Patent Application
20240226684
Not Applicable
This invention relates to adjustable basketball hoop systems system, and more particularly to a bracket assembly for maintaining a pistol drill position while rotating the screw in an adjustable hoop system.
Extendible basketball hoops with the ability to raise and lower the hoop have been around for some time. Typically, the hoop is raised by pushing up or down on the arms connecting the hoop to the main body of the support and then affixing the hoop in position. In some cases, the hoop is raised or lowered using a hand crank device that engages the main extension post and rotates an internal screw mechanism. These systems are difficult to operate and require hand strength and physical effort to raise and lower the hoop.
There is a need for an assisted hoop system that uses a common pistol drill and adapter and bracket that permits efficient turning of the screw by a user.
A primary advantage of the invention is to provide blocking to the rotational movement of a pistol drill while raising and lowering a basketball hoop.
Another advantage of the invention is to provide a bracket assembly mounted on a basketball hoop system to support a pistol drill.
Yet another advantage of the invention is to provide a bracket assembly with a pass through for a bit engaged to a screw on an elevation post of a basketball hoop system.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a basketball hoop elevation system bracket assembly having a bracket assembly hingedly attached to an elevation post on a basketball hoop system the assembly having an upward and downward orientation, the assembly has a base plate with two extended opposing arms and an aperture in the base plate for reception of a bit in a basketball elevation post, the aperture is alignable with the bit for engagement to a drill adapter when the base plate is hinged in a downward orientation to the elevation post where the bit is capable of protrusion through the aperture and engaged to a gear operably engaged to a screw in the elevation post for raising and lowering a hoop, and the opposing arms sized to provide lateral blocking to the rotation of a pistol drill engaged to the adapter that mates to the bit wherein the drill is capable of turning the adapter to raise and lower the basketball hoop by turning the bit.
In accordance with another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a basketball hoop elevation system bracket assembly having a bracket assembly hingedly attached to an elevation post on a basketball hoop system the assembly having an upward and downward orientation, the assembly having a base plate formed with two sandwiched sheets, the plate having two extended opposing arms and an aperture in the two sheets in the base plate for reception of a bit in a basketball elevation post, the aperture aligned with the bit for engagement to a pistol drill when the base plate is hinged in a downward orientation to the elevation post where the bit is capable of protrusion through the aperture and engaged to a gear box operably engaged to a screw in the elevation post for raising and lowering a hoop, and the opposing arms sized to provide lateral blocking to the rotation of a pistol drill engaged to the bit wherein the drill is capable of turning the bit to raise and lower the basketball hoop by turning the bit.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a basketball hoop elevation system bracket assembly having a hinged bracket assembly having a base plate with two opposing L-shaped tubular members and an aperture in the base plate for reception of a bit in a basketball elevation post gear box, the aperture aligned with the bit when the base plate is hinged in a downward position to the elevation post where the bit is capable of protrusion through the aperture for engagement with the gear box operably engaged to a screw in the elevation post, the opposing arms sized to provide lateral blocking to the rotation of a pistol drill engaged to an adapter that mates to the bit wherein the drill is capable of turning the adapter to raise and lower the basketball hoop by turning the bit.
In accordance with yet another preferred embodiment of the invention, there is shown a basketball hoop elevation system bracket assembly having a hinged bracket assembly having a base plate with two opposing L-shaped tubular members and an aperture in the base plate for reception of a bit in a basketball elevation post gear box, the aperture aligned with the bit when the base plate is hinged in a downward position to the elevation post where the bit is capable of protrusion through the aperture for engagement with the gear box operably engaged to a screw in the elevation post, the opposing arms sized to provide lateral blocking to the rotation of a pistol drill engaged to an adapter that mates to the bit wherein the drill is capable of turning the adapter to raise and lower the basketball hoop by turning the bit.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.
Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for later filed claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure, or manner.
Turning now to
Bracket assembly 50 is affixed to the elevation post 16 that can be moved upward out of the way when not in use, and then lowered to support the sides of the drill to maintain its position as the drill operates to inhibit rotation of the drill due to the torque being applied to the drill adapter. This maintains the drill in a proper orientation as the motor rotates the adapter to inhibit excess motion and provide support to the operator.
Turning to
A dual L-shaped bracket assembly 50 is hingedly attached to the base of the elevation post 16 at gear box 18 having header or base plate 58 with aperture 54. Header or base plate 58 may be a single piece of metal or a sandwiched configuration of two plates having an opening bolted together with bolts 59 forming aperture 54. Hinge pin 52, inserted into sleeve 60, provides pivoting movement of bracket assembly 50 to raise and lower when in use. Hinge pin 52 may be formed as extensions of portions 49 and 49′ that meet in the middle of sleeve 60, or alternatively hinge pin 52 is a single solid tubular member that is welded to the ends of portions 49 and 49′ for stable engagement within sleeve 60.
Bracket assembly 50 has two extensions 46 and 48 on header plate 58 that each form an L shape terminating in ends 62 and 64 to provide guardrails for the drill to inhibit sideways movement as the drill is engaged. Extensions 46 and 48 may be formed of tubular or solid metal into the desired shape. Alternatively, extensions 46 and 48 may be made of other materials included blow molded plastic or other synthetic materials. Extensions 46 and 48 may be rods of metal or tubular members.
Each extension 46 and 48 may be formed having a first portion 49 and 49′, respectively, and a second portion 51 and 51′, respectively, forming a roughly 75-90 degree angle with third portion 53 and 53′, respectively, roughly parallel to portions 49 and 49′ that makes a second approximately 75-90 degree turn toward first portions 49 and 49′, and fourth portion 55 and 55′, respectively, roughly parallel to portions 51 and 51′, forming a roughly 75-90 degree angle, to form an open loop terminating in end 64 or 62 respectively. Each opposite arm is similarly configured to form am L-shaped arm for two-sided blocking to a pistol drill.
Pistol drill 22 is engaged to bit 56 for stable rotational movement of adapter 40 that in turn operates the screw in post 16. When using a pistol drill, to turn the elevation post screw, torque may be high in operation which would cause the drill to rotate or shake in the hand of an operator and make using the device harder for operators. Bracket assembly 50 prevents rotational movement of the drill caused by the torque on the elevation post gears and the adapter by blocking rotational movement of the handle of the pistol drill when in rotational operation.
Alternative embodiments of L-shaped extensions 46 and 48 may include an L-shaped plate or triangular plate that forms a closed “L” type shape hingedly attached the base plate so long as the arms provide lateral blocking to the pistol drill when in operation.
While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the later allowed claims.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/479,047 filed on Jan. 9, 2023 entitled “Electronic Powered Basketball Height Adjustor System and Bracket” and is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63479047 | Jan 2023 | US |
