ES2795725T3 - Play structure that includes a base that is placed on the ground - Google Patents

Abstract

Play structure comprising a base (1) that is placed resting on the ground and at least one lower element (2) that can be mounted on said base in a vertical position for the use of said structure, said base comprises: - a frame central (5) in which said element is mounted; - wheels (6) mounted on said frame to allow movement of said structure; some of said wheels are arranged to be able to be filled with a ballast material to form a counterweight to the lower element (2) in the vertical position for the use of said structure, said structure comprises an upper element (3) on which a basketball backboard (4), said upper element is rotatably mounted at an upper end of said lower member (2) between a folded position and an unfolded position, said play structure is placed from a storage position to a use position by successively passing the lower element (2) from a folded position to the vertical position, then the upper element (3) from the folded position to the unfolded position, said upper element comprises two pairs of parallel bars upper (3a) and lower ( 3b), each of which has a rear end rotatably mounted on the upper end of the lower member (2), as well as a front end on which the basketball backboard (4) is mounted by rotation.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Play structure that includes a base that is placed on the ground

The invention refers to a game structure comprising a base that is placed on the ground and at least one element mounted on said base.

This applies in particular to a game structure for the practice of a sport, in particular basketball, whereby said structure supports a basketball backboard and comprises at least one element that is rotatably mounted on the base between a folded position and a vertical position to allow the use of said panel.

Such structures are already known, the base of which comprises a central frame in which at least one element that supports the basketball backboard is mounted by rotation, as well as wheels mounted on said frame to allow the movement of said structure, in particular to be able to store them. in a room provided for this purpose at the end of its use.

Documents US-5316290 and US-5800294 describe collapsible game structures for basketball practice arranged to be mounted on the rear of a motor vehicle, in particular in the transport compartment of a "pick-up" type vehicle. (US-5316290) or in the coupling part of said vehicle (US-5800 294).

Document WO-2009/038762 describes a base that is placed resting on the ground, comprising a central frame on which the wheels are mounted to allow their movement, at least some of which can be filled with ballast material.

Document US-1 518227 describes a structure comprising an operating part mounted on a height-adjustable post, said post is mounted on a base provided with wheels to allow its movement.

In particular, document US-5 893 809 describes a structure for the practice of basketball, the base of which has a frame at the front end in which an element that supports a basketball backboard is rotatably mounted, said frame also comprises a tank U-shaped refillable with ballast material, for example, based on water and / or sand, to form a counterweight to the element in a vertical position to avoid the inclination of said structure.

Furthermore, this document provides for the provision of wheels at the front end of the frame to allow the movement of the structure that rests on said wheels.

However, such structures are not entirely satisfactory, since their movement requires an effort from the user to support it on its wheels, which can be laborious and even dangerous, due to the large total weight of the base filled with ballast material and the elements that support the basketball backboard.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a game structure whose base is arranged to allow easy movement of said structure, in particular for storage in an appropriate room, and this while ensuring optimal maintenance of said structure. structure during use.

To this end, the invention proposes a game structure according to claim 1.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear in the description below, made with reference to the attached figures, in which:

• Figures 1 show a game structure according to the invention in the storage position, respectively in perspective (Figure 1a) and side (Figure 1b);

• Figures 2 show the play structure of Figures 1, in which a lower element mounted by rotation on the base is in a vertical position, respectively in perspective (Figure 2a) and lateral (Figure 2b);

• Figures 3 represent the play structure of Figures 1 in the position of use, in which the lower element is in a vertical position and an upper element mounted by rotation on said lower element is in the deployed position, respectively in perspective ( Figure 3a) and lateral (Figure 3b);

• Figures 4 represent the play structure of Figures 1 in the position of use, in which a first part of the lower element is also placed in the raised position outside a second part of said lower element, respectively in perspective (Figure 4a) and lateral (Figure 4b);

• Figure 5 is a partial representation in longitudinal section of the play structure according to figures 3, Figures 5a and 5b show an enlargement of respectively a lower end and an upper end of the lower element;

• Figures 6 and 7 are perspective representations of the base of the play structure of Figures 1 to 4, the lower element is in a vertical position.

In relation to these figures, a game structure is described below, particularly for the practice of basketball.

The play structure comprises a base 1 that is placed resting on the ground and at least one element mounted by rotation on said base between a folded position and a vertical position for the use of said structure. Alternatively, the element can be telescopically mounted on the base 1 between a retracted position and a vertical position to use the structure.

In the embodiment shown, the structure comprises a lower element 2 mounted by rotation on the base 1 between a folded position and a vertical position, as well as an upper element 3 on which a basketball backboard 4 is mounted and which is mounted by rotation at an upper end of said lower element between a folded position and a deployed position.

Therefore, the structure can be arranged between a storage position, in which the lower 2 and upper 3 elements are respectively in the folded and folded position, and a use position, in which the lower 2 and upper 3 elements are respectively in the vertical and unfolded position, successively passing the lower element 2 from the folded position to the vertical position, then the upper element 3 from the folded position to the unfolded position.

As a variant, the structure can comprise a single element 2 having a lower end mounted by rotation on the base, as well as an upper end supporting a basketball backboard 4.

The base 1 comprises a central frame 5 in which the lower element 2 is mounted by rotation, as well as wheels 6 mounted on the frame 5 to allow the movement of the structure. Referring to Figure 6, each of the wheels 6 comprises a bearing secured to the central frame 5, said bearings are arranged to allow the wheels 6 to rotate independently of one another.

In particular, at least some of the wheels 6 are arranged so that they can be filled with a ballast material, for example water or sand, to form a counterweight to the lower element 2 in the vertical position. To do this, each of the refillable wheels 6 comprises a cylindrical tank in the periphery of which an opening 7 is placed to allow them to be filled with said ballast material.

For good weight distribution, the refillable wheels 6 are distributed in pairs on each side of the central frame 5. In relation to the figures, the base 1 comprises in particular three pairs of refillable wheels 6 distributed on each side of the central frame 5.

Furthermore, the axis of revolution of the tanks extends horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame 5, so that the base 1 can be displaced by rolling said tanks around its periphery.

With regard to the mounting of the lower element 2, the central frame 5 has a front end on which said lower element is mounted by rotation. Therefore, to arrange the play structure in the position of use, the user, first of all, makes the lower element 2 pass from the folded position (figures 1) to the vertical position (figures 2) by rotating it relative to the front end of center frame 5.

To facilitate the arrangement of the structure in the position of use, said structure comprises a system to assist the displacement of the lower element 2 in the vertical position. Said help system is even more desirable since the user, when moving the lower element 2 in the vertical position, must not only handle said lower element, but also the upper element 3 placed in the folded position on said lower element, as well as the basketball backboard 4 mounted on said upper element, which can be restrictive due to the total weight of the assembly.

In relation to the figures, the assistance system comprises a connecting arm 8 having a first end mounted by rotation on the lower element 2, as well as a second end mounted by translation on the base 1, for example, on a rail formed for this purpose on the central frame 5.

Furthermore, the assistance system comprises spring means 9 mounted on the central frame 5 on each side of the second end of the link arm 8, said spring means are arranged to drive the translation of the link arm 8 with respect to the central frame 5 , to aid the displacement of the lower element 2 in the vertical position.

To do this, the spring means 9 is locked in the restricted position when the lower element 2 is in the bent position. For example, the spring means 9 can be compression springs, respectively tension springs, which contract, stretch respectively, when the lower element 2 is in the bent position, to accompany the translation of the connecting arm 8 by relaxing - respectively contracting - toward its resting position.

To guarantee safety, either during the use of the structure or during its arrangement in the position of use, said structure further comprises a locking system 10 of the lower element 2 in the vertical position, to prevent said lower element from falling. inadvertently in the bent position.

In particular, the locking system 10 comprises means for locking the connecting arm 8 in translation and / or by rotation, in particular bolts 11 supported by one of said connecting arm and the lower element 2, said bolts are intended to be locked in a receiving device supported by the other of the lower element 2 and the connecting arm 8 when said lower element is in the vertical position.

With reference to the figures, the receiving device comprises a plate 12 which is mounted by rotation on the lower element 2 and which has a locking groove for the bolts 11 mounted on the link arm 8.

Therefore, during the deployment of the lower element 2 in the vertical position, the bolts 11 are placed in the locking groove of the plate 12, to activate the locking system 10.

Furthermore, to place the structure in the storage position, the plate 12 is manually operated by rotation to unlock the bolts 11 from the slot, to be able to move the connecting arm 8 in translation and thus allow the arrangement of the lower element 2 in the bent position.

Referring to Figure 7, the locking system 10 also comprises a hook 13 rotatably mounted on the link arm 8 and intended to be manually hooked onto a cross bar 14 before mounting it on the rail on the central frame 5, to prevent the translation of said connecting arm on said rail and thus contribute to the locking of the lower element 2 in the vertical position. To provide more stability to the structure when it is placed in the position of use, the lower element 2 is arranged to rest on the ground in a vertical position, which makes it possible to avoid the inclination of said structure in said position of use.

To do this, the lower element 2 comprises two legs 15 mounted on each side of its lower end and intended to rest on the ground when said lower element is in a vertical position. Therefore, the legs 15 ensure a better stability of the structure avoiding in particular its inclination to the sides, and this in combination with the base 1 which forms a counterweight to avoid its inclination forward or backward. The legs 15 also make it possible to prevent the base 1 from rolling when the lower element 2 is in a vertical position, in particular during the use of the play structure or during its arrangement in the position of use.

Once the lower element 2 is in a vertical position, the user can place the play structure in the position of use by passing the upper element 3 from the folded position (figures 2), in which said upper element is placed against said lower element, to the deployed position (Figures 3), and manually rotating said upper element with respect to the upper end of the lower element 2 on which it is mounted by rotation.

The upper element 3 comprises a free end on which the basketball backboard 4 is mounted, said backboard comprises a table 4a and a ring 4b on which a net can be hung.

To limit the size of the playing structure when placed in the storage position, the basketball backboard 4 can be arranged so that it can be folded against the upper element 3 which is placed against the lower element 2 when placed in the position folded. To do this, the basketball backboard 4 can be rotatably mounted on the free end of the upper element 3.

Furthermore, the ring 4b can be rotatably mounted on the board 4 to fold against the table 4a when the play structure is in the storage position. As a variant, the ring 4b can be reversibly mounted on the board 4 by means of a tool-less system, to allow the user to easily remove said ring when he wishes to store the game structure.

In particular, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the upper element 3 comprises two pairs of parallel upper 3a and lower 3b bars, each of which has a rear end rotatably mounted at the upper end of the lower element 2, as well as a front end in which the basketball backboard 4 is mounted by rotation. Thus, the upper element 3 forms a deformable parallelogram that allows the user to pass said upper element to the deployed position and to place the basketball backboard 4 in a vertical position in a single gesture.

Furthermore, to facilitate the arrangement of the upper element 3 in the deployed position, said upper element comprises a handle 16 that the user can grasp to manipulate said upper element.

The play structure also comprises a locking system for the upper element 3 in the deployed position, to avoid any premature inclination of said upper element in the folded position, in particular during the use of the structure, and thus guarantee the safety of the users. .

To do this, the locking system comprises a hook 17 mounted on one of the upper 3 and lower 2 elements, said hook is manually hooked to the other of said lower and upper elements when said upper element is in the deployed position. In particular, the hook 17 can be rotatably mounted to facilitate its manipulation by the user.

In connection with Figure 5b, the hook 17 is mounted on the upper element 3 and the lower element 2 comprises a device supporting a pin 18 in which said hook is hooked when said upper element is in the deployed position. In Figures 3, the lower element 2 is in the vertical position and the upper element 3 is in the unfolded position, the basketball backboard 4 and the ring 4b that it contains are placed in a vertical forward position. Therefore, the play structure can be used.

However, depending on the user's level of practice, age and / or size, the height of the tabletop 4 can be adjusted. To do this, the lower element 2 comprises a first part 2a mounted in a sliding manner in a second part 2b between a retracted position in said second part (figures 3) and a raised position outside said second part (figures 4), said element The bottom is equipped with a system for actuating the movement of said first part in the raised position.

In particular, the lower end of the second part 2b is rotatably mounted on the central frame 5 and includes the two legs 15, and the upper member 3 is rotatably mounted on an upper end of the first part 2a.

With reference to Figures 5, the drive system comprises a belt 19, the first end of which is fixed to the second part 2b, said belt is mounted on a winding means around its second end. In particular, the winding means comprise a crank 20 mounted on the second part 2b, in particular on a casing 21 supported on said second part and into which the second end of the strap 19 is driven to wrap around said crank.

Furthermore, the second part 2b comprises a slider 22 fixed at its upper end, the strap 19 slides out of said slider when it is wound around its second end.

Furthermore, the first part 2a is supported on the strap 19 between its first and second ends so as to be able to move in the raised position, respectively retracted, by winding, respectively unwinding, of said strap.

With reference to Figures 5 and 5a, the first part 2a comprises a slide 23 formed at its lower end and in which the strap 19 slides when the system is operated.

To prevent the total weight of the first part 2a - upper element 3 - basketball backboard 4 from resting on the belt 19, in particular on the portion of said belt placed on the slider 23 of said first part, the drive system may comprise a safety device that, when actuated, supports said first part to lock it at the desired height.

In particular, said safety device may comprise a pin designed to be placed in a hole formed in the first part 2a and corresponding to a desired height for the board 4, the user removes said pin from said hole before unwinding the strap 19 from the winding means 20 when you want to retract said first part into said second part, for example, during the arrangement of the structure in the storage position.

To guarantee the safety of the users during the use of the game structure, the drive system also comprises a device for locking the first part 2a in the raised position, in order to avoid any premature displacement of said first part towards its position. retracted and therefore any abrupt and uncontrolled, and therefore potentially dangerous, descent from the basketball backboard 4.

To do this, the locking device is particularly arranged to lock the winding means 20 of the strap 19, so that the user must manually actuate said device to be able to unwind said strap and thus arrange the first part 2a in the retracted position.

In particular, the locking device may be a pin safety device as described above, the pin of which is arranged to lock the first part 2a in the raised position while rotatingly locking the winding means 20 of the strap 19. Therefore Therefore, in order to unroll the strap 19, the user is obliged to first remove the pin, which makes it possible to prevent the strap 19 from unwinding while the first part 2a is locked in the raised position. In fact, if the user unlocked the first part 2a while the strap 19 is unwound, said first part would suddenly slide into the second part 2b, causing a sudden and uncontrolled, and therefore potentially dangerous, descent of the basketball backboard. Four.

According to another embodiment, the locking device can comprise a toothed wheel that comprises teeth on its circumference and is integrated by rotation with the winding means 20, as well as a latch intended to engage one of the teeth of said wheel when they winding means 20 are actuated to wind belt 19 and lift first part 2a, to form a stop with said tooth to prevent rotation of said means in the opposite direction to unwinding of said belt. Therefore, in order to unwind the belt 19 and retract the first part 2a, the user must first manually release the latch from the sprocket.

According to another embodiment, in particular when the winding means comprise a crank 20, the locking device may also comprise means intended to interfere with said crank to prevent its rotation in the direction of unwinding of the belt 19. In particular, the drive system comprises a latch 24 mounted by rotation in the second part 2b near the crank 20, the user manually rotates said latch to place it against the handle of the crank 20 to lock it by rotation.

Claims (11)

1. Play structure comprising a base (1) that is placed resting on the ground and at least one lower element (2) that can be mounted on said base in a vertical position for the use of said structure, said base comprises: - a central frame (5) on which said element is mounted; - wheels (6) mounted on said frame to allow movement of said structure; some of said wheels are arranged to be able to be filled with a ballast material to form a counterweight to the lower element (2) in the vertical position for the use of said structure, said structure comprises an upper element (3) on which a basketball backboard (4), said upper element is rotatably mounted at an upper end of said lower member (2) between a folded position and an unfolded position, said play structure is placed from a storage position to a use position by successively passing the lower element (2) from a folded position to the vertical position, then the upper element (3) from the folded position to the unfolded position, said upper element comprises two pairs of parallel bars upper (3a) and lower ( 3b), each of which has a rear end rotatably mounted on the upper end of the lower member (2), as well as a front end on which the basketball backboard (4) is mounted by rotation. The play structure according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower element (2) is rotatably mounted on the central frame (5) between a folded position and the vertical position. The play structure according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that each of the refillable wheels (6) comprises a cylindrical tank in the periphery of which an opening (7) is placed to allow them to be filled with the ballast material. 4. The play structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the axis of revolution of the tanks extends horizontally and perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the frame (5), so that said base can move by making said tanks roll around its periphery. The play structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the refillable wheels (6) are distributed in pairs on each side of the central frame (5). The play structure according to claim 5, characterized in that it comprises three pairs of refillable wheels (6) with ballast material. The play structure according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each of the wheels (6) comprises a bearing secured to the central frame (5), said bearings are arranged to allow the wheels (6 ) rotate independently with respect to each other. The play structure according to any of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the central frame (5) comprises a front end in which the lower element (2) is mounted by rotation. 9. The play structure according to any of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower element (2) is designed to rest on the ground in a vertical position to avoid tilting the play structure placed in the position of use. The play structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the lower element (2) has a first part (2a) slidably mounted in a second part (2b) between a retracted position in said second part and a raised position outside said second part, said element is equipped with a system for actuating the displacement of said first part in a raised position. The play structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the drive system comprises a belt (19), a first end of which is fixed to the second part (2b), said belt is mounted on a means of wound (20) around its second end, the first part (2a) is supported on said strap between its first and second ends to be able to move in the raised position, respectively retracted, by winding, respectively unwinding, of said strap.