EP3124087A1 - Korfball hoop - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a korfball hoop comprising a mast for supporting the hoop itself, and is characterized in that it comprises: a metal frame (2) having a general cylindrical configuration welded to arms (11, 12) on the side of the mast and consisting of metal hoops (21, 22) that are spaced apart vertically and connected therebetween by vertical intermediate tubes (23); a discontinued lateral surface (3) constituted by a rope (31) helically wound on the circumference of the structure (2), forming a plurality of vertical loops surrounding the rings (21, 22) of the structure (2); and a ring-shaped piece (4) to finish covering the upper contour of the basket, forming the mouth of said basket.

Description

Subject-matter of the invention
• The present invention relates to a korfball basket fitted with a pole supporting the basket.
Field of application
• This invention is applicable in the manufacturing of sports equipment, primarily for public use.
Prior art
• Korfball is a sport played by two teams, a development on traditional basketball, which involves putting a ball through a korfball basket.
• Korfball baskets are generally wicker or plastic baskets that are held aloft using a supporting pole or mast.
• Owing to the materials used to make them (wicker or plastic), these korfball baskets are not suitable for use outdoors where they may be exposed to adverse conditions and vandalism.
• The holder of this invention is unaware of the existence of any prior art referring to korfball baskets particularly designed for korfball which have suitable properties in order to address the aforementioned drawbacks.
Description of the invention
• The korfball basket addressed in this invention bears specific construction properties making it particularly suited for use as a piece of furniture, conceived for playing korfball on beaches, in parks and outdoors.
• This basket bears a number of features intended to make it vandal-proof, allowing it to be permanently set up in public areas, whilst having sufficient strength in order to cope with adverse seaside conditions, meaning it is particularly suitable for being set up on beaches.
• Unlike current versions in existence, one of the goals of the invention is to lend the korfball basket a discontinuous side surface to afford it less resistance to wind, a lower physical weight and a reduced visual impact, as well as to make it unsuitable for graffiti or tagging.
• In order to achieve the aims proposed, and in accordance with the invention, this korfball basket has a supporting pole and bears a specific characteristic: it comprises a metal structure welded to side arms on the pole that has two horizontal metal rings set apart at a distance vertically and welded to intermediate vertical tubes; a discontinuous side surface comprising a rope wound helically around the outline of the structure to form a number of loops that grip the two rings in the structure; and a finishing ring-shaped piece covering the upper rim of the basket to form the opening of the basket.
• According to the invention, the supporting pole, the side arms and the metal structure of the basket are made from stainless steel and are all welded together. As an alternative or possibility, the pole can be divided into two parts, one withstanding the korfball basket that can be detached from the other which is fixed to the ground.
• The side surface of the basket, formed by the rope wound helically around the outline of the structure, which outlines a discontinuous cylindrical surface by means of a number of vertical loops, affords the aforementioned advantages intended to minimise the effect of the wind, to give the basket a lighter visual appearance, to prevent graffiti from staining the side of the basket and to allow said side surface to be quickly, easily repaired if it becomes damaged.
• The ring-shaped piece forming the opening of the basket has a section shaped like an upside-down "U" the size of which enables the upper ring of the structure and the loops of rope that run along it to remain within the aforementioned ring-shaped piece to give the opening of the basket a continuous, regular surface.
• These and other features of the invention can be understood more easily by examining the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
Description of the drawings
• In order to add to the description made and to make it easier to understand the characteristics of the invention, enclosed with this descriptive report is a set of drawings depicting the following aspects by way of indication, without limitation:
• Drawing 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the korfball basket according to the invention, partially illustrating the supporting pole.
• Drawing 2 shows a bottom view of the korfball basket in drawing 1.
• Drawing 3 shows an elevation view of the metal structure of the korfball basket welded to the side arms of the pole.
• Drawings 4a and 4b schematically show two close-ups of sections of the korfball basket illustrating how the discontinuous side surface is formed; with both of those close-ups being depicted with the finishing ring-shaped piece both separated from and attached to the basket.
Preferred embodiment of the invention
• In drawing 1 the korfball basket comprises a pole (1) the upper section of which has two pairs of upper and lower side arms (11, 12), respectively, also made from stainless steel and welded to the aforementioned pole (1).
• As seen in drawing 3, the upper end of the pole (1) and the upper arms (11) are angled upwards towards the free end of said arms (11); while the lower arms (12) are horizontal.
• These arms (11, 12) are intended to sustain the basket. The basket comprises a metal structure (2) formed by two stainless steel rings (21, 22) welded to the respective arms (11, 12) in the pole and to intermediate vertical tubes (23).
• As shown in drawings 1, 4a and 4b, the basket has a cylindrical, discontinuous side surface (3) formed by a rope (31) wound helically around the outline of the structure (2) to form a number of vertical loops that grip the rings (21, 22).
• The basket has a finishing ring-shaped piece (4) made from stainless steel, shaped like an upside-down "U" section as shown in figures 4a and 4b.
• When in a position of use, said ring-shaped piece (4) covers the upper outline of the basket, housing the upper ring (21) within it and the upper end of the loops formed by the rope (31); said ring-shaped piece constitutes the opening of the basket.
• Having described the nature of the invention in adequate detail, as well as a preferred embodiment example, it is hereby stated for all pertinent purposes that the materials, shape, size and arrangement of the elements described may be modified, provided this does not involve altering the essential characteristics of the invention claimed below.

Claims (3)

1. Korfball basket comprising a pole supporting the basket; characterised by the fact that the basket consists of: a metal structure (2) generally in a cylindrical shape, welded to side arms (11, 12) in the pole, which is formed by metal rings (21, 22) set apart at a distance vertically and joined together by a number of intermediate vertical tubes (23); a discontinuous side surface (3) comprising a rope (31) wound helically around the outline of the structure (2) to form a number of vertical loops that grip the rings (21, 22) in the structure (2); and a finishing ring-shaped piece (4) covering the upper rim of the basket to form the opening of the basket.
2. A basket, as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the pole (1), the side arms (11, 12) and the metal structure (2) are made from stainless steel and are welded together;
3. A basket, as claimed in claim 1, characterised by the fact that the ring-shaped piece (4) comprising the opening of the basket is made from stainless steel and has an upside-down "U"-shaped section.

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