U.S. patent application number 17/689013 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-15 for equipment for playing basketball.
The applicant listed for this patent is DECATHLON. Invention is credited to Clement DAUCHY, Uisant LE CUNFF, Jerome LEGACHE.
Application Number | 20220288475 17/689013 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006365649 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220288475 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LE CUNFF; Uisant ; et
al. |
September 15, 2022 |
EQUIPMENT FOR PLAYING BASKETBALL
Abstract
The invention relates to a piece of equipment for playing
basketball, having a base equipped with two lateral structures
forming a storage housing therebetween, and a post having a lower
post section which can be stowed in a storage configuration in the
housing. The post has an upper post section slidably mounted on the
lower post section using an actuation system with a case fastened
on a rear wall of the lower post section and an actuator mechanism
for moving the upper post section which is housed in the case. The
actuator mechanism has a handling socket which projects from the
case. The housing is configured to receive the lower post section
in the stowed configuration while preventing access to the
socket.
Inventors: |
LE CUNFF; Uisant;
(Villeneuve d'Ascq, FR) ; DAUCHY; Clement;
(Villeneuve d'Ascq, FR) ; LEGACHE; Jerome;
(Villeneuve d'Ascq, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
DECATHLON |
Villeneuve d'Ascq |
|
FR |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000006365649 |
Appl. No.: |
17/689013 |
Filed: |
March 8, 2022 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2071/026 20130101;
A63B 71/023 20130101; A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 2071/025
20130101; A63B 63/083 20130101; A63B 2225/093 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/08 20060101
A63B063/08; A63B 71/02 20060101 A63B071/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 9, 2021 |
FR |
2102296 |
Claims
1. Equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base with two
lateral structures defining a housing therebetween a post having an
upper post section carrying a board on which a basketball hoop is
mounted, the post also having a lower post section which is
rotatably mounted on the base and adjustable between a stowed
storage configuration in which at least the lower post section is
disposed in the housing and an upright use configuration, the upper
post section being slidably mounted on the lower post section, an
actuating system configured to move the upper post section between
a retracted storage position and at least one projecting position
corresponding to a height of use, the actuation system comprising a
first case fastened on a rear wall of the lower post section and a
first actuator mechanism for moving the upper post section which is
housed in the first case, the first actuator mechanism comprising a
handling socket which projects from the first case, and is disposed
on a rear wall of the first case and wherein the housing is
arranged to receive the lower post section in the stowed
configuration while preventing access to the handling socket.
2. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the two lateral
structures form a counterweight to the post in the upright use
configuration of the equipment.
3. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the base comprises a
frame on which the lower post section is rotatably mounted, the
lateral structures being carried by the frame while forming a
U-like shaped housing therebetween.
4. The equipment according to claim 1, it further comprising a
connecting arm with a front end hinged on the lower post section
and a rear end hinged on the base, the rear end being disposed in
the housing.
5. The equipment according to claim 4, wherein the connecting arm
has two segments which are hinged and configured to be reversibly
disposed in a deployed configuration for holding the post in an
upright use configuration and also configured to hold the post in a
folded storage configuration.
6. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the lower post
section is equipped with at least one foot which is disposed
laterally in order to stabilise the post in the upright use
configuration.
7. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the upper post
section is slidably mounted in the lower post section, the
actuation system comprising a vertical row of orifices formed on
the rear face of the upper first section and a first actuator
mechanism comprising a gear wheel which is rotatably actuated by a
worm screw, the gear wheel being configured to fit into the
vertical row of orifices for sliding of the upper post section in
the lower post section.
8. The equipment according to claim 7, wherein the gear wheel is
rotatably mounted in the case according to a frontal axis, the
screw being rotatably mounted in the case according to a sagittal
axis.
9. The equipment according to claim 7, wherein the first actuation
mechanism comprises a first gear wheel and a second gear wheel each
with a different diameter and the first and second gear wheels
being secured in rotation, the first gear wheel with a larger
diameter being fitted into the vertical row of orifices and the
second gear wheel with a smaller diameter being actuated by the
worm screw.
10. The equipment according to claim 7, wherein a crank handle is
reversibly associated on the handling socket for rotatably
manipulating the worm screw.
11. The equipment according to claim 7, wherein the worm screw is
arranged to require a manipulation of the handling socket to
actuate movement the upper post section.
12. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the upper section
comprises an upper segment carrying the board and a lower segment
slidably mounted on the lower post section, the upper segment being
slidably mounted on the lower segment, the actuation system having
a second case fastened on a rear wall of the lower segment and a
second actuator mechanism for moving the upper segment which is
housed in the second case, the second actuator mechanism comprising
a handling socket which projects from the second case, the socket
is disposed on a rear wall of the second case, the housing being
arranged to receive the lower segment in the stowed configuration
while preventing access to said socket.
13. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the board is
rotatably mounted on the upper post section between an angular use
position and an angular storage position.
14. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the board is
reversibly mounted on the upper section between a mounted use
position and a dismounted storage position, the post in the storage
configuration enabling the storage of the dismounted board on the
base.
15. The equipment according to claim 1, wherein the hoop has a
lateral extension which is rotatably mounted around an axis secured
to a support fastened on the board configured to permit the hoop be
stowed from a horizontal use position into a vertical storage
position against the board.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority of French patent
application number 2102296, filed on Mar. 9, 2021, the entire
contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The invention relates to a piece of equipment for playing
basketball, comprising a base intended to be disposed bearing on
the ground, as well as a post which has an upper section carrying a
board on which a basketball hoop is mounted.
[0003] Such equipment that could be folded in order to facilitate
the set-up and the storage thereof are known, in particular while
limiting the need for tools and/or the time required for such
operations, which actually might turn out to be dissuasive for use
of said equipment as well as for storage thereof.
[0004] The documents FR-3 022 795 and FR-3 022 796 describe an
equipment for playing basketball, wherein the base is equipped with
two rows of wheels forming a housing therebetween, and whose post
has a lower section which is rotatably mounted on said base so as
to be able to dispose said post reversibly between a stowed storage
configuration, wherein at least the lower section is disposed in
the housing, and an upright use configuration.
[0005] To be able to improve the compactness of the equipment in
the storage configuration, the upper section of the post is mounted
movable relative to the lower section between a retracted position
and a deployed position, in order to be able to be disposed in the
retracted position when the equipment is placed in the storage
configuration.
[0006] To this end, the documents FR-3 022 795 and FR-3 022 796
provide for slidably mounting the upper section on the lower
section, the equipment comprising a system for actuating said
movement over a stroke comprised between a retracted storage
position and at least one projecting position corresponding to a
height of use, said actuation system comprising a case fastened on
a rear wall of the lower section and a mechanism for moving the
upper section which is housed in said case, said mechanism
comprising a handling socket which projects from said case.
[0007] In these documents, the movement mechanism comprises a strap
whose a first end is fastened to the lower section, and whose
second end could be wound around a shaft rotatably mounted in the
case according to a frontal axis, said axis projecting from a
lateral wall of said case to form a handling socket, to which a
crank handle is associated.
[0008] For reasons related to compactness, the distance between the
rows of wheels is not enough for the housing to receive the lateral
socket, which leaves the possibility of an actuation of the
deployment of the upper section in the storage configuration.
SUMMARY
[0009] The invention aims to improve the prior art by providing
equipment for playing basketball wherein the post could be folded
on the base in a storage configuration while preventing handling of
the deployment of said post, and that being so without any
particular constraint on the dimension of the base.
[0010] To this end, the invention provides equipment for playing
basketball, comprising a base intended to be disposed bearing on
the ground, said base being equipped with two lateral structures
forming a housing therebetween, said equipment comprising a post
having an upper section carrying a board on which a basketball hoop
is mounted, said post having a lower section which is rotatably
mounted on said base so as to be able to dispose said post
reversibly between a stowed storage configuration in which at least
the lower section is disposed in the housing and an upright use
configuration, said upper section being slidably mounted on said
lower section and said equipment comprising a system for actuating
said movement over a stroke comprised between a storage retracted
position and at least one projecting position corresponding to a
height of use, said actuation system comprising a case fastened on
a rear wall of the lower section and a mechanism for moving the
upper section which is housed in said case, said mechanism
comprising a handling socket which projects from the case, said
equipment being characterised in that said socket is disposed on a
rear wall of the case and in that the housing is arranged so as to
receive the lower section in the stowed configuration while
preventing access to said socket.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Other particularities and advantages of the invention will
appear in the following description, made with reference to the
appended figures, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 represents a perspective front view of a piece of
equipment according to a first embodiment of the invention in the
use configuration, FIG. 1a representing a perspective rear view of
the base of this same equipment;
[0013] FIG. 2 represents a side view of the mounting of the board
and of the hoop on the upper section of the equipment of FIG.
1;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective rear view of the post of
the equipment of FIGS. 1, 1a and 2, centred on the system for
actuating the movement of the upper section,
[0015] FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b represent sections of FIG. 3 according
to two different sagittal planes;
[0016] FIG. 4a and FIG. 4b represent the equipment of FIGS. 1 to 3b
in the storage configuration, respectively in perspective (FIG. 4a)
and in rear view (FIG. 4b);
[0017] FIG. 5 and FIG. 5a represent views similar to FIGS. 1 and 1a
respectively, for a piece of equipment according to a second
embodiment of the invention;
[0018] FIG. 6 represents a view similar to FIG. 2 for the equipment
of FIGS. 5 and 5a;
[0019] FIG. 7, FIG. 7a and FIG. 7b represent views similar to FIGS.
3, 3a and 3b respectively, for the equipment of FIGS. 5, 5a and
6;
[0020] FIG. 8a and FIG. 8b represent the equipment of FIGS. 5 to 7b
in the storage configuration, respectively in rear view (FIG. 8a)
and in perspective (FIG. 8b);
[0021] FIG. 9 represents a perspective rear view of an equipment
according to a third embodiment of the invention in the use
configuration, FIG. 9a representing a perspective rear view of the
lower section of the post and the base of this same equipment;
[0022] FIG. 10 is an enlarged perspective rear view of the post of
the equipment of FIGS. 9, 9a, centred on the system for actuating
the movement of the upper section,
[0023] FIG. 10a and FIG. 10b being sections of the actuation system
of FIG. 10 according to two different sagittal planes;
[0024] FIG. 11a, FIG. 11b and FIG. 11c represent the equipment of
FIGS. 9, 9a, 10, 10a and 10b in the storage configuration,
respectively in rear view (FIG. 11a) and in perspective according
to two different orientations (FIGS. 11b, 11c);
[0025] FIG. 12a, FIG. 12b and FIG. 12c represent a perspective rear
view of mounting of the board on the upper section of the post in
the equipment of FIGS. 9 to 11c, respectively in the use position
(FIG. 12a), in the storage position (FIG. 12b) and in an exploded
view (FIG. 12c);
[0026] FIG. 13 is an enlargement of FIG. 12a centred on the stop
member defining the use position of the board;
[0027] FIG. 14 is a partial sectional view according to a sagittal
plane of the mechanism for mounting the board on the upper section
of the post in the equipment of FIGS. 9 to 13.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Referring to these figures, an equipment for playing
basketball is described hereinbelow.
[0029] The equipment comprises a base 1 intended to be disposed
bearing on the ground, as well as a post 2 having an upper section
2a carrying a board 3 on which a basketball hoop 4 is mounted.
[0030] The post 2 has a lower section 2b which is rotatably mounted
on the base 1 to be able dispose said post reversibly between a
stowed storage configuration and an upright use configuration.
[0031] The base 1 is equipped with two lateral structures 5 which
form a housing 6 therebetween such that, in the storage
configuration, at least the lower section 2b of the post 2 is
disposed in said housing. In the represented embodiments, the base
1 comprises a frame 7 on which the lower section 2b is rotatably
mounted, the lateral structures 5 being carried by said frame
forming a U-like shaped housing 6 therebetween.
[0032] The two lateral structures 5 form a counterweight to the
post 2 in the upright configuration for use of the equipment, in
order to avoid a tilting of said equipment, and thus guarantee the
safety of its users.
[0033] At least one lateral structure 5 may be arranged so as to be
able to be filled with a ballast matter, for example water or sand.
In the represented second and third embodiments (respectively in
FIGS. 5, 5a, 8a, 8b and in FIGS. 9, 9a, 9b, 11a, 11b, 11c), each
lateral structure 5 has three modules 5a aligned according to a
sagittal direction, each of said modules comprising a tank 8 on
which an opening 9 is disposed to enable filling thereof with such
a ballast matter.
[0034] For a proper distribution of the weight, in each of the
represented embodiments, the lateral structures 5 have identical
modules 5a which are symmetrically distributed with respect to the
modules 5a of the other lateral structure 5, on either side of a
sagittal midplane containing the post 2.
[0035] The base 1 is further equipped with wheels 10 to enable the
movement of the equipment, in particular in its storage
configuration.
[0036] In the represented first two embodiments (FIGS. 1 to 4b and
FIGS. 5 to 8b respectively), the frame 7 forms a cradle on which
the lateral structures 5 are disposed, said cradle carrying at
least one pair of wheels 10.
[0037] In particular, in the first embodiment (FIGS. 1 to 4b), the
frame 7 has a U-like shaped geometry whose branches 7a extend
rearwards according to a sagittal direction, while each heaving a
rear wheel 10 which is fastened at their respective free end so as
to be raised when the base 1 lies flat on the ground, which allows
avoiding any inadvertent movement of the equipment, in particular
during use thereof.
[0038] Thus, to be able to move the equipment, the user should
raise the base 1 slightly on the front side, in particular by
manually grasping a front transverse bar 7b forming the base of the
U of the frame 7, in order to make the rear wheels 10 bear on the
ground.
[0039] In the second embodiment (FIGS. 5 to 8b), the frame 7 has a
frame 7d with a substantially rectangular geometry which is
equipped with four wheels 10 distributed at each of its corners. In
particular, each of the front wheels 10a is rotatably mounted on
the frame 7 around an independent vertical axis 11, in order to
enable the user to easily steer the equipment when he makes it roll
on the ground.
[0040] In the represented third embodiment (FIGS. 9 to 14), the
base 1 is equipped with two rows of wheels 10 each forming a
lateral structure 5 between which is formed the housing 6 for
receiving the lower section 2b in the stowed configuration.
[0041] In particular, each of the wheels 10 forms a ballast module
5a for the corresponding lateral structure 5, and has, to this end,
a cylindrical tank 8 on the periphery of which an opening 9 is
disposed to enable filling thereof with a ballast matter, the axis
of revolution of said tank extending horizontally and
perpendicularly to the sagittal plane of the frame 7, in order to
be able to move the base 1 by making said tanks roll on their
periphery.
[0042] In FIGS. 9, 9a and 11a to 11c, the frame 7 comprises a
central beam 7c on either side of which the wheels 10 are mounted.
In particular, each of the wheels 10 comprises a hub 12 secured to
the central beam 7c, said hubs being arranged so as to enable the
wheels 10 to rotate independently of each other.
[0043] As regards mounting of the lower section 2b, the cradle 7a,
7b, 7d or the central beam 7c of the frame 7 has a front portion on
which said lower section is rotatably mounted. Thus, to dispose the
equipment in the use configuration, the user first moves the lower
section 2b from the stowed configuration to the upright
configuration by making it pivot relative to the front portion of
the frame 7.
[0044] To facilitate its arrangement in the use configuration, the
equipment comprises a connecting arm 13 which has a front end 13a
hinged on the lower section 2b, as well as a rear end hinged on the
base 1, in particular by being disposed in the housing 6 for
receiving said lower section.
[0045] In the represented first embodiment (FIGS. 1, 1a, 4a, 4b),
the connecting arm 13 has two segments 14 which are hinged at a
central hinge 15 so as to be able to be reversibly disposed in a
deployed configuration for holding the post 2 upright and a folded
storage configuration.
[0046] In particular, the central hinge 15 comprises a pin 16 for
locking the arm 13 in the deployed configuration to avoid an
inadvertent folding thereof, and thus limiting the risks of tilting
of the lower section 2b during the use of the equipment. The pin 13
can be manually actuated to enable a movement thereof from the
locking position towards an unlocked position, in order to free the
relative rotation of the segments 14 and enable the tilting of the
arm 13 in the folded configuration.
[0047] In the other two represented embodiments, at least one
amongst the front 13a and rear ends of the connecting arm 13 is
slidably mounted respectively on the lower section 2b and the base
1.
[0048] In the second embodiment (FIGS. 5, 5a), the connecting arm
13 comprises a front end 13a rotatably mounted on a carriage 19
which slides on a vertical rail 17 mounted on a rear face of the
lower section 2b, as well as a rear end rotatably mounted on the
frame 7.
[0049] In particular, the carriage 19 comprises a locking pin 20
which is arranged so as to be reversibly disposed in an upper
and/or lower orifice 21 formed on the rail 17, in order to block
said carriage in the top and/or bottom position, and thus lock the
lower section 2b in the stowed and/or upright configuration.
[0050] In the third embodiment (FIGS. 9, 9a), the connecting arm 13
comprises a front end 13a rotatably mounted on a rear face of the
lower section 2b and a rear end rotatably and slidably mounted on a
horizontal rail formed on the central beam 7c.
[0051] The lower section 2b is further equipped with at least one
foot 18 which is disposed laterally, in order to stabilise the post
2 in the upright configuration, in particular to prevent tilting
thereof on the sides, in combination with the base 1 which forms a
counterweight to avoid tilting thereof forwards or rearwards.
[0052] In the figures, the lower section 2b comprises two feet 18
disposed on either side of its lower end. In FIGS. 1, 1a, 4a and
4b, the feet 18 are rotatably mounted on the base 1 and on the
lower section 2b. In FIGS. 5, 5a, 8b, 9, 9a and 11c, the feet 18
are fastened on the lower section 2b so as to bear on the ground
when the post 2 is in the upright configuration, which also allows
preventing the base 1 from rolling when the equipment is in the use
configuration.
[0053] The upper section 2a is slidably mounted on the lower
section 2b, the equipment comprising a system 22 for actuating this
movement over a stroke comprised between a retracted storage
position and at least one projecting position corresponding to a
height of use.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 3, 3a, 3b, 7, 7a, 7b, 10, 10a and 10b,
the actuation system 22 comprises a case 23 fastened on a rear wall
of the lower section 2b and a mechanism for moving an upper section
2a which is housed in said case, said mechanism comprising a
handling socket 24 which projects from said case.
[0055] In particular, the handling socket 24 is disposed on a rear
wall 23a of the case 23, and the housing 6 of the base 1 is
arranged so as to receive the lower section 2b in the stowed
configuration while preventing access to said handling socket, as
represented in FIGS. 4b, 8a and 11a.
[0056] Thus, the risk of an inadvertent deployment of the upper
section 2a when the equipment is in the storage configuration is
optimally limited, and that being so without having to make
considerable changes in the geometry of the housing 6, and
therefore of the base 1.
[0057] In the represented embodiments, the upper section 2a is
slidably mounted in the lower section 2b. In particular, as
represented in FIGS. 3, 3a, 7, 7a, 10 and 10a, the actuation system
22 comprises a vertical row of orifices 25 formed on the rear face
of the upper section 2a and a mechanism comprising a gear wheel 26
which is rotatably actuated by a worm screw 27, said wheel being
arranged so as to successively fit into the orifices 25 for sliding
of the upper section 2a in the lower section 2b.
[0058] The gear wheel 26 is rotatably mounted in the case 23
according to a frontal axis A1, and the screw 27 is rotatably
mounted in the case 23 according to a sagittal axis A2. The screw
27 has a rear end 27a which projects from the rear wall 23a of the
case 23 and on which a metallic loop 24 is fastened forming a
handling socket for manipulating the mechanism.
[0059] Advantageously, a crank handle 28 may be reversibly
associated on the handling loop 24 of the screw 27, so as to be
removed from said loop when the mechanism is not actuated. This
arrangement allows not only limiting the bulk of the system 22 when
it is arranged in the housing 6, but also limiting the risk of
inadvertent actuation of the mechanism when the equipment is in the
use configuration, in order to guarantee the safety of the
users.
[0060] The actuation mechanism comprises two gear wheels 26, 29
with a different diameter which are secured in rotation. Referring
to the sectional FIGS. 3a, 3b, 7a, 7b, 10a and 10b, the wheel with
a large diameter 26 is fitted into the orifices 25 and the wheel
with a small diameter 29 is actuated by the worm screw 27.
[0061] The worm screw 27 may be arranged so as to require a
handling of the socket 24 to actuate the upper section 2a in either
one of its directions of movement. Thus, in particular, a rotation
of the wheels 26, 29 in the direction of retraction of the upper
section 2a when the screw 27 is not actuated is prevented, which
allows ensuring holding of said upper section at the selected
height, in order to guarantee the safety of the users by preventing
an inadvertent retraction in the lower section 2b during the use of
the equipment.
[0062] To limit the bulk of the equipment in the storage
configuration, the upper section 2a of the post 2 comprises an
upper segment 30a carrying the board 3 and a lower segment 30b
slidably mounted on the lower section 2b, said upper segment being
movably mounted relative to said lower segment between a use
configuration, in which said upper segment is deployed relative to
said lower segment, and a storage configuration, in which said
upper segment forms a compact arrangement with said lower
segment.
[0063] Thus, once the lower section 2b is in the upright position,
the user can dispose the equipment in the use configuration by
successively deploying the lower segment 30b out of said lower
section, by actuation of the system 22 by means of the crank handle
28, and then the upper segment 30a relative to said lower
segment.
[0064] In the first two represented embodiments (FIGS. 1, 5), the
upper segment 30a is slidably mounted on the lower segment 30b, the
equipment comprising a system 22' for actuating said movement over
a stroke comprised between a retracted storage position and at
least one projecting position corresponding to a height of use.
[0065] In particular, this actuation system 22' comprises a case
23' fastened on a rear wall of the lower segment 30b and a
mechanism for moving the upper segment 30a which is housed in said
case, said mechanism comprising a handling socket 24' which
projects from said case.
[0066] Advantageously, the handling socket 24' of this system 22'
is also disposed on a rear wall of the case 23', and the housing 6
is arranged so as to receive the lower segment 30b in the stowed
configuration while preventing access to said socket, as
represented in FIGS. 4b and 8a.
[0067] According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the
respective actuation systems 22, 22' of the lower segment 30b and
of the upper segment 30a are similar, which allows facilitating the
manufacture of the equipment. In particular, the equipment may
comprise a unique crank handle 28 that could be selectively and
reversibly fastened on the handling socket 24, 24' of either one of
these systems during the deployment of said equipment in the use
configuration.
[0068] In the represented third embodiment (FIGS. 9, 9a), the upper
segment 30a is rotatably mounted on the lower segment 30b between
an angular upright use configuration and an angular folded storage
configuration against the lower segment 30b.
[0069] In particular, the upper segment 30a comprises at least one
pair of parallel bars 31 each having a rear end rotatably mounted
on the upper end of the lower segment 30b, as well as a front end
on which the board 3 is rotatably mounted according to a frontal
axis. Thus, the upper segment 30a forms a deformable four-bar
linkage which enables the user to angularly deploy said upper
segment and lay out the board 3 in one single gesture.
[0070] The equipment may further comprise a system 32 for locking
the upper segment 30a in the upright configuration, in order to
avoid any inadvertent tilting of said upper segment in the folded
configuration, in particular during the use of said equipment, and
thus ensure the safety of the users.
[0071] In FIG. 9, the locking system 32 comprises a case 33 which
is mounted on the upper end of the lower segment 30b, and on each
lateral face of which the rear end of an upper parallel bar 31 is
rotatably mounted, said case enclosing a locking mechanism which
could be reversibly actuated by means of a toggle lever 34 mounted
at the upper portion of said case.
[0072] Advantageously, the board 3 is movable relative to the upper
segment 30a between a use position and a storage position, which
allows limiting the bulk of the equipment in the storage
configuration.
[0073] In the represented three embodiments, the board 3 has a
quadrilateral, in particular rectangular, geometry, which, when in
the storage position, is turned by 90.degree. with respect to its
use position on the upper segment 30a. In particular, the board 3
has longitudinal and lateral dimensions which substantially
correspond respectively to the sagittal and frontal dimensions of
the base 1. Thus, to the extent that the base 1 has a sagittal
dimension that is larger than its frontal dimension to be able to
ensure the stability of the equipment with regards to a front-rear
tilting, it is possible to store a rectangular board that is
satisfactory for the sports practice, within the bulk of said
base.
[0074] In the represented first two embodiments, the board 3 is
reversibly mounted on the upper segment 30a between a mounted use
position and a dismounted storage position, the post 2 in the
storage configuration enabling the storage of the dismounted board
3 on the base.
[0075] For this purpose, with reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, the board
3 is equipped with a connector 35 in which the upper end of the
upper segment 30a is disposed, said connector having a transverse
wall 35a on which said upper end bears in the use position.
[0076] In FIG. 2, the connector 35 comprises a case 59 fastened on
the rear face of the board 3 and defining a housing for receiving
the upper end of the upper segment 30a, said end bearing under an
upper wall 35a of said case when the board is mounted in the use
position.
[0077] The connector 35 is equipped with a locking pin 36 which
could be actuated between a stable blocking position, in which said
pin is fitted into an orifice provided to this end in the upper
segment 30a, and a constrained mounting position, in which said pin
is retracted from the orifice.
[0078] In FIGS. 6 and 8b, the connector 35 comprises a vertical
recess 60 formed on the lower edge of the board 3, and delimited at
the top portion with a transverse wall under which the upper end of
the upper segment 30a bears during mounting of said board on the
post 2.
[0079] In particular, the connector 35 comprises a vertical leg 61
which extends in the recess 60, said leg being arranged so as to be
disposed in the complementary vertical housing 62 provided to this
end in the upper end of the upper segment 30a.
[0080] The upper segment 30a is equipped with a locking pin 36'
which could be actuated between a stable blocking position, in
which said pin crosses the housing 62 of the upper segment 30a to
fit onto a locking stop provided to this end on the leg 61 of the
connector 35, and a constrained mounting position, in which said
pin is retracted from said housing.
[0081] In these two embodiments, the locking pin 36, 36' comprises
an internal end intended to be fitted into the orifice of the
segment 30a or on the stop of the leg 61, as well as an external
end on which is mounted a grip 37, 37' to enable the user to move
said pin towards its constrained mounting position by pulling on
said grip.
[0082] Moreover, the pin 36, 36' is equipped with an elastic
biasing means, for example in the form of a spring, which is
arranged so as to be elastically loaded upon a pull on the grip 37,
37' in order to elastically urge said pin towards its stable
position when the user releases said grip.
[0083] In the first embodiment (FIGS. 4a and 4b), at least one
lateral structure 5 has a housing 38 for receiving the case 59 when
the board 3 is in the storage configuration on the base 1, in order
to ensure holding of said board on said base.
[0084] Advantageously, each lateral structure 5 has such a housing
38, which enables the user to dispose the dismounted board 3 on the
base 1 by indifferently disposing the connector 35 on one of said
lateral structures.
[0085] In the represented third embodiment (FIGS. 9 to 14), the
board 3 is rotatably mounted on the upper segment 30a between an
angular use position (FIGS. 9, 12a, 12c) and an angular storage
position (FIGS. 11a to 11c and FIG. 12b), in particular through a
rotational mechanism 39 between these two positions.
[0086] Referring to FIGS. 12a to 14, the rotational mechanism 39
comprises a subplate 40 for joining together the upper end of the
upper segment 30a, said subplate comprising an extension 41 linked
to the board through a friction pivot. As represented in FIG. 12a,
the extension 41 is disposed above the upper segment 30a when the
board 3 is in the use position.
[0087] The extension 41 of the subplate 40 comprises a U-like
shaped structure whose two branches 42 carry means for joining
together the upper end of the upper section, the base 42a of said
U-like shape being engaged into the pivot connection.
[0088] In particular, each branch 42 has a pair of vertical lateral
plates 43 between which the upper end of respectively one bar 31 is
rotatably mounted.
[0089] The extension 41 is clamped against the board 3 with at
least one friction insert 45 interposed therebetween, the equipment
further comprising a clamping adjustment means 46 in order to
optimise the friction torque of the rotation.
[0090] For this purpose, the rotational mechanism 39 comprises a
rear cup 47 fastened on the rear face of the board 3 and a front
cup 48, the extension 41 being disposed between the cups 47, 48
which are equipped with means 46 for clamping said extension
therebetween, at least one cup 47, 48 housing a friction insert
45.
[0091] In FIGS. 12a, 12b, 12c and 14, each cup 47, 48 houses a
friction insert 45, the extension 41 being clamped between said
cups and fastened at the rear of the board 3 by means of four
screws 46.
[0092] Each insert 45 is immobilised in rotation between the cups
47, 48, and comprises a friction bushing 45a which is clamped
respectively on a rear 41b and a front 41a face of the extension 41
through a clamping bushing 47a, 48a formed on the adjacent cup 47,
48.
[0093] The extension 41 has a square section, as represented in
particular in FIG. 14, or rectangular, a friction bushing 45a being
clamped respectively against a front face 41a and a rear face 41b
of said section.
[0094] Each clamping bushing 47a, 48a has indentations 49, and in
particular two indentations 49 with identical angular dimensions
which are diametrically opposite along said bushing.
[0095] After having disposed the lower section 2b in the upright
configuration, the user can dispose the board 3 in the use position
by making it pivot by means of the rotational mechanism 39.
Afterwards, the user can make the upper segment 30a pivot to
dispose it in the upright configuration, and then erect the lower
segment 30b out of the lower section 2b by actuation of its system
22, up to the desired height of the board 3.
[0096] The use position of the board 3 is delimited by the abutment
of the subplate 40 on a member 50 secured to said board.
Advantageously, the stop member 50 of the board 3 comprises a means
51 for locking the use position, which allows safeguarding said
position, in particular by avoiding any inadvertent rotation of
said board during the use of the equipment.
[0097] Referring to FIG. 13, the locking means is a latch 51 which
reversibly fits on an axis 52 secured to the subplate 40. In
particular, the axis 52 is fastened on the lower end of one of the
branches 43 of the U-like shaped extension 41, and the latch 51
comprises a hook 51a which fits on said axis in the locking
position, as well as a leg 51b that the user could manually grasp
to make the latch 51 pivot and clear the hook 51a of said axis,
when he wishes to make the board 3 pivot towards its storage
position.
[0098] As represented in FIG. 12c, the hoop 4 is fastened on the
board 3 so as not to interact with the subplate 40 when said board
is rotated. For this purpose, the hoop 4 comprises a support 53
which is fastened on the board 3 mechanically independent of the
subplate 40.
[0099] Advantageously, the hoop 4 has an extension 4a which is
rotatably mounted around an axis 54 secured to its support 53 for
fastening to the board 3, so that said hoop could be stowed from
its horizontal use position towards a vertical storage position
against the board 3, in order to limit the bulk of said hoop in the
storage configuration of the equipment.
[0100] For this purpose, the support 53 has two vertical sidewalls
53a which extend from a front face of the board 3 according to a
sagittal direction, the extension 4a being rotatably mounted on a
frontal axis 54 fastened between said sidewalls.
[0101] In particular, in the represented third embodiment, the
support 53 also comprises: [0102] a bottom 53b extending frontally
at the rear of its vertical sidewalls 53b, and fastened to the
board 3 by means of screws; and [0103] a second frontal axis 55
fixed between its vertical sidewalls 53b, on which the extension 4a
of the hoop 4 abuts when said hoop is disposed in the use
position.
[0104] In the represented first and second embodiments, the hoop 4
is equipped with a holding arch 56 which has two arms 56a rotatably
mounted under said hoop and a base 56b reversibly fitted into a
stop formed on the support 53 to define the use position.
[0105] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4a and 4b, the support 53 comprises
two slots 57 formed respectively on a vertical sidewall 53a, within
which the base 56b slides when the hoop 4 is rotated while defining
the use position by abutment of said base on the lower edges of
said slots (FIG. 2). In particular, as represented in FIGS. 4a and
4b, the base 56b also abuts on the upper edges of the slots 57 in
the storage position of the hoop 4.
[0106] In FIG. 6, the base 56b abuts at the lower portion of the
support 53 so as to define the use position of the hoop 4, and the
equipment comprises a latch 58 for locking said base on said
stop.
* * * * *