U.S. patent application number 11/352739 was filed with the patent office on 2007-08-16 for self-storing basketball goal system.
Invention is credited to Christopher J. Shannon.
Application Number | 20070191148 11/352739 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38369363 |
Filed Date | 2007-08-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070191148 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shannon; Christopher J. |
August 16, 2007 |
Self-storing basketball goal system
Abstract
A modular self-storing basketball goal system includes a
foundation box having a pivotable top cover movable from a
horizontal closed position and a vertical open position for
deployment of a basketball game upward therefrom. The basketball
goal includes a post assembly having a backboard and rim attachable
at a top end. The post, backboard and hoop are stored within the
foundation box when the basketball game goal is not deployed. The
post extends up from the top cover for deploying the basketball
game goal. Folding locking struts support the top cover during use.
The post assembly is telescoped and folded down to fit into the
foundation box, along with the backboard and hoop for storage.
Inventors: |
Shannon; Christopher J.;
(Kings Park, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALFRED M. WALKER
225 OLD COUNTRY ROAD
MELVILLE
NY
11747-2712
US
|
Family ID: |
38369363 |
Appl. No.: |
11/352739 |
Filed: |
February 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/476 ;
473/479; 473/483; 473/484 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 63/083 20130101;
A63B 71/023 20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 2210/50
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/476 ;
473/479; 473/483; 473/484 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00; A63B 63/08 20060101 A63B063/08 |
Claims
1. A self-storing basketball goal system comprising: a) a
foundation box having a pivotable top cover with a hinge along one
edge movable from a horizontal position closing said box and a
vertical position for deployment of a basketball game; b) said
basketball goal comprising: i) a post assembly having a top end and
a bottom end telescoped into a bottom surface of said top cover;
ii) a backboard attached to said top end of said post assembly,
said backboard having a hinge attached hoop, said backboard and
hoop stored within said foundation box when said game is not
deployed; iii) said post assembly being extendable from said top
cover when extending vertically from said hinge for deploying said
game; iv) a pair of folding locking struts for supporting said top
cover in a vertical position; and v) said post assembly having
hinged foldable members for allowing said post assembly to be
telescoped and folded down to fit into said foundation box along
with said backboard and hoop for storage or extended and unfolded
for deployment of said basketball game.
2. The portable basketball game system of claim 1 in which said
post assembly comprises parallel, spaced post members.
3. A self-storing basketball goal system comprising: a) a
foundation box; b) a portable basketball goal comprising a
backboard and hoop rim, said backboard being attached to the a
distal end section of a dual post assembly, said dual post assembly
being foldable and telescopic into said storage container; said
storage compartment having a lid including a pair of hollow tubing
sections attached in a parallel relationship to an underside of
said lid, said lid openable from a closed horizontal position to an
open vertical position of use, a pair of parallel captive
telescoping support posts, each insertable within a respective
hollow parallel tubing section of said pair of hollow parallel
tubing sections, a pair of parallel folding locking struts pivoted
at respective proximal ends thereof at respective opposite inner
sides of said storage container and at respective distal ends to
each said hollow tubing section attached to said lid, said captive
telescoping support posts slidably movably to respective fixed
positions within each said respective hollow tubing sections to
said rim at one predetermined height of a regulation height, a
lower than regulation height or a height exceeding regulation
height; a pair of parallel upper post members pivotable attachable
respective upper distal ends of each said captive telescoping
support post, said pair of parallel upper post members being swung
around on respective hinges and locked at a preferable angle using
adjacent spring pins; said backboard being attached to said pair of
parallel support posts in the deployed position and locked in the
vertical position by a lock.
4. The portable basketball goal as in claim 3 wherein said
backboard is expandable in size for use and retractable in size to
fit within said storage container.
5. A basketball backboard and hoop rim assembly comprising: a post
holding a basketball backboard at a predetermined height above the
ground; said basketball backboard having a frame; said frame having
four outer peripheral walls and an intermediate wall forming a
window frame there between; said window having a tongue bar between
a pair of slits accommodating a pair of parallel walls extending
rearward from a basketball hoop rim; said slits being notched
convexly outward to accommodate a toggle latch clamp attached to
one of said parallel walls and a toggle latch hook attached to
another of said parallel walls; said walls of said toggle latch
clamp having a depth there between defining a recess accommodating
said post holding up said basketball backboard.
6. The basketball backboard and hoop rim assembly as in claim 5
further comprising said backboard from having a further toggle
latch clamp having a pair of parallel walls having a depth there
between defining a recess accommodation, said post holding up said
basketball backboard.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to convenient, user operable,
self-storing basketball goal systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Basketball goals in residential areas are often an eyesore,
especially after a few years of weather deterioration. In some
neighborhoods, local ordinances have restricted the location of
such devices or have outright banned permanent erection of
basketball goals. To attempt to answer the perceived need, the
prior art reveals several inventions relating to portable
basketball goals.
[0003] Most existing basketball systems are semi-permanent when
assembled, or are only partially diassembleable. Such systems
include, as examples, US Patent Publication Number 2004/0157688 of
Schroeder et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,132 of Anderson, U.S. Pat. No.
5,255,909 of Wendell, U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,508 of Koole, U.S. Pat.
No. 5,730,668 of Hege et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,772,167, also of
Koole, U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,294 of Naecker, Jr., U.S. Pat. No.
5,902,197 of Davis et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,947,847 of van Nimwegen
et al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,983,602 of Allen et al, U.S. Pat. No.
6,783,472 B1 of Stanford et al, U.S. Pat. No. 6,866,696 B2 of Steed
et al and U.S. Pat. No. 6,881,163 B2 of Schroeder et al.
[0004] One basketball backboard and net set (U.S. Pat. No.
3,716,234 of Lancelotti) is disassembleable into a box, but all the
parts have to be taken apart by loosening rigid nuts and bolts,
which of curse are subject to strength requirements for removal and
become tighter as time goes on due to the effects of outdoor
weather.
[0005] None offer the combined features of self-storage at the
playing site, high goal stability with desirable offset between
post and backboard, and ease of erection or disassembly without the
use of tools.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a convenient, user operable, self-storing basketball goal
system.
[0007] Other objects which become apparent from the following
description of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In keeping with these objects and others which may become
apparent, the self-storing basketball goal system of this invention
provides a watertight storage compartment in a foundation box. The
foundation box is preferably installed within the ground so that
the post assembly attaches to a top cover thereof flush with the
ground.
[0009] However, alternatively, it can be a remote storage container
where the post assembly attaches to one or more keyways in the
playing surface, such as a gymnasium floor, a driveway or a patio.
When the foundation box is installed within the ground, it is
accessible via a lid that is flush mounted with the ground surface.
When not in use, all three subassemblies (rim, backboard, and post)
are stored within the compartment. When in use, the post is
assembled and locked to the lid of the storage compartment; the rim
and backboard are attached to the post, and the entire task is
completed in short time without the use of any tools. The post
assembly is very robust, and its cantilever removes the post from
the playing area providing safety for aggressive fast play. The
goal stability is much higher and not subject to tip, like other
portable goals. Existing portable goals are also too heavy and
cumbersome to move, and too big to store. The rim height can be
easily adjusted to accommodate shorter players. Auxiliary mounting
plates can be installed to provide alternate playing areas to
receive the goal system remote from its storage area. Three small
floor plates with female socket features matching those on the
auxiliary mounting plates can be mounted flush on a gym floor at
the proper spacing to receive the post assembly of this basketball
goal system for portable indoor use in a gym area.
[0010] The foundation box with storage compartment is installed in
an excavated area below grade, or is a remote storage container.
When installed in the ground, this foundation for the goal system
is installed without the use of concrete which makes it relatively
easy to remove and reinstall in another location. Also, the
installation area is not permanently altered, be it lawn area or
beach sand. In some types of rocky soil material, it is adequate to
just bury the foundation box to achieve sufficient stability. In
sandy areas or in lighter soil, a ballast, such as a ballast box,
ballast plate or other ballasted retaining area, is first installed
and filled with heavy ballast such as rocks. The ballast box is
installed and carefully leveled at a depth such that the foundation
box which is then bolted to its top rim will have its lid flush
with the ground surface. The ballast box has a bottom panel that
can be removed during installation. The person performing the
excavation can actually stand in a hole below the ballast box
through this panel hole to more easily perform the leveling
operation. After leveling, the foot hole is back-filled, and the
bottom panel is bolted back in place before the ballast is
introduced.
[0011] The post assembly is articulated and telescoping to fit into
a relatively small storage compartment. It is preferably
constructed of aluminum square tubing of the order of four inches
square. By "tubing" it is noted that while the preferably
crossection of the tubing is square, it can have any geometric
crossection, such as circular, triangular, rectangular or
otherwise.
[0012] The main post is foldable and/or telescopic in sections, so
that it fits with the backboard and removable hoop rim within the
foundation box. The main post is foldable and optionally also
telescopic in a plurality of sections, preferably in four sections.
A bottom length telescopes into an equal length section which is
hinged to a similar upper section with its own telescoping section
within; the telescoping upper section is then hinged to a shorter
backboard attachment section. The telescoping members are captive
within the outer members and preferably telescope freely on
internal low friction sleeves (such as Teflon TM). All sections of
the post assembly are preferably pre-attached; another part is a
sleeve which rides on the outer lower section (again with low
friction internal sleeve). This sleeve collar carries a plurality
of support struts, preferably two struts, which attach to the
playing surface, such as to the lid of the storage compartment as
does the bottom distal end of the lower telescoping section which
attaches first via a rotary motion into a triple keyway. The two
struts are preferably locked into the base by straightening a lock,
such as a folding locking horizontal strut which action forces the
strut bottoms laterally within their straight keyways. Note that
the lid of the storage box is sturdily locked shut via a lock, such
as a pair of cam locks that are then prevented from opening by
interference from the two struts locked into their respective
keyways adjacent to the lock handles.
[0013] The backboard attaches to the attachment post via a
fastener, such as a hinged member on a bracket which is locked
around the post via a fastener, such as a toggle latch clamp. The
rim attaches to the same post in the same manner via a fastener,
such as through a rectangular hole in the bottom center of the
backboard surface. The rim also engages the bottom of the
backboard, creating a second attachment point for the backboard to
the post.
[0014] Preferably, fasteners, such as two spring-loaded index pins
are attached to the upper surfaces of the two members with
telescoping sections within. The bottom-most section is pulled out
until its index hole matches up and is locked via the index pin.
The upper telescoping section is advanced to the desired length (or
all the way for regulation rim height) and the index pin is
received into the nearest index hole. These holes are spaced about
3'' apart to provide this adjustment. After the telescoping
sections are secured via the spring pins, the mast is raised to the
operational angle which is preferably approximately 60 degrees from
the horizontal, although other structurally sound angles of
orientation may be employed. At this point, the collar to which the
struts are pivoted is aligned with the lower folding member near
its bottom end such that side holes align with through holes in the
folding member; a spring pin is inserted through the collar and
post member locking them together. Thus the post erection is
completed.
[0015] The actual assembly sequence of the three subsystems starts
with unlatching the cam locks securing the cover of the base
storage box; the cover is then opened and the backboard, rim and
post assembly are retrieved from the storage compartment. Then the
cover is re-closed and securely latched by the cam locks. Now the
folded post assembly is attached to the base by inserting the
distal end into keyways and applying a clockwise twist action. The
support struts are then inserted into their keyways on the base
storage box cover. The articulated sections of the post assembly
are then unfolded, and the telescoping sections are pulled out of
their housing members. At this point, the angle of the post has
been reduced to bring the distal end down to about 3.5 feet so the
rim and backboard can be mounted. The rim and backboard are then
attached via their respective fasteners, such as toggle latch
clamps. The post is then raised to its play position and secured by
inserting a spring pin through the collar assembly.
[0016] Disassembly of the three subsystems is started by lowering
the post to the low intermediate position by removing the spring
pin from the collar. Then the rim and backboard are detached. Once
the post is lowered, the rim and backboard are detached by
releasing their respective fasteners, such as one or more toggle
latch clamps. Then the telescoping sections are pushed into their
housing members and articulated sections are folded. The support
struts are released from the base. Now the post assemble is
released from the base by a counterclockwise twist and lift action.
At this point, the backboard, rim and post assembly are placed in
the base storage box and secured via cam locks. The two normal
hinges and adjacent locking spring pins which are used with the
articulated sections can be replaced with adjustable locking hinges
of the type often used with adjustable high-end ladders. These are
easily operated by pulling a handle or pushing a knob against
spring resistance; they are more convenient and eliminate the
separate spring pin parts.
[0017] In an alternate embodiment of this self-storing portable
basketball goal, a different configuration with all components
pre-attached to the inside of the lid of the watertight storage
compartment is described. The post is in a ladder configuration
with preferably two parallel structural members which are
pre-attached to the backboard at their distal end. Single
structural members can also be used. In operation, the lid of the
storage compartment is opened vertically to 90 degrees and locked
in place with one or more locking struts, preferably two locking
struts. The two folding struts which are straightened into an
oblique angle and locked. Attached to the lid are one or more,
preferably two parallel post members which are preferable aluminum
square tubing, although other tubing crossections may be employed.
Each preferably has an equal length telescoping member within which
is withdrawn to a desired height (after the other distal members
are adjusted) and locked in place by a fastener, such as a spring
pin which is inserted through a hole near the top end of the
members attached to the lid and also through one of a line of holes
in the telescoping members. The telescoping members are attached
together by a horizontal shaft near their top distal ends. An
articulated member is also hinged at this site on each side. These
are swung over the top of the telescoping members and locked into a
single prescribed position of about an angle of 48 degrees to the
horizontal via spring pins adjacent to the hinges. The distal ends
of these parallel angled members are themselves similarly
preferably attached together by a horizontal shaft and pivoted to
the backboard structural members via fasteners, such as hinges and
spring pins. Although a unitary backboard can be used, for space
saving storage, preferably the backboard has two folding wings, one
at each side that must be opened and locked in the open position
prior to play. The rim is hinged and is swung down and locked into
position at a right angle to the backboard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention can best be understood in 15
connection with the accompanying drawings. It is noted that the
invention is not limited to the precise embodiments shown in
drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the self-storing portable
basketball goal of this invention as erected and ready for use;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a side view of the post assembly as folded into a
configuration which fits in the storage box;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a top view of the backboard assembly showing the
toggle latch clamp locking configuration;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a back view of the backboard;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top view of the rim assembly showing the toggle
latch clamp attachment configuration;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a side view of the rim assembly;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the watertight foundation
box with lid partially open;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the ballast box with
removable bottom plate;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a side view of an excavation in progress with
ballast box installed and excavator's feet extending below bottom
of ballast box through the bottom hatch;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a side subterranean view of foundation box with
storage compartment attached to the ballast box;
[0029] FIG. 11 is a side view of the basketball goal erected with
an intermediate low position shown in dashed lines;
[0030] FIG. 12 is a top view of an auxiliary mounting plate showing
the female keyways which are used to anchor the post assembly;
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a kit consisting of three
keyway plates which can be installed flush with a wooden gym floor
to permit interior use of the basketball goal of this
invention;
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective detail of an adjustable locking
hinge which can be used with this invention;
[0033] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of
the self-storing basketball goal wherein all components are
pre-attached to the lid of the watertight storage compartment,
and
[0034] FIG. 16 is a side view of the alternate embodiment of FIG.
15 showing the details of the telescoping and articulated
sections.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0035] FIG. 1 shows basketball goal 1 erected and ready for play.
Area 3 is the playing area, while region 2 can be an adjacent lawn
or sand or soil area. Post assembly 4 (as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and
11) includes of various components that are all attached together.
It folds and telescopes into the compact configuration shown in
FIG. 2 for storage in the watertight storage compartment of
foundation box 10.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 2, post assembly 4 includes base pivot 15,
captive bottom telescoping section 16, bottom main tube 17, upper
main tube 18, captive upper telescoping tube 20, backboard
attachment tube 52, and strut collar 25 with struts 26 and 27 and
strut base pivots 28 and 29.
[0037] Low friction sleeves are used within tubes 17 and 18 to
facilitate easy travel of captive telescoping sections 16 and 20
respectively. The low friction sleeves are sized to come together
to block over travel of the telescoping members 16, 17 and 18,
20.
[0038] Lid 11 is hinged to box 10 by hinge 12; it has keyways under
base pivot 15 and under strut pivots 28 and 29. Folding horizontal
strut 13 is pivoted on struts 26 and 27 keeping them spread apart
and engaged with keyways in lid 11 when it is locked in the
straight position.
[0039] Both backboard 33 and rim 32 are attached to the distal end
section of post assembly 4 which is section 52 as shown in FIG. 2.
Note that tubing section 52 is hinged via hinge 53 to the distal
end of telescoping tube 20.
[0040] FIGS. 3 and 4 show backboard 33 with frame 35, face board 36
(preferably polycarbonate), mounting crossbar 37 and lower rim
accommodating region 38. The frame 35 and mounting hardware (wall
39, swinging gate with a fastener, such as a toggle latch clamp 41
and wall 40 with clamp hook 40a) are preferably aluminum components
which can be welded in place. The enclosed area 42 engages post
square tubing member 52 in a snug fit when toggle latch clamp 41 is
drawn down. FIGS. 5 and 6 show the rim which has mounting features
similar to those of backboard 33. The clamp 41 is passed through
notched slit 38b of lower rim accommodating region 38 and engages
the lower section of tube 52. Walls 39 and 40 of the backboard rim
mount advance through notched slits 38b and 38c capturing tongue
bar 38a, which is flush with the face of backboard frame 35 of
backboard 33. Slit 38b is notched convexly outward to accommodate
the width of clamp 41 pivotably attached to backboard claim wall
39. Likewise, slit 38c is also notched convexly outward to
accommodate the width of hook 40a of backward clamp wall 40.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows foundation box 10 with watertight storage
compartment 60 as sealed by lid 11 against elastomeric gasket 61
under the pressure provided by hinge 12 and cam locks 65 and 66
when in the closed position. Note the circular pattern of three
keyways 64. These engage three male key prongs 51 on the bottom of
base pivot 15 when prongs 51 are inserted in the enlarged openings
and then twisted in a clockwise direction. Front keyways 62 and 63
engage male key prongs 51 on the ends of strut pivots 28 and 29
when they are inserted and then spread apart. Note that as a safety
feature, struts 26 and 27 cannot be inserted until the handles of
cam locks 65 and 66 are turned out of the interference position;
this turning action also engages the cam locks to secure lid 11 in
a closed engagement with foundation box 10. Note that the keyway
openings in lid 11 are sealed internally with spaced apart covers
to prevent water seepage while not blocking the keyways themselves.
In some types of substrate, box 10 with the help of rim 14 will
provide adequate pull-out resistance to act as a foundation for the
basketball goal. However, in softer ground a ballast box 70 as in
FIG. 8 is required. This is placed deeper down below foundation box
10 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Ballast box 70 has a hatch opening
73 on its bottom which provides access for the feet of a person
during the excavation as shown in FIG. 9. This makes it more
convenient to carefully level box 70; 56 is the upper excavation
which will accommodate foundation box 10, while lower excavation 57
makes space for the person to be at a lower level. After the
leveling is complete, area 57 is backfilled with material 55 and
hatch cover 72 is bolted to the bottom using bolts through
clearance holes 75 into threaded holes 76. Ballast, such as rocks
or broken concrete, can then be introduced into box 70. Then
foundation box 10 is attached to the rim of ballast box 70 above
side walls 71. Bolts through clearance holes 67 in flange 14 are
screwed into threaded holes 74 to accomplish the attachment. Note
that box 10 can be inverted and nested within box 70 for shipping
purposes.
[0042] FIG. 11 shows a side view of goal 1 in the low position for
attachment or detachment of backboard and rim (dashed lines), as
well as in the deployed position. Note that collar 25 moves from
the top of post section 17 to the bottom in making the transition.
It is locked via a spring pin 82 when in the deployed position.
Index pin 80 locks telescoping section 16 to section 17 at the
extended position. Hinge 19, between sections 17 and 18, is locked
by an adjacent spring pin. Index pin 81 adjusts the degree of
extension of top telescoping member 20 via an array of holes on its
top surface (about 3'' apart). Height h1 is close to regulation
height, while further extension of 20 will take it to its limit,
and retraction inward will bring it down to height h2. Spring pin
83 locks in the appropriate angle between distal segment 52 and
telescoping section 20 to insure the verticality of backboard 33 as
segment 52 is rotated via hinge 53. Telescoping member 16 can be
retracted for a further lower height h3, such as six to eight feet
above the ground.
[0043] FIG. 12 is a top view of an auxiliary mounting plate 85 with
pattern of keyways 62, 63 and 64 and straight keyways 62 and 63 at
the same relative positions as on foundation box lid 11. This rigid
plate can be attached to a rigid in-ground framework or to a series
of stakes via screw holes 86 at a location remote from the
in-ground storage compartment. FIG. 13 shows a kit 88 including one
three-keyway plate 89 and two identical straight keyway plates 90.
These can be easily installed so that their upper surface is flush
with the floor level inside a gym. If the floor is wood, round
depressions can be routed at the appropriate spacings and plates 89
and 90 are then simply screwed down with flat heat screws in the
countersink clearance holes in the plates. This would permit use of
the portable goal of this invention in an interior space.
[0044] While FIG. 12 shows keyways 62 flush with plate 85, in a
further embodiment, plate 85 can be recessed within the ground,
acting as a ballast, whereby keyways 62, 63 and 64 are elevated by
structural tower posts (not shown) to be flush with the ground
playing surface area.
[0045] FIG. 14 shows a heavy duty adjustable hinge 95 that can be
substituted for hinges 19 and 53 (and their adjacent spring pins).
This particular design is operated by pulling out handle 96 until
it clicks open to release the hinge. By rotating the members to the
desired position and clicking it back in under spring force, the
hinge would be locked in the alternate position. The design
illustrated is an invention of Boothe (U.S. Pat. No. 4,407,045). A
similar push button operated adjustable locking hinge can also be
used; an example is the invention of Lee (U.S. Pat. No.
6,711,780).
[0046] It is further noted that hinges 19 and 53 are on the
rearward side of post assembly 4, so that if a structural member or
fastener fails, the backboard 33 will only fall rearward, away from
the playing area.
[0047] An alternate embodiment of this invention is shown in FIGS.
15 and 16. In this embodiment, all components are pre-attached; and
fold and telescope such that they fit within a storage compartment
in watertight foundation box 101 which may be attached to ballast
box 130 via bolts through flange 102. Lid 104 is the main
attachment for the dual parallel posts that ultimately bear the
weight of the other support elements as well as backboard 115 with
folding rim 125 which is attached via hinge 126. In the locked
position, lid 104 is kept tightly closed via cam locks 105, hinge
106 and gasket 103. In the open position, two folding locking
struts 107, pivoted at one end at the inner sides of box 101 and at
the distal end at lid 104, are used to position lid 104 at a right
angle to box 101. Two square tubing sections 108 are attached to
lid 104. Telescoping sections 110 emanate from them with an array
of holes which are used to set the desired rim height by using a
spring pin through a single hole neat the top end of sections 108
(an index pin can also be used). Two parallel post members 112 are
swung around on hinges 111 and locked at a preferable angle of 48
degrees (to the horizontal) using adjacent spring pins. Backboard
115 attached to support posts 122 is swung from the front side of
members 112 into the deployed position via hinges 121 at each end
of rod 120 and locked in the vertical position using adjacent
spring pins and/or rigid strut 129. To permit backboard 115 to fit
into a smaller storage compartment, it has a central section 116
attached to support posts 122. On each side of 116 are wing
sections 117 which are hinged to 116 and are rotated parallel to
116 and locked in place with latches prior to use. FIG. 16 shows
the motion of the various sections during the deployment or
take-down operations (using dashed lines with arrow heads).
[0048] The alternate embodiment can be erected or taken down
conveniently and quickly. The operation can be streamlined by
replacing hinges 121 (and their adjacent spring pins) with two
adjustable locking hinges such as are shown in FIG. 14.
[0049] In the foregoing description, certain terms and visual
depictions are used to illustrate the preferred embodiment.
However, no unnecessary limitations are to be construed by the
terms used or illustrations depicted, beyond what is shown in the
prior art, since the terms and illustrations are exemplary only,
and are not meant to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0050] It is further known that other modifications may be made to
the present invention, without departing the scope of the
invention, as noted in the appended Claims.
* * * * *