Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B63/00—Targets or goals for ball games
  • A63B63/08—Targets or goals for ball games with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball
  • A63B63/083—Targets or goals for ball games with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball for basketball
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/0054—Features for injury prevention on an apparatus, e.g. shock absorbers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2209/00—Characteristics of used materials
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B2210/00—Space saving
  • A63B2210/50—Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
  • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
  • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
  • A63B71/02—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00 for large-room or outdoor sporting games
  • A63B71/023—Supports, e.g. poles

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a portable device for a game of skill. It finds in particular an application for the practice of basketball, or for any other sporting activity, outdoor or indoor, of passing an object, such as a bullet, through a target.
• Such a mobile basketball panel is in particular described by the document US Pat. No. 5,813,929, which discloses a wearable device for a game of skill consisting in passing an object through a target, comprising a board comprising a front face and a rear face, a target having a through opening defining an axis and through which the object can pass, the target being fixed by a hinge to the board, so that the portable device can alternatively take a folded position, in which the target is folded against the front face of the board, and an extended position, in which the target extends transversely to the board; in addition, the portable device comprises fixing means configured to allow the attachment of the portable device to a support.
• the problem with this type of portable device is that its structure and dimensions are such that its size, in the folded position, as well as its weight, are significant, so that its portability is highly compromised.
• the rigidity of its various components, necessary to ensure a stable support of the target, while promoting the bouncing of the ball on the board, is such that the user may be injured in contact with the device, the user can be brought, during a game phase, to hit the board or the target.
• the fixing means are configured so as to allow the device to be fixed on a limited number of supports, again reducing the possibilities of use of the device.
• the present invention aims to answer, among others, the various problems mentioned above, by providing a portable device for the practice of a game of skill, the device can be mounted quickly and securely on any type of support, and having a compactness and weight for easy transport and storage, without compromising the quality of the game sought by users.
• the device must have resistance characteristics so as to limit the risks of degradation inherent in its use.
• the invention relates to a portable device of which at least one of the elements taken from the board and the target is constituted by the assembly of a layer of hard material and a layer of foam.
• the hard material is plastic.
• this device by the presence of a layer of foam, is particularly light, so that it can be easily transported.
• the presence of a layer of foam makes it possible to limit the risks of trauma that the user could experience when in contact with the device.
• the presence of a layer of hard material, such as plastic ensures the stability of the attachment of the device on a support, and the quality of the rebound of an object, such as a ball, against the front face of the board, as well as the constancy of the shape of the through opening formed in the target. It is therefore understandable that the combination of the layers of foam and hard material makes it possible to provide a lightweight portable device whose playing quality is not compromised.
• the formation of the wearable device by the combination of a hard material, such as plastic, and a layer of foam allows the joint by which the target is attached to the board to exhibit properties of elasticity.
• traction can be exerted on the target, so that it forms an angle substantially greater than 90 ° relative to the board, without risk of rupture of the joint; in in addition, once the traction stops, the presence of the foam layer allows the target to resume the extended position, elastically.
• the target further comprises braking means configured to brake the object as it passes through the through opening.
• the braking means make it possible for the object, which can be animated with a significant speed when it is thrown, not to be thrown back suddenly, following its rebound on the board and its passage through the target, towards the the user or any other person moving near the wearable device, or is directed to the outside of the space dedicated to the game.
• the target contains an inflatable element.
• the inflatable element can be deflated.
• the device in its folded position, the device has a limited size.
• the target is formed by assembling a foam layer having a lower face and an upper face, and a layer of hard material attached to the lower face.
• the presence of the layer of hard material on the underside of the foam layer maintains the shape and dimensions of the through opening formed in the target.
• the underside of the target is directed towards the outside of the device, thus conferring on the device significant resistance, so as to allow its storage without being degraded, for example due to its positioning under other objects.
• the assembly of the layers of foam and hard material forms a torus.
• the circle has no sharp edges that could hurt the user, degrade the front face of the board, in the folded position, or complicate the passage of any type of object through the target, in the deployed position.
• the through opening has a circular shape, particularly adapted to the practice of basketball.
• the toroid comprises an upper portion and a lower portion disposed in a plane perpendicular to the axis of the through opening, the upper and lower portions being constituted respectively of a layer of foam and a layer of hard material. .
• the user when he grasps the target, so as to pass a balloon through the through opening, for example when performing a "smash", is in contact with the portion upper consisting of foam, not risking injury. Furthermore, in the folded position, the upper portion made of foam is disposed against the front face of the board, so as not to degrade the board, or to scratch the surface.
• the braking means comprise a plurality of flexible wings which extend from the circumference of the torus and partially cover the through opening.
• the flexible wings can slow down the object that passes through the target, the friction exerted by the flexible wings to brake the object, before it passes through the entire body. through opening, to be retrieved by the user.
• the flexible wings extend transversely, preferably perpendicularly, relative to the axis defined by the through opening.
• the compactness of the device is not compromised by the presence of the flexible wings.
• the flexible wings are made of the same material as that constituting the foam layer of the torus.
• the target and the braking means form a single piece.
• the flexible wings are not likely to hurt the user; in addition, the flexibility of the wings is improved, the object thus not likely to be deflected to the contact of the flexible wings, which would have the effect of compromising the quality of the game practiced by means of portable device. In addition, the flexible wings are not likely to be separated from the target.
• the flexible wings comprise a plurality of through perforations. An interest is to make them more flexible.
• the board is constituted by the assembly of a layer of foam and a layer of hard material.
• the front face consists of the layer of hard material, while the rear face is made of the foam layer.
• the rear face can marry the asperities of the support on which is fixed the portable device, limiting the risk of instability that would compromise the practice of the game of skill.
• the presence of a layer of hard material on the front allows the object launched to bounce on the board, with predictable behavior, thus not compromising the quality of the game.
• the board is constituted by the assembly of a layer of foam disposed between two layers of hard material.
• the presence of the foam layer By the presence of the foam layer, the lightness, and therefore the transportability, of the device is improved.
• the presence of a layer of hard material on the rear face allows the device, when in the folded position, not to be degraded, for example during transport or storage.
• the foam extends along the periphery of the board.
• the periphery has a curved shape.
• the user is not likely to hurt himself in contact with the device; in addition, the support on which the device is attached is not likely to be degraded during use of the device.
• the board has a through slot, the fastening means having a link disposed in the slot.
• the presence of the slot allows the fastening means to be mounted securely on the device, to allow a stable and solid attachment of the device on any type of support.
• the hard material is plastic.
• the plastic is PVC.
• the foam is polyethylene.
• the foam is a polyurethane foam or EVA type.
• the rigidity, lightness and flexibility of the various components of the device are ensured, in compliance with the requirements of cost, speed and ease of manufacture.
• the upper surface of the target and the joint is covered with foam.
• the upper surface of the joint and the target does not constitute a risk of injury to the user.
• the dimensions of the board and the target are such that the target fits into the board, when the portable device is in the folded position.
• the span of the board is substantially equal to the diameter of the target, so that the target fits into the board, when the portable device is in the folded position.
• the size of the device in the folded position is limited; in addition, the braking means of the target are thus protected, not likely to be hooked during transport of the device.
• the fixing means are configured to keep the target folded against the inner face of the board, when the portable device is in the folded position.
• the fastening means can maintain the device in the folded position, for example during storage or transport.
• the assembly of the layers of hard material and foam is made by thermo-compression.
• thermocompression process thus makes it possible to firmly and quickly attach the layers of hard material and foam to one another.
• the flexible wings are formed during the assembly of the layers of hard material and foam of the target by thermocompression.
• the production of the device is simplified, and can be performed quickly.
• the soft wings are thus fixed solidarily to the target, not likely to be disconnected, during the practice of the game of skill.
• the layers of hard material and foam respectively constituting the board and the target are identical.
• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary portable device according to the present invention, the portable device being in the deployed position;
• FIG. 2 schematically shows a side sectional view of the portable device of Figure 1;
• FIG. 3 shows schematically an example of portable device according to the present invention, the portable device being in the folded position.
• the portable device 10 comprises a board 12, a target 14 and fastening means 16.
• the board 12 has, for example and without limitation, a hexagonal shape, and has a front face 18 and a rear face
• front face 18 of the board 12 is meant the face of the board intended to face the user, when the device 10 is in a deployed position, and to receive an object, such as a ball, launched to be passed through target 14;
• rear face 20 means the opposite face to the front face 18.
• the board 12 also has a periphery 22 which, as shown in particular in FIG. 1, constitutes a bead of material which protrudes from the ends of the planes defined by the front and rear faces.
• a periphery 22 which, as shown in particular in FIG. 1, constitutes a bead of material which protrudes from the ends of the planes defined by the front and rear faces.
• the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12 are parallel to each other.
• the front face 18 of the board 12 has several through slots 24 arranged, for example and without limitation, in the center of the board 12.
• the target 14 comprises a border 26, for example and in a non-limiting manner of ring shape, which defines a through opening 28; the through opening 28 defines an axis A.
• the target 14 further comprises braking means 30 which partly cover the through aperture 28.
• the braking means 30 consist of several flexible wings 32 which extend from the circumference of FIG. the border 26 and which will be detailed further in the following description.
• the fastening means 16 consist of a link 34, such as a strap, which passes through at least one of the through slots 24 formed in the board 12; the fastening means 16 also comprise a closure means 36, such as for example a spring-loaded clamping loop, which makes it possible, by passing one end of the link through the closure means 36, to constitute a closed link, for example to allow the fixing of the portable device 10 to a support, such as a pole, a grill or any other support element.
• a link 34 such as a strap
• the fastening means 16 also comprise a closure means 36, such as for example a spring-loaded clamping loop, which makes it possible, by passing one end of the link through the closure means 36, to constitute a closed link, for example to allow the fixing of the portable device 10 to a support, such as a pole, a grill or any other support element.
• the through slots 24 consist of a series of horizontal slots and a series of vertical slots;
• the link 34 can be passed through vertical slots, thus allowing, for example and without limitation, the device 10 to be mounted on a vertical support, such as a pole. It is understood that the link 34 could alternatively be passed through the horizontal slots, so as to allow the device to be mounted on a horizontal support, such as a barrier.
• the link 34 extends from the rear face 20 of the board 12, so as to secure the board 12 on a support, to allow the use of the device 10.
• the board 12 and the target 14 are fixed to each other by a hinge 38, arranged, for example, near the lower end 13 of the board 12, which defines an axis P around which the target 14 can be rotated relative to the board 12.
• the device 10 can take an extended position, in which the target 14 extends transversely, preferably perpendicularly, relative to the board 12.
• the pivot axis P in the deployed position, is disposed perpendicular to the axis A defined by the through opening 28.
• the axis A in this extended position, is arranged parallel to the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12.
• FIG. 2 represents a sectional view of the device 10 of FIG. 1, the section being taken along the plane II shown in FIG.
• the peripheral edge 26 of the target 14 has an upper portion 40 and a lower portion 42 disposed in a plane D perpendicular to the axis A defined by the through opening 28.
• the plane D is also perpendicular to the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12.
• the upper portion 40 has a curved shape consisting, for example, of a first and a second half-cores 44, 46 coaxial and of different radii R1, R2 half-toruses 44 , 46 being fixed to each other.
• the upper portion 40 consists of a layer of foam and has an upper face 48, defined by the rounded surface of the first half-torus 44, and a lower face 50 defined by the rounded surface of the second half-torus 46;
• the lower portion 42 consisting for example and without limitation of a hard material layer, having a C-shaped profile, is, for its part, disposed on the lower face 50 of the upper portion 40.
• the foam layer constituting the upper portion 40 is made of polyethylene, EVA, polyurethane foam, or any other material, such as for example plastic, having properties of flexibility and particularly interesting lightness.
• the hard material layer constituting the lower portion 42 is made of plastic, PVC, or any other material having particularly interesting rigidity properties.
• the lower and upper portions 40, 42 are assembled to one another, for example and without limitation, by thermocompression.
• the target 14 further comprises flexible wings 32 which extend from the circumference of the edge 26 towards the through opening 28.
• the flexible wings 32 also consist of a foam layer, the foam may be identical to that constituting the upper portion 40 of the edge 26.
• the flexible wings and the target, in particular the upper portion of its peripheral rim 26, form continuity of matter. It would also be conceivable, and within the scope of the present invention, flexible wings 32 made of a foam different from that constituting the upper portion 40.
• the flexibility of the foam constituting the flexible wings 32 allows the flexible wings 32 to flex relative to the edge 26 of the target 14, this flexion or inclination to slow the passage of an object, such as a bullet, through of the through opening 28 of the target 14. It is thus clear that the braking means 30, consisting of the flexible wings 32, serve the same function as the nets, for example in mesh, arranged in a traditional manner on the circles of the panels of basket ball.
• the flexible wings 32 are formed during the assembly of the layers of hard material and foam component respectively the lower portion 42 and the upper portion 40 of the target 14.
• the board 12 comprises a central panel 60 disposed between two side panels 62, 64, the side panels respectively constituting the rear faces 20 and front 18 of the board 12.
• the central panel 60 extends to the periphery 22 of the board 12.
• the central panel 60 consists of a layer of foam, which may be identical to or different from the foam layer constituting the upper portion 40 of the edge 26 of the target 14; furthermore, the side panels 62, 64 consist of a layer of hard material, the two layers being identical or different from one another, and which may also be identical or different from the layer of hard material constituting the lower portion 42 of the border 26 of the target 14.
• the periphery 22 is made of foam in order to prevent the user from getting injured if he comes into contact with the peripheral edge of the board.
• the assembly of the layers of hard material and foam respectively constituting the side panels 62, 64 and the central panel 60 of the board 12 is made by thermo-compression.
• the rear face 20 of the board 12 comprises cells 21, formed in the layer of hard material, and configured, for example, to conform to the roughness or relief of the support on which the device 10 can be fixed.
• the hinge 38 also has an upper portion 66 and a lower portion 68, the upper and lower portions being respectively constituted of a layer of foam and a layer of hard material.
• the combination of hard material, such as plastic, and a layer of foam to form the portable device 10 according to the present invention, and more particularly at least one of the elements taken from the board 12 and the target 14, ensures at the joint 38 elasticity properties; the target 14 can thus be inclined relative to the board 12 beyond its inclination when the device is in the deployed position, for example during a traction exerted by the user on the target 12, the presence, in particular of the foam layer, allowing the device to return to the deployed position, elastically, when the user stops applying traction on the target.
• the presence of a layer of hard material to form the side panels 62, 64 of the board 12 improves the strength of the board 12, and to promote the strength of the attachment of the device 10 on a support.
• FIG. 3 shows the device 10 in a folded position, in which the target 14 is pivoted about the pivot axis P with respect to the board 12, so as to be folded against the front face 18 of the board 12.
• the dimensions of the target 14 and of the board 12 are such that the target 14 fits into the board 12, in the folded position, this characteristic making it possible, among other things, to promote the compactness of the device 10, in the folded position, so as to simplify its storage and transport.
• the span of the board 12 is substantially equal to the diameter of the target 14, so that the target fits into the board 12 in the folded position; it is therefore understood that, compared to the game of skill devices known from the prior art, the dimensions of the board 12 are adjusted relative to those of the target 14, to contribute to the compactness and the transportability, by the effect of its limited weight, of the device 10.
• the axis defined by the through opening 28 of the target 14 is disposed perpendicular to the planes defined by the front and rear faces of the board 12; furthermore, the axis defined by the through aperture 28 is also perpendicular to the pivot axis P.
• the fastening means 16 are also configured to maintain the target 14 folded against the front face of the board 12, again for the sake of compactness of the device 10 in the position folded.
• a device 10 whose board 12 and / or target 14 would be constituted by the superposition of several layers of hard material and several layers of foam, so as to limit the weight of the device 10, without compromising either the strength, the stability of the binding, or the quality of the game allowed by its use.
• a board 12 constituted solely by the assembly of a layer of foam and a layer of hard material constituting, for example, respectively the rear face 20 and the front face 18 of the board 12.
• the board 12 and the target 14 are both constituted by the assembly of at least one layer of foam and at least one layer of hard material;
• a device 10 of which only one of the elements taken from the board and the target would be constituted by the assembly of a layer of foam and a layer hard material.
• a target 14 comprising an inflatable element, which can be deflated when the device 10 is in the folded position, the inflatable element being embedded, for example, in the foam layer constituting the target 14, again to lighten the device 10.
• the device 10 according to the present invention thus makes it possible to be fixed, by the presence of the fixing means 16, simply and quickly on any type of support, such as for example street furniture elements, so as to be able to be used in many situations; it is also possible, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the presence of a buffer, for example rubber, disposed on the rear face 20 of the board 12, and to marry the asperities of the support, in order to improve the stability and the strength of the attachment of the device 10.
• a buffer for example rubber
• the invention although particularly adapted to the practice of basketball, can also find many applications for the practice of any game of skill, which can be practiced outdoors or indoors.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Physical Education & Sports Medicine (AREA)
• Toys (AREA)
• Mattresses And Other Support Structures For Chairs And Beds (AREA)
• Purses, Travelling Bags, Baskets, Or Suitcases (AREA)
• Pinball Game Machines (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

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ID=47598982

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Family Cites Families (14)

• 2012
  • 2012-11-13 FR FR1260789A patent/FR2997864A1/fr not_active Withdrawn
• 2013
  • 2013-11-12 US US14/442,116 patent/US20160151691A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2013-11-12 EP EP13803130.7A patent/EP2919869A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2013-11-12 CN CN201380068402.9A patent/CN104884136B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2013-11-12 WO PCT/FR2013/052700 patent/WO2014076399A2/fr not_active Ceased

Non-Patent Citations (2)

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