Patent Application
20070178994
This invention relates to an anchor for use with a support pole, and more particularly to an anchor that facilitates ease of assembly and mounting of a basketball support pole and a backboard/hoop assembly attached thereto.
When traveling through most neighborhoods, one can typically find a freestanding basketball goal structure erected in a neighborhood playground or adjacent to a residential driveway. When placed in the ground, these structures consist of a backboard/hoop assembly and a support pole of sufficient length so as to hold the backboard/hoop assembly at an appropriate height for playing basketball.
These basketball goals must be assembled and raised so that they are rigidly mounted in the ground. Typically, basketball backboard/hoop assemblies are very heavy and are supported by a metal support pole that may also be very heavy. In some basketball goal structures, the metal support pole may be filled at least partially with concrete so as to provide additional stability. However, the concrete may also add additional weight to the entire assembly.
When assembling a basketball goal, one traditional option is to assemble the backboard/hoop assembly and attach it to the support pole prior to raising the structure. One problem with this option is that the large, awkward shapes that comprise the various pieces of a basketball goal make assembly on the ground difficult. Additionally, because of the size and weight of both the backboard/hoop assembly and the support pole, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a single person to raise the entire assembly without the assistance of others. Generally, at least one person is needed to lift and hold the basketball goal structure while at least one other person attaches the structure to the ground.
A second option is to secure the support pole in or to the ground prior to mounting the backboard/hoop assembly onto the support pole. Once the support pole is sufficiently anchored in the ground, the backboard/hoop assembly may then be raised to the top of the support pole and mounted. This option requires that a heavy assembly be raised to a substantial height, often ten feet, to achieve an appropriate playing position. Because of the bulk and weight of the assembly, it is difficult, if not impossible, for a single person to mount the assembly without the assistance of at least one other person. Additionally, tools such as a ladder to support a person may be required.
One traditional solution for raising the basketball backboard/hoop assembly has been to use a lifting device such as a pulley system or ropes to raise the structure. However, this has not been effective because it is inconvenient for users who must set up the lifting device and also requires additional equipment and tools. Further, this method does not protect the structure from slipping and falling if the bottom of the support pole were to slip after being raised partially on one end. Hence, the assembly is not made any easier or less awkward.
Therefore, there is a need for a ground-anchor system for a basketball support pole that facilitates easier and less awkward assembly and mounting of a basketball goal structure.
This invention relates to an anchor for use with a support pole, and more particularly to an anchor that facilitates ease of assembly and mounting of a basketball support pole and a backboard/hoop assembly attached thereto.
One embodiment of the present invention may include a method for reinforcing a sports support pole with the method comprising the steps of anchoring a base having a front side and back side, connecting the back side of the base to the first end of the sports support pole such that the base and the sports support pole are rotatably connected and connecting a lifting member between the front side of the base and the first end of the sports support pole, the lifting member having an effective length such that shortening the effective length of the lifting member raises a second end of the sports support pole. The method may also include the step of shortening the effective length of the lifting member such that the second end of the sports support pole achieves a playing position.
Another embodiment of the present invention may include a ground anchor for a sports support pole comprising a sports support pole having a first end and a second end and an anchoring base having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being rotatably connected, the first side being attached to the first end of the sports support pole and the second side being anchored to support a sports apparatus. The ground anchor may further include a lifting system rotatably connected to the second side of the anchoring base and configured to connect to the first side of the anchoring base wherein adjustment of the lifting system raises the second end of the sports support pole. Another embodiment of the present invention may include a method of raising a sports support pole with the method comprising the step of anchoring a base having a first member and a second member, the first member and the second member of the anchoring base being rotatably connected and the first member of the base being attached to a first end of the sports support pole. The method may further comprise the step of connecting a lifting system to the first member and the second member of the base, the lifting system including a threaded rod and a lifting nut, such that tightening the lifting nut raises the sports support pole and loosening the lifting nut lowers the sports support pole. The may further comprise the step of tightening the lifting nut to raise the sports support pole to a playing position.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in a non-limiting fashion, the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the Figures, wherein:
The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference to the figures in which various embodiments of the present invention are shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.
At the base of the support pole 120, an anchoring base having two plates 130, 132 may be used to attach the support pole 120 to the ground (not shown). While the ground may be taken generally to mean the earth, it is also contemplated that the support pole 120 may be attached to concrete, an indoor floor (such as an indoor gymnasium floor), asphalt or any basketball playing surface as would be known to one of skill in the art.
The first plate 130 of the anchoring base may be attached to the support pole 120 using bolts, rivets, screws or any means for mechanically fastening known in the art. Additionally, it is contemplated that the first plate 130 of the anchoring base may be welded to the support pole 120 or may be formed as an integral part of the support pole 120.
The second plate 132 of the anchoring base may be attached to the ground (not shown) using bolts, rivets, screws or any means for mechanically fastening known in the art. Additionally, it is contemplated that the second plate 132 may be welded or permanently attached to the ground in a manner known in the art. Further, the second plate 132 of the anchoring base may be attached to a lower support pole that may be conventionally mounted in the ground as known by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In alternative embodiments, the anchoring base may be located at different heights on the support pole 120 by using a lower support pole that may be set in the ground. Such embodiments may be desirable in situations where there is insufficient room at ground level (due to plant growth, for example) to position the plate 132 flush with the ground.
Two hinges 140, 141 may be used for connecting the first plate 130 and the second plate 132 of the anchoring base so that they may be rotatably attached to one another. While two hinges are shown in
Although the present invention is described and shown with plates, or flange elements, connecting the support pole to the ground, alternative embodiments of the present invention may avoid the use of plates and directly connect the support pole 120 with a lower support pole (not shown) with a hinge or rotatable joint. For light and economic basketball goal production models, the use of flange plates (130 and 132 in
As discussed above, prior to assembly of the basketball goal structure, the second plate 222 of the anchoring base may be attached to the ground (not shown) in a suitable manner. Once the anchoring base is suitably mounted, the support pole 220 and first plate 221 of the anchoring base may then be attached so as to pivot about the hinges 240, 241 in the directions shown by Arrow A. The hinges 240, 241 may permit the support pole to rest on the ground or at a predetermined height above the ground while it is still attached to the second plate 222 of the anchoring base. As discussed below, this may allow the backboard and basketball goal assembly to be assembled on the support pole 220 while the support pole 220 is on the ground or at a convenient height for the user, avoiding the necessity of ladders and other additional tools for assembly.
As shown in
As shown in
Once the lifting bar 232 is positioned in the receiving portions 235, 236, the support pole 220 may rest with its weight supported by the lifting system 250, as shown in
As shown in
In one embodiment, a user may raise the support pole 220 to an angle of approximately 30 degrees such that the basketball goal or other sports apparatus may be conveniently assembled on the raised end of the support pole 220 by a user standing on the ground (not shown). At 30 degrees, the end of a ten-foot support pole may be positioned at a height of approximately five feet, allowing a user to assemble a sporting apparatus on the support pole without much difficulty. However, it is contemplated that the support pole may be raised and lowered using the lifting system 250 until the end of the support pole 250 is positioned at any suitable height for any user. By adjusting the height of the support pole, the use of a ladder or other additional tools may not be required during assembly. Additionally, securing the end of the support pole 220 at a convenient height during assembly eliminates the need to hoist and hold an awkward and heavy backboard/hoop assembly in the air for assembly. It should also be understood that the support pole may be raised and lowered to different heights during different stages of assembly, allowing the user to make adjustments to the working height as elements are assembled.
Once the backboard/hoop assembly is attached to the support pole, a user may then further shorten the effective length of the threaded rod 231 by turning the lifting nut 233 down the entire length of the threaded rod 231. This tightening may force the lifting bar 232 or a similar device, as discussed above, to the bottom of the threaded rod 231 and may raise the basketball goal into a substantially vertical position, as shown in
Once the basketball goal is placed in a substantially vertical position, a user may then use screws, bolts, rivets, welding or other means for mechanically fastening known in the art (not shown) to secure the first plate 221 and the second plate 222 of the attachment base together. In turn, once the plates 221, 222 are securely fastened, the user may then remove the threaded rod 231 from the lifting system 250 by removing the hinge pin from the hinge 230. Alternatively, the threaded rod 231 may be configured in two connectable pieces so that the top portion may be detached and reattached for later adjustments.
In addition to using the anchoring base of the present invention for supporting an upright basketball goal, it is envisioned that the present invention can be utilized for raising and supporting a basketball goal permanently positioned at an angle. Further, it is contemplated that the present invention may be used as an anchoring base for other types of support poles. This may include support poles for volleyball nets, soccer goals, flagpoles or the like.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. While the embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention, various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use are also possible. The scope of the invention is to be defined only by the claims appended hereto, and by their equivalents.
