US2553105A

US2553105A - Demountable basketball apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2553105A
Application number: US730707A
Authority: US
Inventors: Richard F Morey
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1947-02-25
Filing date: 1947-02-25
Publication date: 1951-05-15
Anticipated expiration: 1968-05-15

Description

y 1951 R. F. MOREY 2,553,105

DEMOUNTABLE BASKETBALL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1947 3 Sheets-Sheet l I a 'T L 3 L l" L a J L 3 m L a I L J May 15, 1951 R. F. MOREY DEMOUNTABLE BASKETBALL APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 25, 1947 an Image.

'Inveaiow: -d17.'Mo

y 5, 1951 R. F. MOREY 2,553,105

DEMOUNTABLE BASKETBALL APPARATUS Filed Feb. 25, 1947 3 Shee ts-Sheet 3 lzzvezziofl: kl'ciaamdli'Moreg y,

fli oflneys Patented May 15, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE,

DEMOUNTABLE BASKETBALL APPARATUS Richard F. Morey, Abington, Mass.

Application February 25, 1947, Serial No. 730,707

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to basketball apparatus and the principal object of the invention is to provide a structure for supporting the backboard which can be quickly installed and removed from a gymnasium or arena in which basketball and other athletic games are played and where it is frequently necessary to clear the floor quickly at the conclusion of the game or to remove the basketball apparatus and install apparatus necessary for a diiferent game.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a basketball apparatus, having a backboard which when in normal playing position is too high to pass through the usual doorway of an arena, of such construction that upon downward tipping of the backboard and its support it may be passed through a doorway having a height little or no greater than the vertical height of the longest post of the supporting standard.

Another object of the invention is to provide a demountable basketball apparatus which can be readily erected and which, when disassembled can be stored in a minimum of space.

Another object of the invention is to provide novel coupling means for rapidly and readily assembling or rapidly disassembling the side frames and overhanging backboard supporting members.

A further object of the invention is to provide readily operable means for adjustably positioning the backboard accurately in vertical position.

A further object of the invention is to provide a basketball apparatus comprising a skeletonized supporting frame for a transparent backboard having a basket mounted thereon which will enable the basket and the players to be observed, without substantial interference, from any position in which the game may be. observed in an arena completely surrounding the playing field.

These and other objects and features of the invention will more fully appear from the following description and the accompanying drawings and will be particularly pointed out in the claims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which,

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the basketball apparatus;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same;

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the same;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged detail view, mainly in horizontal section, showing the means for connecting the horizontal tubular bars of a cantilever construction for' supporting a basket to the standard of the apparatus;

Fig. 5 is a detail view-partly in horizontal section, of the end portion of one of the tubular tie- 2 beams and the means for connecting the same to I a tubular side member of the apparatus;

Fig. 6 is a detail plan view of the top reinforce ing assembly for the cantilever members which support the backboard;

Fig. '7 is a plan View of one of the reinforcing assembly members for connecting t e lower p01- tions of the side frames of the standard and the. cross bars by means of which the standard may} be anchored to the floor;

Fig. 8 is a detail plan view of the reinforcing assembly member for securing together the ver, tical front posts of the standard;

Fig 9 is an enlarged detail view of the lower end portion of one of the rear posts and side girder extending therefrom and the ack m ount.-. ed in the rear posts for adjusting'the same ver-. tically;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged detail side view of one of the front posts havingv a caster mounted therein and illustrating a portion of the side girder and a foot member extending downwardly therefrom; and, V

Fig. 11 is a perspective detail view of a yoke.- shaped member adapted to rest upon the cross bars of the bottom reinforcing assembly for the standard and having a slot adapted to been-H aged by an anchoring member for securin the; standard to the floor.

The present invention comprises a skeletoni'zecl Vertical rectan ular standard with a. forwardlyextending cantilever superstructure upon the; free end of which is mounted a vertical transparent backboard having the basket mounted di.-; rectly' thereupon instead of u on a non-transparent backboard or nonetransparent portion thereof, for the purpose of enabling the basket and the players tov be observed without inter: ference by spectators. v

The present invention comprises a basketball; p us i h can be r dil as em led a d: hen dis bi s sto d n a mi m o pa The basketball apparatus as illustrated in te; c omp n i d aw n s com r s angular vertical skeletonized standard having parallel side frames each including permanently assembled parallel vertical tubular front posts I of pr e ermi e h ight gr t t the h i 9? a jumping player and vertical tubular rear posts 2 of less height than that of the, posts I having. upwardly inclined extensions 3 which are rigidly mounted, preferably by welding, upon the upper ends of the vertical posts 2: and preferably have horizontal integral extensions 4 which project forwardly beyond the vertical posts I. The, front and rear posts of each sidev frame are connected adjacent their lower endsby a girder 5 the ends of which are permanently secured, preferably by welding, to the respective posts- I and 2. Suitablebraces 6 and 1 connect the girder 5 to the the girders, the posts, and other members of the frame construction so that the tubular tie beams can be used interchangeably firmly to connect parallel members of the frame structure.

As illustrated herein tubular tie-beams 9, are provided which, as shown in detail in Fig. 5, have end portions in which plugs ID are inserted and fixedly secured to said end portions and extend therebeyond. Each of the plugs is provided with a screw which projects beyond the end of the plug and is adapted, to pass through the tubular member of the frame to which it is connected. The screw is provided with suitable nuts for clamping the tie-beams firmly to the other structural member of the frame.

Asillustrated in Fig. 5 each of the plugs Ill has an internally screw threaded bore II in which a screw I2 is mounted, the portion of the screw extending beyond the end of the plug preferably being provided with screw threads 13 of reverse pitch. The end of the plug is providedwitha surface 14 which conforms to the contour of the member which it abuts.

Preferablyv each of the .members of the construction which are connectedby the tie-beams, such as the tubular posts I and 2, is provided with a hole havinga sleeve l5 fitting the hole and welded to the tubular mem ber, and also closely fitting the end portion of the screw I2.. Desirablyueach member, which is connected-by the tie-beam, has welded to it a co1lar l6 which telescopically fits the plug ID with the end of the collar'sufliciently spaced" from the end of the tubular tie-beam to "enable the end I4 of the plug to be tightly clamped upon the tubular member through which the screw passes by a nut 11 engaging the'end' of the sleeve I5. In

order to provide a standard of great rigidity a suitable bottom assembly is provided for connectingthe lower ends of the side frames. The bottom assembly isillustrated in detail in Fig. '7 and'comprises tubular tie-beams 9 as above described which are rigidly connected together adjacent their ends by parallel tubular bars [8 and I9 with a series of

parallel cross bars

20 and 2| and 22 which are welded at their ends to the side bars I9. 9 of the base frame extend through the girders 5 in proximityto the posts I and 2 respectively as shown in Fig. 1 and when the nuts I? are set up firmly clamp the lower portions of the side frames together. v

I A cross'braced frame also is provided to-connect the'vertical front posts I of the side frame together. A preferred construction which is illustrated in Figs. 3 and 8 comprises an upper tiebeam 23 and a lower tie-beam 24 which are connected near their ends by

tubular bars

25 and 26 having their ends welded to the

bars

23 and 24 with a diagonal bar 2'! welded at one end to the junction of the

.bars

24 and 25 and at the other end to the junction of the

bars

23 and 23, and other

diagonal tie members

28 and 29 welded at their end s to the central portion of the diag onal bar 21 and to the junctions of the

bars

25 and 23 and 24. and 26 respectively. This front assembly is detachably secured to the vertical posts by the nuts upon the respective ends of the The ends of the tubular tie bars .74. tie-beams and likewise can be readily assembled and disassembled.

The rear posts 2 are connected at their upper ends by tie-beams 9 as also are the upper end portions of thediagonally linclinedextension 3 of the rear posts 2. r

A suitable superstructure for supporting the backboard is detachably mounted upon and extends forwardly from the upper end portion of the front posts. This superstructure comprises horizontal tubular cantilever members 30 one end of which is provided with a suitable plug or insert 3| fixedly secured therein, as shown in Fig. 4, which extends beyond the end of the cantilever member 30 into the horizontal projection 4- of theupwardly inclined extension 3 of the rearpost 2' and is detachably se-. cured therein by a wing bolt 32. The cantilever.

superstructure is alsov provided with a brace rod 33 which extends from adjacent the free end of. the cantilever bar 30 diagonally downwardly av suitable distanceandis provided with a horizon-. tal end portion 34 provided with a similar plug which is telescopically mounted in a horizontaltubular member 35 which is welded to the vertical post I with a wing bolt 32 detachably connecting them. x v

In order to strengthen and reinforce the cantilever superstructure a cross braced top assembly similar to the front assemblyis provided to connect the horizontal cantilever bars 30 of the superstructure. v This reinforcing top, assembly is illustrated inFigs. 1 and 6 .and comprises a a rectangular frame having tie-

beams

36 and 31 of the character described having plugs provided with screw threads which extend through the respective cantilever members 30 and are clamped therein by nuts I! as above described, and side,

bars 38 and 39 welded at their ends to the

tiebeams

36, 31. Such rectangularframe is braced by a cross rod 40 which is welded at one end to the junction of the tie-beam3'l and side bar 38 andat the other end to the junction of the tiebeam 33 and the side bar 39, and is further braced by the cross rods 4| which are welded at their inner ends to the cross rod 40 and at their outer ends to the junctions of the tie-beams with the side bars 38, 39, respectively.

The free ends of the cantilever members 30 have welded to them vertical L-shaped brackets 42 having at their lower ends horizontal flanges and L-shaped members 43 are pivotally mounted on bolts 44 extending through the

members

42 and 43 thereby providing a pivotal connection, The backboard 45 is,;pro'vided with suitable end brackets 46 which are mounted upon the L-shaped,

members 43. Braces 4? connect the upper por-! tion of the backboard to the horizontal cantilever members and serve to hold the backboard in vertical position. r

The backboard comprises a vertical wholly transparent rectangular plate surroundedby a metal frame which is integrally connected to the end brackets 46 so that when the braces 41, which are detachably connected to the backboard and cantilever members 30, are removed the backboard may be folded down upon the cantilever construction, or alternatively can be removed by detaching the bolts 44.- I 1 The basket 48 is carried by a bracket 49 which is fixedly secured .by bolts 50 and 5| to a metal plate 52 which engagesthe rear surface of the transparent backboard As above stated, one ofthe objects of the invention is'to provide means to enable the basket;

ball apparatus to be trundled. upon thefi'oor; In order to accomplish/thispurpose casters 5.3," are mounted upon the lower ends of the front posts I with the spindles 54. of the casters extending into: and secured within the lower ends of the posts.

When in use the rear portion of the standard would be firmly secured to the floor. When it is desired to remove the basketball apparatusthe rear, portion of the standard would be released from the floor and the superstructure pulled downwardly thereby swinging the standard and cantilever projecting therefrom about the casters as pivots until the upper edge of the backboard isfiush or below the thenupper ends of the posts. By reason of the vertical inclination of the extension 3 of the rear posts the vertical'heightof the apparatus would be somewhat less thanvthe vertical height of the front-post when in. vertical position and the apparatus therefore could pass through a doorway the height of which did not exceed that of the vertical height ofthe front posts.

Desirably legs 55; which are secured to the. girder 5 in proximity to the casters, are provided with feet 56 of frictional. material, such as'rubber,.which when the standard is 'in erected position will lift the casters slightly from the floor, thereby to aid in preventing sidewise slipping of the apparatus.

In order to enable the standard to be tilted in such manner as to insure vertical positioning. of the backboard suitable jacks are provided at the rear of the standard, as illustrated in Fig. 9. In the construction illustrated the lower ends of the rear posts 2 have secured to them internally screw threaded collars. 51 which. are engaged by jack screws 58 which are rotatably mounted in suitable bearings 59 provided with feet 60 of antifriction material, the screws 58 being provided with an arm El by' means of which the screws can be rotated. By so actuating the jack screws as to raise or lower the rear end of the standard the backboard can be accurately positioned vertically for use in playing the game.

Any suitable means may be provided for anchoring the standard to the floor. In theconstruction illustrated yokes are employed comprising a central fiat section 62 and concavely curved end portions 63 adapted to be placed upon the transverse cross bars 20 and 2| of the bottom frame assembly. The fiat section 62 is provided intermediate of its length with a slot 64 adapted to be detachably engaged by the threaded stern of the usual eye-bolt and hook connection which are anchored to the floor, the nuts upon the eye-bolt being set up to clamp the rear end of the standard firmly in place.

The cross bar 22 may also be used to support such weights as might be necessary firmly to counterbalance the weight of the superstructure and hold the standard more firm-1y in engage-- ment with the floor.

By reason of the construction above described the entire basketball apparatus can be readily disassembled by detaching the cantilever construction from the standard then unscrewing, the nuts upon the ends of the several tie-beams; thereby enabling the side frames of the standards to be stored vertically against a wall, the cantilever members of the superstructure, the bottom assembly, front assembly, top assembly, and backboard to be placed alongside the standards and the several tie-beams assembled therewith in such manner as to occupy a minimum of 6'. space. The basketball apparatus can be readily erected by a reverse operation in which when the standard has been assembled and the cantilever superstructure attached thereto it can be tilted mentof parts may be made within the spirit and scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new. and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

l. A basketball apparatus comprising a rec-1 tangular skeletonized standard comprising two parallel side frames, each side frame including a vertical front post, a rear post parallel theretov and a horizontal tubular girder permanently connecting the lower portions of the front and rear posts, the rear post of each side frame being relatively shorter than the front post and having an upwardly inclined extension provided with a horizontal end portion mounted on and welded to the upper end of the corresponding front post and projecting therebeyond, suitably spaced horizontal tubular tie-beams having ends abutting and fitting the respective tubular members. of the side frames, means for detachably securing the ends of said tie-beams to said side frame members'a forwardly extending cantilever super structure detachably mounted on said standard and extending horizontally forwardly from the respective front posts thereof. well above the jumping height of players using said basketball apparatus, and means on the free ends. of said superstructure for detachably supporting. a vertical backboard.

2., A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skeletonized standard com-prising two parallel side frames, each side frame including a vertical front post, a rear post parallel thereto, a horizontal tubular girder permanently connecting the lower portions of the front and rear posts, the rear post of each side frame being relatively shorter than the front post thereof and having an upwardly inclined extension provided with a horizontally extended portion welded, to

the upper end of the corresponding. front post and projecting therebeyond, and suitably spaced horizontal tubular tie-beams of equal length con-- necting said side frames having plugs fixedly mounted in the ends thereof and projecting therefrom having concave ends fitting the respective members of the side frames abutteol thereby and a screw mounted in each plug extending through the abutting side frame member, and a nut on said screw detachably clamping the side frame member to the tie-beam.

3. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skel'etonized'standard having twoparallel side frames, each side frame. including a vertical tubular front post, a rear post parallel to the front post and a horizontal girder permanently connecting the lower end portions of the front and rear posts, the rear post of each side frame being relatively shorter than the front post and having an upwardly inclined extension rigidly mounted on the upper end of the corresponding front post, suitably spaced horizontal tubular tie-beams with plugs fixedly mounted therein and projecting therefrom having concave ends fitting the respective members of the side frames abutted thereby and a screw mounted in each plug extending through the abutting side frame member, a collar welded to the side frame member fitting the plug, a sleeve surrounding said screw extending through and welded to the side frame member, and a nut on said screw engaging the end of said sleeve.

4. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skeletonized standard having two parallel side frames, each including a vertical tubular front post, a rear post parallel thereto, and a horizontal tubular girder rigidly connecting the lower end portions of said front and rear posts, the rear post being relatively shorter than the front post and having an upwardly inclined extension provided with a horizontal end portion which is rigidly mounted on the upper end of the corresponding front post and projects there- 'beyond, a rigid rectangular base assembly connecting said side frames having spaced tubular front and rear tie-beams abutting and detachably connected at their ends to the girders-of said side frames in proximity to the front and rear posts, tubular side bars rigidly connecting the end portions of said tie-beams, and a plurality of suitably spaced cross bars parallel to and in proximity to said rear tie-beam welded at their ends to said tubular side bars, and a cantilever backboard support detachably connected to and extending forwardly from the upper end portions of the front post's.

5. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skeletonized standard having two parallel side frames, each side frame including a vertical tubular front post, a rear post parallel to the front post, and a horizontal tubular girder rigidly connecting the lower portions of said front and rear posts, the rear post being relatively shorter than the front post and having an upwardly inclined extension rigidly mounted on the upper end of the front post and extending horizontally therebeyond, a rigid rectangular base assembly connecting said side frames having spaced tubular tie-beams of equal length abutting and detachably connected at their ends to the girders of said side frames in proximity to the front and rear posts, tubular side bars rigidly connecting the end portions of said tiebeams, and a plurality of suitably spaced cross bars in proximity to said rear tie-beam welded at their ends to said tubular side bars, a yoke detachably mounted on said cross bars having means adapted to be detachably engaged by a floor anchorage, and a cantilever backboard support detachably connected to and extending forwardly from the upper end portions of the front posts.

6. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skeletonized standard having two parallel side frames, each side frame including a vertical tubular front post, a rear post parallel thereto and a horizontal tubular girder rigidly connecting the lower end portions of said front and rear posts, the rear post of each side frame being relatively shorter than the front post and having an upwardly inclined extension welded tothe upper end of the front post and presenting an end portion projecting horizontally beyond said front post, and suitably spaced horizontal end portions of the upwardly inclined sections of the rear post extending forwardly from the respective front posts thereof, and backboardsupporting means on the free ends of said superv structure for detachably supporting a vertical backboard, a front frame assembly connecting the front posts comprising a diagonally, trussed rectangular frame having tubular upper and lower transverse tie-beams with ends abutting and fitting the respective front posts with screws extending therefrom through the respective posts, and nuts on said screws detachably engaging the" respective posts.

'7. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skeletonized standard having two parallel side frames, each side frame including a vertical tubular front post, a rear post parallel to the front post and a horizontal tubular girder rigidly connecting the lower end portions of the front and rear posts, the rear post of each side frame being relatively shorter than the front post and having an upwardly inclined extension rigidly mounted on the upper end of the corresponding front post and projecting horizontally therebeyond, suitably spaced horizontal tubular tie-beams of equal length detachably connecting,

the posts and girders of the side frame, a for- V and a top frame reinforcing assembly detachably connecting the horizontal tubular cantilever members comprising a diagonally trussed rectangular frame having tubular front and rear tie-beams with ends abutting and fitting the respective tubular members with screws extending therefrom through said members and nuts on the ends of said screws.

8. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular'skeletonized standard having two integral parallel side frames each including a vertical front post having a rolling contact with the supporting floor and a relatively short extensible rear post having an upwardly inclined extension welded to the upper end of the front post and projecting horizontally therebeyond and a girder connecting the lower end portions of the front and rear posts, means connecting said side frames, a cantilever superstructure forming abackboard support extending horizontally from said extensions, a backboard mounted vertically on the free end of said cantilever, anchoring means mounted on the rear portion of said standard, the relative lengths of said front and rear posts, the inclination of the rear post extension and the height of the upper edge of the backboard being such that when the standard is tipped forwardly about the lower ends of the front posts as a fulcrum, the backboard and the support therefor will be lowered suniciently to enable the apparatus to pass beneath a door lintel or beneath a vertical obstruction of a height, from the floor not exceeding the vertical height of the front posts 9.. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skeletonized standard having two parallel permanently assembled side frames, each side frame including a vertical tubular front post having a rolling contact with the supporting rear post of substantially less height than that of the front post provided with an upwardly and forwardly inclined extension having a horizontal end portion resting upon and welded to the upper end of the front post and projecting forwardly therebeyond, and a lower horizontal girder fixedly connecting the lower ends of the front and rear posts, suitably spaced horizontal tie beams of equal length respectively extending transversely between the front posts, the rear posts and the horizontal girders of the side frames and connected at their ends thereto, a long skeletonized cantilever construction having tubular horizontal members telescopically and detachably connected to the horizontal end portions of the inclined extension of the rear posts, tie bars detachably connecting the horizontal tubular members of the cantilever construction, means for mounting a backboard upon the free end of the cantilever construction, and means for 1::

detachably anchoring the rear portion of said standard to the floor, whereby upon release of said anchoring means the standard may be tipped forwardly about the lower ends of the front posts as a fulcrum thereby lowering the cantilever construction sufficiently so that the entire assemblage can be rolled beneath the lintel of a door or beneath an overlying structure of substantially less height from the floor than the vertical height of said front posts.

10. A basketball apparatus as defined in claim 9, in which the vertical posts are provided a suitable distance from their upper ends with a short horizontal tubular member extending in parallelism with the horizontal tubular members of the cantilever construction, and braces secured to the end portions of said horizontal cantilever members telescopically and detachably connected to the short tubular members extending from said front posts, the horizontal members of the brace bars pivotally and detachably connected at their ends respectively to the upper portion of the frame and to the horizontal members of the cantilever construction at a suitable distance therefrom, whereby said supporting frame can be folded down upon the cantilever supporting structure.

12. A basketball apparatus as defined in claim 11, in which the tie rods connecting the members of the side frames are detachably secured to the respective members thereof thereby enabling the standard to be dismantled for convenient storage.

13. A basketball apparatus comprising a rectangular skeletonized standard having two parallel side frames, each including a vertical tubular front post, a rear post parallel to the front post and a horizontal tubular girder rigidly connecting the lower portions of the front and rear posts, the rear post of each side frame being relatively shorter than the front post and having an upwardly inclined extension rigidly secured to and mounted on the upper end of the corresponding front post, said inclined extension presenting an end portion projecting horizontally beyond the front post, suitably spaced horizontal tubular tie-beams of equal length connecting the girder of one side frame to the girder of the other side frame, a forwardly extending cantilever superstructure having horizontal tubular members telescopically engaging and detachably secured to the horizontally projecting portions of said rear post extensions, and an inclined strut connected at its outer end to the outer end portion of each horizontal tubular member of the cantilever superstructure and detachably connected at its inner end to the corresponding front post.

14. A basketball apparatus having provision for a clear vision of the basket from any spectator position whether in the front or in the rear of the basket, said apparatus comprising a skeletonized standard rectangular in a horizontal direction and presenting two parallel permanently assembled skeleton side frames, each side frame presenting a vertical front post of greater height than the jumping height of a player in action, a rear post parallel to the front post, and horizontal girders rigidly connecting the lower portions of said posts, the rear post of each side frame being of less height than the front post thereof and having an upwardly and forwardly inclined extension presenting at its upper end a forwardly extending horizontal end portion which is welded to the top of the corresponding front post and extending forwardly therebeyond, tubular tie-beams rigidly connecting the two side frames, a backboard-supporting superstructure comprising two relatively long forwardly extending horizontal cantilever members, one member detachably secured to the forwardly extending horizontal end portion of each rear post, means rigidly connecting said cantilever members, a backboard-supporting frame hingedly connected at its lower edge to the ends of the cantilever members and a transparent, basket-supporting backboard mounted in said frame, said cantilever members being of a length to position the backboard supporting frame a considerable distance beyond the front posts and presenting a minimum of interference with the view of the basket through the transparent backboard by spectators located in the rear of the backboard.

RICHARD F. MOREY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 533,320 Rieckert Jan. 29, 1895 785,982 Smith Mar. 28, 1905 842,641 Fernau Jan. 29, 1907 1,181,631 Baum May 2, 1916 1,309,806 Medart Jan. 15, 1919 1,346,240 Noelting July 13, 1920 1,757,350 Wallace May 6, 1930 1,832,801 Wright Nov. 17, 1931 1,924,811 Schulz Aug. 29, 1933 1,972,997 Junkers Sept. 11, 1934 2,018,250 Cohan Oct. 22, 1935 2,144,148 Gross Jan. 17, 1939 2,227,310 Hoppes et a1. Dec. 31, 1940