U.S. patent application number 09/864382 was filed with the patent office on 2002-09-05 for apparatus for releasably connecting a basketball net to a basketball rim.
Invention is credited to Checko, Billy-Joe, Hewson, Clifford B..
Application Number | 20020123398 09/864382 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 4168493 |
Filed Date | 2002-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020123398 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Checko, Billy-Joe ; et
al. |
September 5, 2002 |
APPARATUS FOR RELEASABLY CONNECTING A BASKETBALL NET TO A
BASKETBALL RIM
Abstract
Apparatus for connecting a basketball net to a basketball rim
includes a collar adapted to hold the net in an open position
permitting passage of a basketball, and a plurality of suspension
arms having hook-shaped upper ends sized to releasably clip on the
rim. As well the apparatus may include a suspension arm that has a
horizontally extending plate-shaped upper end that is sized to
extend outward over the rim and over a reinforcing plate that is
typical of many basketball rim structures. The collar and the
suspension arms have a thin sheet construction formed from elastic
material having plastic memory. Preferably, the suspension arms are
sufficiently resilient to flex from their normal shape to a
deformed shape permitting the arm to be forcibly pulled downwardly
from the rim, and to return to their normal shape upon release of
the deforming force. To facilitate manufacture by injection
molding, the collar may be constructed in connectable segments. The
installation on and the removal of a collar from a basketball rim
in accordance with the present invention may be accomplished from
the level of a basketball floor with the assistance of a
positioning device which includes an elongated positioning pole and
a positioning head located at the upper end of the pole.
Inventors: |
Checko, Billy-Joe;
(Vancouver, CA) ; Hewson, Clifford B.; (West
Vancouver, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Lance A. Turlock
Meridian Patent Services
#471-7231-120th Street
Delta
BC
V4C 6P5
CA
|
Family ID: |
4168493 |
Appl. No.: |
09/864382 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/485 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 63/083 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/485 |
International
Class: |
A63B 063/08 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 5, 2001 |
CA |
2,339,432 |
Claims
We claim:
1. Apparatus for releasably connecting a basketball net to a
basketball rim, said apparatus comprising: (a) a collar adapted to
hold said net in an open position permitting passage of said
basketball; and, (b) a plurality of suspension arms located at
predetermined positions around a circumference of said collar: (i)
each suspension arm extending upwardly from a lower end secured to
said collar to a normally hook-shaped upper end; (ii) each
hook-shaped upper end being sized to releasably clip on said rim
and, in cooperation with the remaining ones of said hooked-shaped
upper ends, to suspend said collar with said net below said rim in
a position for basketball play, said collar and said suspension
arms having a thin sheet construction formed from elastic material
having plastic memory.
2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said hook-shaped upper
ends are sized and positioned to releasably clip on said rim
inwardly from an outer circumference of said rim.
3. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said hook-shaped upper
ends are sized and positioned to releasably clip on said rim
outwardly from an inner circumference of said rim.
4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said circumference is
defined by circumferential segments, including: (a) a first
circumferential segment to which said lower ends of said suspension
arms are secured as aforesaid; and, (b) a second circumferential
segment connected to and axially offset from said first
circumferential segment.
5. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said suspension arms
are integrally formed with said collar.
6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including a collar
positioning device comprising: (a) an elongated positioning pole;
and, (b) a positioning head located at an upper end of said pole,
said head comprising: (i) an upwardly opening lower hook for
hooking said collar at a selected position from below a lower
perimeter of said collar; and, (i) a sideways opening upper hook
aligned above and spaced apart from said lower hook for
concurrently hooking a selected one of said suspension arms from an
upwardly extending side of the selected arm.
7. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each suspension arm is
sufficiently resilient to flex from said normal shape to a deformed
shape permitting the suspension arm to be forcibly pulled
downwardly from said rim, and to return to said normal shape upon
the release of such force.
8. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said suspension arms
are integrally formed with said collar.
9. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said hook-shaped upper
ends are sized and positioned to releasably clip on said rim
inwardly from an outer circumference of said rim.
10. Apparatus as defined in claim 7, wherein said hook-shaped upper
ends are sized and positioned to releasably clip on said rim
outwardly from an inner circumference of said rim.
11. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said
suspension arms includes a flange extending downwardly from the
associated upper end to a distal end, said apparatus further
including a collar positioning device comprising: (a) an elongated
positioning pole; and, (b) a positioning head located at an upper
end of said pole, said positioning head including a base plate
having an outer edge, a back plate extending upwardly from said
base plate, and a pin extending longitudinally above said base
plate perpendicularly from said back plate, said pin for providing
upward carrying support from beneath the hook-shaped upper end of a
selected one of said suspension arms, said edge of said base plate
for concurrently providing bracing support against said flange of
the selected suspension arm.
12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein each of said flanges
includes a hole extending through the flange, said hole being sized
for releasable engagement by said pin.
13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein each of said
suspension arms includes a second hole positioned below the top of
said hook-shaped upper end of the suspension arm and above the top
of said flange of the suspension arm.
14. Apparatus as defined in claim 13, wherein each suspension arm
is sufficiently resilient to flex from said normal shape to a
deformed shape permitting the suspension arm to be forcibly pulled
downwardly from said rim, and to return to said normal shape upon
the release of such force.
15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said collar comprises
a plurality of identically formed circumferential segments
connected to form said collar.
16. Apparatus as defined in claim 15, wherein equal numbers of said
suspension arms integrally merge with and extend upwardly from
associated ones of said segments.
17. Apparatus as defined in claim 16, wherein said segments are
snap-fittable with each other to form said collar.
18. Apparatus as defined in claim 17, wherein the number of said
segments is three.
19. Apparatus for releasably connecting a basketball net to a
basketball rim, said rim being reinforced by a horizontally
extending reinforcing plate extending rearwardly from said rim,
said apparatus comprising: (a) a collar adapted to hold said net in
an open position permitting passage of said basketball; (b) a
plurality of suspension arms located at predetermined positions
around the circumference of said collar. (i) a first one of said
suspension arms extending upwardly from a lower end secured to said
collar to a horizontally extending plate-shaped upper end, said
plate-shaped upper end being sized to extend outward over said rim
and over said reinforcing plate; (ii) additional ones of said
suspension arms, each extending upwardly from a lower end secured
to said collar to a normally hook-shaped upper end; (iii) each
hook-shaped upper end being sized to releasably clip on said rim
from said inner circumference of said rim and, in cooperation with
the remaining ones of said hooked-shaped upper ends and said
plate-shaped upper end, to suspend said collar with said net below
said rim in a position for basketball play, said collar and said
suspension arms having a thin sheet construction formed from
elastic material having plastic memory.
20. Apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein said collar comprises
three circumferential segments connected to form said collar, and
wherein: (a) said first one of said suspension arms extends
upwardly from an associated first one of said circumferential
segments; and, (b) equal numbers of said additional ones of said
suspension arms extend upwardly from associated ones of the
remaining two of said circumferential segments.
21. Apparatus as defined in claim 20, wherein each suspension arm
integrally merges with its associated circumferential segment.
22. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein each suspension arm
is sufficiently resilient to flex from said normal shape to a
deformed shape permitting the suspension arm to be forcibly pulled
downwardly from said rim, and to return to said normal shape upon
the release of such force.
23. Apparatus as defined in claim 21, wherein said segments are
snap-fittable with each other to form said collar.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to sports and games and, in
particular, to apparatus for releasably connecting a basketball net
to a basketball rim.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] The prior art reveals a variety of devices designed to
releasably connect basketball nets to basketball rims. The need for
such devices arises primarily because nets that might otherwise be
provided are subject to theft and vandalism in many basketball
courts, particularly those courts that are unsupervised and open to
the public. Further, the need arises because when a net is
connected directly to a basketball rim it is usually necessary to
use a ladder or some other means of elevation to do the job.
[0003] An early example of devices for releasably connecting a
basketball net to a basketball rim is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
1,544,453 granted to Harbison on Jun. 30, 1925. More recent
examples are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,805,903 granted to
McArdle on Feb. 21, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,834,368 granted to
Qualley on May 30, 1989, U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,995 granted to Apo on
Mar. 6, 1990, and U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,091 granted to McGivern on
Mar. 24, 1992.
[0004] Harbison discloses a wire or metal ring which is suspended
by a number of small hooked springs from a basketball rim while
holding a net. However, it would appear necessary to use a ladder
in order to position and connect the ring with the rim. Further,
while the springs are said to relieve the shock of a basketball on
the net, it is doubtful that they themselves could stand the shock
of a player grabbing the net or the ring without permanent damage
or deformation.
[0005] McArdle and Apo both disclose rings or collars for
supporting a basketball net, such rings or collars being
characterized by a cylindrical main body that fits downwardly
within the inner circumference of a basketball rim, and by an
integrally formed upper flange or lip that extends outwardly from
the main body to overlie the entire top circumference of the rim. A
basketball net is connected to the main body. However, it is to be
noted that such designs would be subject to variety of relatively
severe forces if players were to grab the net during play, and they
are not well adapted to absorb such forces in a way that would
serve to minimize stresses on the collar. As well, such collars
appear undesirably prone to dislodgement from the basketball rim
during play. To address the latter problem, McArdle requires the
added inclusion of a magnetic strip which serves to adhere the
collar to the rim. In the case of Apo, he teaches that the collar
may be dislodged merely by throwing a basketball up through the
net. This may be a desirable attribute at the end of a game, but
not during play when the collar might bounce from the rim at
inopportune times if impacted by a basketball from the right
direction.
[0006] Both McArdle and Apo also disclose the use of a pole to
elevate a collar up to a basketball rim. To facilitate both
installation and removal, McArdle includes a small vertical hole in
the outwardly extending lip of his collar, the hole being designed
to be engaged by a spike at the upper end of his pole. However, the
hole is blocked when the collar is on the rim. Therefore, the lip
includes a notch extending towards the hole to direct insertion of
the spike during removal of the collar. The upper end of Apo's pole
includes a pair of projecting pins forming a V-shape designed to
engage his collar. However, it does not appear that the pins would
be able to hold the collar with any high degree of stability while
the collar is being elevated. Further, it does not appear that they
are at all well adapted to facilitate removal of the collar from
the rim.
[0007] The designs of Qualley and McGivern both would require the
use of a ladder or the like during installation on or removal from
a basketball rim.
[0008] A primary object of the present invention is to provide new
and apparatus for releasably connecting a basketball net to a
basketball rim, such apparatus being well adapted to absorb
stresses that may occur during basketball play, and being well
adapted to facilitate both connection and disconnection of the net
to and from the rim from the level of a basketball floor.
[0009] A further of object of the present invention is to provide
new and improved apparatus of the foregoing type which is designed
for ease of manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] In a broad aspect of the present invention, there is
provided apparatus for releasably connecting a basketball net to a
basketball rim, such apparatus comprising a collar adapted to hold
the net in an open position permitting passage of the basketball
and a plurality of suspension arms located at predetermined
positions around the circumference of the collar. Generally, all
suspension arms or all but one suspension arm extend upwardly from
a lower end secured to the collar to a normally hook-shaped upper
end. In a preferred embodiment, one of the suspension arms extends
upwardly from a lower end secured to the collar to a horizontally
extending plate-shaped upper end. The plate-shaped upper end is
sized to extend outward over the rim and over the horizontally and
rearwardly extending reinforcing plate which is typical of many
basketball rim structures.
[0011] Each of such hook-shaped upper ends is sized to releasably
clip on the rim and, in cooperation with the remaining ones of the
hook-shaped upper ends (and if present the plate-shaped upper end),
to suspend the collar with the net below the rim in a position for
basketball play.
[0012] The collar and the suspension arms have a thin sheet
construction formed from elastic material having plastic memory.
Preferably, each suspension arm is sufficiently resilient to flex
from its normal shape to a deformed shape permitting the arm to be
forcibly pulled downwardly from the basketball rim, and to return
to its normal shape upon the release of such force.
[0013] In one embodiment, the circumference of the collar is
defined by circumferential segments, including a first
circumferential segment to which the lower ends of hook-shaped
suspension arms are secured as aforesaid, and a second
circumferential segment connected to and axially offset from the
first circumferential segment. As is described hereinafter in more
detail, the provision of the offset permits a collar in accordance
with the present invention to be used with rims which are connected
to a backboard by bracing that might otherwise interfere with the
collar.
[0014] In a preferred embodiment that includes the plate-shaped
upper end noted above, the collar comprises three discrete
circumferential segments that are connect with each other to form
the collar. The suspension arm that has the plate-shaped upper end
is associated with a first one of the segments. The remaining
suspension arms (all having hook-shaped upper ends) are associated
with the other two segments.
[0015] The installation and removal of a collar in accordance with
the present invention may be accomplished with the assistance of a
positioning device which comprises an elongated positioning pole
and a positioning head located at the upper end of the pole. The
device enables a user to easily instal or remove the collar while
standing on the level of a basketball floor.
[0016] The foregoing and other features and advantages of the
invention will now be described with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of apparatus
in accordance with the present invention, including a net holding
collar with suspension arms extending upwardly from the collar to a
basketball rim, and including an associated collar positioning
device.
[0018] FIG. 2 is an elevation view showing the collar and
suspension arms in FIG. 1 when mapped to a flat plane.
[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates in more detail how a basketball net may
be connected to the collar shown in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a partially exploded elevation view illustrating
more completely the positioning device shown in FIG. 1, including a
positioning pole and a positioning head locatable on the upper end
of the pole.
[0021] FIG. 5 shows the positioning pole in FIG. 4 in a telescoped
condition.
[0022] FIG. 6 is an isometric view from the bottom of the
positioning head forming part of the collar positioning device
shown in FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a section elevation view of the positioning head
taken along section line 7-7 in FIG. 1.
[0024] FIG. 8 is an elevation view showing the positioning head
hooked with the collar and with one of the suspension arms as the
collar is being lifted upwardly with the positioning pole.
[0025] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view showing the collar being
lifted upwardly as in FIG. 8.
[0026] FIG. 10 is a side elevation view illustrating the use of the
positioning head to pull the suspension arm shown in FIG. 9
downwardly to clip on a basketball rim.
[0027] FIG. 11 is a side elevation view illustrating the suspension
arm shown in FIG. 10 when clipped on the basketball rim.
[0028] FIG. 12 is a side elevation view illustrating the suspension
arm in FIG. 11 when being forcibly pulled downwardly from the
basketball rim.
[0029] FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate an alternative suspension arm and
net holding collar with which it is associated.
[0030] FIG. 15 is a top view of another embodiment of apparatus in
accordance with the present invention.
[0031] FIG. 16 is an elevation view, partially cut-away, taken from
view perspective A-A in FIG. 15, the view highlighting a portion of
the collar and one of the suspension arms forming part of the
apparatus.
[0032] FIG. 17 is a section elevation view of one of the suspension
arms forming part of the apparatus in FIG. 15, the view being taken
along section line B-B in FIG. 15. As well, FIG. 17 partially
depicts the head of a related collar positioning device.
[0033] FIG. 18 is an elevation view, partially cut-away, of the
collar positioning device partially depicted in FIG. 17.
[0034] FIG. 19 is a top view of the collar positioning device shown
in FIG. 18.
[0035] FIG. 20 is a side view, from the left, of the collar
positioning device shown in FIG. 18.
[0036] FIG. 21 is an elevation view similar to that shown in FIG.
16, but additionally showing the collar and suspension arm when
engaged by the collar positioning device shown in FIGS. 18 to
20.
[0037] FIG. 22 is a top view of yet another embodiment of apparatus
in accordance with the present invention.
[0038] FIG. 23 is an elevation view, partially cut-away, taken from
view perspective C-C in FIG. 21.
[0039] FIG. 24 is a section elevation view taken along section line
D-D in FIG. 21.
[0040] FIG. 25 is an elevation view, partially cut-away, detailing
adjacent segments of the collar shown in FIG. 21 as they are being
coupled or fitted with each other.
[0041] FIG. 26 is a top view, partially cut-away, detailing
adjacent segments of the collar shown in FIG. 21 as they are being
coupled or fitted with each other.
[0042] FIG. 27 is a top view, partially cut-away, detailing
adjacent segments of the collar shown in FIG. 21 when they are
fully coupled or fitted with each other.
[0043] FIG. 28 is a section elevation view taken along section line
E-E in FIG. 25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0044] Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 1 to 12
[0045] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a collar generally
designated 1 with a plurality (five as shown) of suspension arms 20
located at predetermined intervals around the circumference of the
collar. FIG. 1 also shows, partially cut away, a positioning device
generally designated 50. Collar 1 is suspended from a conventional
basketball rim 200. A conventional net 100 (shown only in part) is
connected to the collar. It is to be understood that the rim per se
and the net per se are not considered to be part of the
invention.
[0046] Collar 1 has a thin sheet construction formed into a
continuous loop from elastic material having plastic memory. It is
comprised of two circumferential segments 5, 6 each having a radius
"r" measured relative to a central axis 9 of the collar. A lower
perimeter 2 is defined around the bottom circumference of the
collar. Similarly, an upper perimeter 3 is defined around the top
circumference of the collar.
[0047] Suspension arms 20 are integral with collar 1 and likewise
have a thin sheet construction formed from elastic material having
plastic memory.
[0048] When mapped to a flat plane, collar 1 and suspension arms 20
have the layout shown in FIG. 2. As can be seen in FIG. 2, segments
5 and 6 are connected to each other but are axially offset by a
distance "d".
[0049] Collar 1 is adapted to hold a basketball net by means of a
plurality of (twelve as shown) hole-and-notch groupings. One of
such groupings is contained within the region marked 4 in FIGS. 1
and 2. As best seen in FIG. 3, each such grouping includes a hole
11 through which an upper part of the web of net 100 is strung, and
a pair of notches 12, 13 defining a tab 14 over which the web is
then looped at 101 to secure the net to the collar.
[0050] Each suspension arm 20 extends upwardly from a lower end 21
that merges with collar 1 (more particularly, with upper perimeter
3 of collar 1 on segment 5) to a normally hook-shaped upper end or
clip 22 which includes a downwardly and outwardly extending flange
23. Clip 22 is sized to releasably hook by means of a snap fit on
rim 200 in the manner indicated in FIG. 11.
[0051] Each clip 22 is not only sufficiently resilient to
facilitate the desired snap fit on rim 200 but also to be forcibly
flexed to a substantially deformed shape such as that shown in FIG.
12, and to then return to its normal shape. Such resilience and
flexibility can be achieved with various elastic materials having
plastic memory, for example an acetal homopolymer, polycarbonate or
nylon plastic.
[0052] As indicated above, collar 1 and suspension arms 20 are
formed as one integral piece. This is done by first taking a thin
flat sheet and cutting it to the pattern shown in FIG. 2. Then,
with gentle heating, the upper portion of each suspension arm 20 is
molded to the desired hook shape. Then, the opposed ends of collar
1 as shown in FIG. 2 are brought together and joined by a heat weld
to form a continuous loop.
[0053] Of course, it is not imperative for suspension arms 20 to be
integrally formed with collar 1. For example, an alternative
approach is to employ non-integrally formed suspension arms such as
suspension arm 20' shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Suspension arm 20' has
a thin sheet construction like that of suspension arm 20, but
additionally includes lower and upper clips 25', 26' sized and
positioned to snap fit over the lower and upper perimeters 2, 3 of
a modified collar 1'. As well, suspension arm 20' includes a
projecting rectangular tab 28' sized to be slidingly received and
engaged by a corresponding rectangular slot 8' in collar 1'. When
so engaged, the position of suspension arm 20' on collar 1' is
secured.
[0054] An advantage of suspension arm 20' is that it can be
produced by injection molding. A disadvantage is that each
suspension arm 20' necessarily represents one more part in the
overall construction. However, this disadvantage is mitigated to a
degree by the observation that if a particular suspension arm 20'
is irreparably damaged, then it may be replaced.
[0055] Various other means may be devised for securing the lower
ends of suspension arms to a collar like collar 1. Such other means
may include plastic welding, riveting, etc.
[0056] Referring again to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, clip 22
of each suspension arm 20 has been snap fitted to rim 200. As well,
basketball net 100 has been secured to each of the twelve
hole-and-notch groupings in collar 1, in the manner indicated in
FIG. 3. Net 100 is thus held by collar 1 in an open position that
permits passage of a basketball (not shown) in the same manner that
rim 200 permits passage of a basketball.
[0057] As shown in FIG. 1, rim 200 is mounted to a backboard 300 by
an assembly which includes a reinforcing angle bracket 301 and a
pair of angular support braces 306, 307. Bracket 301 comprises a
vertically extending rear plate 302 secured to backboard 300 and a
horizontally extending reinforcing plate 303 which secures rim 200.
Such reinforcing arrangements are not uncommon and in some cases
may be found to interfere with the positioning of a collar not
having an offset portion such as axially offset portion 6 of collar
1. In cases where angular support braces may cause interference, a
suitable offset serves to permit the collar to be fitted to a rim
while extending around and below the braces. As shown in FIG. 1,
the offset portion 6 of collar 1 extends well below braces 306,
307. (As in the case of net 100 and rim 200, it is to understood
that backboard 300, bracket 301 and braces 306, 307 are not
considered to be part of the invention).
[0058] The use of five suspension arms 20 has been found to provide
good support for collar 1 when the collar is suspended below rim
200 while holding net 100. As well, the use of five suspension arms
can serve to facilitate alignment when the collar is being
positioned on the rim. In this regard, a first one of suspension
arms 20 is preferably positioned at a central point of
circumferential segment 5 diametrically across from the central
region of circumferential segment 6. The remaining four arms are
positioned at approximately 60 degree intervals along segment
5--two on each side of the central arm.
[0059] Positioning device 50, an overall view of which is shown in
FIG. 4, comprises an elongated positioning pole generally
designated 51 and a positioning head 60. Pole 51 includes an upper
segment 52 which can be telescopically received as shown in FIG. 5
by a lower segment 54. Upper segment 52 may be held to a desired
degree of extension by any suitable means such as collar (not
shown) that may be tightened or loosened. Structural details are
not be discussed here because poles with telescoping segments are
well known, and are commercially available off the shelf.
[0060] Head 60 includes an upwardly opening lower hook 61 for
hooking collar 1 at a selected position from below lower perimeter
2 of the collar (e.g. see FIGS. 8, 9), and a sideways opening upper
hook 62 aligned above lower hook 61 for concurrently hooking a
selected one of suspension arms 20 from an upwardly extending side
27 of the selected arm (e.g. again see FIGS. 8, 9). As best seen in
FIGS. 6 and 7, a hole 65 extends upwardly into the base of head 60.
Hole 65 enables head 60 to be slidably located on upper end 55 of
the pole 51.
[0061] The use of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 will now be
described with primary reference to FIGS. 8-12. The initial
objective is to suspend collar 1 from rim 200 without the use of a
ladder or other such appliance.
[0062] In FIGS. 8-12, and although not shown, it should be presumed
that a net 100 as partially depicted in FIG. 1 has already been
attached to collar 1. It should also be presumed that pole 51 has
been extended as shown in FIG. 4 to a degree that will enable the
user to easily reach rim 200 from the level of a basketball
floor.
[0063] Collar 1 and a selected suspension arm 20 are first hooked
within head 60 in the manner shown in FIGS. 8, 9. Preferably, the
selected suspension arm is the arm centrally located on
circumferential segment 5 of collar 1. Then, while standing on the
level of a basketball floor below and immediately in front of a rim
200 (not shown in FIGS. 8, 9), the user elevates the collar towards
the rim utilizing positioning device 50 (viz. lifting in the
direction of arrow al in FIGS. 8,9). In doing so, the user should
be aiming to position the centrally located suspension arm over the
forwardmost part of the rim as this will serve to align the axially
offset part of collar 1 (viz. segment 6) around and below and
angular support braces associated with the rim as discussed above.
During this phase, the weight of collar 1 is essentially carried
within lower hook 61 of head 60. Concurrently, upper hook 62 limits
movement of suspension arm 20 in a manner which prevents the collar
from tipping while it is being elevated.
[0064] FIG. 10 illustrates the position of collar 1 after it has
been lifted sufficiently high to allow clip 22 to settle on top of
rim 200. In this position, the weight of the collar (and net, not
shown) is being carried primarily by flange 23 on rim 200. Head 60
has been lowered to a point where the underside of upper hook 62 is
just above or flush with upper perimeter 3 of collar 1. If the
weight acting on flange 23 is insufficient to force clip 22 to snap
fit on rim 200 to the position shown in FIG. 11, then the user
needs merely to pull down on upper perimeter 3 with the underside
of upper hook 62 (viz. in the direction of arrow a2 in FIG.
10).
[0065] Note: The last step implies that while head 60 is slidably
located on upper end 55 of pole 51 the resulting fit should be a
snug fit. Otherwise, head 60 would simply slip from the top of pole
51 when the user pulls down on upper perimeter 3. A snug fit can be
achieved with suitable tolerancing between smooth flexible surfaces
on upper end 55 of pole 51 and within hole 65 of head 60.
Alternatively, a suitable fit may be achieved if the engagement
between upper end 55 and hole 65 is a threaded engagement.
[0066] Once the first of suspension arms 20 has been positioned on
rim 200, then the remaining arms are positioned in a similar
manner. When all suspension arms are snap fitted in their
respective positions, the result is as shown in FIG. 1 and a
basketball game may proceed.
[0067] During the course of play, exuberant players may from time
to time try to grab and hold either the net or collar 1 thereby
imposing stress on the collar and one or more of the suspension
arms 20. To lessen the chances of damage from repeated instances of
such use and to lessen the possibility of injury to such players,
clip 22 is sufficiently resilient to flex from its normal shape
shown in FIGS. 8-11 to the temporarily deformed shape shown in FIG.
12 (viz. in the direction of a3 in FIG. 12). The deformed shape
permits suspension arm 20 to be forcibly pulled downwardly from the
rim (viz. in the direction of arrow a4 in FIG. 12). Preferably, the
required force should be less than the weight of any player who can
reach the net. When the force is relieved, clip 22 returns to its
normal shape.
[0068] Although not depicted in the FIGURES, it will be apparent
that positioning device 50 may also be used to disconnect collar 1
from rim 200. More particularly, head 60 may be used to push
upwardly on lower perimeter 2 of the collar to force the release of
the snap fit of any clip 22 on rim 200. When a clip 22 is released,
upper hook 62 may be used to pull the clip outwardly and away from
the rim. These steps easily may be repeated for each suspension arm
20. In the case of the last suspension arm, collar 1 and the
extension arm may be engaged by head 60 in the manner shown in FIG.
9. Then, the entire apparatus may be lifted upwardly and away from
the rim, then lowered to floor level.
[0069] Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 15 to 21
[0070] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 21 comprises a collar
generally designated 501 and six suspension arms 520 spaced at 60
degree intervals around the circumference of the collar to provide
suspension from a basketball rim 200. Each suspension arm includes
a hook-shaped upper end 522 and a flange 523 extending downwardly
from the upper end to a distal end 524. A hole 526 extends through
each flange 523. The apparatus shown also includes a collar
positioning device comprising an elongated positioning pole 551 and
a positioning head 560.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 15, collar 501 is made from three identical
segments 515 each segment including two of the suspension arms 520.
Each segment 515 slightly overlaps the next, the overlapping
portions being connected by a pair of bolts 517.
[0072] Similar to the case of collar 1, collar 501 is adapted to
hold a basketball net 100 by means of twelve hole-and-notch
groupings. Such groupings are not illustrated in FIG. 15, but two
are shown in FIG. 16, one being contained within the region marked
504. It will be understood that each of the three segments 515 have
four hole-and-notched groupings. They are located such that they
appear spaced at 30 degree intervals around the circumference of
collar 501 when segments 515 are assembled as shown in FIG. 15.
[0073] Each segment 515 has a thin sheet construction integrally
formed from elastic material having plastic memory. A particular
advantage of the segmented structure is that the segments may be
readily manufactured by injection molding. To better facilitate
injection molding, each suspension arm 520 includes a hole 528
positioned below the top of upper end 522 of the arm and above the
top of flange 523 of the arm. Hole 528 also serves to provide some
weakening which advantageously allows the arm to deform more easily
from its normal shape.
[0074] As best seen in FIG. 17, upper end 522 of each suspension
arm 520 is sized and positioned to releasably clip on rim 200
outwardly from inner circumference 201 of the rim. This is in
contrast to hook-shaped upper ends 22 of suspension arms 20 which,
as best seen in FIG. 11, are sized and positioned to clip on rim
200 from outer circumference 202 of the rim. The difference tends
to avoid the need for an offset "d" as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 in
those cases where bracing for the rim 200 might otherwise interfere
with the positioning of the collar. For this reason, collar 501
does not have an offset "d" as in the case of collar 1.
[0075] The action of suspension arms 520 is basically the same as
that of suspension arms 20. Upper ends 522 are designed to
releasably hook or snap fit on rim 200. Further, they are
sufficiently resilient to be forcibly flexed to a deformed shape
similar to that indicated in FIG. 12 (but bending back or deforming
towards the inside rather than the outside of rim 200), and to
return to their normal shape when the deformation force is
released. However, it should be noted that the vertical reach of
the opening through which rim 200 passes in the case of suspension
arm 520 (as best seen in FIG. 17) is more than double that of
suspension arm 20. This permits upper ends 522 to snap fit not only
on rims like rim 200 but also on double rimmed structures (not
shown) where the complete rim may be considered as two rims like
rim 200--one secured directly atop the other.
[0076] As indicated in FIGS. 18 to 20, positioning head 560 is
normally mounted atop positioning pole 551 (which may be a
telescopable pole as in the case of pole 51). Head 560 includes a
base plate 562, a back plate 564 extending upwardly from the base
plate, and a pin 566 having a capped ended 567. A cylindrical
mounting sleeve 561 extends downwardly from base plate 562. Pin 566
extends horizontally above base plate 562 perpendicularly from back
plate 564. A set screw 570 locatable through guide 568 and sleeve
561 is used to releasably secure head 560 in position on pole
551.
[0077] The use of positioning head 560 will now be described. With
reference first to FIG. 21, it can be seen that pin 566 has been
inserted beneath upper end 522 of suspension arm 520. Here, pin 566
is in position to provide upward carrying support as collar 501 is
lifted in the direction of arrow as. Although not essential, capped
end 567 assists to prevent arm 520 from sliding off the pin in the
event that the user does not hold pole 551 straight and permits the
pole with head 560 to tilt from right to left in FIG. 21. As well,
it can be seen in FIG. 21 that flange 523 extends downwardly behind
base plate 562. In this position, edge 563 (see FIGS. 19, 20) of
base plate 562 provides bracing support against the flange because,
when collar 501 is lifted, suspension arm 520 (with collar 501 and
net 100) will rotate on pin 566 towards the base plate. The upward
lifting support and concurrent bracing support together provide a
strong grip which allows a user to easily lift collar 501 towards a
basketball rim and to settle suspension arms 520 on the rim in
desired positions. When this is done, the final step is to clip the
arms with the rim. As indicated in FIG. 17, hole 526 in each flange
523 is designed to facilitate this purpose.
[0078] As indicated in FIG. 17, hole 526 in flange 523 of
suspension arm 520 is sized for releasable engagement with pin 566.
In the position shown, suspension arm 520 is fully clipped on rim
200. It has been drawn to that position by pin 566. However, it
will be understood that when suspension arm 520 is initially
positioned on rim 200, flange 523 will rest atop the rim. To
achieve the fully clipped position, the user has releasably engaged
pin 566 with flange 523 through hole 526 and then pulled downwardly
on the flange. It should be noted that in the absence of hole 526
the same result might be achieved, albeit with some additional
difficulty. More particularly, when flange 523 rests atop rim 200
then suspension arm 520 can be forced to clip on rim by pulling
down with pin 566 on the upper perimeter of collar 501 adjacent the
arm.
[0079] It will be readily apparent that positioning pole 551 with
positioning head 560 may also be used to disconnect collar 501 from
rim 200. Any suspension arm 520 that remains clipped to rim 200 may
be disengaged by pulling flange 523 away from the rim with head 560
and concurrently lifting the arm upwardly away from the rim.
[0080] Embodiment Shown in FIGS. 22 to 28
[0081] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 22 to 24 comprises a collar
generally designated 701 and five suspension arms to provide
suspension from a basketball rim 200. In addition to rim 200, FIGS.
22 to 24 also show in dashed outline a backboard 300 and a
horizontally extending reinforcing plate 310 connecting rim 200 to
the backboard. Collar 701 and the suspension arms are all formed
from elastic material having plastic memory.
[0082] Plate 310 can be considered as a variation of plate 306
shown in FIG. 1, and is representative of plates used in some
heavily reinforced basketball rim assemblies. It will be noted that
plate 310 secures rim 200 along the outer perimeter of rim 200 for
an arc distance significantly greater than that of plate 306. The
distance is sufficient to impede the use of a collar such as collar
1 in FIG. 1 or collar 501 in FIG. 15. The present embodiment
addresses this concern.
[0083] Collar 701 is made from two segments 715 and one segment
716, all connected by releasable sleeve and tongue locks generally
designated 717. These locks are shown representationally in FIG. 22
and in detail in FIGS. 25 to 28. Each segment 715 or 716, as the
case may be, includes an associated sleeve portion 740 at one end
of the segment and an associated tongue portion 750 at the opposed
end of the segment. The tongue portion 750 of any one segment is
snap-fittable with the corresponding sleeve portion 740 of any
other segment. Thus the segments as a whole are snap-fittable with
each other to form collar 701.
[0084] In more detail, sleeve portion 740 includes integrally
molded pairs of upper and lower couplers 742, 744 and a retaining
hole 745. Couplers 742, 744 define a rectangular channel 748 (see
FIG. 28) that is sized to sliding receive and engage tongue portion
750. Tongue portion 750 includes a ramped retaining boss 755. FIGS.
25 and 26 show tongue portion 750 being moved in the direction of
arrow a6 for coupling with sleeve portion 740. FIG. 27 shows tongue
portion 750 when fully coupled with sleeve portion 740. In the
fully coupled position, retaining boss 755 has snapped into
retaining hole 745, and thereby resists decoupling.
[0085] As can be seen in FIG. 26, retaining boss 755 protrudes
slightly at 756 from the main body of tongue portion 750. Thus, it
will be evident to those skilled in the art that the snap-fittable
coupling of tongue portion 750 with sleeve portion 740 necessarily
is facilitated by the elastic composition of the construction
material. However, if desired, the ability to subsequently decouple
connected segments may require some experimentation and testing. In
this regard, it may be noted that in one prototype using
polycarbonate plastic the diameter of retaining hole 745 was about
6 mm. The diameter of retaining boss 755 was toleranced slightly
less and had a ramped protrusion of about 1.5 mm. With these
dimensions, it was been found not only that tongue portion 750
could be securely coupled with sleeve portion 740 but also that the
two portions could be decoupled with a relatively strong pull
between the portions.
[0086] Segments 715 each include two suspension arms 720 and are
basically the same in shape and construction as segments 515 in the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 21. Thus, the portions shown in
FIGS. 16 and 17 may be considered representative not only of parts
of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 15 to 21, but also of the
corresponding parts shown in FIGS. 22 to 24.
[0087] Segment 716 differs from segments 715 only in that it
includes a unique suspension arm 730 instead of a pair of
suspension arms 720. Suspension arm 730 extends upwardly from a
lower end integral with segment 716 of collar 701 to a horizontally
extending plate-shaped upper end 732 which is sized to extend
outward over rim 200 and reinforcing plate 310. As in the case of
collar 701 and suspension arms 720, suspension arm 730 is formed
from elastic material having plastic memory.
[0088] Using a collar positioning device such as that shown in
FIGS. 18 to 20, collar 701 may be mounted to basketball rim 200 in
substantially the same manner as collar 501. The only added
requirement while doing so is to align upper end 732 of suspension
arm 730 with plate 310 as shown in FIG. 22. However, the need for
this added requirement is mitigated because there are only four
suspension arms 720 that need to be clipped to rim 200. As can be
seen in FIG. 22, all four such arms clip to the forward half of rim
200 outside the reach of plate 310.
[0089] Collar 701 may be disconnected from rim 200 in the same
manner that collar 501 may be disconnected from rim 200.
[0090] A variety of modifications, changes and variations to the
invention are possible within the spirit and scope of the following
claims, and will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in the art. The
invention should not be considered as restricted to the specific
embodiments that have been described and illustrated with reference
to the drawings.
* * * * *