GB2330775A - Basketball backboard and base - Google Patents

Abstract

A backboard for a basketball hoop is made from flexible sheet material and is polygonal. The backboard is held operatively open by way of stretching a plurality of rods 5 between the apexes of the sheet and a support member 3A and tensioning the sheet by providing a resilient rod 7 between an apex and the support. The support may terminate in a collapsible stand in which the comers of the stand are attached by arms 12A to a sleeve 11 on the pole. The corners of the base are connected to each other by stays 14 and to a fixed sleeve 15. The base is weighted and the support folds up in the manner of an umbrella.

Description

The present invention relates to a target such as for basketball or netball.

Basketball targets include a metal ring supported horizontal to a backboard held in a vertical position above the ground above head height. The back board is normally made of wood and supported on a pole extending from a base. Because of the weight of the back board, the base needs to be heavy. Whilst this construction is suitable for permanent basketball court, it is not ideal as a portable structure for use in schools and halls as it is heavy and cumbersome to move and store. Accidents can also occur moving and storing such heavy targets.

The invention seeks to provide a light weight collapsible target which is light and easy to store and use.

According to the present invention there is provided a target comprising: a) a polygonal sheet of material having a plurality of edges and an equal number of apexes where adjacent edges join, b) a base member c) a plurality of rods one end of each of which is hinged to the base member and connectable at their ends remote from the base to all but one of the apexes. and d) a flexible rod haing one end tixed to and extending from the base member and connectable at its other end to the remaining apex in use, said flexible rod being curved to apply tension to target when the rods are connected to the sheet of material to support the sheet material under tension in a substantially planar form.

Preferably the target further comprises a ring or basket connectable to the target.

Preferably sockets or pocket/s are provided at the apexes to receive ends of the rods.

A strut may be supported along one or more edges of the sheet material.

In one embodiment the sheet material is in the form of a pentagon. The pentagon may have a base side with side edges substantially normal to the base side, and two top sides leading to a top apex. Preferably the flexible rod is connected to the top apex. A strut may be supported along the base side of the sheet material.

Guvs, in the form of wires or tapes, may be provided to limit the hinged movement of the rods.

The base member may be connectable to a pole extending from the ground such that the target can rotate relative to the pole.

The pole may be supported on the ground by a collapsible stand.

The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a target with a basket, Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a base Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a basketball target 1 having a backboard formed from a pentagonal sheet of material 2 with five edges and five apexes where adjacent edges join.

Sheet material 2 further includes a circumferential pocket 2A. A base member is provided in the form of a shaft 3 which is supported for rotation in a tubular pole 4 extending from the floor to support the target off the ground. Collar 3A on shaft 3 prevents the shaft sliding into the pole 4.

The pentagonal sheet material 2 is not a pentagon with equal length and angled sides, but has a base side with side edges normal to the base side, and > -o top sides leading to a top apex 6E.

Four of rods 5A,5B.5C,5D are provided, one end of each of which is hinged to a ring 3B on the shaft 3 The other end of each rod 5A,5B,5C,5D is connected at its end remote from the shaft 3 to Apexes 6A,6lB,6C,6D respectively, i.e. all but one of the apexes A flexible rod 7 has one end fixed to and extending from the shaft 3 and connectable at its other end to the remaining apex 6E. Connection of the rods 5A,5B,5C,5D and 7 to Apexes 6A,6D,6C,6D,6E is achieved by the pocket 2A.

A strut 8 is proved in a sleeve along a base edge of the material which also supports the ends of the rods 5A,SD.

A plurality of guys in the form of wires or tapes 9A,9B,9C,9D may be provided between the rods and the shaft ring 3B and pole 4 to lirnit the hinged movement of the rods.

The target further includes a ring or basket 10 connectable to the target.

In use, the flexible rod 7 applies tension to target when the rods are connected to the sheet of material to support the sheet material under tension in a substantially planar form.

When not in use, the target can be disassembled by removing the flexible pole 7 from rhe pocket at apex 5E. and detaching the strut 8 from the poles 5115D. The target will then fold up and the shaft ; can be removed from the pole 4 The target is thus easily transport. able and storable.

Instead of circumferenil pocket 2A supporting the ends of the rods 5A,5B,5C,5D,5E and 7, sockets could be used at each of the apexes.

The target could be made of any suitable material. The rods for example could be made of fibreglass. The sheet material could be formed of woven nylon or polyester or plastics, and could be in the form of netting.

Referring now to Figure 2 there is shown a collapsible stand 10 to support the pole 4 on the ground. Hinged to a sleeve 11 which slides on pole 4 are four arms 12A,12B,12C,12D supporting feet 13A,13B,13C,13D. Feet 13A,13B,13C,13D are interconnected by guys 14A,14B,14C,14D, and also connected to a fixed sleeve 15 on pole 4 by guys 16A,16B,16C,16D. To collapse the stand sleeve 11 is made to slide towards fixed sleeve 15 which brings the arms and feet together rather like lowering an umbrella. To create the stand, the sleeve 11 is made to side away from fixed sleeve 15 until all the guys are under tension.

If desired, a plastics bag 17 can be provided with its corners secured to the feet l3A,l3B,13C,l3D. Plastics bag 17 may be weighted, e g with removable particulate material such as sand.

Stand 10 is also readily collapsible and transportable when not in use.

The invention thus further extends to a stand comprising: a) a pole b) a fixed sleeve on the pole c) a slideable sleeve on the pole, d) a plurality of arms each hinged at one end to the slideable sleeve, e) feet on the other end of said arms, and f) a plurality of guys connecting the feet together and the feet to the fixed sleeve, whereby the stand can be collapsed and erected by bring the slideable sleeve towards and away from the fixed sleeve respectively.

The target of the invention need not be supported by the stand of the invention but could supported by any suitable means at the desired height off the ground.

Further modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention Kev for Figure 1.

1. Basketball Target 2. Material backboard 2A. Circumferal material pocket 3. Base member 3A. Collar 4. Tubular Pole 5A,B,C,D. Supporting Rods 6A,B,C,D. Apex of rods connected to backboard 7. Flexible Rod 8. Detachable Strut 9. A,B,C,D. Guys 10. BASUET.

Kev for Figure 2.

10. Collapsible Stand 11. Sleeve 12. A, B,C,D. Arms 13.A,B,C,D. Feet 14.A, B,C,D. Guys 15. Fixed Sleeve 16. A, B, C, D. Guys 17. Flexible weight bag

Claims (7)

1. CLAIMS 1. A lightweight collapsible target comprising a circular or cylindrical target, a polygonal sheet of material which provides a rebound effect when suitable game objects are thrown against it by virtue of it's connection, at its various apexes, to a semiflexible base member and a plurality of other rods at least one of which will also be connected to the base member, the whole arrangement being stabilised by a system of guys and a portable base connected to the base member, which can be filled with water, sand or similar.
2. 2. A lightweight collapsible target as claimed in Claim 1, wherein, in order to preserve the stability of the target as a whole, the circular or cylindrical target and/or the polygonal sheet of material in conjunction with the structures supporting it, are capable of absorbing and/or deflecting excessive impacts from a range of predictable forces, particularly those involving the game object for which this is a target.
3. 3. A lightweight cojlapsible target as claimed in Claim 9 wherein the base member may be adjusted in height/length to facilitate use or storage.
4. 4. A lightweight collapsible target as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the portable base may be dismantled to facilitate a more permanent installation or conversely transportation and storage.
5. 5. A lightweight collapsible target as claimed in Claim 4, wherein the diameter of the circular or cylindrical target may be altered.
6. 6. A lightweight collapsible target as claimed in any preceding claim which is made from metal, plastics material or wood, or from natural or synthetic fabrics, or from a combination of these materials.
7. 7. A lightweight collapsible target substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.