Basketball Hoop Board Pivot for Compact Tool-Free Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing basketball equipment with foldable bases and rotatable posts faces issues with bulk in storage configuration due to the board's longitudinal dimension being larger than the base's frontal dimension, necessitating tools and complex operations for setup and storage.
Innovation Solution
A basketball equipment design featuring a rotatable post with a rotational mechanism for the board, allowing it to transition between use and storage positions, utilizing a subplate with a friction pivot and a locking mechanism to simplify and secure the board's positioning without tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the board is mounted in a fixed angular position on the upper section, then the board can be easily positioned for use, but the equipment occupies excessive storage space when the board's longitudinal dimension exceeds the base's frontal dimension
Solution Approach 1:
The board is made dynamically reconfigurable through a rotational mechanism that allows it to pivot between a horizontal use position and a vertical storage position. This dynamic adjustment enables the board to adapt its orientation based on whether the equipment is being used or stored, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and storage volume by changing the board's angular position from fixed to variable.
Solution Approach 2:
The board transitions from occupying horizontal space during use to vertical space during storage. By rotating the board 90 degrees around a transverse axis, the solution exploits the third dimension (vertical height) to accommodate the board's longitudinal dimension, thereby reducing the horizontal footprint and overall storage volume required when the equipment is not in use.
2Volume of stationary object
If the post is rotatably mounted to enable storage configuration, then the equipment can be compacted for storage, but the mechanism requires tools and complex configuration for setup and storage
Solution Approach 1:
The rotational mechanism is designed to be self-operating through user body weight and gravity. When the user leans on the board or applies force to the upper section, the entire assembly (upper section with board and lower section) rotates automatically into the storage configuration without requiring tools, screws, or complex assembly steps. The system uses its own weight and simple friction-based retention to achieve automatic configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The complex multi-component rotational mechanisms described in prior art (separate boards, multiple hinges, locking systems) are extracted and replaced with a simplified integrated design. The board is directly coupled to the upper section which rotates as a unit on the lower section, removing unnecessary intermediate components and reducing overall mechanism complexity while maintaining the storage functionality.
3Volume of stationary object
If the board is positioned at an angle during storage, then storage space is reduced, but the board may tilt or deploy inadvertently during storage or transport
Solution Approach 1:
The mechanism uses gravity as a stabilizing force rather than fighting against it. When the upper section with the board rotates into the vertical storage position, the combined center of gravity of the upper section and board shifts to create a stable equilibrium that prevents inadvertent tilting or deployment. The friction pivot and abutment geometry are designed to work with gravitational force to maintain the stored position securely.
Solution Approach 2:
The abutment geometry and friction pivot are designed to provide inherent stability before any external forces are applied during storage or transport. The mechanical configuration creates a self-locking effect where the board's weight and position naturally prevent movement, cushioning against potential instability without requiring additional active locking mechanisms or complex stabilization systems.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design reduces bulk in storage configuration by allowing intuitive and tool-free transitions, ensuring safety and stability during use, and preventing inadvertent deployment, thus enhancing usability and storage convenience.
Implementation Method 1
the subplate comprising an extension linked to the board through a friction pivot
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a piece of equipment for playing basketball, comprising a base and a post with an upper post section carrying a board on which a basketball hoop is mounted. The post has a lower post section which is rotatably mounted on the base, the board is mounted on the upper post section through a rotational mechanism between an angular use position and an angular storage position. The rotational mechanism has a subplate for the joining together the upper end of the upper post section. The subplate has an extension linked to the board through a friction pivot, the use position of the board is delimited by the abutment of the subplate on a member secured to the board.