U.S. patent application number 12/128251 was filed with the patent office on 2008-12-11 for apparatus for adjustable height basketball standard.
Invention is credited to Bryce Doman, Kevin McAllister.
Application Number | 20080305896 12/128251 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40096401 |
Filed Date | 2008-12-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080305896 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
McAllister; Kevin ; et
al. |
December 11, 2008 |
Apparatus for Adjustable Height Basketball Standard
Abstract
A height adjustable basketball standard comprises a fixed
support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a
playing surface. A lifting link has a base end and a traveling end.
The base end is pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and the
traveling end is pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A
parallel link has a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the
fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled
to the backboard assembly. A drive mechanism is coupled to the
support pole and engages the lifting link. The drive mechanism is
configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot the
lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby adjusting
the height of the backboard assembly relative to the playing
surface. The drive mechanism engages the lifting link in a manner
sufficient to vertically move the backboard assembly about 1 inch
upon moving the force application point of the lifting arm about
1/5 of an inch.
Inventors: |
McAllister; Kevin; (Lehi,
UT) ; Doman; Bryce; (Lehi, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KEVIN MCALLISTER
530 West 300 North
Lehi
UT
84043
US
|
Family ID: |
40096401 |
Appl. No.: |
12/128251 |
Filed: |
May 28, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11643006 |
Dec 19, 2006 |
|
|
|
12128251 |
|
|
|
|
29220660 |
Jan 3, 2005 |
D537490 |
|
|
11643006 |
|
|
|
|
10349947 |
Jan 24, 2003 |
|
|
|
29220660 |
|
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/483 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2225/093 20130101;
A63B 63/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/483 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/04 20060101
A63B063/04; A63B 63/08 20060101 A63B063/08 |
Claims
1. A height adjustable basketball standard, comprising: a fixed
support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a
playing surface; the fixed support pole including a pair of
upwardly extending opposing shoulder plates; a lifting link, having
a base end and a traveling end, said base end pivotally coupled to
the pair of opposing shoulder plates and said traveling end
pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly; a parallel link having
a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and
a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard
assembly; and a drive mechanism, coupled to the support pole and
engaging the lifting link, said drive mechanism being configured to
provide a force which is sufficient to pivot the lifting link
relative to the fixed support pole, thereby adjusting the height of
the backboard assembly relative to the playing surface.
2. A height adjustable basketball standard, comprising: a fixed
support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a
playing surface; a lifting link, having a base end and a traveling
end, said base end including a pair of opposing shoulder plates,
the pair of opposing shoulder plates being pivotally coupled to the
fixed support pole, said traveling end being pivotally coupled to
the backboard assembly; a parallel link having a parallel base end
pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and a parallel
traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly; and a
drive mechanism, coupled to the support pole and engaging the
lifting link, said drive mechanism being configured to provide a
force which is sufficient to pivot the lifting link relative to the
fixed support pole, thereby adjusting the height of the backboard
assembly relative to the playing surface.
3. A height adjustable basketball standard, comprising: a fixed
support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a
playing surface; a lifting link, having a base end and a traveling
end, said base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and
said traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly; a
parallel link having a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the
fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled
to the backboard assembly; a drive mechanism, coupled to the
support pole and engaging the lifting link, said drive mechanism
being configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot
the lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby
adjusting the height of the backboard assembly relative to the
playing surface; and wherein substantially all components for
adjusting the height of the standard are substantially contained
within the fixed support pole.
4. A height adjustable basketball standard, comprising: a fixed
support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a
playing surface; a lifting link, having a base end and a traveling
end, said base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and
said traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly; a
parallel link having a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the
fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled
to the backboard assembly; a drive mechanism, coupled to the
support pole and engaging the lifting link, said drive mechanism
being configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot
the lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby
adjusting the height of the backboard assembly relative to the
playing surface; and wherein the drive mechanism engages the
lifting link at a force application point, the force application
point being located within the fixed support pole and being located
on the lifting link between the base end and the traveling end of
the lifting link.
5. A height adjustable basketball standard, comprising: a fixed
support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a
playing surface; a lifting link, having a base end and a traveling
end, said base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and
said traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly; a
parallel link having a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the
fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled
to the backboard assembly; a drive mechanism, coupled to the
support pole and engaging the lifting link, said drive mechanism
being configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot
the lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby
adjusting the height of the backboard assembly relative to the
playing surface; and wherein the drive mechanism engages the
lifting link in a manner sufficient to vertically move the
backboard assembly about 1 inch upon moving the force application
point of the lifting arm about 1/5 of an inch.
6. A height adjustable basketball standard, comprising: a fixed
support pole and a backboard assembly, the fixed support pole being
configured to support the backboard assembly above a playing
surface; a lifting link, having a base end and a traveling end, the
base end being pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole; the
traveling end of the lifting link having a forked attachment
bracket extending therefrom, the forked attachment bracket being
pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly at a horizontal center
of a backboard of the backboard assembly; and a parallel link
having a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the fixed support
pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled to the
backboard assembly.
Description
PRIORITY DATA
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/643,006, filed Dec. 19, 2006, which is a
continuation of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 29/220,660, filed
Jan. 3, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 10/349,947, filed Jan. 21, 2003, which claims benefit of
U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/351,039, filed Jan. 23,
2002, all of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to methods and
devices for height adjustable basketball standards. More
particularly, the present invention relates to methods and devices
for supporting and adjusting the height of a backboard assembly
while maintaining a backboard of the backboard assembly in a
substantially perpendicular orientation with respect to a playing
surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The game of basketball is enjoyed by many people, ranging
from young children to adults. Due to this popularity, many people
install basketball standards, or goals, near their home, in order
to ensure access to a basketball standard when they wish to play. A
regulation basketball standard generally includes a rim mounted to
a backboard and elevated from a playing surface to a height of ten
feet. While most adults can play comfortably with the rim elevated
to ten feet, many young children do not possess the physical
ability to successfully shoot a basketball into a rim elevated to
such a height. Young children playing on a regulation height rim
often become frustrated due to their inability to successfully
shoot the basketball into the hoop or rim. These frustrations can
lead to a loss of interest in the game.
[0004] Thus, many people find that young children benefit from
playing on a basketball standard with a lower rim, as children find
the game easier to play and do not become so easily frustrated. Of
course, depending on the physical capabilities of the player in
question, the rim may need to be lowered some distance from ten
feet, or only a few inches. In addition, even adult players who can
play on a regulation height rim often wish to play on a basketball
standard having a rim that is lower than ten feet, so that they can
"slam dunk" the ball with greater ease.
[0005] For these reasons, basketball standards with adjustable
height have become popular. Such standards can be used while
elevated to a regulation height, or they can be used while lowered
to sub-regulation height, if desired. Typical commercially
available adjustable height standards can be adjusted in ranges
from seven feet to ten feet.
[0006] Building a basketball standard that can be adjusted to
varying heights involves consideration of a number of factors. One
significant issue is providing a support structure that is
sufficiently strong to adequately bear the weight posed by a
typical backboard assembly. In addition to the weight posed by
these materials, the entire structure must be sufficiently strong
to bear the rigors of extended use, including repeated dunking of a
basketball and the hanging of a player from the rim that is often
associated with the dunking. Further, the backboard of the
backboard assembly must remain substantially perpendicular to the
playing surface regardless of the height at which it is set.
[0007] In order to address these concerns, conventional adjustable
standards often include linkage assemblies, such as four bar
linkages, that can maintain the perpendicular relationship of the
backboard to the playing surface over a range of heights, and
support the weight associated with the standard while remaining
relatively stable. In one typical configuration, a four bar linkage
is pinned to the basketball backboard on one end, pinned to a
support device at an intermediate location, and extends at a distal
end beyond the support device to provide a section that can be
raised or lowered to accordingly lower or raise the backboard
assembly. To adjust the height of the backboard, an operator
generally applies leverage to the portion extending beyond the
support device to cause the linkage assembly to pivot or rotate
relative to the support device.
[0008] While conventional adjustable standards have thus been
developed which allow a height of the backboard to be adjusted, the
resulting linkage assemblies are problematic in a number of
aspects. One problem is that the linkages present pinch or crushing
hazards due to the exposed linkages, braces, pivot points, etc. An
operator can inadvertently place a hand or finger in these exposed
areas and have the hand or finger become crushed or pinched under
the weight of the backboard and linkage assemblies. This hazard is
of particular concern in that it is often young children who wish
to adjust the height of the standard. Young children are often not
as careful as adults and can thus be exposed to an even higher risk
of injury while adjusting conventional basketball standards.
[0009] In addition to presenting safety hazards, conventional
linkage assemblies provided on adjustable height standards often
consume a large area in and around the backboard assembly. In an
effort to increase the leverage provided by linkage assemblies,
manufacturers of adjustable standards often provide linkages that
are expanded, or spread out, to an exaggerated degree to provide a
greater moment of leverage. However, by doing so the resulting
linkage appears very bulky and intrusive and can detract from the
aesthetic appearance of the basketball standard.
[0010] In addition to these problems, conventional adjustable
height standards are often equipped with elaborate, complex
mechanisms which an operator uses to adjust the height of the
standard. These mechanisms are often difficult to operate and add
to the unsafe features of the standard in that even more moveable
components are left exposed, leading to even more potentially
dangerous pinch or crush points.
[0011] As a result, devices and methods for height adjustable
basketball standards that present an aesthetically pleasing
appearance, are quickly and easily adjustable through a wide range
of heights, and that do not provide potentially dangerous pinch or
crush points to endanger operators continue to be sought.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, the present invention provides a height
adjustable basketball standard, including a fixed support pole,
configured to support a backboard assembly above a playing surface.
A lifting link can have a base end and a traveling end. The base
end can be pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and the
traveling end can be pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A
parallel link can have a parallel base end pivotally coupled to the
fixed support pole and a parallel traveling end pivotally coupled
to the backboard assembly. A drive mechanism can be coupled to the
support pole and can engage the lifting link. The drive mechanism
can be configured to provide a force which is sufficient to pivot
the lifting link relative to the fixed support pole, thereby
adjusting the height of the backboard assembly relative to the
playing surface. The drive mechanism can engage the lifting link in
a manner sufficient to vertically move the backboard assembly about
1 inch upon moving the force application point of the lifting arm
about 1/5 of an inch.
[0013] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a height
adjustable basketball standard is provided, including a fixed
support pole, configured to support a backboard assembly above a
playing surface. A lifting link can have a base end and a traveling
end. The base end can be pivotally coupled to the fixed support
pole and the traveling end can be pivotally coupled to the
backboard assembly. A parallel link can have a parallel base end
pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole and a parallel
traveling end pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly. A drive
mechanism can be coupled to the support pole and can engage the
lifting link. The drive mechanism can be configured to provide a
force which is sufficient to pivot the lifting link relative to the
fixed support pole, thereby adjusting the height of the backboard
assembly relative to the playing surface. Substantially all
components for adjusting the height of the standard can be
substantially contained within the fixed support pole. The drive
mechanism can engage the lifting link at a force application point.
The force application point can be located on the lifting link
between the base end of the lifting link and the traveling end of
the lifting link. The drive mechanism can engage the lifting link
in a manner sufficient to vertically move the backboard assembly
about 1 inch upon moving the force application point of the lifting
arm about 1/5 of an inch.
[0014] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more
important features of the invention so that the detailed
description thereof that follows may be better understood, and so
that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
Other features of the present invention will become clearer from
the following detailed description of the invention, taken with the
accompanying drawings and claims, or may be learned by the practice
of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a side view of a height adjustable basketball
standard in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a side view of the height adjustable basketball
standard of FIG. 1, showing the standard in varying degrees of
height adjustment;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a front view of the height adjustable basketball
standard of FIG. 1;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side view of the height adjustable basketball
standard of FIG. 1, showing various internal components in hidden
view;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a more detailed side, sectional view of the height
adjustable basketball standard of FIG. 4;
[0020] FIG. 6 is a partial side view of a representative linkage
assembly of one aspect of the invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a partial side view of the representative linkage
assembly of FIG. 6, showing the linkage assembly in varying degrees
of height adjustment in accordance with one aspect of the
invention;
[0022] FIG. 8 is a partial side view of another representative
linkage assembly in accordance with one aspect of the
invention;
[0023] FIG. 9a is an end, sectional view of a parallel link
positioned within a lifting link in accordance with one aspect of
the invention;
[0024] FIG. 9b is an end, sectional view of a parallel link
positioned within an alternate lifting link in accordance with one
aspect of the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 9c is an end, sectional view of another parallel link
in accordance with one aspect of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] Before the present invention is disclosed and described, it
is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the
particular structures, process steps, or materials disclosed
herein, but is extended to equivalents thereof as would be
recognized by those of ordinarily skilled in the relevant arts. It
should also be understood that terminology employed herein is used
for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is
not intended to be limiting.
[0027] It must be noted that, as used in this specification and the
appended claims, the singular forms "a" and "the" include plural
referents, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, reference to a "lifting link" includes one or more of such
links and reference to "parallel link" includes reference to one or
more of such links.
[0028] Definitions
[0029] In describing and claiming the present invention, the
following terminology will be used in accordance with the
definitions set forth below.
[0030] As used herein, "backboard assembly" refers to an assembly
of objects or devices which may be present in a typical basketball
standard as known by those of ordinary skill in the art to
facilitate use of the standard in playing basketball. Examples of
objects included in the backboard assembly may include, but are not
limited to: a backboard, a rim, protective padding applied to the
backboard, and a mounting structure.
[0031] As used herein, "tubular" refers to an object or device
which includes a generally closed outer section encompassing an
open inner section. Many tubular objects are known to those skilled
in the art, such as pipes, etc. Examples of cross sections of
tubular objects include, but are not limited to, circular cross
section, square cross section, rectangular cross section,
triangular cross section, etc.
[0032] As used herein, "positive force mechanism" refers to an
object, device, or mechanism that applies a pushing force which has
the net effect of pushing the object in a direction that is away
from the force mechanism. Examples of positive force mechanisms
include, but are not limited to, a mechanical spring biased in
compression and a hydraulic actuator having a positive internal
pressure.
[0033] As used herein, "negative force mechanism" refers to an
object, device or mechanism that applies a pulling force which has
the net effect of pulling the object in a direction that is toward
the force mechanism. Examples of negative force mechanisms include,
but are not limited to, a mechanical spring biased in tension and a
hydraulic actuator having a negative internal pressure.
[0034] As used herein, "counter-force mechanism" refers to an
object, device or mechanism that substantially constantly applies a
force to one or more objects which, while the objects may be
static, would otherwise tend to push or pull the objects together
or apart. Examples of counter-force mechanisms include, but are not
limited to, a mechanical spring biased between two objects in
tensile or compressive state and a hydraulic actuator having a
positive or negative internal pressure.
[0035] As used herein, "motion dampener" refers to an object,
device or mechanism which acts to dampen movement between two
objects. Examples of motion dampeners include, but are not limited
to, a mechanical spring biased between two objects in tensile or
compressive state and hydraulic actuators having a positive or
negative internal pressure (i.e. shocks).
[0036] Distances, forces, weights, amounts, and other numerical
data may be expressed or presented herein in a range format. It is
to be understood that such a range format is used merely for
convenience and brevity and thus should be interpreted flexibly to
include not only the numerical values explicitly recited as the
limits of the range, but also to include all the individual
numerical values or sub-ranges encompassed within that range as if
each numerical value and sub-range is explicitly recited.
[0037] As an illustration, a numerical range of "about 1 inch to
about 5 inches" should be interpreted to include not only the
explicitly recited values of about 1 inch to about 5 inches, but
also include individual values and sub-ranges within the indicated
range. Thus, included in this numerical range are individual values
such as 2, 3, and 4 and sub-ranges such as from 1-3, from 2-4, and
from 3-5, etc.
[0038] This same principle applies to ranges reciting only one
numerical value and should apply regardless of the breadth of the
range or the characteristics being described.
[0039] Invention
[0040] As illustrated in FIG. 1, a system, indicated generally at
10, in accordance with the present invention is shown for an
adjustable height basketball standard. As used herein, the term
"basketball standard" (or sometimes referred to below as a
"standard") is meant to include a support system that includes a
backboard assembly 12, which can include a backboard 14 and
attached rim 16, as is known to those skilled in the art. The
adjustable height standard 10 includes a fixed support pole 18 for
supporting the backboard assembly. A lifting link 20 includes a
base end 22 pivotally coupled to the support pole, and a traveling
end 24 coupled to the backboard assembly. While not so limited, the
support pole 18 can be secured to a foundation installed below a
surface of a playing surface 28, as shown in FIG. 1. To more
clearly indicate the features of the basketball standard, FIG. 3
includes a front view of the adjustable standard 12.
[0041] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the outward
appearance of the adjustable standard advantageously includes only
the backboard assembly 12, the lifting link 20 and the support pole
18. The standard thus presents an aesthetically pleasing, "clean"
appearance without having exposed linkages and structure found in
prior art standards. In addition, the present invention provides a
height adjustable standard with few exposed potential "pinch" or
crush" points, thus providing a much safer adjustable standard than
in prior art devices. A height indicator 21 can be included to
indicate a relative height of adjustment of the backboard
assembly.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 2, the standard can be adjusted to elevate
the backboard 14 and rim 16 to variable heights above the playing
surface 28, two representative heights being shown at h1 and h2. In
this aspect of the invention, substantially all of the components
for adjusting the height of the standard (as discussed in more
detail below) are contained within or enclosed by either the
lifting link 20 or support pole 18.
[0043] In one aspect of the invention, shown in cutaway view in
FIG. 4, the lifting link 20 includes at least one hollow section 26
(the hollow section shown in more detail in FIGS. 9a through 9c). A
parallel link 30 is positioned within at least a portion of the
hollow section 26 of the lifting link 20 and is pivotally coupled
to the support pole 18 at a parallel base end 32. The parallel link
is also pivotally coupled to the backboard assembly 12 at a
parallel traveling end 34. Thus, as shown and discussed, each of
the lifting link and the parallel link are pivotally coupled to the
fixed support pole and the backboard assembly. As the lifting link
is pivoted about its base 22 relative to the support pole, the
parallel link ensures that backboard 14 is maintained in a
substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the playing
surface 28. Accordingly, the rim 16, which is generally fixed
perpendicularly to the backboard 14, is maintained in a
substantially parallel orientation relative to the playing surface
28.
[0044] A drive mechanism 36 can be coupled to the fixed support
pole 18 that engages the lifting link 20 at a force application
point 38 (discussed more fully below). In the embodiment shown in
FIG. 4, the drive mechanism 36 engages the lifting link and is
pivotally coupled to the lifting link. It is to be understood,
however, that the drive mechanism need not be coupled to the
lifting link, but can simply contact the lifting link at the force
application point. The drive mechanism can similarly engage the
lifting link in any manner known to those skilled in the art.
[0045] The drive mechanism 36 is configured to provide or apply a
force to the lifting link that is sufficient to cause the lifting
link to pivot relative to the fixed support pole 18. As the lifting
link pivots, either upwardly or downwardly with respect to the
support pole, a height of the backboard 14 is adjusted upwardly or
downwardly. As shown in greater detail in FIG. 5, in one aspect of
the invention the lifting link 20 substantially circumscribes the
parallel link 30. By substantially circumscribing the parallel
link, exposed pinch or crush points are considerably limited. Thus,
contrary to prior art methods, the likelihood of injury resulting
from adjusting the height of the basketball standard is greatly
reduced.
[0046] Similarly, in one aspect of the invention, the fixed support
pole 18 substantially circumscribes the drive mechanism 36. By
circumscribing the drive mechanism with the support pole, potential
injury to an operator adjusting the height of the backboard
assembly is greatly reduced. As shown in FIG. 4, a controller 42
can be coupled to the drive mechanism 36 to enable an operator to
actuate the drive mechanism. The controller can be of any type
known to those skilled in the art, and may be dictated in part by
the specific drive mechanism utilized. Examples of controllers
include without limitation an energized switch, lever, or, as shown
by example in FIG. 4, a rotary hand crank that an operator can turn
to move the lifting link upwardly or downwardly. In one aspect of
the invention, the drive mechanism and hand crank are configured
such that one complete revolution of the hand crank produces a
resulting height adjustment of the backboard assembly of about 11/2
inches. In another aspect, the height adjustment provided may be
from about 1 inch to about 3 inches. In yet another aspect, the
height adjustment provided may be at least about 11/4 inches.
[0047] The present invention thus advantageously allows an operator
to quickly and easily adjust the height of the backboard assembly.
Additionally, in another aspect of the invention, the drive
mechanism 36 comprises a hydraulic actuator that presses against
the lifting link 20 and pivots the lifting link relative to the
support pole 18. Such a hydraulic actuator can cooperate with the
rotary hand crank to provide a counter balance effect that produces
a very large lifting force with very little force applied to the
hand crank. Thus, even relatively young children can safely adjust
the height of the backboard assembly by turning the hand crank or
otherwise actuating controller 42, which in turns actuates the
drive mechanism 36.
[0048] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the drive
mechanism comprises a positive force mechanism that presses against
the lifting link to pivot the link relative to the support pole. A
number of suitable positive force providing mechanisms, such as a
jack, hydraulic piston, fixed lever, etc. will be recognized by
those of ordinary skill in the art. This can be advantageous in
that positive force mechanism can be relatively easily and
inexpensively acquired. However, in another aspect of the
invention, the drive mechanism may comprise a negative force
mechanism that pulls against the lifting link to pivot the lifting
link relative to the fixed pole. Those of ordinary skill in the art
will recognize suitable devices, including without limitation many
of the devices recited above, as well as cables and other tension
devices.
[0049] As shown in more detail by the cross section in FIGS. 9a and
9c, in one aspect of the invention, the lifting link is
substantially tubular. The cross section of the substantially
tubular lifting link can be generally rectangular, as shown in FIG.
9a, or can be generally circular, as shown in FIG. 9c. In these
aspects of the invention, the lifting link 20 substantially
circumscribes the parallel link 30. As shown in FIG. 9b, the
lifting link 20a can substantially circumscribe the parallel link
30 even though the lifting link may not be completely enclosed. For
example, the lifting link 20a includes an upper, open section yet
still substantially circumscribes the parallel link. Similarly,
while the lifting link 20a includes a hollow section 26, the
lifting link may be open in one or more areas.
[0050] In one aspect of the invention, shown in side view in FIG. 5
and front view in FIG. 3, the adjustable standard can include a
counter-force mechanism 44. The counter-force mechanism can be any
known to those skilled in the art, including a spring or other
compressive or tensile mechanism. In one aspect, the counter-force
mechanism can include an air-spring, which includes a substantially
constant "spring constant," such that the counter force applied is
substantially constant throughout the upward and downward travel of
the lifting link.
[0051] The counter-force mechanism can provide a positive biasing
force between the lifting link and the support pole. Because the
combined weight of the lifting link and the backboard can be
considerable, the force required by the drive mechanism to move the
lifting link can also be considerable. However, by providing a
counter-force mechanism tuned to the physical properties of the
adjustable standard, much of the weight of the lifting link and
backboard assembly can be supported by the counter-force mechanism.
Thus, the force required to pivot the lifting link is minimized, as
the drive mechanism need apply a force only minimally in excess to
that supplied by the counter-force mechanism.
[0052] In one aspect of the invention, the drive mechanism 36 and
counter-force mechanism 44 cooperatively stabilize the adjustable
standard in a chosen vertical position. That is, the backboard
assembly can be adjusted to a desired height and need not be
bolted, secured, or otherwise locked into position because the
drive mechanism and counter-force mechanism hold the lifting link
in a static, stable condition.
[0053] In one aspect of the invention, shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, the
adjustable standard can include a motion dampener 46. The motion
dampener can be any known to those skilled in the art, including a
spring or a shock absorber. The motion dampener assists in
smoothing out motion of the lifting link as the lifting link is
raised or lowered. For instance, because of the considerable weight
of the lifting link and the nature of the drive mechanism, the
lifting link may tend to "jerk" or "rock" as it is raised or
lowered. The motion dampener assists in dampening jerky or
otherwise unwanted movement in the lifting link as it is raised or
lowered.
[0054] In another aspect of the invention, shown in simplified,
exemplary form in FIGS. 6 through 8, the drive mechanism 36 engages
the lifting link 20 at a force application location 50. As
discussed above, the drive mechanism can be coupled to the lifting
link at the force application location, or can simply contact and
apply a force to the lifting link at the force application
location. In one aspect, the drive mechanism engages the lifting
link in a manner that is sufficient to vertically move the
backboard assembly at least about 1 inch upon moving the force
application location about 1/5 of an inch. This feature is
illustrated in FIG. 6, where an elevation change .DELTA.h of the
force application location produces a resulting elevation change
.DELTA.H in the travelling end 24 of the lifting link 20. Since the
two are coupled, the elevation change of the travelling end 24
produces an equal elevation change in the backboard assembly (not
shown in FIGS. 6 through 8).
[0055] Several factors can be modified as needed in order to
determine the resulting elevation change of the backboard assembly
relative to the force application location 50. For instance, when
the length L of the lifting link 20 is constant, varying the
distance d will result in a varied ratio of traveling end elevation
change .DELTA.H to force application point elevation change
.DELTA.h. In an extreme example, if the force application distance
d were equal to the length L, the ratio would be 1:1. If the force
application distance were reduced to nearly zero, the resulting
ratio would theoretically approach the infinite. By adjusting the
force application distance d and the length of the lifting link L,
a desirable ratio of vertical movement can be obtained.
[0056] The present invention advantageously locates the force
application point 50 very near the point of pivot 56 of the lifting
link 20, thereby providing a large ratio of movement of the
backboard assembly to the force application point. In one aspect,
the force application point is located at a position 50 that is
within about 7 inches or less from the point 56 at which the
lifting link is pivotally coupled to the fixed support pole. In
another aspect, the force application point is located at a
position 50 that is about 5 inches or less from the point 56 at
which the lifting link is pivotally coupled to the fixed support
pole. In one aspect of the invention, the support pole 18
substantially circumscribes the drive mechanism 36. By
advantageously locating the force application point very near the
pivot rotation point, the drive mechanism can be disposed
substantially entirely within the support pole 18, enabling the
support pole to substantially circumscribe the drive mechanism. The
resulting standard advantageously provides an aesthetically
pleasing appearance while minimizing potentially dangerous exposed
pinch or crush points.
[0057] The elevation changes .DELTA.h and .DELTA.H shown in FIG. 6
are only examples of one aspect of the invention. As shown in FIG.
7, greater elevation change .DELTA.h.sub.2 of the force application
point 50 results in even greater elevation change .DELTA.H.sub.2 of
the traveling end 24 (and thus the backboard assembly). In one
aspect of the invention, the traveling end and backboard assembly
can be easily adjusted through a range of about 5 feet to 10 feet
above the playing surface.
[0058] As shown in FIG. 6, in one aspect of the invention, the
force application point is located between the base end 22 and
traveling end 24 of the lifting link 20. In this application, with
the drive mechanism 36 disposed beneath the lifting link, the drive
mechanism applies an upward, positive pressing force to the lifting
link to rotate the lifting link upward. In another aspect of the
invention, shown in FIG. 8, the lifting link 20 includes an
extended section 54 that extends, in a direction opposite the
traveling end 24 beyond a point 56 at which the lifting link is
pivotally coupled to the support pole. In this aspect, the force
application point 50 is located in the extended section 54, on an
opposing side of the point 56 at which the lifting link is coupled
to the support pole. In this application, with the drive mechanism
36 disposed below the lifting link 20, the drive mechanism would
apply a negative, pulling force to the lifting link to rotate the
lifting link upward.
[0059] Of course, it is to be understood that the above-described
arrangements are only illustrative of the application of the
principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and
alternative arrangements may be devised by those skilled in the art
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention and the appended claims are intended to cover such
modifications and arrangements. Thus, while the present invention
has been described above with particularity and detail in
connection with what is presently deemed to be the most practical
and preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous modifications,
including, but not limited to, variations in size, materials,
shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use may
be made without departing from the principles and concepts set
forth herein.
* * * * *