U.S. patent application number 14/688759 was filed with the patent office on 2016-10-20 for portable basketball system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Indian Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to ROBERT W. CORNELL, Philip Elpers.
Application Number | 20160303448 14/688759 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57128803 |
Filed Date | 2016-10-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160303448 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CORNELL; ROBERT W. ; et
al. |
October 20, 2016 |
PORTABLE BASKETBALL SYSTEM
Abstract
The present disclosure provides portable basketball goal
systems. In particular, the present disclosure provides basketball
goal systems, comprising a rolling member defining an interior
volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast
material. The present disclosure also provides basketball goal
systems comprising a base assembly having a forward portion and a
rearward portion, a support member having a lower end coupled to
the base assembly at the rearward portion and an upper end coupled
to a backboard assembly having a backboard, and a rolling member
mounted to the rearward portion of the base assembly, wherein the
base assembly is positioned rearward of the backboard when the
support member is in a playing configuration. Other arrangements
and features are disclosed.
Inventors: |
CORNELL; ROBERT W.;
(Evansville, IN) ; Elpers; Philip; (Evansville,
IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Indian Industries, Inc. |
Evansville |
IN |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57128803 |
Appl. No.: |
14/688759 |
Filed: |
April 16, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 63/083 20130101;
A63B 2225/093 20130101; A63B 2071/025 20130101; A63B 2071/026
20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/08 20060101
A63B063/08 |
Claims
1. A basketball goal system, comprising: a backboard assembly
having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard;
a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion,
the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward
portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an
upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to said base
assembly and the upper end coupled to said backboard assembly;
wherein said base assembly supports the support member in a
generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a
playing configuration; and a rolling member mounted to the rearward
portion of said base assembly; wherein said rolling member defines
an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and
retain a ballast material.
2. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein: said rolling
member comprises a hollow cylindrical member.
3. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein: said rolling
member comprises a pair of hollow wheels.
4. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein: the basketball
goal system has a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line
extending through said rearward portion of the base assembly when
the hollow member and rolling member are filled with ballast
material having a density equal to or greater than that of water
and when resting on a horizontal playing surface.
5. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein: said lower end
of said support member is coupled to said rearward portion of said
base assembly.
6. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein: said base
assembly comprises a hollow member and a frame member, said hollow
member mounted to said frame member; wherein said support member is
coupled to said frame member; wherein said rolling member is
coupled to said frame member; wherein said hollow member defines an
interior cavity for receiving and retaining ballast material; and
wherein the interior cavity has a centroid that is positioned
within said rearward portion of said base assembly.
7. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein: said base
assembly has a bottom surface that slopes in a generally downward
direction from the rearward portion above said rolling member
toward the forward portion of said base assembly.
8. The basketball goal system of claim 1, comprising: a kickstand
coupled to said base assembly and extending rearward from said
rearward-facing side.
9. The basketball goal system of claim 8, wherein: said base
assembly is tiltable around said rolling member and said kickstand
is arranged to limit the angle through which said base assembly can
tilt.
10. The basketball goal system of claim 1, comprising: a brace
member extending from said forward portion of said base assembly to
said support member.
11. The basketball goal system of claim 1, comprising: a removable
ballast member selectively attachable to said rearward portion of
said base assembly.
12. A basketball goal system, comprising: a backboard assembly
having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard;
a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion,
the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward
portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an
upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to said base
assembly and the upper end coupled to said backboard assembly; and
a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of said base
assembly; wherein said base assembly supports the support member in
a generally vertical orientation and is positioned rearward of the
backboard when the support member is in a playing configuration;
and wherein said lower end of said support member is coupled to
said rearward portion of said base assembly.
13. The basketball goal system of claim 12, wherein: said base
assembly comprises a hollow member and a frame member, said hollow
member mounted to said frame member; wherein said support member is
coupled to said frame member; wherein said rolling member is
coupled to said frame member; wherein said hollow member defines an
interior cavity for receiving and retaining ballast material; and
wherein the interior cavity has a centroid that is positioned
within said rearward portion of said base assembly.
14. The basketball goal system of claim 13, wherein: the basketball
goal system has a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line
extending through said rearward portion of the base assembly when
the hollow member is filled with ballast material having a density
equal to or greater than that of water and when resting on a
horizontal playing surface.
15. The basketball goal system of claim 12, wherein: said base
assembly has a bottom surface that slopes in a generally downward
direction from the rearward portion above said rolling member
toward the forward portion of said base assembly.
16. The basketball goal system of claim 12, comprising: a kickstand
coupled to said base assembly and extending rearward from said
rearward-facing side.
17. The basketball goal system of claim 16, wherein: said base
assembly is tiltable around said rolling member and said kickstand
is arranged to limit the angle through which said base assembly can
tilt around said rolling member.
18. The basketball goal system of claim 12, comprising: a brace
member extending from said forward portion of said base assembly to
said support member.
19. The basketball goal system of claim 12, wherein: said rolling
member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled
with and retain a ballast material
20. A basketball goal system, comprising: a backboard assembly
having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard;
a base assembly having a forward half and a rearward half, the
forward half having a forward-facing side and the rearward half
having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end
and a lower end, the lower end coupled to said base assembly and
the upper end coupled to said backboard assembly; a rolling member
mounted to the rearward half of said base assembly; and a kickstand
coupled to said base assembly and extending away from said
rearward-facing side; wherein said base assembly supports the
support member in a generally vertical orientation when the support
member is in a playing configuration; wherein said rolling member
defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with
and retain a ballast material; and wherein said lower end of said
support member is coupled to said rearward half of said base
assembly.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure pertains generally to the field of
basketball goals and particularly to portable basketball goals.
[0002] Portable basketball goals are commonly used in areas where
permanent installation of a basketball goal is not desired. This
may be due to aesthetic, functional, and/or contractual
implications. For example, those living in apartments or renting
homes may not wish, or be permitted to, install a permanent
basketball goal on the landlord's property. Therefore a portable
basketball goal is desirable as it can be relocated on and/or
removed from the property during periods when a basketball goal is
not desired.
[0003] Many portable basketball goals include a backboard assembly
supported by a support member (e.g., a post) that extends upward
from a base assembly. In many instances, the base assembly is
fillable with a ballast material such as water or sand to
counterbalance the weight of the backboard assembly and help
prevent the goal from tipping when in a playing configuration.
However, the basketball goal is often more difficult to move before
and/or after play when the base assembly is filled with ballast
material. Therefore, new arrangements of portable basketball goals
are desired.
SUMMARY
[0004] The present disclosure pertains generally to basketball goal
assemblies. In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides
portable basketball goal assemblies that are resistant to tipping
during play and/or windy conditions but that can be moved to
another location on a playing surface without having to remove or
empty ballast material (e.g., water or sand) from the base
assembly. For instance, certain disclosed embodiments provide a
basketball goal system having a center of gravity positioned
slightly forward of a rearward mounted rolling member so that when
the goal is tilted rearward, the center of gravity for the system
is positioned substantially over the rolling member. In this way,
the user simply balances the weight of the system on the rolling
member as the system is moved to another location.
[0005] In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides
basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a
backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base
assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the
forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward
portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an
upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base
assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a
rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of the base
assembly. The base assembly supports the support member in a
generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a
playing configuration, and, in many instances, the rolling member
defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with
and retain a ballast material.
[0006] The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems
comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim
extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a
forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having
a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a
rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a
lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper
end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a rolling member mounted
to the rearward portion of the base assembly; wherein the base
assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical
orientation and is positioned rearward of the backboard when the
support member is in a playing configuration; and wherein the lower
end of the support member is coupled to the rearward portion of the
base assembly.
[0007] Similarly, it is contemplated to have basketball goal
systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a
rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a
forward half and a rearward half, the forward half having a
forward-facing side and the rearward half having a rearward-facing
side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the
lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to
the backboard assembly; a rolling member mounted to the rearward
half of the base assembly; and a kickstand coupled to the base
assembly and extending away from the rearward-facing side; wherein
the base assembly supports the support member in a generally
vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing
configuration; and wherein the rolling member defines an interior
volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast
material; wherein the lower end of the support member is coupled to
the rearward half of the base assembly.
[0008] In some arrangements, the lower end of the support member is
coupled to the rearward portion of the base assembly. Additionally
or alternatively, the base assembly can comprise a hollow member
and a frame member, the hollow member mounted to the frame member;
wherein the support member is coupled to the frame member; wherein
the rolling member is coupled to the frame member; wherein the
hollow member defines an interior cavity for receiving and
retaining ballast material; and wherein the interior cavity has a
centroid that is positioned within the rearward portion of the base
assembly.
[0009] The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems
having a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line
extending through the rearward portion of the base assembly when
the hollow member and rolling member are filled with a ballast
material having a density equal to or greater than that of water
and when resting on a horizontal playing surface. The rolling
member can comprise a hollow cylindrical member or a pair of hollow
wheels, just to name a few non-limiting examples.
[0010] The disclosed arrangements can include a kickstand coupled
to the base assembly and extending rearward from the
rearward-facing side. The base assembly is tiltable around the
rolling member and the kickstand is arranged to limit the angle
through which the base assembly can tilt.
[0011] In some instances, the base assembly is angled with respect
to the playing surface. For example, a lower surface and/or upper
surface of the base assembly may slant towards the playing surface,
with the rearward portion being positioned higher than a forward
portion. In some arrangements, the lower surface extends rearwardly
and upwardly from a forward portion resting upon the ground to a
rearward portion positioned above the rolling member.
[0012] Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits,
advantages, and embodiments will become apparent from a detailed
description and drawings provided herewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a basketball goal
system.
[0014] FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation view of the basketball
goal system of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of the basketball
goal system of FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the base assembly
of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevation view of the base
assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0018] FIG. 5a illustrates a partial bottom view of the base
assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of the base
assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0020] FIG. 7 illustrates a back elevation view of the base
assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0021] FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the base assembly
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0022] FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a base assembly
having a frame and a hollow body.
[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a removable
ballast member removed from a base assembly.
[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a removable
ballast member positioned on a base assembly.
[0025] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate one method of moving the
disclosed basketball goal assemblies.
[0026] FIG. 12c illustrates another method of moving the disclosed
basketball goal assemblies.
[0027] FIG. 13 illustrates a side elevation view of a basketball
goal assembly resting on a playing surface.
[0028] FIG. 14 illustrates a side elevation view of a basketball
goal assembly tilted rearward.
[0029] FIG. 15 illustrates a side elevation view of a basketball
goal assembly tilted forward.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS
[0030] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the
principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the
embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will
be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood
that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the
described embodiments, and any further applications of the
principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as
would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the
invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in
great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the
relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the
present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
[0031] The present disclosure pertains generally to the field of
basketball goals and particularly to portable basketball goals.
Portable basketball goals are commonly used in areas where
permanent installation of a basketball goal is not desired. This
may be due to aesthetic, functional, and/or contractual
implications. For example, those living in apartments or renting
homes may not wish, or be permitted to, install a permanent
basketball goal on the landlord's property. Therefore a portable
basketball goal is desirable as it can be relocated on and/or
removed from the property during periods when a basketball goal is
not desired.
[0032] Many portable basketball goals include a backboard assembly
supported by a support member (e.g., a post) that extends upward
from a base assembly. In many instances, the base assembly is
fillable with a ballast material such as water or sand to
counterbalance the weight of the backboard assembly and help
prevent the goal from tipping when in a playing configuration.
However, the basketball goal is often more difficult to move before
and/or after play when the base assembly is filled with ballast
material. Therefore, new arrangements of portable basketball goals
are desired.
[0033] In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides portable
basketball goal assemblies that are resistant to tipping during
play and/or windy conditions but that can be moved to another
location on a playing surface without having to remove or empty
ballast material (e.g., water or sand) from the base assembly. For
instance, certain disclosed embodiments provide a basketball goal
system having a center of gravity positioned slightly forward of a
rearward mounted rolling member so that when the goal is tilted
rearward, the center of gravity for the system is positioned
substantially over the rolling member. In this way, the user simply
balances the weight of the system on the rolling member as the
system is moved to another location.
[0034] In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides
basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a
backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base
assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the
forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward
portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an
upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base
assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a
rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of the base
assembly. The base assembly supports the support member in a
generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a
playing configuration, and, in many instances, the rolling member
defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with
and retain a ballast material.
[0035] The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems
comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim
extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a
forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having
a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a
rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a
lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper
end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a rolling member mounted
to the rearward portion of the base assembly; wherein the base
assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical
orientation and is positioned rearward of the backboard when the
support member is in a playing configuration; and wherein the lower
end of the support member is coupled to the rearward portion of the
base assembly.
[0036] Similarly, it is contemplated to have basketball goal
systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a
rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a
forward half and a rearward half, the forward half having a
forward-facing side and the rearward half having a rearward-facing
side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the
lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to
the backboard assembly; a rolling member mounted to the rearward
half of the base assembly; and a kickstand coupled to the base
assembly and extending away from the rearward-facing side; wherein
the base assembly supports the support member in a generally
vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing
configuration; and wherein the rolling member defines an interior
volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast
material; wherein the lower end of the support member is coupled to
the rearward half of the base assembly.
[0037] In some arrangements, the lower end of the support member is
coupled to the rearward portion of the base assembly. Additionally
or alternatively, the base assembly can comprises a hollow member
and a frame member, the hollow member mounted to the frame member;
wherein the support member is coupled to the frame member; wherein
the rolling member is coupled to the frame member; wherein the
hollow member defines an interior cavity for receiving and
retaining ballast material; and wherein the interior cavity has a
centroid that is positioned within the rearward portion of the base
assembly.
[0038] The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems
having a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line
extending through the rearward portion of the base assembly when
the hollow member and rolling member are filled with ballast
material having a density equal to or greater than that of water
and when resting on a horizontal playing surface. The rolling
member can comprise a hollow cylindrical member or a pair of hollow
wheels, just to name a few non-limiting examples.
[0039] The disclosed arrangements can include a kickstand coupled
to the base assembly and extending rearward from the
rearward-facing side. The base assembly is tiltable around the
rolling member and the kickstand is arranged to limit the angle
through which the base assembly can tilt.
[0040] The basketball goal systems disclosed herein can also
include a brace member extending from the forward portion of the
base assembly to the support member and/or a removable ballast
member selectively attachable to the rearward portion of the base
assembly.
[0041] In some instances, the base assembly is angled with respect
to the playing surface. For example, a lower surface and/or upper
surface of the base assembly may slant towards the playing surface,
with the rearward portion being positioned higher than a forward
portion. In some arrangements, the lower surface extends rearwardly
and upwardly from a forward portion resting upon the ground to a
rearward portion positioned above the rolling member.
[0042] FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a portable basketball goal assembly 100
in a playing configuration. The portable basketball goal assembly
100 comprises a backboard assembly 102, a support member 104 and a
base assembly 106. Backboard assembly 102 comprises a backboard 110
having a forward-facing surface 112 and a rim 114 extending from
forward-facing surface 112.
[0043] Support member 104 extends between backboard assembly 102
and base assembly 106 and has an upper end 120 coupled to backboard
assembly 102, such as through upper and lower pairs of
cross-members 122 and 124, and a lower end 126 coupled to the base
assembly 106. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art,
a height adjustment mechanism 128 may be used to raise or lower the
backboard assembly 102 to a desired height while the basketball
goal assembly 100 is in the playing configuration. Support member
104, therefore, may support backboard assembly 102 at a variety of
heights above a playing surface, such as a basketball court, when
in the playing configuration.
[0044] Base assembly 106 is positioned below and rearward of
forward-facing surface 112 of backboard 110 when the basketball
goal assembly 100 is in the playing configuration. Base assembly
106 has a forward portion 130 having a forward-facing side 132 and
a rearward portion 136 having a rearward-facing side 138, the
forward portion 130 is positioned forward of a midpoint of base
assembly 106 and rearward portion 136 is positioned rearward of a
midpoint of base assembly 106.
[0045] Lower end 126 of support member 104 can be coupled to base
assembly 106 at rearward portion 136, with support member 104
extending in a generally vertical and forward direction towards
backboard assembly 102. In some instances, one or more brace
members 140 are coupled to support member 104 at a location
intermediate upper end 120 and lower end 126. For example, brace
member 140 can extend rearward and upward from forward portion 130
of base assembly 106 to the support member 104.
[0046] At least one rolling member 150 is mounted to rearward
portion 136 of base assembly 106. Rolling member is rollable on the
playing surface and rotates about an axis of rotation 152 so as to
aid movement of base assembly 106 from a first position to a second
position on the playing surface. Rolling member 150 can comprise a
cylindrical member, a sphere, a wheel, or pair of wheels, just to
name a few non-limiting examples.
[0047] In several embodiments, rolling member 150 defines an
interior cavity arranged to receive and retain a ballast material.
The interior cavity of rolling member 150 can be arranged to
receive a flowable ballast material having a density greater than
that of air, such as a liquid (e.g., water) or a pourable
particulate solid (e.g., sand or pea gravel). The interior cavity
of rolling member 150 may be accessible from the outside of rolling
member 150 through a fill opening 156 that can be selectively
opened and closed with a cap 158 or valve. Fill opening 156 may be
used to selectively fill or remove ballast material from the
interior cavity. For example, rolling member 150 can comprise a
hollow cylindrical member or one or more hollow wheels 154 that can
be selectively filled and selectively sealed with ballast
material.
[0048] Moving now to FIGS. 4-9, base assembly 106 comprises a
hollow member 160 having an interior surface 162 that defines an
interior cavity 164 arranged for receiving and retaining a ballast
material. Interior cavity 164 is accessible from the outside of
base assembly 106, for example, through a fill opening 166 that can
be selectively opened and closed with a cap 168. Interior cavity
164 extends through rearward portion 136 of base assembly 106 and
can extend at least partially into and/or through forward portion
130.
[0049] In several instances, interior cavity 164 has a
cross-sectional area in rearward portion 136 that is greater than a
cross-sectional area in forward portion 130. For example, a
cross-section taken along a vertical plane parallel to axis of
rotation 152 in the rearward portion 136 would have a greater area
than a parallel cross-section in the forward portion 130.
Additionally or alternatively, interior cavity 164 can be arranged
so that it has a volumetric center (i.e., centroid measured in
three-dimensional space) that lies in rearward portion 136 of base
assembly 106. For example, the interior cavity 164 may be arranged
so that it has a volumetric center positioned along or rearward of
an imaginary plane extending vertically through and coincident with
axis of rotation 152.
[0050] In many instances, when the interior cavity of rolling
member 150 and/or interior cavity 164 is filled with a ballast
material such as water, the center of gravity of the basketball
goal assembly 100 is positioned closer to the rearward portion of
the base assembly than when the interior cavity is empty of ballast
material. Advantageously, a user of the basketball goal assembly
100 may selectively move the center of gravity of the assembly
rearward by filling portions of the rolling member 150 and/or base
assembly 106 with ballast material. For example, the center of
gravity for the basketball goal assembly 100 can lie along a
vertical line extending through rearward portion 136 of base
assembly 106 when the basketball goal assembly 100 is in the
playing configuration and when the interior cavity of rolling
member 150 and/or interior cavity 164 are/is full of water.
[0051] In some arrangements, a user of the basketball goal assembly
100 may also move the center of gravity of the system by tilting
the base assembly. In instances in which the base assembly is
partially filled with a flowable ballast material, tilting the base
assembly may cause the ballast material within the base assembly to
be redistributed to different portions of the base assembly. For
example, tilting the base assembly 106 so as to lift the forward
portion 130 of base assembly 106 from the ground may cause ballast
material to flow toward the rolling member 150, thereby moving the
center of gravity of the system to above the rolling member and
making the basketball goal assembly easier to move. As will be
appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the ballast
material may be water or any flowable material having a density
that is the same or greater than that of water.
[0052] Hollow member 160 can define a support member opening 170
for receiving support member 104 and brace member openings 172 for
receiving brace members 140. Hollow member 160 can also define one
or more handles 174 suitable for gripping and lifting forward
portion 130 from a playing surface (i.e., tilt base assembly around
axis of rotation 152) so as to move base assembly 106 from a first
position to a second position on the playing surface using rolling
member 150. Handles 174 may be located at the front corners of the
base assembly, and, in some instances, are extendable and/or
articulable so as to provide additional leverage for lifting the
front portion of the base assembly. As shown in the provided
drawings, handles 174 can be integrally-molded into hollow member
160 and defined by one or more grooves that extend inward from a
side surface and/or the forward-facing side of the base assembly
and provide room for a user's fingers.
[0053] In several embodiments, hollow member 160 is mounted to a
frame member 180. Support member 104, brace member 140 and/or
rolling member 150 can be coupled to frame member 180 as well to
provide support for those members. Frame member 180 is preferably
constructed of a rigid material. For example, frame member 180 can
be constructed from a metal such as steel.
[0054] Optionally, a kickstand 190 is coupled to base assembly 106,
such as frame member 180, and extends in a rearward direction from
rearward-facing side 138 of base assembly 106. Kickstand 190 can be
arranged to limit the angle 194 that base assembly 106 may tilt
around rolling member 150. For example, kickstand 190 may be
arranged to limit tilting base assembly 106 to 60.degree. or less.
In many instances, kickstand 190 is arranged to limit tilting to or
between 10.degree. and 50.degree.. More particularly, some
embodiments limit tilting to about 30.degree..
[0055] Kickstand 190 additionally may be used to shift the center
of gravity of basketball goal assembly 100 to a position nearer to
and/or vertically above axis of rotation 152. For example, a user
of basketball goal assembly 100 may step downwards on kickstand 190
to tilt the goal assembly so as to lift forward portion 130 from
the playing surface. In this way, support member 104 and backboard
assembly 102 also rotate around axis of rotation 152, moving in a
rearward direction, without the user having to lift from forward
portion 130 with one's hands. Should the user desire, additional
rotational force could be exerted to basketball goal assembly 100
by grasping and pulling support member 104 in a rearward
direction.
[0056] Advantageously, lifting forward portion 130, such as by
stepping downward on kickstand 190 or lifting from handles 174, can
shift the ballast material of base assembly 106 towards axis of
rotation 152 so as to move the center of gravity closer to axis of
rotation 152.
[0057] Optionally, portable basketball goal assembly 100 may
include a removable ballast. Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a
removable ballast 200 can be selectively attachable to and/or
removable from rearward portion 136 of base assembly 106. Removable
ballast 200 may comprise a hollow fillable member such as hollow
member 160 that can be selectively filled with ballast material.
For example, similar to rolling member 150 and hollow member 160,
removable ballast 200 may define an interior cavity arranged to
receive and retain a flowable ballast material, such as water
and/or sand. Alternatively, removable ballast 200 may comprise a
sealed or solid member, such as a lead weight within a plastic
shell.
[0058] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate an exemplary method for moving
the illustrated basketball goal assembly. As discussed above, a
user may step on the kickstand and pull the support member 104 in a
rearward direction to lift the forward portion of the base assembly
and position the center of gravity of the basketball goal assembly
closer to and/or along a line extending vertically through the axis
of rotation of the rolling member. Alternatively, the user may
grasp and lift the forward portion of the base assembly as shown in
FIG. 12c, such as from handles 174. The user may then move the
basketball goal assembly from one location to another location
using the rolling member. Advantageously, the kickstand limits the
angle through which the basketball goal assembly can tilt in a
rearward direction so as to prevent the basketball goal assembly
from tipping-over in a rearward direction.
[0059] FIG. 13 illustrates basketball goal assembly 100 in a
resting position on a horizontal playing surface 1000. When base
assembly 106 is substantially filled with a ballast material having
a density equal to or greater than that of water, basketball goal
assembly 100 has a center of mass 500. When in the resting
position, an imaginary vertical line 506 extending through center
of mass 500 is positioned forward of axis of rotation 152.
[0060] When basketball goal assembly 100 is tilted rearwards, as
shown in FIG. 14, center of mass 500 is positioned above or
slightly behind rolling member 150. For instance, an imaginary
vertical line 510 extending through center of mass 500 can extend
through axis of rotation 152. Alternatively, vertical line 510
extending through center of mass 500 can lie slightly forward or
rearward of axis of rotation 152, but preferably closer to axis of
rotation 152 than when in the resting position illustrated in FIG.
13 or the forward-tilted position illustrated in FIG. 15.
[0061] FIG. 15 illustrates basketball goal assembly 100 tilted
forwards approximately 45.degree.. In this position, an imaginary
vertical line 514 extending through center of mass 500 lies
substantially along forward-facing side 132 of base assembly
106.
[0062] While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated
and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description,
the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in
character, it being understood that all changes, equivalents, and
modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined
by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications,
patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are
herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication,
patent, or patent application were specifically and individually
indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its
entirety herein.
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