Patent Application
20130200246
Aspects of the present disclosure relate to a support structure for a pole, in particular a structure used for activities/game play.
A game base is a device used for recreational activities, and has been a staple in gymnasiums where they have been used for a variety of game play. The game base typically consists of an upright pole positioned in a base. The upright pole can be used to hold equipment, such as a net, used for games such as volleyball, badminton, and tennis. Various other types of equipment, such as rims or tetherballs, can be attached to the game base and used for other types of game play as well.
Game bases are usually portable, allowing the device to be moved as needed when setting up a game environment or storing the device. To transport the base, it is tilted onto wheels that are attached to the base and can be pushed or pulled to the desired location. The movement of the base can come with safety hazards due to the heavy weight of the base and the need to tilt the base onto the wheels for movement along the floor. In addition, this method of moving the base can also put stress on the components of the game base itself as a user is required to pull on the upright pole to tilt and move the base. This can lead to fatigue of various components of the base, and in particular the components that hold the upright pole in the base.
In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, apparatus are provided that include a pole having a first end and a second end. The pole is configured to support one or more gaming apparatus. A base is configured to support the pole to hold the pole in an upright position. The base includes a front end and a back end. The base is configured to receive the first end of the pole such that the pole is positioned closer to the front end of the base than the back end of the base. The base has a center of gravity that is closer to the back end than the front end such that the back end of the base provides lateral stability to the base.
In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, apparatus are provided that include a base having a pole extending therefrom with the pole being configured to extend from the base in an upright position and to support one or more gaming apparatus. A first set of wheels extend from the base and are retractable between a retracted position in which the base is fixed relative to a support surface, and an extended position in which the base is movable relative to the support surface. A second set of wheels also extend from the base.
Embodiments of the disclosure are further described in the detailed description which follows, by reference to the noted drawings, in which like reference numerals represents similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings, and wherein:
The pole 12 can have a variety of configurations, and, for example, can be in the form of an elongate rod. In an illustrated embodiment, the pole 12 has a length that allows a proximal end 12p of the pole 12 to be coupled to the base 14, while the distal end 12d of the pole 12 is far enough away from the base 14 to allow for various types of activities and/or games to be played by attaching various apparatus to the pole 12 of the pole support structure 10. The proximal end 12p of the pole 12 can be coupled to the base 14 in a variety of ways. For example, the pole 12 can be integral with the base 14, or the pole 12 can be a separate component and can be coupled thereto. In one embodiment, the base 14 can include an opening formed therein for receiving the proximal end 12p of the pole 12, and a locking mechanism can be configured to lock and unlock the pole 12 relative to the base 14. The pole 12 can be coupled to the base 14 in a variety of way, including being coupled to a top surface of the base 14, or coupled to a bottom surface of the base 14 such that any locking mechanism used to couple the pole 12 to the base 14 can be located on the bottom surface of the base 14. The pole 12 can be made from a variety of materials that have properties sufficient to enable the pole 12 to have enough strength to remain substantially upright during various activities and/or game play. For example, the pole 12 can be formed from aluminum that is made of stock that has the necessary properties for game play, such as strength and resilience.
The pole 12 can also be a single unitary pole, or the pole 12 can be formed from multiple poles coupled together. In the illustrated embodiment, the pole 12 is formed from a first pole 16 and a second pole 18. Each of the first and second poles 16, 18 are in the form of elongate rods, for example, having a cylindrical shape, and can be either solid or hollow with a inner lumen therein, although at least a portion of the first pole 16 must be hollow to allow the first pole 16 to receive a portion of the second pole 18, as explained in more detail below. The first pole 16 has a proximal end 16p that is coupled to the base 14 and a distal end 16d that is removably coupled to a proximal end 18p of the second pole 18. The diameter D1 of the first pole 16 is greater than the diameter D2 of the second pole 18 such that an inner lumen extending through at least a portion of the first pole 16 can receive at least a portion of the second pole 18. This allows at least a portion of the second pole 18 to slide through the inner lumen of the first pole 16 such that the length of the pole 12 can be adjusted. In addition, the second pole 18 can be removed from the lumen of the first pole 16 such that the length of the pole 12 will be equal to the length of the first pole 16. Thus, the length of the pole 12 is adjustable between a length that equals the length of the first pole 16 to a length that equals the length of the first pole 16 and substantially the length of the second pole 18, as at least a portion of the second pole 18 will remain inside the lumen of the first pole 16 to allow the first and second poles 16, 18 to be removably coupled together.
The first and second pole 16, 18 can be coupled together in a variety of ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the first pole 16 and the second pole 18 are coupled together using a pin 20 that can be inserted through pairs of openings formed in the first and second poles 16, 18. While the first pole 16 can include one or more pairs of openings formed along the length thereof to allow for increased flexibility in adjusting the length of the pole 12, in the illustrated embodiment the first pole 16 includes a single pair of openings 21 formed just proximal of the distal end 16d of the first pole 16. While the second pole 18 can also include one or more pairs of openings formed along the length thereof, in the illustrated embodiment the second pole 18 includes a first pair of openings 22 formed near the proximal end 18p of the second pole 18 and a second pair of openings 23 formed near the distal end 18d of the second pole 18. To couple the first pole 16 to the second pole 18, the pair of openings 21 of the first pole 16 is aligned with either the first or second pair of openings 22, 23 of the second pole 18 such that the pin 20 can be inserted through the openings in both the first and second poles 16, 18, thereby removably coupling the first pole 16 and the second pole 18 together.
The pole 12 can also include features to allow equipment to be coupled to the pole 12 for use in game play, such as a net.
The base 14, as explained above, provides support for the pole 12. The base 14 can have a variety of configurations, including a variety of sizes and shapes, to provide support to the pole 12. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 14 includes a top surface 30 through which the pole 12 can extend in an upright position such that the pole 12 can be coupled to the base 14, a bottom surface 32 that sits on a support surface, a front end 34, and a back end 36. As shown in
The base 14 can include features to allow the base 14 to provide the necessary stability such that the pole 12 is supported and the bottom surface 32 of the base 14 remains substantially on the support surface. The base can provide stability, for example, to resist a tension or tipping load imparted on the base 14 and the pole 12 by any equipment or other devices coupled to the pole 12 for game play or other activities. For example, the center of gravity of the base 14 can be such that the base 14 provides stability to the pole support structure 10. In one embodiment, the base 14 can have a center of gravity that is offset to increase the stability of the base 14 and the pole support structure 10, for example, to withstand tension applied to apparatus or equipment that are attached to the pole for game play. As such, the pole 12 is positioned offset from the midpoint of the base 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the pole 12 is coupled to the base 14 at a location closer to the front end 34 of the base 14 than the back end 36 of the base 14, and the center of gravity of the base 14 is such that it is offset from the location at which the pole 12 is coupled thereto. For example, the pole 12 can be offset from the center of gravity of the base 14 by approximately 18 inches. This positioning of the pole 12 relative to the center of gravity of the base 14 can have the effect of increasing the ballast effect of the base 14. The size and shape of the base 14 can also vary to provide stability to the pole support structure 10. In one embodiment, as shown in
The bottom surface of the base 14 can also include features to provide stability to the base 14. For example, the bottom surface can be formed such that the surface area of the bottom surface that contacts the support surface is maximized. The maximized surface area of the bottom surface of the base 14 can help to support the base 14 and the pole 12, and can help resist sliding of the base when the at least one retractable wheel is in the retracted position and the base 14 is fixed relative to the support surface, as will be discussed in more detail below. The bottom surface of the base can also include additional features to resist sliding along the support surface, including a friction mechanism, such a rubber trim coupled to the bottom surface. The friction mechanism can help prevent the base from sliding on the support surface and can also protect the support surface.
The base 14 (and the base 14′) also includes features to allow the base 14 to move along the support surface. While a variety of mechanisms can be used to move the base 14, the base 14 can include a variety of wheels to allow the base 14 to move along the support surface. The base 14 can also include features to allow the base to be in a locked position such that the base 14 cannot move relative to a support surface, and an unlocked position in which the base 14 can be moved along the support surface.
In one embodiment, the base 14 includes one or more wheels coupled thereto to allow the base to move along the support surface, and at least one of the wheels is configured to be retractable such that the wheel can move between a retracted position in which the base is fixed relative to the support surface and an extended position in which the wheel is used to move the base along the support surface. The base 14 can include any number of retractable wheels. The base 14 can also optionally include one or more wheels that are fixed relative to the base 14 to allow for an increase in the ease of movement and stability of the base 14 when the one or more retractable wheels are in the extended position, which will be discussed in more detail below. It will be appreciated that any number of retractable wheels and optional fixed wheels can be coupled to the base to move the base along a support surface as long as the base is fixed relative to the support surface when at least one of the retractable wheels is in the retracted position. The wheels can also be spaced on the base in such a way to provide lateral stability to the base.
In the illustrated embodiment, the base 14 includes first and second retractable wheels 40, 42 coupled thereto such that the base 14 is fixed relative to a support surface when the retractable wheels 40, 42 are in the retracted position and the base 14 is movable relative to the support surface along the retractable wheels 40, 42 when the retractable wheels 40, 42 are in an extended position and touching the support surface. It can be appreciated, however, that any number of retractable wheels can be used to effect movement of the base 14 relative to the support surface. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 14 also includes two fixed wheels. When the base 14 is locked relative to the support surface, the retractable wheels 40, 42 do not contact the support surface, but the fixed wheels do contact the support surface in both the fixed and movable positions. Thus, when the base 14 is fixed relative to the support surface, at least a portion of the base 14 is raised off of the support surface due to the presence of the fixed wheels. For example, approximately ⅓ of the base 14 can be raised off of the support surface.
The bottom surface 32 of the base 14 can have a variety of configurations to accommodate the retractable wheels 40, 42 such that the base 14 cannot move along the support surface when the retractable wheels 40, 42 are in the retracted position. In one embodiment, the bottom surface 32 of the base 14 includes a recess formed therein that is at least large enough for the retractable wheels 40, 42 to fit therein. This allows the base 14 to lay substantially flat against the support surface when the retractable wheels 40, 42 are in the retracted position. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom surface 32 of the base 14 includes a recess 48 formed therein that forms a rim 50 around substantially all of the outer edge of the base 14. The rim 50 is configured to contact the support surface, and a recess 48 is formed within the rim. It will be appreciated, however, that the recess need only be large enough to house the retractable wheels and the mechanism by which the retractable wheels are moved between the retracted and extended positions. The retractable wheels 40, 42 are coupled to the bottom surface 32 of the base 14 such that substantially all of the rim 50 of the bottom surface 32 of the base 14 lays flat against the support surface and the wheels are fully retracted into the recess 48 formed in the bottom surface 32 of the base 14.
The first and second retractable wheels 40, 42 can be coupled to the base 14 and moved between the retracted and extended positions in a variety of ways, and an actuation mechanism can be used to effect movement of the retractable wheels 40, 42 between the retracted and extended positions. A single actuation mechanism can be used to move the first and second retractable wheels 40, 42 simultaneously, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, or each of the first and second retractable wheels 40, 42 can be coupled to its own actuation mechanism. Any number of retractable wheels and actuation mechanisms can be used in any combination as long as each retractable wheel is capable of being moved between the retracted and extended positions.
As indicated above, an actuation mechanism is used to effect movement of the retractable wheels 40, 42 between the retracted position in which the base 14 is fixed relative to the support surface and the extended position in which the base 14 is movable relative to the support surface. In one embodiment shown in
The assembly that moves the wheels can have a variety of configurations. In one embodiment shown in
As explained above, the base 14 can also include one or more fixed wheels coupled thereto. In the illustrated embodiment, the base includes first and second fixed wheels 44, 46. The fixed wheels 44, 46 can be a variety of types of wheels. For example, the fixed wheels can be in the form of swivel wheels to allow the base to have a tight turning radius around the first wheels. The fixed pair of wheels can also be coupled to the base in a variety of ways. For example, the base can include a rod in, for example, the first end of the base 14 such that the fixed wheels can be threaded on the rod through openings formed in the fixed wheels such that the wheels can rotate around the rod, as illustrated in
The position of the various wheels coupled to the base 14 can also vary, and can be chosen to increase the stability of the base 14 and the pole support structure 10. The base 14 includes enough wheels positioned in such a way as to allow the base 14 to move along the support surface when the retractable wheels are in the extended position. For example, the base 14 can include a first pair of wheels positioned in a location between the first end 34 of the base 14 and a midpoint of the base 14, and a second pair of wheels positioned between the second end 36 of the base 14 and the midpoint of the base 14 to allow for stability when the retractable wheels are extended and the base 14 is moving along a support surface on the wheels. In illustrated embodiment, the base 14 includes a first pair of wheels, the fixed wheels 44, 46, positioned at the first end 34 of the base 14 and a second pair of wheels, the retractable wheel 40, 42, positioned at the second end 36 of the base 14. The fixed wheels 44, 46 are coupled to the base 14 such that the first end 34 of the base 14 is raised slightly off of the support surface, even when the retractable wheels 40, 42 are in the retracted position. Thus, when the retractable wheels 40, 42 are moved from the retracted position to the extended position, the retractable wheels 40, 42 contact the support surface and the second end 36 of the base 14 is also raised slightly off of the support surface to allow the base 14 to move therealong. For example, the second end 36 can be raised off of the support surface a distance in the range of 1 inch to 2.5 inches, allowing the base 14 to clear the threshold of a doorway. It will be appreciated, however, that both pairs of wheels can be retractable wheels, and the base can be raised off of the support surface any distance as would be required. In addition, it can be appreciated that the retractable wheels can be positioned at the first end of the base, and the fixed wheels can be positioned at the second end of the base.
In another embodiment, the base 14 can include an anti-roll mechanism that prevents the wheels coupled to the base from rolling along the support surface. For example, in the illustrated embodiment of
In use, the base can be fixed relative to the support surface when the retractable wheels are in the retracted position and seated within the recess formed in the bottom surface of the base. To allow the base to move along the support surface, the actuation mechanism, i.e. the lever, can be actuated to cause the retractable wheel to move into the extended position such that the retractable wheels extend out of the recess formed in the bottom surface of the base and contact the support surface. In this position, the base can move along the support surface on the retractable wheels and the fixed wheels.
The claims as originally presented, and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.
