US3614099A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retractable overhead basketball backboard support structure
Assignee: Automatic Sprinkler Corp
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Filing: 1969-02-26
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Granted: 1971-10-19
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Expires: 1989-02-26
Abstract
Abstract A retractable basketball backboard support structure supported from an overhead ceiling support structure including a front support assembly having a lower unitary post member on which the backboard is mounted. The lower post member is telescopically engaged with the collar of an upper yoke assembly having antifriction rollers which assembly is pivotally connected to the overhead support structure. A rear support assembly is pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure and pivotally connected at its lower end to the lower portion of the post member on which the backboard is mounted. A hoist means is provided to raise and lower the backboard support structure between playing and storage positions, and the present invention contemplates both a forward fold and a backward fold arrangement. In the forward fold embodiment, the rear support assembly is rigid from end to end and the hoist means is adapted to pivot the front and rear support assemblies forwardly as the backboard support structure is raised from playing to storage position. In the backward fold embodiment, the rear support assembly is comprised of a pair of separate sections pivotally connected together, which sections collapse upwardly during the backward folding operation. A safety latch mechanism is provided to prevent the support structure from swinging downwardly in an unrestrained manner from storage position in the event of a failure in the hoist means.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard L Sarno
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 12:33
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B63/00; A63B63/08; A63B63/083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A retractable basketball support structure supported from an overhead ceiling support structure having in combination: a front support assembly including a unitary postlike member including an elongated collar within which said postlike member is telescopically retained, said post and yoke members together forming a rigid support assembly; a rear support assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure and pivotally connected at its lower end to the lower portion of said unitary postlike member of said front support assembly; and a hoist means for pivoting said front and rear support assemblies about their pivotal connections to the overhead support structure to thereby raise and lower the backboard support structure between playing ans storage positions, the effective length of said front support assembly being progressively reduced and increased by virtue of the telescopic engagement of the post and yoke as said front support assembly is pivoted between playing and storage positions.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
154 words
A retractable basketball support structure supported from an overhead ceiling support structure having in combination: a front support assembly including a unitary postlike member including an elongated collar within which said postlike member is telescopically retained, said post and yoke members together forming a rigid support assembly; a rear support assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure and pivotally connected at its lower end to the lower portion of said unitary postlike member of said front support assembly; and a hoist means for pivoting said front and rear support assemblies about their pivotal connections to the overhead support structure to thereby raise and lower the backboard support structure between playing ans storage positions, the effective length of said front support assembly being progressively reduced and increased by virtue of the telescopic engagement of the post and yoke as said front support assembly is pivoted between playing and storage positions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A retractable basketball support structure according to claim 1 in which the front face of said elongated collar is slotted from end-to-end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
196 words
A retractable basketball backboard support structure supported from an overhead ceiling support structure having in combination: A front support assembly including a lower unitary postlike member on which the backboard is mounted and an upper member pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure, said upper member including an elongated collar portion within which said lower postlike member is slidably retained, said lower and upper members telescopically engaged with each other so that the effective overall length of said front support assembly can change as said assembly is rotated about its pivotal connection to the overhead support, said elongated collar portion having a pair of antifriction rollers mounted on opposite ends thereof for engagement with said post to thereby reduce friction between said post and said collar; a rear support assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structUre and pivotally connected at its lower end to said lower member of said front support assembly; and a hoist means for pivoting said front and rear support assemblies about their pivotal connections to the overhead support structure to thereby raise and lower the backboard support structure between playing and storage positions.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
196 words
A retractable basketball backboard support structure supported from an overhead ceiling support structure having in combination: A front support assembly including a lower unitary postlike member on which the backboard is mounted and an upper member pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure, said upper member including an elongated collar portion within which said lower postlike member is slidably retained, said lower and upper members telescopically engaged with each other so that the effective overall length of said front support assembly can change as said assembly is rotated about its pivotal connection to the overhead support, said elongated collar portion having a pair of antifriction rollers mounted on opposite ends thereof for engagement with said post to thereby reduce friction between said post and said collar; a rear support assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structUre and pivotally connected at its lower end to said lower member of said front support assembly; and a hoist means for pivoting said front and rear support assemblies about their pivotal connections to the overhead support structure to thereby raise and lower the backboard support structure between playing and storage positions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
196 words
A retractable basketball backboard support structure supported from an overhead ceiling support structure having in combination: a front support assembly including a lower unitary postlike member on which the backboard is mounted and an upper member pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure, said upper member including an elongated collar portion within which said lower postlike member is slidably retained, said lower and upper members telescopically engaged with each other so that the effective overall length of said front support assembly can change as said assembly is rotated about its pivotal connection to the overhead support, said upper member of said front support assembly having a pair of support arms fastened to said collar portion which extend upwardly for pivotal connection to the overhead ceiling support; a rear support assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure and pivotally connected at its lower end to said lower member of said front support assembly; and a hoist means for pivoting said front and rear support assemblies about their pivotal connections to the overhead support structure to thereby raise and lower the backboard support structure between playing and storage positions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
196 words
A retractable basketball backboard support structure supported from an overhead ceiling support structure having in combination: a front support assembly including a lower unitary postlike member on which the backboard is mounted and an upper member pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure, said upper member including an elongated collar portion within which said lower postlike member is slidably retained, said lower and upper members telescopically engaged with each other so that the effective overall length of said front support assembly can change as said assembly is rotated about its pivotal connection to the overhead support, said upper member of said front support assembly having a pair of support arms fastened to said collar portion which extend upwardly for pivotal connection to the overhead ceiling support; a rear support assembly pivotally connected at its upper end to the overhead support structure and pivotally connected at its lower end to said lower member of said front support assembly; and a hoist means for pivoting said front and rear support assemblies about their pivotal connections to the overhead support structure to thereby raise and lower the backboard support structure between playing and storage positions.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-18 | 1975-04-19 | 1975-10-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-18 | 1979-04-19 | 1979-10-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-18 | 1983-04-19 | 1983-10-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |