U.S. patent application number 17/003582 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-03 for column configuration for sporting equipment.
This patent application is currently assigned to P&P IMPORTS LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is P&P IMPORTS LLC. Invention is credited to Peter Engler, Willia Santamaria, Peter Tanoury.
Application Number | 20220062734 17/003582 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005060328 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220062734 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Engler; Peter ; et
al. |
March 3, 2022 |
COLUMN CONFIGURATION FOR SPORTING EQUIPMENT
Abstract
A portable sporting equipment assembly including a column
removably attachable to a base. The column can include a tapered
foundation and can be inserted through a bottom of the base. The
base includes an opening with a taper that is complimentary to the
tapered foundation of the column. One or more horizontal notches
can secure the tapered foundation of the column into the base when
engaged with one or more horizontal recessions of the opening of
the base. The tapered foundation can reduce strain at an interface
between the column and the base.
Inventors: |
Engler; Peter; (Newport
Beach, CA) ; Tanoury; Peter; (Newport Beach, CA)
; Santamaria; Willia; (Diamond Bar, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
P&P IMPORTS LLC |
Irvine |
CA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
P&P IMPORTS LLC
Irvine
CA
|
Family ID: |
1000005060328 |
Appl. No.: |
17/003582 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/023 20130101;
A63B 2243/0037 20130101; A63B 2243/0095 20130101; A63B 61/02
20130101; A63B 63/083 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/02 20060101
A63B071/02; A63B 61/02 20060101 A63B061/02; A63B 63/08 20060101
A63B063/08 |
Claims
1. A portable sporting equipment assembly, comprising: a column
insertable through a base of the portable sporting equipment
assembly, the column including a tapered foundation such that a
diameter increases toward a bottom of the column; and a base
configured to receive the column in an opening, the opening having
a taper that is substantially complimentary to the tapered
foundation of the column.
2. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 1, wherein the
column is configured for insertion through a bottom of the
base.
3. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 1, wherein the
column is removably attachable to the base via one or more notches
engaging with one or more recessions.
4. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 1, further
comprising: one or more horizontal notches on the column configured
to attach to a horizontal recession in an upper portion of the
opening in the base.
5. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 1, wherein the
one or more horizontal notches secure the tapered foundation of the
column into the base when engaged with the horizontal recession in
the upper portion of the opening.
6. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 1, further
comprising: a backboard attachable to an upper portion of the
column; or a volleyball net attachable to the column.
7. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 1, wherein the
column includes a plate configured for insertion into a
backboard.
8. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 7, wherein the
plate is removably attachable to a slot of the backboard.
9. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 7, wherein the
plate includes a raised edge configured to wedge the plate into a
slot of the backboard.
10. A portable sporting equipment assembly, comprising: a column
insertable through a base of the portable sporting equipment
assembly, the column including a vertical plate configured for
insertion into a backboard; and a base configured to receive the
column in an opening, the opening having a taper that is
complimentary to the tapered foundation of the column.
11. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 10, wherein
the column includes a tapered foundation such that a diameter
increases toward a bottom of the column.
12. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 10, wherein
the column is configured for insertion through a bottom of the
base.
13. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 10, wherein
the column is removably attachable to the base via one or more
notches engaging with one or more recessions.
14. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 10, wherein
the backboard includes a slot configured to receive the vertical
plate.
15. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 14, wherein
the vertical plate includes a raised edge configured to wedge into
the slot.
16. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 10, wherein
the vertical plate is removably attachable to the backboard via a
raised edge configured to wedge the vertical plate into a slot of
the backboard.
17. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 10, wherein
the vertical plate further includes depressions arranged in a
checker-board pattern.
18. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 17, wherein
the plate is attachable to the column via a bolt insertable through
any of the depressions such that the bolt is flush with or below a
surface of the vertical plate.
19. A portable sporting equipment assembly, comprising: at least
two columns insertable through respective bases of the portable
sporting equipment assembly, the columns including a tapered
foundation such that a diameter increases toward a bottom of the
column, the columns being configured to support a net; the bases
being configured to receive any of the at least two columns in an
opening, the opening having a taper that is substantially
complimentary to the tapered foundation of the column.
20. The portable sporting equipment assembly of claim 19, further
comprising: a net configured to attach to and extend between the at
least two columns, wherein the tapered foundation is configured to
counterbalance a tension force extending along the net.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to portable
sporting equipment assemblies, and more particularly to a tapered
column insertable into a base for portable sporting equipment.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Conventional portable sporting equipment (e.g., portable
basketball hoops and volleyball nets) include a column to hold up
equipment, such as a backboard or volleyball net. The column is
typically a cylindrical pole anchored into the base and may include
additional braces fastening the column to the base. The base
extends a significant distance in a horizontal direction to reduce
a likelihood of tipping over. A large base makes the sporting
equipment more difficult to transport and store, rendering the
equipment less portable.
[0003] When sporting equipment is operated by a user, forces may be
applied to an upper portion of the cylindrical pole which may
create significant strain on the cylindrical pole at an anchoring
point with the base. For example, if a user dunks a basketball into
a basketball hoop, a force may be applied that pulls the upper
portion of the cylindrical pole in a forward direction. Forward
movement of the pole creates a strain at the base of the
cylindrical pole where the pole is anchored to the base. The
strain, if severe or frequent enough, can result in fracture and
failure of the cylindrical pole or the base.
SUMMARY
[0004] In an embodiment, a portable sporting equipment assembly can
include a column insertable through a base of the portable sporting
equipment assembly. The column includes a tapered foundation such
that a diameter increases toward a bottom of the column. The base
is configured to receive the column in an opening. The opening has
a taper that is substantially complimentary to the tapered
foundation of the column. The column can be configured for
insertion through a bottom of the base. The column can be removably
attachable to the base via, for example, friction and/or one or
more notches engaging with one or more recessions. One or more
horizontal notches on the column can be configured to attach to a
horizontal recession in the opening in the base (e.g., on an upper
and/or lower portion of the base). The horizontal notches can lock
the tapered foundation of the column into the base when engaged
with the horizontal recession in the upper portion of the opening.
The column can include a plate configured for insertion into a
backboard. The plate can be removably attachable to a slot of the
backboard. The plate can include a raised edge configured to wedge
the plate into a slot of the backboard.
[0005] In another embodiment, a portable sporting equipment
assembly includes a column insertable through a base. The column
includes a vertical plate configured for insertion into a
backboard. The base can be configured to receive the column in an
opening. The opening can have a taper that is complimentary to the
tapered foundation of the column. The column can include a tapered
foundation such that a diameter increases toward a bottom of the
column. The column can be configured for insertion through a bottom
of the base. The column can be removably attachable to the base via
one or more notches engaging with one or more recessions. The
backboard can include a slot configured to receive the vertical
plate. The vertical plate can include a raised edge configured to
wedge into the slot. The vertical plate can be removably attachable
to the backboard via a raised edge configured to wedge the vertical
plate into a slot of the backboard. The vertical plate can also
include depressions arranged in a checker-board pattern. The
vertical plate can be attachable to the column via a bolt
insertable through any of the depressions such that the bolt is
flush with or below a surface of the vertical plate.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The present disclosure is more readily apparent from the
specific description accompanied by the following drawings, in
which:
[0007] FIGS. 1A-1G are illustrations of a column with a tapered
foundation, according to an embodiment;
[0008] FIGS. 2A-2G are illustrations of a base with a tapered
opening, according to an embodiment;
[0009] FIGS. 3A-3B are illustrations of the column inserted into
the base, according to an embodiment;
[0010] FIGS. 4A-4C are illustrations of a backboard assembly
including the column inserted into the base, according to an
embodiment;
[0011] FIGS. 5A-5B are illustrations of a column with a tapered
foundation, according to an embodiment;
[0012] FIGS. 6A-6B are illustrations of a base with a tapered
opening, according to an embodiment;
[0013] FIGS. 7A-7B are illustrations of the column inserted into
the base, according to an embodiment; and
[0014] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a volleyball net assembly
including the column inserted into the base, according to an
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
depending on the particular application at hand, many
modifications, substitutions and variations can be made in, and to,
the materials, apparatus, configurations, and methods of use of the
devices of the present disclosure, and the innovations herein are
not limited to any of the particular embodiments that are
illustrated and described herein. The description below is merely
an explanation by way of some examples thereof that should be fully
commensurate with that of the claims appended hereafter and their
functional equivalents, and merely serves to inform one of ordinary
skill in the art how to make and use the innovations disclosed
herein.
[0016] Conventional columns for sporting equipment may include a
column that is typically a cylindrical pole anchored into the base.
The cylindrical pole may have a uniform diameter from the top to
the bottom of the cylindrical pole.
[0017] A force may be applied to an upper portion of the
cylindrical pole resulting in significant strain on the cylindrical
pole at an anchoring point with the base. The upper portion of the
cylindrical pole may be pulled in a forward direction creating a
strain at the base of the cylindrical pole where the pole is
anchored to the base. The strain, if severe or frequent enough, can
result in fracture and failure of the cylindrical pole or the base.
Thus, reduction of strain at the point where a column meets a base
in portable sporting equipment is highly desirable.
[0018] Disclosed herein are various embodiments for reducing strain
between a column and a base in portable sporting equipment. In an
embodiment, a column can include a tapered foundation that reduces
strain between the column and the column. A column with a wider
diameter at a bottom that is configured for contact with the ground
can exert some force onto the ground and reduce a force acting
between the column and the base. Thus, the tapered foundation
serves to transfer some force to the ground to reduce strain
between column and base. Reduction in strain between the column and
base reduces the likelihood of fracture at an anchoring point and
increases the lifespan of portable sporting equipment.
[0019] FIGS. 1A-1G illustrate a column 100 with a tapered
foundation 102. The column 100 can be insertable into a base. The
base can have an opening configured to receive the column 100.
Tapered foundation 102 can have a diameter (or width) that
increases in a downward direction and decreases in an upward
direction. The diameter can increase in a downward direction in one
dimension but not another dimension (e.g., diameter increases
front-to-back but not side-to-side) or can increase in a downward
direction in two dimensions (e.g., diameter increases front-to-back
and side-to-side). For example, tapered foundation 102 can include
a first front-to-back diameter D.sub.1 that increases in a downward
direction to a second front-to-back diameter D.sub.2, as shown in
FIG. 1B. In an example, tapered foundation 102 can include a first
side-to-side diameter D.sub.3 that increases in a downward
direction to a second side-to-side diameter D.sub.4, as shown in
FIG. 1B.
[0020] A dimension of the tapered diameter increase can result in
reduced stress between the column 100 and the base in that
dimension. For example, a tapered diameter increase in the
front-to-back dimension can result in reduced stress between the
front and/or back of the column and an opening of the base during
use. In another example, a tapered diameter increase in the
side-to-side dimension can result in reduced stress between the one
or both sides of the column and an opening of the base during use.
The stress reduction may result from a portion of the force being
exerted between the bottom of the column and the ground rather than
between the column and the base. In certain embodiments, a tapered
diameter increase can increase the surface area of the interface
between the column and the base, further reducing the stress
between the column and the base.
[0021] In some embodiments, a front-to-back taper can result in
substantial stress reduction. For example, if the portable sporting
equipment is a basketball hoop, dunking on the hoop can be
anticipated where a severe front force can cause intense stress
between the lower portion of the column and a base in conventional
non-tapered columns. A taper in the forward direction can redirect
force (e.g., from dunking) in a forward direction by exerting a
force on the ground predominantly at the bottom front portion of
the tapered foundation 102, resulting in reduced stress at the
column-base interface compared to conventional columns.
[0022] In some embodiments, a side-to-side taper can be included to
reduce stress in a side-to-side direction. In some embodiments,
both a front-to-back taper and a side-to-side taper can be included
to reduce stress in every horizontal direction. A front-to-back
taper can be larger than a side-to-side taper resulting in greater
stress reduction front-to-back than side-to-side.
[0023] Greater stability can be achieved with the tapered
foundation than with conventional column configurations. A diameter
at a bottom of the tapered foundation can extend perpendicularly
from an anticipated line of action of an applied force (e.g., a
force pulling the basketball-hoop downward) and counterbalance the
force. The larger understructure can independently resist a
substantial portion of an applied force without applying
significant stress onto the column/base interface.
[0024] In an embodiment, the tapered foundation 102 can extend from
approximately a notch 106 to a notch 104. Notch 104 can be located
at a bottom of the column 100. Notch 106 can be located above notch
104. For example, notch 106 can be located within the bottom
one-third of a height of the column 100.
[0025] Notches can extend outwardly from the column 100. Notches
can be shaped, for example, as a rectangular prism, a partial
cylinder (e.g., a half cylinder), or another shape. Notches can
extend in a horizontal direction. "Horizontal direction" within the
context of a notch means that a greater length of the notch is
oriented substantially perpendicular to an angle of insertion into
an opening of a base.
[0026] Various numbers of notches are contemplated. One or more
notches can be positioned on a front, back, left side, right side,
or any combination thereof. For example, notch 106 can be position
on a left side of the column and an analogous notch can be
positioned at substantially the same height on the right side of
the column. In an example, notch 104 can be positioned at the
bottom left side of the column and analogous notches can be
positioned on the bottom right, bottom front, and bottom back of
the column. The notches can be configured for insertion into
complimentary recessions in the opening of base, as discussed
further below with reference to FIGS. 2A-2G.
[0027] In an embodiment, notches can secure the column within an
opening of the base. In another embodiment, the column can be
secured within the opening with friction alone. For example, the
column can be configured to fit tightly within the opening such
that friction forces secure the column within the opening without a
notch.
[0028] Additionally or alternatively, the column 100 can include
one or more recessions. For example, column 100 can include a
recession at an upper portion of the tapered foundation 102 and the
base can include a notch complimentary to the recession. The column
100 can include both notch(es) and recession(s) configured to
secure the column 100 to a base via complimentary recession(s) and
notch(es), respectively, within an opening of the base.
[0029] FIGS. 2A-2G illustrate a base 200 with a tapered opening
202. The opening 202 can have an upper front-to-back diameter
D.sub.6 extending downward to lower front-to-back diameter D.sub.8.
The lower front-to-back diameter D.sub.8 can be larger than the
upper front-to-back diameter D.sub.6. The opening 202 can have an
upper side-to-side diameter D.sub.7 extending downward to a lower
side-to-side diameter D.sub.9. The lower side-to side diameter
D.sub.9 can be larger than the upper side-to-side diameter
D.sub.7.
[0030] The taper of the opening 202 can substantially compliment a
taper of the tapered foundation 102 of the column 100. For example,
the taper of opening 202 can have approximately the same increase
in diameter from top to bottom as the insertable portion (e.g.,
tapered foundation 102) of the column 100. A person of skill in the
art will recognize that tolerances vary among parts and manufacture
methods, and the opening 202 can conform to the tapered foundation
of the column 100 within a reasonable tolerance. The opening 202
can have a slightly larger diameter than the insertable portion of
the column 100. For example, the diameter D.sub.6 of the opening
202 can be slightly larger than the front-to-back diameter D.sub.1
of the column. The diameter D.sub.7 of the opening 202 can be
slightly larger than the side-to-side diameter D.sub.3 of the
column. The diameter D.sub.8 of the opening 202 can be slightly
larger than the front-to-back diameter D.sub.2 of the column. The
diameter D.sub.9 of the opening 202 can be slightly larger than the
side-to-side diameter D.sub.4 of the column.
[0031] The opening 202 can include recessions 204, 206 configured
to receive notches of the column. For example, recession 204 can be
configured to receive a notch on a bottom of the column (e.g.,
notch 104). Recession 206 can be configured to receive a notch at a
top of the lower tapered foundation 102 (e.g., notch 106).
Recessions can be configured to receive notches by being positioned
in a complimentary location and having a complimentary shape to a
notch. Column 100 can be secured into position within the opening
202 when one or more notches enters one or more complimentary
recessions.
[0032] Recessions can be a void extending inwardly into the base
200. Recessions can be shaped, for example, as a rectangular prism,
a partial cylinder (e.g., a half cylinder), or another shape.
Recessions can extend in a horizontal direction. "Horizontal
direction" within the context of a recession means that a greater
length of the recession is oriented substantially perpendicular to
an angle of entry by a column.
[0033] Additionally or alternatively, the base 200 can include one
or more notches. For example, base 200 can include a notch at an
upper portion of the opening and the column 100 can include a
recession complimentary to the notch. The base 200 can include both
recession(s) and notch(es) configured to secure the column 100 to
the base 200 via complimentary notch(es) and recession(s),
respectively, on the tapered foundation 102 of the column.
[0034] FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an example of the column 100 inserted
into the base 200. FIG. 3A illustrates a plate 312 with a raised
edge 314. Plate 312 can be oriented in a vertical direction. Plate
312 can be configured for insertion into a backboard of a
basketball assembly.
[0035] The plate 312 can be a part of or attached to the column
100. Plate 312 can be a part of the column 100 by being produced as
a single unit (e.g., blow molded or injection molded as one unit).
The plate 312 can be attached to column 100 by, for example, one or
more bolts, an adhesive, friction (e.g., slot and protrusion) or a
combination thereof. A depression (not shown) can be included in
plate 312 so that the one or more bolts can be flush or below a
surface of the plate 312. In an example, depressions arranged in a
checker-board pattern can be included on an outer surface of the
plate 312. The checker-board patterned depressions can allow bolts
to be flush or below the surface of plate 312 and also provide
additional structural integrity for the plate 312.
[0036] The plate 312 is insertable into a backboard, as shown in
FIGS. 4A-4C. The raised edge 314 can act as a wedge to tighten the
plate into an insertable slot of the backboard. Thus, the plate 312
can be attached to the backboard and also easily removable by
dislodging the wedged edge 314 of the plate 312.
[0037] FIG. 3B is a transparent view illustrating the tapered
foundation 102 of the column 100 within the opening 202 of the base
200. Column 100 is locked into position because notch 106 is
engaged with recession 206 and notch 104 is engaged with recession
204. Notches can be engaged with recessions by sliding the column
up through the opening 202 until the notches meet with
complimentary recessions and occupy a space of the recessions.
Notches and recessions can have a complimentary shape, such as, for
example, a rectangular prism. For example, a notch can extend
outwardly from the column 100 with a rectangular prism shape and a
complimentary recession can extend inwardly into the base with a
rectangular prism shape.
[0038] FIGS. 4A-4C illustrate a backboard assembly 400. The
backboard assembly can include a backboard 402, basketball hoop
404, hoop attachment 406, net (not shown), slot 412, or any
combination thereof.
[0039] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4C, plate 312 is removably
attachable to slot 412 of the backboard 400. "Removably attachable"
is defined as configured to (1) secure into place during normal
use, and (2) be separated by application of a force by a typical
user. Units are not attachable if they are not configured to stay
together during normal use (e.g., during game play). Thus, although
units laying on top of one another may have a friction force
between them, they are not "attached" if one unit easily falls off
of the other during normal use (e.g., during game play). Units that
are attached, for example, by adhesion or bolting are not
"removably attachable" because a typical user cannot separate units
by applying a force (e.g., a typical user cannot rip apart units
that are bolted together). Thus, "removably attached" requires that
the units actually be attached (not merely in contact) and that the
units are detachable by application of a force by a typical
user.
[0040] Plate 312 includes a wedged edge 314, as shown in FIG. 3A,
that wedges into a lower portion of a slot of the slot 412. By
wedging into the slot of the slot 412, a greater normal force is
achieved at the lower portion of the slot of the slot 412 than in
other portions of an interface between the plate 312 and the slot
412. The greater normal force at the wedged edge 314 provides
greater friction between the plate 312 and the slot of the slot
412. Greater friction between the wedged edge 314 of the plate and
the slot 412 helps to keep the plate 312 inserted within the slot
412 during normal use of the basketball hoop assembly. This
configuration is "removably attachable" because (1) the plate 312
locks into place into place within the slot 412, and (2) the plate
312 and the slot 412 can be separated by application of a force by
a typical user that overcomes the friction force between the plate
312 and the slot 412.
[0041] FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a column 500 with a tapered
foundation. The column 500 can be insertable into a base. The base
can have an opening configured to receive the column 500. The
tapered foundation can have a diameter (or width) that increases in
a downward direction and decreases in an upward direction. The
diameter can increase in a downward direction in one dimension but
not another dimension (e.g., diameter increases front-to-back but
not side-to-side) or can increase in a downward direction in two
dimensions (e.g., diameter increases front-to-back and
side-to-side). For example, the tapered foundation can include a
first front-to-back diameter D.sub.51 that increases in a downward
direction to a second front-to-back diameter D.sub.52, as shown in
FIG. 5A. In an example, the tapered foundation can include a first
side-to-side diameter D.sub.53 that increases in a downward
direction to a second side-to-side diameter D.sub.54, as shown in
FIG. 5A.
[0042] A tapered diameter in one dimension can result in reduced
stress between the column 500 and the base in that dimension. For
example, a tapered diameter increase in the front-to-back dimension
can result in reduced stress between the front and/or back of the
column and an opening of the base during use. In another example, a
tapered diameter increase in the side-to-side dimension can result
in reduced stress between the one or both sides of the column and
an opening of the base during use. The stress reduction may result
from a portion of the force being exerted between the bottom of the
column and the ground rather than between the column and the
base.
[0043] In some embodiments, a front-to-back taper can result in
substantial stress reduction. For example, if the portable sporting
equipment is a volleyball net, hanging or pulling on the net can be
anticipated where a severe front force can cause intense stress
between the lower portion of the column and a base in conventional
non-tapered columns. A taper in the forward direction can redirect
force (e.g., from hanging on the net) in a forward direction by
exerting a force on the ground predominantly at the bottom front
portion of the tapered foundation 502, resulting in reduced stress
at the column-base interface compared to conventional columns.
[0044] In some embodiments, a side-to-side taper can be included to
reduce stress in a side-to-side direction. In some embodiments,
both a front-to-back taper and a side-to-side taper can be included
to reduce stress in every horizontal direction. A front-to-back
taper can be larger than a side-to-side taper resulting in greater
stress reduction front-to-back than side-to-side.
[0045] In an embodiment, the tapered foundation can extend from
approximately a notch 506 to a notch 504. Notch 504 can be located
at a bottom of the column 500. Notch 506 can be located above notch
504. For example, notch 506 can be located within the bottom
one-third or one-quarter of a height of the column 500.
[0046] Various numbers of notches are contemplated on the column
and/or the opening of the base including, for example, no notches,
one notch, more than one notch, more than two notches, more than
three notches, more than four notches, etc. One or more notches can
be positioned on a front, back, left side, right side, or any
combination thereof. For example, notch 506 can be position on a
left side of the column and an analogous notch can be positioned at
substantially the same height on the right side of the column. In
an example, notch 504 can be positioned at the bottom left side of
the column and analogous notches can be positioned on the bottom
right, bottom front, and bottom back of the column. The notches can
be configured to engage with (e.g., for insertion into)
complimentary recessions in the opening of base, as discussed
further below with reference to FIGS. 6A-6B. Alternatively or
additionally, the column 500 can include recessions configured to
engage with complimentary notches within an opening of the
base.
[0047] FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a base 600 with a tapered opening
602. The opening 602 can have an upper front-to-back diameter that
is smaller than a lower front-to-back diameter, an upper
side-to-side diameter that is smaller than a lower side-to-side
diameter, or a combination thereof.
[0048] The taper of the opening 602 can be substantially
complimentary to (e.g., mostly conform with) a taper of the tapered
foundation of the column 500. For example, the taper of opening 602
can have approximately the same increase in diameter from top to
bottom as the insertable portion of the column 500. A person of
skill in the art will recognize that tolerances vary among parts
and manufacture methods, and the opening 602 can conform to the
tapered foundation of the column 500 within a reasonable tolerance.
The opening 602 can have a slightly larger diameter than the
insertable portion of the column 500. For example, the upper
front-to-back diameter of the opening 602 can be slightly larger
than the upper front-to-back diameter of the tapered foundation of
the column. The upper side-to-side diameter of the opening 602 can
be slightly larger than the upper side-to-side diameter of the
tapered foundation of the column. The lower front-to-back diameter
of the opening 602 can be slightly larger than the lower
front-to-back diameter of the tapered foundation of the column. The
lower side-to-side diameter of the opening 602 can be slightly
larger than the lower side-to-side diameter of the tapered
foundation of the column.
[0049] The opening 602 can include recessions 604, 606 configured
to receive notches of the column. For example, recession 604 can be
configured to receive a notch on a bottom of the column (e.g.,
notch 504). Recession 606 can be configured to receive a notch at a
top of the lower tapered foundation (e.g., notch 506). Recessions
can be configured to receive notches by being positioned in a
complimentary location and having a complimentary shape to a notch.
Column 500 can be locked into position within the opening 602 when
one or more notches enters one or more complimentary
recessions.
[0050] FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate the column 500 inserted into the base
600. FIG. 7B is a transparent view illustrating the tapered
foundation of the column 500 within the opening 602 of the base
600. Column 500 is locked into position because notch 506 is
engaged with recession 606 and notch 504 is engaged with recession
604. Notches can be engaged with recessions by sliding the column
up through the opening 602 until the notches meet with
complimentary recessions and occupy a space of the recessions.
Notches and recessions can have a complimentary shape, such as, for
example, a rectangular prism. For example, a notch can extend
outwardly from the column 500 with a rectangular prism shape, and a
complimentary recession can extend inwardly into the base with a
rectangular prism shape.
[0051] FIG. 8 illustrates a volleyball net assembly 800 including
two columns 500A, 500B inserted into two bases 600A, 600B,
respectively. A net is disposed between the columns 500A, 500B. The
net may apply a tension force onto the columns 500A, 500B in a
forward (inward as illustrated) direction. The tapered foundation
is configured to counterbalance a tension force extending along the
net. Because of the tapered foundation of the columns 500A, 500B, a
portion of the forward force is applied to the ground rather than
the interface between the columns 500A, 500B and the bases 600A,
600B. By redirecting a portion of the force to the ground and away
from column-base interface, the volleyball net assembly 800 may be
more stable and resilient.
[0052] In certain aspects, the reference to the singular form of a
word may also refer to the plural, and a reference to the plural
form of a word may refer to the singular thereof. While some of the
advantages of the multiple attachment point clay target hanger
disclosed herein are provided, the advantages are not limited to
those described herein, as one of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate more advantages and embodiments than those explicated
listed or described herein.
* * * * *