EP4186570A1 - Basketball practice equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base (1), a mast (2) along which a basket (3) is mounted in translation while being adjustable in height by a system comprising an adjustment strap ( 12) having a distal end (14a) integral with the basket (3) and a return element (13) mounted on an upper part of the said mast, the said strap being engaged on the said element by presenting a distal portion (12a) extending between said end and said element and a proximal portion (12b) extending from said element as far as a proximal end (14b), the adjustment system comprising a holding device having a lower part secured to the base (1) and a upper connected to the proximal end (14b) via a mechanism for adjusting the length of said upper part.

Description

Such equipment generally comprises a base on which a mast is mounted in the upright position, as well as a panel and a hoop which are mounted on said mast to form the basket. In particular, the basket can be mounted in translation along the mast to present a variable clearance height, thanks to a system for adjusting said height.

Equipment is known whose height adjustment system comprises a strap which has a distal end secured to the basket and a return pulley which is mounted on an upper part of the mast, said strap being engaged on said pulley by having a distal portion s extending between said end and one side of said pulley and a proximal portion extending across said pulley to a proximal end.

The documents US-5,540,429 , US-6,626,773 And CN-202 036 762 describe such equipment, in which the adjustment system comprises a reel actuated by a crank, which the user can turn to selectively wind up and unwind the proximal portion, and thus respectively increase and decrease the length of the distal portion to vary the game height.

These solutions are not entirely satisfactory, in that they prove to be relatively mechanically complex. In addition, their use is not suitable for young children, in particular in that the crank can be difficult to operate.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing basketball equipment whose playing height is easily and intuitively adjustable, even for children, while being of particularly simple design.

To this end, the invention proposes equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base, a mast mounted in the upright position on said base, a basket mounted in translation along said mast to present a playing height and a system for adjusting said height, said adjustment system comprising an adjustment strap having a distal end integral with the basket and a return element which is mounted on an upper part of said mast, said strap being engaged on said element by presenting a distal portion extending between said end and one side of said element and a proximal portion extending from the other side of said element to a proximal end, the respective length of said portions being adjustable to vary the clearance height, the adjustment system comprising a holding device having a lower part secured to the base and an upper part connected to the proximal end of the adjustment strap via a mechanism for adjusting the length of said upper part.

• la figure 1 représente en vue de côté un équipement de basketball selon un premier mode de réalisation de l'invention ;
• la figure 2 représente en perspective vue de l'arrière l'équipement de basketball de la figure 1, les figures 2a et 2b étant des agrandissements de la figure 2 centrés sur respectivement le panier (figure 2a) et la partie inférieure du système de réglage en hauteur (figure 2b) ;
• les figures 3 et 4 représentent en vue de côté l'équipement de basketball des figures précédentes, avec le panier à la hauteur respectivement maximale (figure 3) et minimale (figure 4) de jeu ;
• les figures 5 et 5a représentent un équipement de basketball selon un deuxième mode de réalisation de l'invention, suivant des vues similaires à respectivement la figure 2 et la figure 2a.

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

• there figure 1 shows a side view of basketball equipment according to a first embodiment of the invention;
• there picture 2 represents in perspective seen from the back the basketball equipment of the figure 1 , THE figures 2a and 2b being enlargements of the picture 2 centered on the basket respectively ( figure 2a ) and the lower part of the height adjustment system ( figure 2b );
• THE figures 3 and 4 represent in side view the basketball equipment of the previous figures, with the basket at the maximum height respectively ( picture 3 ) and minimal ( figure 4 ) game;
• THE figures 5 and 5a represent a basketball equipment according to a second embodiment of the invention, according to views similar to respectively the figure 2 and the figure 2a .

In connection with these figures, an equipment for the practice of basketball is described below.

The equipment comprises a base 1 on which a mast 2 carrying a basketball hoop 3 is mounted in an upright position.

The base 1 has a substantially rectangular geometry, with a front face 1a on which the mast 2 is mounted, said base forming in particular a counterweight to said mast in the upright position. To do this, the base 1 can be filled with a suitable ballast material, in particular water and/or sand.

The base 1 also has a rear wall 1b fitted with casters 4, in particular to facilitate the storage of the equipment when it is not in use. To do this, the user must slightly raise the base 1 on the front side, for example by grasping said base by its front wall 1a, in order to put the rear rollers 4 in contact with the ground.

In the embodiments shown, the base 1 has two moving rollers 4 which are mounted on its rear wall 1b so as to be arranged at equal distance on either side of a median sagittal plane passing through the mast 2 in upright position.

The mat 2 has three tubular segments 2a, 2b, 2c, for example made of metallic material, which are assembled two by two at their adjacent ends, in particular by means of pins 5. Advantageously, two adjacent segments 2a, 2b; 2b, 2c can be mounted to slide relative to each other between a retracted position and an extended position, in order to limit the bulk of the equipment when it is not in use, in order to be able to store it in a small space.

The lower segment 2a is mounted on the front wall 1a of the base 1 in the upright position, and is equipped with two lateral support arms 6 which each extend between one side of said lower segment and the corresponding side of a middle part 1d from base 1.

The basket 3 is mounted in translation along the mast 2 to present a variable clearance height, the equipment comprising a system to allow said height to be adjusted.

In relation to the figures, the basket 3 comprises a panel 7 of substantially rectangular shape, which has a front face 7a carrying a bow 8 and a rear face 7b arranged in translation facing a front face 9 of the mast 2, said face rear being equipped with a connector 11 which is mounted in translation along the mast 2.

The connector 11 is in the form of a sleeve surrounding the mast 2, and is arranged to allow the translation of the basket 3 downwards under the effect of gravity, in particular when adjusting the clearance height.

The sleeve 11 is fixed by screwing on the panel 7, so as to extend substantially at the same height as the play hoop 8. In the figures, the sleeve 11 and the hoop 8 are both mounted close to a lower edge of the panel 7.

The arch 8 can in particular be mounted in rotation on the front face 7a between an extended position (shown in the figures) and a folded position against said front face, in order to limit the size of the basket 3 when the equipment is not not used, and thus facilitate the storage of said equipment.

The height adjustment system comprises an adjustment strap 12 which has a distal end 14a secured to the basket 3 and a return element 13 which is mounted on an upper part of the mast 2, said strap being engaged on said element by presenting a portion distal end 12a extending between said end and one side of said element and a proximal portion 12b extending from the other side of said element to a proximal end 14b, the respective length of said portions being adjustable to vary the clearance height .

In the figures, the distal end 14a of the adjustment strap 12 is fixed to the connector 11, and the return element 13 is fixed to the upper end of the upper segment 2c of the mast 2.

In relation to the figures 1 to 4 , the return element 13 is formed of a pulley 13a which has a roller mounted in rotation facing the rear face 10 of the mast 2, the adjustment strap 12 being arranged on said roller to have a substantially vertical distal portion 12a which extends facing said rear face and a proximal portion 12b which extends downwards.

Similarly, the connector 11 has a rear face opposite the panel 7, on which is fixed the distal end 14a of the adjustment strap 12.

On the figures 5 and 5a , the deflection element 13 comprises a sagittal loop 13b for example formed of an endpiece fixed to the top of the mast 2, the adjustment strap 12 sliding on said loop to present a substantially vertical distal portion 12a which extends between the rear face 7b of panel 7 and front face 9 of mast 2, as well as a proximal portion 12b which extends downwards.

In this embodiment, the distal end 14a of the adjustment strap 12 can be fixed to the connector 11 by being clamped between the rear face 7b of the panel 7 and the front face 9 of the mast 2.

The height adjustment system further comprises a holding device having a lower part secured to the base 1 and an upper part connected to the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12 via an adjustment mechanism the length of said upper part.

The holding device comprises at least one strap 15 having a lower part 15a fixed to the base 1 and an upper part 15b slidably engaged in a loop 16 fixed to the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12, presenting a portion 17a connecting the proximal portion 12b to the base 1 and a free portion 17b, said loop being equipped with a reversible blocking means of said sliding in order to allow adjustment of the length of the connecting portion 17a.

The loop 16 is in the form of a clip buckle in which the upper part 15b of the retaining strap 15 is slidably mounted, said buckle being fixed to the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12.

Advantageously, the loop 16 is equipped with a non-return type locking means, in order to allow the sliding of the retaining strap 15 only in one direction, namely the direction of increase in the height of game. Thus, the risk of sudden fall of the basket 3 is limited, in particular during use of the equipment, which makes it possible to ensure the safety of the user.

Advantageously, the user wishing to adjust the height of the basket 3 must therefore simply manipulate the free portion 17b of the retaining strap 15, which proves to be particularly simple and intuitive, and in particular allows a child to adjust himself the playing height of the basket.

To increase the height of the basket, the user just has to exert downward traction on the free portion 17b, as indicated by the arrow F, the anti-return blocking means of the loop 16 preventing the translation of said basket downwards. According to this manipulation, the length of the connecting portion 17a decreases which causes the descent of the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12 and therefore the rise of the basket until the connector 11 abuts on the pulley 13 in maximum position ( picture 3 ).

To lower the basket 3, the user deactivates the loop blocking means 16, then allows the free portion 17b to slide upwards, so that said basket descends along the mast 2 under the effect of gravity. Then, once the desired clearance height has been reached, the user reactivates the blocking means to prevent the retaining strap 15 from sliding any further.

To facilitate its handling by the user, the free portion 17b of the retaining strap 15 may have a loop at its end, as shown in the figure 1 , 3 and 4 .

In the termination modes represented, the holding device comprises a strap structure which has two lateral straps 15a each having a lower end fixed to the base 1 and an upper end connected to each other, for example by sewing, to form a structure in Inverted V, the connected end being extended by an upper strap 15b slidably engaged in the loop 16.

Thus, by a triangulation effect, it contributes to the stability of the mast 2 in the upright position, and therefore to the stability of the equipment during its height adjustment and its use.

The lateral holding straps 15a are fixed respectively on either side of the base 1, in particular between the middle part 1d and the rear wall 1b of said base. In particular, each retaining strap 15a is attached to the base 1 at the level of the attachment point of the adjacent support arm 6, that is to say in the vicinity of the middle part 1d.

The retaining straps 15, 15a, 15b and adjustment straps 12 are all inelastic, and can in particular be made of a synthetic textile material, for example based on nylon.

Advantageously, the height adjustment system further comprises a device for assisting the translation of the basket 3 along the mast 2, in order to facilitate the adjustment of said height for the user, in particular when it comes to of a child.

The assistance device comprises at least one elastic strap 18 having an upper end 18a connected to the proximal portion 12b of the adjustment strap 12, in particular in the vicinity of the adjustment mechanism, as well as a lower end 18b fixed to the base 1 , said strap being arranged to stretch elastically on the downward stroke of the basket 3.

This arrangement makes it possible to assist the upward translation of the basket 3 during its height adjustment, in order to limit the traction force that the user must exert on the free portion 17b of the retaining strap 15. The elastic strap 18 also makes it possible to limit the speed of descent of the basket 3 under the effect of gravity, in order to guarantee the safety of the user during the height adjustment of said basket.

In the first embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 4 , the assistance device comprises a strap structure having two side straps 19 each having a lower end 18b fixed to the base 1 and an upper end 18a interconnected to form an inverted V structure.

In particular, the connected end 18a of the assistance straps 19 is fixed, for example by stitching, to the proximal portion 14b of the adjustment strap 12, and the lateral assistance straps 19 are fixed respectively on both sides. other from base 1.

Advantageously, the lateral assistance 19 and holding 15a straps are fixed respectively on either side of the base 1 at the level of the same part 1b of said base, in particular at the level of the point of attachment of the arm of the support 6 adjacent.

In the second embodiment shown ( figures 5 and 5a ), the portion 17a of the retaining strap 15 is doubled by an elastic strap 18 forming the assistance device. In particular, the strap 18 has a lower end 18b fixed to the upper end of the side straps 15a.

Claims (14)

Equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base (1), a mast (2) mounted in an upright position on said base, a basket (3) mounted in translation along said mast to present a variable height of play and a system of adjustment of said height, said adjustment system comprising an adjustment strap (12) having a distal end (14a) secured to the basket (3) and a return element (13) which is mounted on an upper part of said mast, said strap being engaged on said element by having a distal portion (12a) extending between said end and one side of said element and a proximal portion (12b) extending from the other side of said element to a proximal end (14b) , the respective length of said portions being adjustable to vary the playing height, said equipment being characterized in that the adjustment system comprises a holding device having a lower part secured to the base (1) and an upper part connected to the proximal end (14b) of the adjustment strap (12) via a mechanism for adjusting the length of said upper part. Equipment for playing basketball according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device comprises at least one strap (15) having a lower part fixed to the base (1) and an upper part slidably engaged in a loop (16 ) fixed to the proximal end (14b) of the adjustment strap (12) by having a portion (17a) connecting the proximal portion (12b) to the base (1) and a free portion (17b), said loop being equipped with a reversible blocking means of said sliding in order to allow adjustment of the length of the connecting portion (17a). Equipment for playing basketball according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding device comprises a strap structure having two lateral straps (15a) each having a lower end fixed to the base (1) and an upper end connected to each other to form an inverted V structure. Equipment for playing basketball according to Claim 3, characterized in that the lateral holding straps (15a) are fixed respectively on either side of the base (1). Equipment for playing basketball according to one of Claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the connected end is extended by an upper strap (15b) slidably engaged in the loop (16). Equipment for playing basketball according to any one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the basket (3) comprises a panel (7) having a front face (7a) carrying a hoop (8) and a rear face ( 7b) arranged in translation opposite a front face (9) of the mast (2), said rear face being equipped with a connector (11) which is mounted in translation along the mast (2). Equipment for playing basketball according to any one of Claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the loop (16) is in the form of a clip buckle in which the upper part of the holding strap (15) is engaged. , said loop being attached to the proximal end (14b) of the adjustment strap (12). Equipment for playing basketball according to any one of Claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the adjustment straps (12) and the retaining straps (15) are inelastic. Equipment for playing basketball according to any one of Claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adjustment system comprises a device for assisting the translation of the basket (3) along the mast (2). Equipment for playing basketball according to claim 9, characterized in that the assistance device comprises at least one elastic strap (18) having an upper end (18a) connected to the portion proximal end (12b) of the adjustment strap (12), and a lower end (18b) fixed to the base (1), said strap being arranged to stretch elastically on the downward stroke of the basket (3). Equipment for the practice of basketball according to claim 10, characterized in that the upper end (18a) of the assistance strap (18) is connected to the proximal portion (12b) of the adjustment strap (12) in the vicinity of the adjustment mechanism. Equipment for playing basketball according to one of Claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the assistance device comprises a strap structure having two lateral straps (19) each having a lower end (18b) fixed to the base ( 1) and an upper end (18a) interconnected to form an inverted V structure. Equipment for playing basketball according to one of Claims 10 or 11 when dependent on Claim 2, characterized in that the assistance device comprises a strap (18) which doubles the portion (17a) of the hold (15). Equipment for playing basketball according to Claim 13 when dependent on Claim 3, characterized in that the strap (18) has a lower end (18b) fixed to the upper end of the side straps (15a).

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