EP4056242A1 - Equipment for playing basketball - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base (1) and a post (2) having an upper section (2a) carrying a board (3) on which a basketball hoop (4) is mounted, said post having a lower section (2b) which is rotatably mounted on said base, the board (3) being mounted on the upper section (2a) by means of a mechanism (39) for rotation between an angular position of use and an angular storage position, said mechanism comprising a plate (40) for associating the upper end of the upper section (2a), said plate comprising an extension (41) connected to the board (3) via a friction pivot, the position of use of said board being delimited by the abutment of said plate on a member (50) integral with the board.

Description

The invention relates to equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base intended to be placed resting on the ground, as well as a pole which has an upper section carrying a board on which a basketball hoop is mounted.

Such equipment is known which is foldable in order to facilitate its installation and storage, in particular by limiting the use of tools and/or the time necessary for such operations, which may in fact prove to be dissuasive both for the use of said equipment only for its storage.

The documents FR-3 022 795 and FR-3 022 796 describe equipment for playing basketball, in which the base is equipped with two rows of wheels forming a housing between them, and whose post has a lower section which is rotatably mounted on said base in order to be able to position said post reversibly between a folded configuration for storage, in which at least the lower section is arranged in the housing, and an upright configuration for use.

In storage configuration, the board is arranged above the base, according to its angular position of use, which can pose a problem of space when the board has a longitudinal dimension which is greater than the frontal dimension of the base .

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing equipment for the practice of basketball in which the board carrying the ring can be placed in a position making it possible to reduce the size of said equipment in its storage configuration, and this simple and intuitive way, in particular not requiring the use of tools.

To this end, the invention proposes equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base intended to be placed resting on the ground and 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 to be able to position said post reversibly between a folded configuration for storage against the base and an upright configuration for use, the board being mounted on the upper section by means of a mechanism of rotation between an angular position of use and an angular position of storage, said mechanism comprising an association plate of the upper end of the upper section, said plate comprising an extension connected to the board by means of a pivot friction, the position of use of said board being delimited by the abutment of said plate on a solid member back from the board.

• [Fig.1] représente en perspective vue de l'arrière un équipement selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention en configuration d'utilisation,
• [Fig.1a] représentant en perspective vue de l'arrière le tronçon inférieur du poteau et la base de ce même équipement ;
• [Fig.2] est un agrandissement en perspective vue de l'arrière du poteau de l'équipement des figures 1, 1a, centré sur le système d'actionnement du déplacement du tronçon supérieur,
• [Fig.2a] et
• [Fig.2b] étant des coupes du système d'actionnement de la figure 2 suivant deux plans sagittaux différents ;
• [Fig.3a],
• [Fig.3b] et
• [Fig.3c] représentent l'équipement des figures 1, 1a, 2, 2a et 2b en configuration de rangement, respectivement en vue de l'arrière (figure 3a) et en perspective suivant deux orientations différentes (figures 3b, 3c) ;
• [Fig.4a],
• [Fig.4b] et
• [Fig.4c] représentent en perspective vue de l'arrière le montage de la planche sur le tronçon supérieur du poteau dans l'équipement des figures 1 à 4c, respectivement en position d'utilisation (figure 4a), en position de rangement (figure 4b) et en vue éclatée (figure 4c) ;
• [Fig.5] est un agrandissement de la figure 4a centré sur l'organe de butée définissant la position d'utilisation de la planche ;
• [Fig.6] est une vue en coupe partielle suivant un plan sagittal du mécanisme de montage de la planche sur le tronçon supérieur du poteau dans l'équipement des figures 1 à 5.

Other particularities and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, made with reference to the appended figures, in which:

• [ Fig.1 ] shows in perspective view from the rear an item of equipment according to one embodiment of the invention in the configuration for use,
• [ Fig.1a ] representing in perspective seen from the rear the lower section of the pole and the base of this same equipment;
• [ Fig.2 ] is an enlarged perspective view of the rear of the equipment pole of the figures 1, 1a , centered on the actuating system for moving the upper section,
• [ Fig.2a ] and
• [ Fig.2b ] being sections of the actuation system of the picture 2 along two different sagittal planes;
• [ Fig.3a ],
• [ Fig.3b ] and
• [ Fig.3c ] represent the equipment of figures 1, 1a , 2, 2a and 2b in storage configuration, respectively when viewed from the rear ( picture 3a ) and in perspective following two different orientations ( figure 3b , 3c );
• [ Fig.4a ],
• [ Fig.4b ] and
• [ Fig.4c ] represent in perspective seen from the rear the assembly of the board on the upper section of the post in the equipment of the figures 1 to 4c , respectively in the use position ( figure 4a ), in storage position ( figure 4b ) and exploded view ( figure 4c );
• [ Fig.5 ] is an enlargement of the figure 4a centered on the abutment member defining the position of use of the board;
• [ Fig.6 ] is a partial cross-sectional view along a sagittal plane of the mounting mechanism of the board on the upper section of the pole in the equipment of the figures 1 to 5 .

In connection with these figures, an equipment for playing basketball is described below.

The equipment comprises a base 1 intended to be placed resting 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.

The post 2 also has a lower section 2b which is rotatably mounted on the base 1 in order to be able to arrange said post reversibly between a folded-down storage configuration and an upright configuration for use.

The base 1 is equipped with two lateral structures 5 which form between them a housing 6 such that, in storage configuration, at least the lower section 2b of the post 2 is arranged in said housing. In the embodiment shown, the base 1 comprises a frame 7 on which the lower section 2b is rotatably mounted, the side structures 5 being carried by said frame, forming a U-shaped housing 6 between them.

The two lateral structures 5 form a counterweight to the post 2 in the upright configuration for the use of the equipment, in order to avoid tilting of said equipment, and thus guarantee the safety of its users.

At least one side structure 5 can be arranged to be able to be filled with a ballast material, for example water or sand. In the embodiment shown, each side structure 5 has three modules 5a aligned in a sagittal direction, each of said modules comprising a reservoir 8 on which an opening 9 is arranged to allow them to be filled with such ballast material.

For good weight distribution, the side structures 5 have identical modules 5a which are distributed symmetrically with respect to the modules 5a of the other side structure 5, on either side of a median sagittal plane containing the post 2.

The base 1 is also equipped with wheels 10 to allow movement of the equipment, in particular in its storage configuration.

In the embodiment shown, the base 1 is equipped with two rows of wheels 10 each forming a side structure 5 between which is formed the housing 6 for receiving the lower section 2b in the folded-down configuration.

In particular, each of the wheels 10 forms a ballast module 5a for the corresponding side structure 5, and for this purpose has a cylindrical reservoir 8 on the periphery of which an opening 9 is arranged to allow it to be filled with a ballast material, the axis of revolution of said reservoir extending horizontally and perpendicular to the sagittal axis of frame 7, in order to be able to move base 1 by rolling said reservoirs on their periphery.

On the figures 1, 1a and 3a to 3c , the frame 7 comprises a central beam 7c on either side of which the wheels 10 are mounted. In particular, the wheels 10 each comprise a hub 12 secured to the central beam 7c, said hubs being arranged to allow the wheels 10 to rotate independently of each other.

With regard to the mounting of the lower section 2b, the central beam 7c of the frame 7 has a front part on which said lower section is rotatably mounted. Thus, to arrange the equipment in the use configuration, the user first moves the lower section 2b from the folded-down configuration to the upright configuration by causing it to pivot relative to the front part of the beam 7c.

To facilitate its arrangement in the configuration of use, the equipment comprises a connecting arm 13 which has a front end 13a articulated on the lower section 2b, as well as a rear end articulated on the base 1, in particular by being placed in the housing 6 for receiving said lower section.

In particular, at least one of the front 13a and rear ends of the connecting arm 13 can be slidably mounted on the lower section 2b and the base 1 respectively.

In the embodiment shown, 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.

The lower section 2b is equipped with at least one foot 18 which is arranged laterally, in order to stabilize the post 2 in the upright configuration, in particular to prevent it from tilting to the sides, in combination with the base 1 which forms a counterweight to prevent its tilting forwards or backwards.

In the figures, the lower section 2b comprises two feet 18 arranged on either side of its lower end. The feet 18 are fixed to the lower section 2b to bear against the ground when the post 2 is in the upright configuration, which also makes it possible to prevent the base 1 from rolling when the equipment is in the configuration for use.

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 between a retracted storage position and at least one projecting position corresponding to a height of use .

In relation to the figures 2, 2a and 2b , the actuation system 22 comprises a housing 23 fixed to a rear wall of the lower section 2b and a mechanism for moving the upper section 2a which is housed in said housing, said mechanism comprising a manipulation grip 24 which projects from said housing.

In particular, the socket 24 is arranged on a rear wall 23a of the casing 23, and the housing 6 of the base 1 is arranged to receive the lower section 2b in the folded-down configuration, preventing access to said socket, as represented on the picture 3a .

Thus, the risk of inadvertent deployment of the upper section 2a is optimally limited when the equipment is in the storage configuration, and this without having to make significant modifications to the geometry of the housing 6, and therefore of the base 1.

In the embodiment shown, the upper section 2a is slidably mounted in the lower section 2b. In particular, as shown in the figures 2 and 2a , 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 toothed wheel 26 which is actuated in rotation by a worm screw 27, said wheel being arranged to s engage successively in the orifices 25 for the sliding of the upper section 2a in the lower section 2b.

The toothed wheel 26 is rotatably mounted in the housing 23 along a front axis A1, and the screw 27 is rotatably mounted in the housing 23 along a sagittal axis A2. The screw 27 has a rear end which protrudes from the rear wall 23a of the housing 23 and on which is fixed a metal loop 24 forming a manipulation grip for the mechanism.

Advantageously, a crank 28 can be reversibly associated with the loop 24 for handling the screw 27, so as to be removed from said loop when the mechanism is not actuated. This arrangement not only makes it possible to limit the size of the system 22 when it is placed in the housing 6, but also to limit the risk of inadvertent actuation of the mechanism when the equipment is in the configuration for use, in order to guarantee safety. users.

The actuating mechanism comprises two toothed wheels 26, 29 of different diameter which are integral in rotation. In relation to the sectional figures 2a and 2b, the large diameter wheel 26 is engaged in the orifices 25 and the small diameter wheel 29 is actuated by the endless screw 27.

The endless screw 27 can be arranged to require manipulation of the grip 24 to actuate the upper section 2a in each of its directions of movement. Thus, in particular, rotation of the wheels 26, 29 in the direction of retraction of the upper section 2a is prevented when the screw 27 is not actuated, which makes it possible to ensure that said upper section is maintained at the chosen height, in order to guarantee user safety by preventing its inadvertent retraction in the lower section 2b during use of the equipment.

To limit the size 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. with respect to said lower segment between a configuration of use, in which said upper segment is deployed with respect to said lower segment, and a storage configuration, in which said upper segment forms a compact arrangement with said lower segment.

Thus, once the lower section 2b is in the upright position, the user can arrange the equipment in the use configuration by successively deploying the lower segment 30b out of said lower section, by actuating the system 22 by means of the crank 28 , then the upper segment 30a relative to said lower segment.

In the embodiment shown, the upper segment 30a is rotatably mounted on the lower segment 30b between an upright angular configuration for use and a folded angular configuration for storage against the lower segment 30b.

In particular, the upper segment 30a comprises at least one pair of parallel bars 31 which each have a rear end mounted in rotation on the upper end of the lower segment 30b, as well as a front end on which the board 3 is mounted in rotation. along a frontal axis. Thus, the upper segment 30a forms a deformable parallelogram which allows the user to deploy said upper segment angularly and to erect the board 3 in a single gesture.

The equipment may further comprise a system 32 for locking the upper segment 30a in the upright configuration, in order to avoid any untimely tilting of the said upper segment in the folded configuration, in particular during the use of the said equipment, and thus ensure the safety of the users.

On the figure 1 , the locking system 32 comprises a casing 33 which is mounted on the upper end of the lower segment 30b, and on each side face of which the rear end of an upper parallel bar 31 is rotatably mounted, said casing enclosing a mechanism locking which is reversibly operable by means of a rocker lever 34 mounted in the upper part of said housing.

The board 3 is movable relative to the upper segment 30a between a position of use and a storage position, which makes it possible to limit the size of the board 3 in the storage configuration of the equipment.

In the embodiment shown, the board 3 has a quadrilateral geometry, in particular rectangular, which, in the storage position, is turned by 90° with respect to its position of use on the upper segment 30a. In particular, the board 3 has longitudinal and lateral dimensions which substantially correspond to the respectively sagittal and frontal dimensions of the base 1. Thus, insofar as the base 1 has a sagittal dimension which is greater than its frontal dimension in order to be able to ensure the stability of the equipment vis-à-vis a forward-backward tilting, it is possible, within the size of said base, to store a rectangular board which satisfies the practice of sport.

The board 3 is mounted in rotation on the upper segment 30a between an angular position of use ( figure 1 , 4a , 4c ) and an angular storage position ( figures 3a to 3c and figure 4b ), in particular by means of a mechanism 39 for rotation between these two positions.

In relation to the figures 4a to 6 , the rotation mechanism 39 comprises a plate 40 for associating the upper end of the upper segment 30a, said plate comprising an extension 41 connected to the board via a friction pivot. As shown on the figure 4a , the extension 41 is arranged above the upper segment 30a when the board 3 is in the position of use.

The extension 41 of the plate 40 comprises a U-shaped structure whose two branches 42 carry means for associating the upper end of the upper section, the base 42a of said U being engaged in the friction pivot connection.

In particular, each branch 42 has a pair of vertical side plates 43 between which the upper end of respectively a bar 31 is rotatably mounted.

The extension 41 is clamped against the board 3 with at least one friction insert 45 interposed between them, the equipment further comprising a means 46 for adjusting the clamping in order to optimize the friction torque of the rotation.

To do this, the rotation mechanism 39 comprises a rear cup 47 fixed to the rear face of the board 3 and a front cup 48, the extension 41 being arranged between the cups 47, 48 which are equipped with means 46 for clamping the said extension between them, at least one cup 47, 48 housing a friction insert 45.

On the figure 4a , 4b, 4c and 14, each cup 47, 48 houses a friction insert 45, the extension 41 being clamped between said cups and fixed to the rear of the board 3 by means of four screws 46.

Each insert 45 is immobilized in rotation between the cups 47, 48, and comprises a friction ring 45a which is clamped on a respectively rear 41b and front 41a face of the extension 41 via a clamping ring 47a, 48a formed on the cup 47, 48 adjacent.

The extension 41 has a square section, as shown in particular on the figure 6 , or rectangular, a friction ring 45a being clamped respectively against a front face 41a and a rear face 41b of said section. Each tightening crown 47a, 48a has indentations 49, and in particular two indentations 49 of identical angular dimensions which are diametrically opposed along said crown.

After having placed the lower section 2b in the upright configuration, the user can place the board 3 in the use position by pivoting it by means of the rotation mechanism 39. Then, the user can pivot the segment upper 30a to arrange it in an upright configuration, then erect the lower segment 30b out of the lower section 2b by actuating its system 22, up to the desired height for the board 3.

The position of use of the board 3 is delimited by the abutment of the plate 40 on a member 50 integral with said board. This arrangement makes it possible to selectively arrange the board in its storage and use positions following a simple and intuitive gesture, and this without requiring the use of tools.

Advantageously, the abutment member 50 of the board 3 comprises a means 51 for locking the position of use, which makes it possible to secure said position, in particular by avoiding any untimely rotation of said board during the use of the equipment.

In relation to the figure 5 , the locking means is a latch 51 which engages reversibly on a pin 52 secured to the plate 40. In particular, the pin 52 is fixed to the lower end of one of the branches 43 of the extension in U 41, and the latch 51 comprises a hook 51a which engages on said axis in the locking position, as well as a tab 51b that the user can grasp manually to rotate the latch 51 and disengage the hook 51a from said axis , when he wants to rotate the board 3 to its storage position.

As shown on the figure 4c , the ring 4 is fixed on the board 3 so as not to interact with the plate 40 during the rotation of said board. To do this, the ring 4 comprises a support 53 which is fixed to the board 3 mechanically independent of the plate 40.

Advantageously, the ring 4 has an extension 4a which is rotatably mounted around an axis 54 secured to its support 53 for fixing to the board 3, so that said ring is foldable from a horizontal position of use towards a vertical storage position against the board 3, in order to limit the size of said ring in the storage configuration of the equipment.

To do this, the support 53 has two vertical blanks 53a which extend from a front face of the board 3 in a sagittal direction, the extension 4a being rotatably mounted on a front axis 54 fixed between said blanks.

• un fond 53b s'étendant frontalement à l'arrière de ses flans verticaux 53b, et fixé à la planche 3 au moyen de vis ; et
• un second axe frontal 55 fixé entre ses flans verticaux 53b, sur lequel l'extension 4a de l'anneau 4 vient en butée lorsque ledit anneau est disposé en position d'utilisation.

In particular, in the embodiment shown, the support 53 also comprises:

• a bottom 53b extending frontally at the rear of its vertical sides 53b, and fixed to the board 3 by means of screws; and
• a second front axis 55 fixed between its vertical blanks 53b, on which the extension 4a of the ring 4 comes into abutment when said ring is placed in the position of use.

Claims (14)

Equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base (1) intended to be placed resting on the ground and a post (2) having an upper section (2a) carrying a board (3) on which a basketball hoop (4) is mounted, said post having a lower section (2b) which is rotatably mounted on said base in order to be able to arrange said post reversibly between a folded configuration for storage against the base (1) and an upright configuration for use, said equipment being characterized in that the board (3) is mounted on the upper section (2a) by means of a rotation mechanism (39) between an angular position of use and an angular position of storage, said mechanism comprising a plate ( 40) of association of the upper end of the upper section (2a), said plate comprising an extension (41) linked to the board (3) via a friction pivot, the position of use of said plank being delimited by the abutment of said plate on a member (50) secured to the board. Equipment according to Claim 1, characterized in that the extension (41) of the plate (40) comprises a U-shaped structure whose two branches (42) carry means (43) for associating the upper end of the section upper (2a), the base (42a) of said U being engaged in the friction pivot connection. Equipment according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that , in the position of use, the extension (41) is arranged above the upper section (2a). Equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the extension (41) is clamped against the board (3) with at least one friction insert (45) interposed between them. Equipment according to Claim 4, characterized in that it comprises means (46) for adjusting the tightening in order to optimize the friction torque of the rotation. Equipment according to one of Claims 4 or 5, characterized in that the rotation mechanism (39) comprises a rear cup (47) fixed to the rear face of the board (3) and a front cup (48), the extension (41) being arranged between said cups which are equipped with means (46) for clamping said extension between them, at least one cup (47, 48) housing a friction insert (45). Equipment according to Claim 6, characterized in that the insert (45) comprises a friction crown (45a) which is clamped on one face (41a, 41b) of the extension (41) by means of a crown clamping (47a, 48a) of the cup (47, 48). Equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the abutment member (50) of the board comprises means (51) for locking the position of use. Equipment according to Claim 8, characterized in that the locking means is a latch (51) which engages reversibly on a pin (52) integral with the plate (40). Equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the ring (4) is fixed to the board (3) so as not to interact with the plate (40) during the rotation of the said board. Equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the upper section (2a) is slidably mounted on the lower section (2b), the said equipment comprising a system (22) for actuating the said displacement over a between a retracted storage position and at least one protruding position corresponding to a height of use, said actuation system comprising a box (23) fixed to a rear wall of the lower section (2b) and a mechanism for moving the upper section (2a) which is housed in said casing, said mechanism comprising a manipulation grip (24) which protrudes from the casing (23). Equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the upper section (2a) of the post (2) comprises an upper segment (30a) carrying the board (3) and a lower segment (30b) mounted to slide on the lower section (2b), said upper segment being rotatably mounted on said lower segment between an upright angular configuration for use and a folded angular configuration for storage against the lower segment (30b). Equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the board (3) has a quadrilateral geometry which, in the storage position, is turned by 90° with respect to its position of use on the upper section ( 2a). Equipment according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the ring (4) has a lateral extension (4a) which is mounted in rotation about an axis (54) integral with a support (53) fixed to the board (3) so that said ring is foldable from a horizontal use position to a vertical storage position against said board.

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