초록 ▼

The invention disclosed is a foldable basketball goal apparatus that is usable as a basketball goal for playing the game of basketball in the active position. When in the folded, home position, the apparatus is usable as a sports table or for other activities requiring a table. The apparatus is made

The invention disclosed is a foldable basketball goal apparatus that is usable as a basketball goal for playing the game of basketball in the active position. When in the folded, home position, the apparatus is usable as a sports table or for other activities requiring a table. The apparatus is made of a base, a frame assembly, and a basketball goal assembly. The basketball goal assembly is rotatable and slidable with respect to the frame assembly. The frame assembly is pivotally attached to the base. In the home position, the frame assembly is lowered to rest on the base and the basketball goal assembly is rotated 180 degrees and retracted beneath the table surface. A frame assembly partial table surface forms a complete table surface when in the home position, mated with base table surface portions. The rim is protected within the base structural frame when in the home position.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A basketball goal apparatus transitionable between an active position and a home position, comprising: a. a base table structure comprising: i. a basketball goal assembly storage space positioned vertically beneath the one or more table surface attachment points at a base table structure distal e

1. A basketball goal apparatus transitionable between an active position and a home position, comprising: a. a base table structure comprising: i. a basketball goal assembly storage space positioned vertically beneath the one or more table surface attachment points at a base table structure distal end; andii. a lower pivot connection point at a base table structure proximal end;b. a frame assembly comprising: i. an elongate mast housing having a partial table surface and an axis centered along the length of the elongate mast housing and oriented parallel to the partial table surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; andii. a footer frame affixed to the proximal end of the elongate mast housing and pivotally secured to the base table structure at the lower pivot connection point; andc. a basketball goal assembly comprising: i. a mast slidably and rotatably mounted within the elongate mast housing, wherein the mast is rotatable at least 180 degrees about the elongate mast housing axis and extendable outwardly from the distal end of the elongate mast housing along the elongate mast housing axis;ii. a backboard affixed to the mast and having a front playing surface and a rear surface; andiii. a rim affixed to the backboard;the basketball goal assembly being transitionable between: a closed position, wherein the mast is rotated so that the front playing surface is oriented in a plane parallel to the partial table surface and faces in an opposite direction, and the mast is fully retracted such that the backboard is positioned within the basketball goal assembly storage space, andan open position, wherein the rim is accessible for playing basketball;said apparatus home position comprising the basketball goal assembly oriented in the closed position and the frame assembly pivoted so that the elongate mast housing is generally horizontally disposed, with the base providing support to the frame assembly, andsaid apparatus active position comprising the basketball goal assembly oriented in the open position and the frame assembly pivoted so that the elongate mast housing is generally vertically disposed, with the base acting as a counterweight to the frame assembly. 2. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a force assist mechanism connected to both the base and the frame assembly for reversibly providing force assistance when transitioning the apparatus between the home and active positions. 3. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 2, the force assist mechanism further comprising an elastic band having a proximal end connected to the base and a distal end connected to the frame assembly. 4. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 2, the force assist mechanism further comprising a plurality of elastic bands, each having a diameter and being coterminous with respect to the other elastic bands at a base connection point and a frame assembly connection point such that the amount of force exerted by the plurality of elastic bands during a transition between the home and active positions is the sum of the force exerted by each elastic band in the plurality of elastic bands, thereby enabling a larger amount of force to be utilized without increasing the diameter of the elastic bands. 5. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 1, the frame assembly further comprising a hollow shaft bushing having an internal surface, the hollow shaft bushing being rotatably and linearly fixed with respect to the elongate mast housing by a plurality of mounting retainers positioned and spaced apart along the elongate mast housing axis; and the mast further comprising an external surface, wherein the mast is mounted within the internal surface such that the mast is coaxial, slidable and rotatable with respect to the shaft bushing, and the mast external surface and shaft bushing internal surface form a bearing surface. 6. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 5, further comprising: a. a frame assembly retaining pin hole in either or both of the elongate mast housing and the hollow shaft bushing;b. one or more mast retaining pin holes spaced at intervals along the external surface of the mast such that each of the one or more mast retaining pin holes correspond to a discrete rim height when positioned through sliding or rotation of the mast to be coaxial with the frame assembly retaining pin hole; andc. a retaining pin removably insertable through the frame assembly retaining pin hole and a mast retaining pin hole selected from the one or more mast retaining pin holes wherein the selected mast retaining pin hole is positioned to be coaxial with the frame assembly pin hole, such that the retaining pin prevents linear movement of the mast along the elongate mast housing axis. 7. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a telescoping support having: a fixed portion secured to the base table structure; anda telescoping portion extendable outwardly from the base table structure and having a distal end such that the distal end of the telescoping portion contacts and is securable to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position, wherein the connection of the telescoping support to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position prevents rotational motion by the frame assembly about the lower pivot point. 8. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 6, further comprising a wishbone support having: left and right support members oriented in a wishbone configuration and each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the left support member proximal end is spaced apart from the right member proximal end, and wherein the left support member distal end is mated to the right support member distal end,said left and right support member proximal ends each being securable to the base table structure, and said mated left and right support member distal ends forming a connection point securable to the elongate mast housing, wherein the frame assembly is buttressed against lateral forces with respect to the elongate mast housing axis when the apparatus is in the active position. 9. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 1, the base further comprising two benches attached to the base thereby providing seating. 10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein removable wheels are provided allowing the apparatus to be moved across a surface to a desired location. 11. A basketball goal apparatus transitionable between an active position and a home position, comprising: a. a base table structure comprising: i. one or more base table surface portions;ii. a structural frame having one or more table surface attachment points onto which the one or more base table surface portions are secured;iii. one or more frame assembly cradle grooves;iv. a basketball goal assembly storage space positioned vertically beneath the one or more table surface attachment points; andv. a lower pivot connection point;b. a frame assembly comprising: i. an elongate mast housing having a partial table surface and an axis centered along the length of the elongate mast housing and oriented parallel to the partial table surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; andii. a footer frame affixed to the proximal end of the elongate mast housing and pivotally secured to the base table structure at the lower pivot connection point; andc. a basketball goal assembly comprising: i. a mast slidably and rotatably mounted within the elongate mast housing, wherein the mast is rotatable at least 180 degrees about the elongate mast housing axis and extendable outwardly from the distal end of the elongate mast housing along the elongate mast housing axis;ii. a backboard affixed to the mast and having a front playing surface and a rear surface; andiii. a rim affixed to the backboard;the basketball goal assembly being transitionable between: a closed position, wherein the mast is rotated so that the front playing surface is oriented in a plane parallel to the partial table surface and faces in an opposite direction, and the mast is fully retracted such that the backboard is positioned within the basketball goal assembly storage space, andan open position, wherein the rim is accessible for playing basketball;said apparatus home position comprising the basketball goal assembly oriented in the closed position and the frame assembly pivoted so that the elongate mast housing is generally horizontally disposed, with the one or more frame assembly cradle grooves providing support to the frame assembly, andsaid apparatus active position comprising the basketball goal assembly oriented in the open position and the frame assembly pivoted so that the elongate mast housing is generally vertically disposed, with the base acting as a counterweight to the frame assembly. 12. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 11, the frame assembly further comprising a hollow shaft bushing having an internal surface, the hollow shaft bushing being rotatably and linearly fixed with respect to the elongate mast housing by a plurality of mounting retainers positioned and spaced apart along the elongate mast housing axis; and the mast further comprising an external surface, wherein the mast is mounted within the internal surface such that the mast is coaxial, slidable and rotatable with respect to the shaft bushing, and the mast external surface and shaft bushing internal surface form a bearing surface. 13. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 12, further comprising: a. a frame assembly retaining pin hole in either or both of the elongate mast housing and the hollow shaft bushing;b. one or more mast retaining pin holes spaced at intervals along the external surface of the mast such that each of the one or more mast retaining pin holes correspond to a discrete rim height when positioned through sliding or rotation of the mast to be coaxial with the frame assembly retaining pin hole; andc. a retaining pin removably insertable through the frame assembly retaining pin hole and a mast retaining pin hole selected from the one or more mast retaining pin holes wherein the selected mast retaining pin hole is positioned to be coaxial with the frame assembly pin hole, such that the retaining pin prevents linear movement of the mast along the elongate mast housing axis. 14. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 13, further comprising: a. a telescoping support having: i. a fixed portion secured to the base table structure; andii. a telescoping portion extendable outwardly from the base table structure and having a distal end such that the distal end of the telescoping portion contacts and is securable to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position,wherein the connection of the telescoping support to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position prevents rotational motion by the frame assembly about the lower pivot point; andb. a wishbone support having left and right support members oriented in a wishbone configuration and each having a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the left support member proximal end is spaced apart from the right member proximal end, and wherein the left support member distal end is mated to the right support member distal end, said left and right support member proximal ends each being securable to the base table structure, and said mated left and right support member distal ends forming a connection point securable to the elongate mast housing, wherein the frame assembly is buttressed against lateral forces with respect to the elongate mast housing axis when the apparatus is in the active position. 15. A basketball goal apparatus transitionable between an active position and a home position, comprising: a. a base table structure comprising: i. one or more base table surface portions;ii. a structural frame having one or more table surface attachment points onto which the one or more base table surface portions are secured;iii. one or more frame assembly cradle grooves;iv. a basketball goal assembly storage space positioned vertically beneath the one or more table surface attachment points; andv. a lower pivot connection point;b. a frame assembly comprising: i. an elongate mast housing having a partial table surface and an axis centered along the length of the elongate mast housing and oriented parallel to the partial table surface, a proximal end, and a distal end; andii. a footer frame affixed to the proximal end of the elongate mast housing and pivotally secured to the base table structure at the lower pivot connection point; andc. a basketball goal assembly comprising: i. a mast slidably and rotatably mounted within the elongate mast housing, wherein the mast is rotatable at least 180 degrees about the elongate mast housing axis and extendable outwardly from the distal end of the elongate mast housing along the elongate mast housing axis;ii. a backboard affixed to the mast and having a front playing surface and a rear surface; andiii. a rim affixed to the backboard;the basketball goal assembly being transitionable between: a closed position, wherein the mast is rotated so that the front playing surface is oriented in a plane parallel to the partial table surface and faces in an opposite direction, and the mast is fully retracted such that the backboard is positioned within the basketball goal assembly storage space, andan open position, wherein the rim is accessible for playing basketball;d. a telescoping support having: i. a fixed portion secured to the base table structure; andii. a telescoping portion extendable outwardly from the base table structure and having a distal end such that the distal end of the telescoping portion contacts and is securable to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position,wherein the connection of the telescoping support to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position prevents rotational motion by the frame assembly about the lower pivot point; ande. a wishbone support having left and right support members oriented in a wishbone configuration and each having a proximal end and a distal end,said apparatus home position comprising the basketball goal assembly oriented in the closed position and the frame assembly pivoted so that the elongate mast housing is generally horizontally disposed, with the one or more frame assembly cradle grooves providing support to the frame assembly, andsaid apparatus active position comprising the basketball goal assembly oriented in the open position and the frame assembly pivoted so that the elongate mast housing is generally vertically disposed, with the base acting as a counterweight to the frame assembly.wherein the left support member proximal end is spaced apart from the right member proximal end, and wherein the left support member distal end is mated to the right support member distal end, said left and right support member proximal ends each being securable to the base table structure, and said mated left and right support member distal ends forming a connection point securable to the elongate mast housing, wherein the frame assembly is buttressed against lateral forces with respect to the elongate mast housing axis when the apparatus is in the active position. 16. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a force assist mechanism for reversibly providing force assistance when transitioning the apparatus between the home and active positions, wherein the force assist mechanism is selected from the group consisting of: a. an electromechanical actuator secured to the base and further having an extendable end secured to the frame assembly such that the actuation of the electromechanical actuator lifts the frame assembly into the active position from the home position and lowers the frame assembly into the home position from the active position;b. a tensioned spring assembly having a spring under tension and connected to both the base structural frame and the frame assembly such that it exerts a constant linear unwinding force in the direction of rotation required for lifting the frame assembly into the active position; orc. a plurality of elastic bands, each having a diameter and being coterminous with respect to the other elastic bands at a base connection point and a frame assembly connection point such that the amount of force exerted by the plurality of elastic bands during a transition between the home and active positions is the sum of the force exerted by each elastic band in the plurality of elastic bands, thereby enabling a larger amount of force to be utilized without increasing the diameter of the elastic bands. 17. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 16, the base further comprising two benches attached to the base thereby providing seating. 18. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein removable wheels are provided allowing the apparatus to be moved across a surface to a desired location. 19. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 15, further comprising: a. a frame assembly retaining pin hole in either or both of the elongate mast housing and the hollow shaft bushing;b. one or more mast retaining pin holes spaced at intervals along the external surface of the mast such that each of the one or more mast retaining pin holes correspond to a discrete rim height when positioned through sliding or rotation of the mast to be coaxial with the frame assembly retaining pin hole; andc. a retaining pin removably insertable through the frame assembly retaining pin hole and a mast retaining pin hole selected from the one or more mast retaining pin holes wherein the selected mast retaining pin hole is positioned to be coaxial with the frame assembly pin hole, such that the retaining pin prevents linear movement of the mast along the elongate mast housing axis. 20. The basketball goal apparatus of claim 15, further comprising a telescoping support having: a fixed portion secured to the base table structure; anda telescoping portion extendable outwardly from the base table structure and having a distal end such that the distal end of the telescoping portion contacts and is securable to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position, and is retained in position, wherein the connection of the telescoping support to the frame assembly when the apparatus is in the active position prevents rotational motion by the frame assembly about the lower pivot point or collapse of the extended goal.