution as one would find in a basketball park or playground. This is why many people opt for a more solid and permanent solution, i.e., heavy-duty goal that is anchored into the ground.

With that more robust solution comes another problem, however, in that these types of permanent goals are difficult for a single person to install. Many times, a vendor may send a single installer to help install the goal-and if a single person cannot lift the goal into place, the installer may need to employ the help of more people. And even if the homeowner is installing the goal themselves, it is desirable to have a system that enables a single person to install the fixture. What is needed, therefore, is a system and method that provides an installer with the benefits of a robust, solid, and permanent basketball goal yet with the ability to safely install by a single person.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present disclosure address these concerns as well as other needs that will become apparent upon reading the description below in conjunction with the drawings. Briefly described, aspects of the present disclosure relate to improved methods for assembling a basketball goal and, more particularly, to an improved assembly method that enables a single person to safely assemble the basketball goal when in a forward leaning position and then safely raise the basketball goal into the vertical position. The method includes using an actuator to raise a hinged post of a basketball goal lying on the ground into a more upright orientation, where a backboard can be installed. The actuator can raise the hinged post of the goal into the upright/vertical orientation. The actuator can be inverted, coupled with a backboard and used with a crank to raise and lower the backboard.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for assembling a basketball goal including: rotatably attaching a horizontally oriented post to a mounting plate of a base disposed on a ground; connecting a stationary actuator bracket of an actuator to a post bracket of the post; connecting a telescoping end of the actuator to a mounting assembly coupled with the mounting plate; turning a crank of the actuator to withdraw the telescoping end into the actuator to rotate the post and to orient the post into an upright orientation; connecting a post plate of the post to the mounting plate to secure the post in the upright vertical orientation; and removing the stationary actuator bracket of the actuator from the post bracket and the telescoping end from the mounting assembly.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for assembling a basketball goal including: hingedly coupling a post to a base engaging with the ground; connecting a fixed end of an actuator to a post bracket on the post and a telescoping end of the actuator to the base; rotating about the base, by actuating the actuator, the post from a more horizontal orientation to a more vertical orientation; coupling support arms with a backboard assembly to the post; removing the actuator from the post; and reconnecting the fixed end of the actuator to the post bracket and a telescoping end to hinged support arms for a backboard assembly.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a method for assembling a basketball goal including: rotatably attaching a horizontally oriented post with a mounting pin to a mounting plate of a base disposed on a ground; connecting with actuator pin one end of a telescoping actuator to a post bracket of the post; connecting another end of the telescoping actuator to a mounting assembly engaging with the mounting plate; turning a crank of the actuator in a first direction to contract the telescoping actuator, to rotate the post into an angled orientation with respect to a horizon; attaching the backboard assembly to the post while the post is in the angled orientation with respect to the horizon; turning a crank of the actuator in the first direction to contract the telescoping actuator, to rotate the post into an upright vertical orientation with respect to a horizon; connecting a post plate of the post to the mounting plate with a screw to secure the post in the upright vertical orientation; removing one end of the telescoping actuator from the post bracket and the other end of the telescoping actuator from the mounting assembly; inverting the removed telescoping actuator; connecting the inverted telescoping actuator to the post bracket and the other end of the telescoping bracket to a hinged support arm that engages with the post and the backboard assembly at a first height with respect to the ground; and turning the crank of the telescoping actuator to expand or contract the telescoping actuator to raise or to lower the backboard assembly to a second height with respect to the ground.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference now will be made to the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a post of a basketball goal hinged to a ground support base, and the view shows the post in a horizontal orientation, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the basketball goal hinged to an upright position, and the view shows the actuator with a telescoping end pointed down, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of a basketball goal post partially assembled and connected to a mounting plate, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a basketball goal post partially assembled and also provides a view of an actuator attached to an anchor, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the basketball goal of FIG. 4 hinged, by the actuator, into a more upright position, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side perspective view of the basketball goal of FIG. 5 after the actuator is removed, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of the basketball goal of FIG. 6 with the actuator repositioned on the goal with the telescoping end pointed up in an extended position, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 is a side perspective view of the basketball goal of FIG. 6 with the actuator repositioned on the goal with the telescoping end pointed up in a collapsed position, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is a close view of an example anchor for an inverted actuator, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 10 is a close view of an example anchor for an inverted actuator, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure can be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments and the examples included herein. Before the exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods according to the present disclosure are disclosed and described, it is to be understood that embodiments are not limited to those described within this disclosure. Numerous modifications and variations therein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and remain within the scope of the disclosure. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for describing specific embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. Some embodiments of the disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth therein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. But it is to be understood that embodiments of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms used herein are to be understood according to conventional usage by those of ordinary skill in the relevant art. In addition to any definitions of terms provided below, it is to be understood that as used in the specification and in the claims, “a” or “an” can mean one or more, depending upon the context in which it is used. Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Also, in describing the exemplary embodiments, terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. It is intended that each term contemplates its broadest meaning as understood by those skilled in the art and includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles and features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments are explained hereinafter with reference to their implementation in an illustrative embodiment. Such illustrative embodiments are not, however, intended to be limiting.

The materials described hereinafter as making up the various elements of the embodiments of the present disclosure are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many suitable materials that would perform the same or a similar function as the materials described herein are intended to be embraced within the scope of the example embodiments. Such other materials not described herein can include, but are not limited to, materials that are developed after the time of the development of the disclosed technology, for example.

Various devices and methods are disclosed for assembling a basketball goal 100, and exemplary embodiments of the devices and methods will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown post 110 of a basketball goal (basketball goal 100 in FIG. 3) in a horizontal orientation hinged to a mounting plate 108 of a ground support base 106. In some examples, support base 106 can be positioned in concrete or cement 300. Sliding under mounting plate 108 is a removable mounting assembly 107 onto which a post plate 112 at the bottom of a post 110 can be rotatably connected when the basketball goal 100 is fully or partially assembled. A lower surface of mounting plate 108 engages with a top surface of removable mounting assembly 107 to hold it in place.

Mounting assembly 107 includes a first telescoping bracket 105a and second bracket 105b connected adjacent one end of telescoping bracket 109a and bracket 109b respectively with connector 111. Coupled adjacent to the other end of telescoping bracket 109a and telescoping bracket 109b are actuary holding bracket 113a and actuary holding bracket 113b. In one implementation holding bracket 113a and holding bracket 113b are coupled to inner sides of telescoping bracket 109a and telescoping bracket 109b and extend vertically from telescoping bracket 109a and telescoping bracket 109b when telescoping bracket 109a and telescoping bracket 109b are in a horizontal orientation with respect to the horizon. In some examples, mounting plate 108 can be disposed above the ground at a certain distance that provides a gap 218 between mounting plate 108 and the ground. The connection between the mounting plate 108 and the post plate 112 can be rotatably hinged, e.g., by a hinge 118 as shown to enable post 110 to rotate from a horizontal orientation (See FIG. 1) to a vertical orientation (See FIG. 2) with respect to the horizon or ground. Mounting plate 108 may be coupled on its underside extenders (not shown) that extend below the mounting plate 108 into the ground.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an elongated telescoping actuator 200 having a fixed portion rotatably attached adjacent one end to a post bracket 124 on post 110 of the basketball goal with removable pin 201 in what can be referred to as an “inverted” orientation. Telescoping actuator 200 rotatably attaches adjacent to another end of telescoping actuator 200 (at a telescoping portion of actuator 200) to base 106. Actuator 200 is couples to post 110 using a pin 203 extending through actuary holding bracket 113a, actuary holding bracket 113b (See FIG. 1) and through telescoping actuator 200. This position of the actuator 200 can considered inverted because it is placed end-for-end in a position that does not correspond to its final assembled state. A crank 202 and telescoping mechanism (not shown) are included with the actuator 200 that in response to crank 202 being rotated in a clockwise direction actuator 200 expands from a collapsed position to an extended position (or vice versa when rotated in counter clockwise direction). In response to the actuator 200 expanding or contracting (and vice versa) while in the inverted orientation, post 110 will tilt from a vertical orientation toward a horizontal orientation (or vice versa) (See FIG. 3 through FIG. 5).

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown basketball goal 100 that is at least partially assembled. The method of assembly prior to this configuration includes positioning base 106 of the basketball goal 100 into the ground (See FIG. 1). A backboard 102 can be assembled with a hoop 104, and the backboard 102 can be rotatably connected to a hinged support arm 126 and connected to the post 110 once the post 110 is rotated to an angled orientation, between 0 and 90 degrees exclusively, e.g., 45 degrees with respect to the horizon or ground (See also FIG. 4 and FIG. 5). To start the process of raising the post 110 into a final, vertical position or orientation with respect to the horizon, the post 110 (with backboard 102 and hinged support arm 126) are oriented such that the post plate 112 and the mounting plate 108 abut along one edge. Then post plate 112 and the mounting plate 108 can be hingedly connected with hinge 118 (See FIG. 1), for example via a pin or screw. This initial, pre-erected position can be maintained by using a support brace or by connecting a removable post plate 112 to mounting plate 108 with a bolt (see FIG. 6).

Referring now to the method of lifting the post 110 into a final, more vertical orientation. In FIG. 3, there is shown an image of an actuator 200 attached to the post 110 of the basketball goal in what can be referred to as an “inverted” position. This orientation of the actuator 200 can considered inverted because it is placed end-for-end in a position that does not correspond to its final assembled state. For instance, FIG. 8 provides a view of the actuator 200 in a final, assembled position wherein a telescoping end 206 of the actuator 200 is oriented upwardly and is connected to a connector 128 for the hinged support arm 126. Telescoping will be understood to mean capable of extending and retracting (i.e., extending and retracting from the non-moving, non-telescoping end of the actuator 200 that is affixed to the post 110). The hinged support arm 126 can be pulled or pushed by the actuator 200 to raise or lower the backboard 102 of the basketball goal 100. Referring now again to FIG. 3, when the actuator 200 is inverted, a stationary actuator bracket 204 on the actuator 200 is connected to a post bracket 124 on the post 110. The telescoping end 206 of actuator 200 is connected to a mounting assembly 107 positioned in the ground. Different types of mounting assemblies can be used, non-limiting examples of which will be described in greater detail below. Briefly described, and as shown in FIG. 3, one mounting assembly 107 option is to include one or more eyebolts 212, and the telescoping end 206 can be connected to the eyebolts 212 via a bolt 213.

Referring to FIG. 4, there is shown the post 110 being angled into a more vertical orientation where only one end of the post is distal from the ground. Here, the telescoping end 206 of the actuator 200 is being retracted or withdrawn (e.g., moving a telescoping portion of actuator 200 in to or out from a fixed portion of actuator) by the turning of a crank 202 on the actuator 200 in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction.

Referring to FIG. 5, there is shown the post 110 being raised even further by the actuator 200 to a vertical orientation such that the post 110 rests in a final orientation. In this orientation, the post 110 has hinged such that the post plate 112 and the mounting plate 108 are flush, and then the post plate 112 and the mounting plate 108 can be connected, for example via bolts 122 (see FIG. 9). In the configuration shown in FIGS. 6-8, the actuator 200 no longer needs to be inverted.

In FIG. 6, post 110 is shown with the inverted actuator removed while post 110 is in a vertical orientation with respect to the horizon. Mounting assembly 107 may now be removed from under mounting plate 108.

In FIG. 7, actuator 200 may be reattached (or reconnected) to post 110 in its right side up orientation, while the backboard 102 and associated connected components are in their assembled configuration. Here, the actuator 200 is connected to the post 110 by connecting the stationary actuator bracket 204 back to the post bracket 124. This time; however, telescoping end 206 of the actuator 200 is oriented in an upright orientation with respect to the horizon, and the telescoping end 206 of the actuator 200 is connected to the connector 128 for the hinged support arm 126. As will be appreciated, now rotating the crank 202 of the actuator 200 in a clockwise or counter-clockwise direction can raise and lower the backboard 102 to a first height or a second height with respect to the ground.

Referring to FIG. 8, rotating the crank 202 can cause one end of actuator 200 to contract from an expanded configuration thereby raising the backboard 102 to an extended position such that rim of hoop 104 is positioned at the correct height above ground for regulation basketball play.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, there are shown different alternatives for mounting assembly 107. As described above, mounting assembly 107 provides a means for connecting the telescoping end 206 of the actuator 200 to the ground (or cement 300). In FIG. 9 there is shown one option for mounting assembly 107, which includes positioning one or more extenders 214 (brackets 105a-b, and brackets 109a-b in FIG. 1) in gap 218 between the mounting plate 108 and the ground and/or cement 300. Post plate 112 may be connected to mounting plate 108 using bolts 122. The one or more extenders 214 can be temporarily secured to the post 110, for example via nuts and bolts as shown, and the mounting plate 108 may then prevent the one or more extenders 214 from pivoting. The telescoping end 206 of the actuator 200 can be connected to one or more extenders 214 at the other end of actuator 200 from fixed end. In some examples, if the telescoping end 206 of the actuator 200 of does not fully reach the one or more extenders 214 to be connected thereto, a chain 216 or device with similar elongated features can be positioned between the telescoping end 206 and the one or more extenders 214.

Referring to FIG. 10, there is show another example for mounting assembly 107, which includes one or more eyebolts 212 positioned in the ground. In the example shown, the one or more eyebolts 212 are secured to the ground via the cement 300 that supports the base 106. Referring to FIG. 10, there is also provided a view of the support brace 120 that can hold the hinged post 110 in an initial position while the inverted actuator 200 is installed to rotate and raise one end of the post 110.

It is to be understood that the mention of one or more method steps does not preclude the presence of additional method steps or intervening method steps between those steps expressly identified. It is also to be understood that the embodiments and claims disclosed herein are not limited in their application to the details of construction and arrangement of the components set forth in the description and illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the description and the drawings provide examples of the embodiments envisioned. The embodiments and claims disclosed herein are further capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting the claims.

Accordingly, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which the application and claims are based may be readily utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods, and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the embodiments and claims presented in this application. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions.

Furthermore, the purpose of the foregoing Abstract is to enable the public, and especially including the practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent and legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is neither intended to define the claims of the application, nor is it intended to be limiting to the scope of the claims in any way. Instead, it is intended that the invention is defined by the claims appended hereto.

Claims

1. A method for assembling a basketball goal comprising: rotatably attaching a horizontally oriented post to a mounting plate of a base disposed on a ground;connecting a stationary actuator bracket of an actuator to a post bracket of the post;connecting a telescoping end of the actuator to a mounting assembly coupled with the mounting plate;turning a crank of the actuator to withdraw the telescoping end into the actuator to rotate the post and to orient the post into an upright vertical orientation with respect to a horizon;connecting a post plate of the post to the mounting plate to secure the post in the upright vertical orientation; andremoving the stationary actuator bracket of the actuator from the post bracket and the telescoping end from the mounting assembly.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: connecting the removed the stationary actuator bracket to the post bracket and the telescoping end to a hinged support arm that engages with the post and a backboard assembly at a first height with respect to the ground; andturning the crank of the actuator to withdraw the telescoping end into the actuator to raise the backboard assembly to a second height with respect to the ground.

3. The method as recited in claim 2 further comprising: turning the crank to orient post in an angled orientation with respect the horizon; andconnecting the hinged support arm to the post and the backboard assembly to the hinged support arm when the post is oriented in the angled orientation.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein turning the crank to orient post in an angled orientation with respect the horizon comprises: turning the crank to orient post in an angled orientation with respect the horizon between 0 and 90 degrees exclusively.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising securing the base to the ground by cement.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the base comprises one or more extenders positioned between the mounting plate and the ground.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein one or more extenders comprise square posts.

8. A method for assembling a basketball goal comprising: hingedly coupling a post to a base engaging with a ground;connecting a fixed end of an actuator to a post bracket on the post and a telescoping end of the actuator to the base;rotating about the base, by actuating the actuator, the post from a more horizontal orientation to a more vertical orientation with respect to a horizon;coupling support arms with a backboard assembly to the post;removing the actuator from the post; andreconnecting the fixed end of the actuator to the post bracket and a telescoping end to hinged support arms for a backboard assembly.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising attaching the support arms with the backboard assembly when the post is oriented between the more horizontal orientation and the more vertical orientation.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising moving the backboard assembly higher or lower by actuating the reconnected actuator.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein actuating the actuator includes turning a crank in a clockwise direction or a counterclockwise direction, and moving a telescoping portion of the actuator in or out in response to a turning of the crank in the clockwise direction or the counter clockwise direction.

12. The method of claim 9 further comprising connecting at a telescoping portion of the actuator to the hinged support arms for backboard assembly when the post has rotated to a vertical orientation to raise the backboard assembly.

13. A method for assembling a basketball goal comprising: rotatably attaching a horizontally oriented post with a mounting pin to a mounting plate of a base disposed on a ground;connecting with actuator pin one end of a telescoping actuator to a post bracket of the post;connecting another end of the telescoping actuator to a mounting assembly engaging with the mounting plate;turning a crank of the actuator in a first direction to contract the telescoping actuator, to rotate the post into an angled orientation with respect to a horizon;attaching a backboard assembly to the post while the post is in the angled orientation with respect to the horizon;turning a crank of the actuator in the first direction to contract the telescoping actuator, to rotate the post into an upright vertical orientation with respect to a horizon;connecting a post plate of the post to the mounting plate with a screw to secure the post in the upright vertical orientation;removing one end of the telescoping actuator from the post bracket and another end of the telescoping actuator from the mounting assembly;inverting the removed telescoping actuator;connecting the inverted telescoping actuator to the post bracket and another end of the telescoping bracket to a hinged support arm that engages with the post and the backboard assembly at a first height with respect to the ground; andturning the crank of the telescoping actuator to expand or contract the telescoping actuator to raise or to lower the backboard assembly to a second height with respect to the ground.

14. The method as recited in claim 13 further comprising removing the mounting assembly from below the mounting plate after removing one end of the telescoping actuator from the post bracket and the another end of the telescoping actuator from the mounting assembly.