Basketball practice equipment

Abstract

The invention relates to equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base (1), a pole (2) along which a basket (3) is mounted in translation and is adjustable in height by a system comprising an adjustment strap (12) having a distal end (14a) attached to the basket (3) and a return element (13) mounted on an upper part of said pole, said strap being engaged on said element having a distal portion (12a) extending between said end and said element and a proximal portion (12b) extending from said element to a proximal end (14b), the adjustment system comprising a retaining device having a lower part attached to the base (1) and an upper part connected to the proximal end (14b) by means of a mechanism for adjusting the length of said upper part.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to equipment for playing basketball.

[0002] Such equipment generally comprises a base on which a mast is mounted in an upright position, as well as a panel and a hoop which are mounted on said mast to form the basket. In particular, the basket can be mounted in translation along the mast to present a variable playing height, thanks to a system for adjusting said height.

[0003] Equipment is known whose height adjustment system comprises a strap which has a distal end secured to the basket and a return pulley which is mounted on an upper part of the mast, said strap being engaged on said pulley while having a distal portion extending between said end and one side of said pulley and a proximal portion extending from the other side of said pulley to a proximal end.

[0004] Documents US-5,540,429, US-6,626,773 and US 2020 360762 describe such equipment, in which the adjustment system comprises a reel actuated by a crank, which the user can turn to selectively wind and unwind the proximal portion, and thus respectively increase and decrease the length of the distal portion to vary the playing height.

[0005] Document FR3022795A1 discloses equipment for playing basketball with all the technical characteristics of the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] These solutions are not entirely satisfactory, as they are relatively mechanically complex. Furthermore, their use is not suitable for young children, particularly as the crank can be difficult to operate.

[0007] The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing basketball equipment whose playing height can be adjusted easily and intuitively, even for children, while being of particularly simple design.

[0008] To this end, the invention proposes equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base, a mast mounted in an upright position on said base, a basket mounted in translation along said mast to present a variable playing height and a system for adjusting said height, said adjustment system comprising an adjustment strap having a distal end secured to the basket and a return element which is mounted on an upper part of said mast, said strap being engaged on said element by having a distal portion extending between said end and one side of said element and a proximal portion extending from the other side of said element to a proximal end, the respective length of said portions being adjustable to vary the playing height,the adjustment system comprising a holding device having a lower part secured to the base and an upper part connected to the proximal end of the adjustment strap by means of a mechanism for adjusting the length of said upper part.,

[0009] Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the following description, given with reference to the appended figures, in which: there figure 1 represents in side view a basketball equipment according to a first embodiment of the invention; the figure 2 represents in perspective view from the rear the basketball equipment of the figure 1 , THE Figures 2a and 2b being enlargements of the figure 2 centered on the basket respectively ( Figure 2a ) and the lower part of the height adjustment system ( Figure 2b ) ; THE Figures 3 and 4represent in side view the basketball equipment of the previous figures, with the basket at the respective maximum height ( figure 3 ) and minimal ( figure 4 ) of play; the Figures 5 and 5a represent basketball equipment according to a second embodiment of the invention, following views similar to respectively the figure 2 and the Figure 2a .

[0010] In relation to these figures, a piece of equipment for playing basketball is described below.

[0011] The equipment comprises a base 1 on which a mast 2 carrying a basketball hoop 3 is mounted in an upright position.

[0012] The base 1 has a substantially rectangular geometry, with a front face 1a on which the mast 2 is mounted, said base forming in particular a counterweight to said mast in the erected position. To do this, the base 1 can be filled with a suitable ballast material, in particular water and / or sand.

[0013] The base 1 also has a rear wall 1b equipped with moving casters 4, in particular to facilitate the storage of the equipment when it is not in use. To do this, the user must slightly raise the base 1 on the front side, for example by grasping said base by its front wall 1a, in order to put the rear casters 4 in contact with the ground.

[0014] In the embodiments shown, the base 1 has two displacement rollers 4 which are mounted on its rear wall 1b so as to be arranged at equal distance on either side of a median sagittal plane passing through the mast 2 in the upright position.

[0015] The mast 2 has three tubular segments 2a, 2b, 2c, for example made of metallic material, which are assembled two by two at their adjacent ends, in particular by means of pins 5. Advantageously, two adjacent segments 2a, 2b; 2b, 2c can be mounted to slide relative to each other between a retracted position and a deployed position, in order to limit the size of the equipment when it is not in use, to be able to store it in a space of reduced size.

[0016] The lower segment 2a is mounted on the front wall 1a of the base 1 in an upright position, and is equipped with two lateral support arms 6 which each extend between one side of said lower segment and the corresponding side of a middle part 1d of the base 1.

[0017] The basket 3 is mounted in translation along the mast 2 to present a variable clearance height, the equipment comprising a system to allow the adjustment of said height.

[0018] In relation to the figures, the basket 3 comprises a panel 7 of substantially rectangular shape, which has a front face 7a carrying a hoop 8 and a rear face 7b arranged in translation opposite a front face 9 of the mast 2, said rear face being equipped with a connector 11 which is mounted in translation along the mast 2.

[0019] The connector 11 is in the form of a sleeve surrounding the mast 2, and is arranged to allow the basket 3 to translate downwards under the effect of gravity, in particular when adjusting the playing height.

[0020] The sleeve 11 is fixed by screwing onto the panel 7, so as to extend substantially to the same height as the play hoop 8. In the figures, the sleeve 11 and the hoop 8 are both mounted near a lower edge of the panel 7.

[0021] The hoop 8 can in particular be mounted in rotation on the front face 7a between a deployed position (shown in the figures) and a folded position against said front face, in order to limit the size of the basket 3 when the equipment is not in use, and thus facilitate the storage of said equipment.

[0022] The height adjustment system comprises an adjustment strap 12 which has a distal end 14a secured to the basket 3 and a return element 13 which is mounted on an upper part of the mast 2, said strap being engaged on said element by having a distal portion 12a extending between said end and one side of said element and a proximal portion 12b extending from the other side of said element to a proximal end 14b, the respective length of said portions being adjustable to vary the clearance height.

[0023] In the figures, the distal end 14a of the adjustment strap 12 is fixed to the connector 11, and the return element 13 is fixed to the upper end of the upper segment 2c of the mast 2.

[0024] In relation to the figures 1 to 4 , the return element 13 is formed of a pulley 13a which has a roller mounted in rotation opposite the rear face 10 of the mast 2, the adjustment strap 12 being arranged on said roller to have a substantially vertical distal portion 12a which extends opposite said rear face and a proximal portion 12b which extends downwards.

[0025] Likewise, the connector 11 has a rear face opposite the panel 7, on which the distal end 14a of the adjustment strap 12 is fixed.

[0026] On the Figures 5 and 5a, the return element 13 comprises a sagittal loop 13b for example formed of an end piece fixed to the top of the mast 2, the adjustment strap 12 sliding on said loop to present a substantially vertical distal portion 12a which extends between the rear face 7b of the panel 7 and the front face 9 of the mast 2, as well as a proximal portion 12b which extends downwards.

[0027] In this embodiment, the distal end 14a of the adjustment strap 12 can be fixed to the connector 11 by being clamped between the rear face 7b of the panel 7 and the front face 9 of the mast 2.

[0028] The height adjustment system further comprises a holding device having a lower part secured to the base 1 and an upper part connected to the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12 via a mechanism for adjusting the length of said upper part.

[0029] The holding device comprises at least one strap 15 having a lower part 15a fixed to the base 1 and an upper part 15b slidably engaged in a loop 16 fixed to the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12, having a portion 17a for connecting the proximal portion 12b to the base 1 and a free portion 17b, said loop being equipped with a reversible means for blocking said sliding in order to allow the length of the connecting portion 17a to be adjusted.

[0030] The loop 16 is in the form of a clip loop in which the upper part 15b of the retaining strap 15 is slidably mounted, said loop being fixed to the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12.

[0031] Advantageously, the loop 16 is equipped with a non-return type locking means, in order to only allow the retaining strap 15 to slide in one direction, namely the direction of increasing the playing height. This limits the risks of the basket 3 falling suddenly, in particular during use of the equipment, which ensures the safety of the user.

[0032] Advantageously, the user wishing to adjust the height of the basket 3 must therefore simply manipulate the free portion 17b of the retaining strap 15, which proves to be particularly simple and intuitive, and in particular allows a child to adjust the playing height of the basket himself.

[0033] To increase the height of the basket, the user just has to exert a downward pull on the free portion 17b, as indicated by the arrow F, the anti-return locking means of the loop 16 preventing the translation of said basket downwards. According to this manipulation, the length of the connecting portion 17a decreases which causes the proximal end 14b of the adjustment strap 12 to descend and therefore the basket to rise until the connector 11 stops on the pulley 13 in the maximum position ( figure 3 ).

[0034] To lower the basket 3, the user deactivates the locking means of the loop 16, then lets the free portion 17b slide upwards, so that said basket descends along the mast 2 under the effect of gravity. Then, once the desired clearance height is reached, the user reactivates the locking means to prevent the retaining strap 15 from sliding further.

[0035] To facilitate its handling by the user, the free portion 17b of the retaining strap 15 may have a loop at its end, as shown in the figures 1 , 3 and 4 .

[0036] In the termination modes shown, the holding device comprises a strap structure which has two lateral straps 15a each having a lower end fixed to the base 1 and an upper end connected together, for example by sewing, to form an inverted V structure, the connected end being extended by an upper strap 15b slidably engaged in the loop 16.

[0037] Thus, through a triangulation effect, we contribute to the stability of mast 2 in the erected position, and therefore to the stability of the equipment during its height adjustment and use.

[0038] The lateral retaining straps 15a are fixed respectively on either side of the base 1, in particular between the middle part 1d and the rear wall 1b of said base. In particular, each retaining strap 15a is fixed to the base 1 at the level of the fixing point of the adjacent support arm 6, that is to say in the vicinity of the middle part 1d.

[0039] The retaining straps 15, 15a, 15b and adjustment straps 12 are all inelastic, and may in particular be made of a synthetic textile material, for example nylon-based.

[0040] Advantageously, the height adjustment system further comprises a device for assisting the translation of the basket 3 along the mast 2, in order to facilitate the adjustment of said height for the user, in particular when it is a child.

[0041] The assistance device comprises at least one elastic strap 18 having an upper end 18a connected to the proximal portion 12b of the adjustment strap 12, in particular in the vicinity of the adjustment mechanism, as well as a lower end 18b fixed to the base 1, said strap being arranged to be elastically stretched over the downward stroke of the basket 3.

[0042] This arrangement makes it possible to assist the upward translation of the basket 3 during its height adjustment, in order to limit the traction force that the user must exert on the free portion 17b of the retaining strap 15. The elastic strap 18 also makes it possible to limit the speed of descent of the basket 3 under the effect of gravity, in order to guarantee the safety of the user during the height adjustment of said basket.

[0043] In the first embodiment shown in the figures 1 to 4, the assistance device comprises a strap structure having two side straps 19 each having a lower end 18b fixed to the base 1 and an upper end 18a connected together to form an inverted V structure.

[0044] In particular, the connected end 18a of the assistance straps 19 is fixed, for example by sewing, to the proximal portion 14b of the adjustment strap 12, and the lateral assistance straps 19 are fixed respectively on either side of the base 1.

[0045] Advantageously, the lateral assistance straps 19 and support straps 15a are fixed respectively on either side of the base 1 at the level of the same part 1b of said base, in particular at the level of the fixing point of the adjacent support arm 6.

[0046] In the second embodiment shown ( Figures 5 and 5a), the portion 17a of the retaining strap 15 is doubled by an elastic strap 18 forming the assistance device. In particular, the strap 18 has a lower end 18b fixed to the upper end of the lateral straps 15a.

Claims

1. Basketball practice equipment, comprising a base (1), a mast (2) mounted in an upright position on said base, a basket (3) mounted in translation along said mast to present a variable playing height and a system for adjusting said height, said adjustment system comprising an adjustment strap (12) presenting a distal end (14a) integral with the basket (3) and a return element (13) which is mounted on an upper part of said mast, said strap being engaged on said element by presenting a distal portion (12a) extending between said end and one side of said element and a proximal portion (12b) extending from the other side of said element to a proximal end (14b), the respective length of said portions being adjustable to vary the clearance height, said equipment being characterized in that the adjustment system comprises a holding device having a lower portion integral with the base (1) and an upper portion connected to the proximal end (14b) of the adjustment strap (12) via a mechanism for adjusting the length of said upper portion of the holding device.

2. Basketball practice equipment according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding device comprises at least one strap (15) having a lower part fixed to the base (1) and an upper part slidingly engaged in a loop (16) fixed to the proximal end (14b) of the adjustment strap (12) by presenting a portion (17a) connecting the proximal portion (12b) to the base (1) and a free portion (17b), said loop being equipped with a means for reversibly blocking said sliding in order to allow adjustment of the length of the connecting portion (17a).

3. Basketball practice equipment according to claim 2, characterized in that the holding device comprises a strap structure having two lateral straps (15a) each having a lower end fixed to the base (1) and an upper end connected together to form an inverted-V structure.

4. Basketball practice equipment according to claim 3, characterized in that the lateral holding straps (15a) are fixed respectively on either side of the base (1).

5. Basketball practice equipment according to one of claims 3 or 4, characterized in that the connected end is extended by an upper strap (15b) slidingly engaged in the loop (16).

6. Basketball practice equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the basket (3) comprises a panel (7) having a front face (7a) carrying a hoop (8) and a rear face (7b) arranged in translation facing a front face (9) of the mast (2), said rear face being equipped with a connector (11) which is mounted in translation along the mast (2).

7. Basketball practice equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the loop (16) is in the form of a clip buckle in which the upper part of the retaining strap (15) is engaged, said buckle being fixed to the proximal end (14b) of the adjustment strap (12).

8. Basketball practice equipment according to any one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the adjustment (12) and retention (15) straps are inelastic.

9. Basketball practice equipment according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the adjustment system comprises a device for assisting translation of the basket (3) along the mast (2).

10. Basketball practice equipment according to claim 9, characterized in that the assistance device comprises at least one elastic strap (18) having an upper end (18a) connected to the proximal portion (12b) of the adjustment strap (12), and a lower end (18b) fixed to the base (1), said strap being arranged to stretch elastically over the downward travel of the basket (3).

11. Basketball practice equipment according to claim 10, characterized in that the upper end (18a) of the assistance strap (18) is connected to the proximal portion (12b) of the adjustment strap (12) in the vicinity of the adjustment mechanism.

12. Basketball practice equipment according to one of claims 10 or 11, characterized in that the assistance device comprises a strap structure having two lateral straps (19) each having a lower end (18b) fixed to the base (1) and an upper end (18a) connected together to form an inverted-V structure.

13. Basketball practice equipment according to one of claims 10 or 11 when dependent on claim 2, characterized in that the assistance device comprises a strap (18) which doubles the portion (17a) of the holding strap (15).

14. Basketball practice equipment according to claim 13 when dependent on claim 3, characterized in that the strap (18) has a lower end (18b) fixed to the upper end of the side straps (15a).

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