Patent Application
20250144494
This document claims priority from Australian provisional patent application no 2023903567 filed on 7 Nov. 2023 the content of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.
The present invention relates to an assembly for supporting a goal hoop connectable to the structure of a trampoline.
Trampolines are recreational devices comprising a strong fabric mat stretched over a metal frame and attached to springs or spring like rods. When a person jumps on the trampoline, the springs or spring line rods provide a bouncy surface that allows the person to jump higher and perform acrobatic movements. Trampolining is not only a fun activity, but it also provides a great workout. It can improve cardiovascular health, build muscle strength and endurance, and improve coordination and balance.
However, many trampolines are located outdoors and often in locations where there is little sun protection. Roof or shade covers are often connected to trampolines to provide users with shade and protection from harmful ultraviolet radiation. Typically trampoline roofs or shade covers are dome-shaped or have a tent-like peak to prevent rainwater from collecting on the roof and causing damage to the roof.
Users of trampolines often combine jumping on the trampoline with other games. For example, users may move a goal hoop stand assembly until it is adjacent to the trampoline so that they can bounce on the trampoline and compete with one another for the ball. However, trampoline roofs and safety nets may prevent a user from throwing the ball out of the trampoline enclosure and into the hoop.
Goal hoops which can be connected to a trampoline so that the goal hoop is located within the perimeter of the trampoline are known. For example, some goal hoops may be connected to a trampoline pole using a U bolt (or other clamping arrangement), while some goal hoops have a short pole which can be inserted into (or over) an end of one of the trampoline poles.
However, many of these goal hoops cannot be used with the trampoline when the roof or shade cover is on, requiring the shade cover to be removed.
It is desirable to provide improved goal hoop support assemblies that overcome at least some of the problems of the prior art, or provide a useful alternative.
In a first aspect there is provided a goal hoop support assembly for a trampoline having a shade cover, the assembly comprising:
In a second aspect there is provided a goal hoop support assembly for a trampoline having a shade cover, the assembly comprising:
The goal hoop support assembly can allow for a goal hoop to be supported on a trampoline even if the trampoline comprises a shade cover. This is advantageous under circumstances where the user would like to play with the goal hoop on the trampoline in a position where a shade is required.
The goal hoop support assembly is, in embodiments, able to achieve the aim of locating the goal hoop and backboard under the shade cover, by having a support arm with at least one substantially horizontal portion that is at approximately the same height as or is lower than the top of the back board. In this embodiment, this substantial redesign of existing support arms allows for goal hoops to be used in combination with shade covers is advantageous for the user.
Furthermore, in embodiments, the goal hoop support assembly allows for two positions of the backboard. In a first position, the assembly can be used under a shade cover as described above. In a second position, the assembly can be used without the shade cover and the backboard can extend up and out of the top of the trampoline which is free from cover. This allows the user to select from more than one configuration which suits their immediate needs.
In an embodiment, in the first mounting position the first end of the support arm is arranged towards the top of the backboard. In this embodiment, in a second mounting position the first end of the support arm is arranged towards the bottom of the backboard.
The goal hoop assembly can be used with any trampoline that has a frame for supporting a shade cover. The shade cover can be supported by a trampoline frame structure comprising upright poles. The shade cover can be attached to the top end of the upright poles using techniques known in the art. Some trampolines comprise a safety net around their side walls. When a safety net is present, in order to accommodate the support arm of some embodiments of the assembly, there must be a gap between the shade cover and safety net or a gap in the safety net to allow the support arm to extend from the pole of the trampoline into the area of the trampoline surrounded by the safety net.
In an embodiment, the goal hoop assembly may occupy the space where the shade cover connected to the frame of the trampoline. Where this occurs, the goal hoop assembly can comprise an additional socket for connection of the shade cover to the trampoline.
The backboard of a goal hoop assembly serves as the target for players during a game. Backboards can be made from various materials, including tempered glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, or steel. Tempered glass backboards are known for their professional appearance and excellent ball rebound. Acrylic backboards, being lightweight and durable, are suitable for both indoor and outdoor usage. Polycarbonate backboards are highly durable and resistant to damage, making them ideal for outdoor hoops. Steel backboards are commonly used in portable or budget-friendly systems. In an embodiment of the present invention, the backboard can be formed from a lightweight material. The lightweight material can be an injection moulded polymer material. The lightweight material can be a mesh material. The mesh material can be supported by fibreglass poles around the outside edges to provide some structural integrity. In an embodiment, the safety net of the trampoline can be used as the backboard.
Backboards come in different sizes, with the standard dimensions being 180 cm wide and 100 cm tall. For use with a trampoline, the backboard can be much smaller than this so it can be accommodated into the space over the trampoline mat. In an embodiment, the backboard can have padding around the edges of the solid surface to enhance safety. In an embodiment, in which the backboard is formed from flexible poles and a mesh fabric, the backboard can have a curved edge. If the safety net forms the backboard, there can be markings on the safety net to delineate the backboard area.
In embodiments, the backboard has a top and a bottom. When looking at the backboard face, the top is the upper end and the bottom is the lower end. The backboard also has a front surface and an opposing rear surface. The front surface of the backboard can feature graphics, including logos, court lines, or manufacturer branding, adding to the overall visual appeal.
The goal hoop can be supported at or near the bottom of the front surface of the backboard. When shooting the ball, players often use the backboard strategically to aim for the basket. By aiming the ball to hit the backboard at a specific angle, players can utilise the board to direct the ball into the hoop. The backboard should provide a predictable and consistent surface for the ball to bounce off, allowing players to make bank shots, which involve bouncing the ball off the backboard into the hoop. Mastering the technique of using the backboard enables players to score points more effectively, especially in situations where shooting directly into the hoop might be challenging due to the position of defenders or the angle of approach.
The support arm or support arms support the goal hoop either directly or indirectly via the backboard. In its most basic form, the support arm(s) is/are connected directly to the goal hoop. An arm on each side of the goal hoop can allow the goal hoop to be hung over the edge of the top of the safety net, or the support arm(s) can be connected via webbing to the frame of the trampoline.
In an embodiment, the support arm supports the goal hoop via the blackboard. In this embodiment, the support arm or support arms is/are located at the back of the backboard and is/are responsible for connecting the backboard to the pole that supports it, providing stability and structural integrity to the entire setup. The support arm can have a first end positioned at the rear surface of the backboard and an opposing second end which connects the support arm to the upright pole of the trampoline. The support arm can be made of durable materials such as steel or aluminium. It can be designed to withstand the forces applied during gameplay, including shooting, dunking, and accidental collisions.
At the rear of the backboard, there can be sockets into which the support arm can be located. There can be a first socket for the first position. There can be a second socket to assemble the goal hoop assembly into the second position. The sockets can allow a snap fit of a correspondingly shaped end of the support arm into the socket. The support arm can be removed from the socket either by pulling to remove it, or by depressing a spring biased locking pin to allow removal of the support arm from the socket.
Alternatively or in addition the support arm(s) is/are connected to rear side of the backboard by a bracket. There can be pre-drilled holes in the backboard to allow placement of the bracket.
Where the backboard is made from mesh, the rear surface of the backboard can have a support structure which can engage with the support arm(s).
The support structure can have openings, sockets or other engaging locations for connection with the first end of each support arm.
There can be more than one support arm, each arm terminating at the back surface of the backboard. The or each arm can be crafted with a combination of solid bars and braces, forming a sturdy framework that supports the backboard securely. In an embodiment, each arm is braced by a bracing arm. The bracing arm can support the support arm from underneath when in the first position. The bracing arm can support the support arm from the top when in the second position. Each of the support arm and bracing arm can have a docking location on the rear of the backboard as described. There can be markings on the backboard to teach the user where to locate the support arms/docking arms to achieve the desired first or second position of the goal hoop.
The upright pole to which the support arm is connected can be any pole of the trampoline. The upright pole can be an upright pole of the frame, a net pole or other pole.
The connection between the upright pole of the trampoline and the support arm can be by any means that securely couples the two. The connection between the support arm and the backboard can be by any means that securely connect the two. The connections can allow for some movement as might be required when the backboard is in use to absorb impact. In an embodiment, the connection is a universal bracket with a central passageway that accommodates different net pole or trampoline pole diameters.
In an embodiment, the support arm inherently comprises a substantially horizontal portion which provide the space between the upright pole of the trampoline and the backboard. There can be more than one substantially horizontal portion each part contributing to increasing the distance between upright pole and backboard. By substantially horizontal, it is meant that there can be some deviation from horizontal. In embodiments, the support arm is mostly or significantly parallel to the ground. In other words, it is mostly level or flat, but can have a slight incline or decline. The term “substantially” indicates that while it may not be perfectly horizontal, the deviation from the horizontal level is minor and does not significantly impact the overall flatness or levelness of the object or surface. There can be some curve in the extension of the support arm from the upright pole to the backboard, but overall the effect is to hang the backboard away from the upright pole and into the space over the mat of the trampoline.
In an embodiment, the support arm is angled from horizontal. In this embodiment the at least one substantially horizontal portion terminating at a first end positioned proximal the rear surface of the backboard should be understood to be the location at which the support arm connects with the backboard.
The support arm is configured such that when supporting the backboard, the top of the backboard is at approximately the same height or is lower than at least one of the substantially horizontal portions of the support arm. If the support arm is provided in more than one horizontal part, the top of the backboard might be higher than one of the horizontal parts, but it must be lower than at least one of them. By approximately the same height it is meant that there can be some variation in height that causes the top of the backboard to be slightly higher than the support arm, but this is insubstantial.
The effect of this configuration of the support arm is that the backboard and goal hoop are suspended in a low arrangement into the trampoline which allows the shade cover to pass over the top of them. When viewed from the side, the top of the backboard is at or lower than parts of the support arm which provides the support under the cover effect.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings may not be drawn to scale. Similar components may be represented by only one reference numeral. The drawings are exemplary only:
The goal hoop support assembly 100 comprises a support arm 30. The support arm 30 is adapted to support the backboard 10 so that, in use, a goal hoop 54 extending from the front surface 12 of the backboard 10 is suspended above a mat of a trampoline. The support arm 30 has a first end 32 positioned proximal the rear surface 14 of the backboard 10, and an opposing second end 34 distal the backboard 10 configured to connect the support arm 30 to a pole of a trampoline.
The plurality of perforations 24 in the backboard 10 includes at least one set of perforations configured to receive a fastener 22 therein. The perforations 24 are arranged in a line extending between an upper end 18 of the backboard and a lower end 16 of the backboard. Each set of perforations can comprise 2, 3, 4, or more perforations.
In
As shown in
The support arm 30 abuts the rear surface 14 of the backboard 10 and is indirectly connected to the backboard 10 via brace members 42. Connecting the support arm 30 indirectly to the backboard 10 may enable the individual components to move separately in response to an impact on the backboard 10 and/or goal hoop 54 or movement of the poles due to the user bouncing on the trampoline reducing the risk of damage from the backboard and support arm coming into contact with one another other.
The first end 32 of the support arm 30 can be tapered. In use, impact on the goal hoop 54 is likely to cause the lower end 16 of the backboard to move towards the support arm 30 (the upper end 18 would move in the opposite direction). Tapering the first end 32 of the support arm 30 and positioning the first end in proximity to the rear surface 14 of the backboard 10, but not contacting the backboard, may provide space for the backboard to move in response to the impact, reducing the risk of damage
The second end 34 of the support arm 30 has a connection portion 36 to connect the support arm 30 to the pole. The connection portion 36 may be an end connector having a substantially C-shape in cross-section. The end connector may be configured to at least partially encircle a pole and a fastening device (such as a clamp) used to close the end connector about the pole.
A height of the goal hoop 54 above the mat of the trampoline can be increased or decreased by adjusting a position of the support arm 30 relative to the backboard 10.
In
In
Two or more brace members 42 extend between the first end 32 of the support arm 30 and the rear surface 14 of the backboard 10. The brace members 42 can be connected to the backboard 10 via the plurality of perforations 20 configured to receive a fastener 22.
The brace members 42 can be connected to any suitable perforation located between the lower end 16 and the upper end 18 of the backboard 10. Adjusting the connection point of the bracing arms or brace members 42 on the backboard 10 enables the height of the goal hoop relative to the mat to be increased or decreased.
The brace members 42 may be pivotally connected to the first end 32 of the support arm 30 and/or to the rear surface 14 of the backboard 10. Advantageously, this provides the components of the goal hoop support assembly with the ability to flex and move separately in response to a user bouncing on the trampoline and/or an impact on the backboard or goal hoop.
The goal hoop 54 can be mounted to the front surface 12 of the backboard 10 by an impact damping hinge 52. An impact damping hinge 52 can improve safety and prevents breaking of the goal hoop support assembly 100.
The orientation of the backboard 10 between the first mounting position and second mounting position can be adjusted by moving the backboard 10 and repositioning the support arm 30 and the bracing arms 42 relative to the new orientation of the backboard. In an embodiment, the bracing arms 42 are not uncoupled during movement.
Advantageously, providing a plurality of perforations in the backboard 10 comprises providing at least one set of substantially parallel spaced apart perforations configured to receive a fastener or the ends of the bracing arms 42 therein in the first mounting position, and a second set of perforations configured to receive a fastener or the ends of the bracing arms 42 therein in the second mounting position.
The plurality of perforations 120 includes at least one set of perforations configured to receive a fastener 122 therein. The perforations are arranged in a line extending between an upper end 118 of the backboard and a lower end 116 of the backboard. Each set of perforations can comprise 2, 3, 4, or more perforations.
The support arm 130 of this embodiment has a substantially Z-shape with two substantially horizontal portions. The support arm 130 comprising a first horizontal part 132 is positioned proximal the rear surface 114 of the backboard 110, a second horizontal part 134 is distal the backboard 110 and configured at its end to connect the support arm 130 to the pole of the trampoline. The first part 132 and the second part 134 are substantially parallel to one another and connected to one another by a third part 140.
The first end of the first part 132 of the support arm 130 is connected to the rear surface 114 of the backboard 110 via the plurality of perforations 120 configured to receive a fastener 122. Adjusting the connection point of the first end of the first part 132 on the backboard 110 enables the height of the goal hoop relative to the mat to be increased or decreased. In FIG. 5, the assembly is shown in the first mounting position. In
A rib or gusset 150 can extend between the first part 132/second part 134 and the third part 140. The ribs or gussets 150 may improve the strength of the bends in the support arm 130 between the first and second parts and the second and third parts in response to an impact on the backboard and/or goal hoop or movement of the poles due to the user bouncing on the trampoline.
In
In
Providing the upper end 118 of the backboard 110 is below the level of the roof shade, this configuration could be used with the roof shade in place, however in this configuration the support arm 130 may need to be connected lower down the pole of the trampoline (i.e. closer to the mat) such that the upper end 118 of the backboard 10 remains below the roof shade.
The goal hoop 154 can be mounted to the front surface 112 of the backboard 110 by an impact damping hinge 146. An impact damping hinge 146 can improve safety and prevents breaking of the goal hoop support assembly 200.
The orientation of the backboard 110 can be adjusted by rotating the backboard 110 and repositioning the support arm 130 relative to the new orientation of the backboard 110. Advantageously, providing a plurality of perforations comprises at least one set of substantially parallel spaced apart perforations configured to receive a fastener therein enables the backboard to be rotated between a horizontal and a vertical configuration.
The goal hoop assembly can be used with any trampoline that has a frame including upright poles 13 for supporting a shade cover. Some trampolines comprise a safety net around their side walls as shown in
There is a goal hoop 454 supported at or near the bottom 416 of the front surface 412 of the backboard 410. There are a pair of support arms 432 (only one labelled in some images for clarity) for supporting the backboard 410. Bracing arms 442 are associated with each support arm 432. The support arm 432 has at least one substantially horizontal portion terminating at a first end at the rear surface 414 of the backboard 410. The other end 436 of the support arm connects the assembly to the upright pole of the trampoline.
The support arm 432 and backboard 410 in this embodiment together are configured to have:
As can be seen in
The goal hoop support 454 assembly therefore allows for two positions of the backboard 410. In a first position, the assembly 400 can be used under a shade cover as described above. In a second position, the assembly 400 can be used without the shade cover.
In an embodiment shown in
In an embodiment shown in
It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.
Any promises made in the present description should be understood to relate to some embodiments of the invention, and are not intended to be promises made about the invention. Where there are promises that are deemed to apply to all embodiments of the invention, the right is reserved to later delete those promises from the description since there is no intention to rely on those promises for the acceptance or subsequent grant of a patent unless the context makes clear otherwise.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023903567 | Nov 2023 | AU | national |
