Basketball Goal Height Lock Mechanism With Single-Action Gas Shock
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional basketball systems with height adjustment mechanisms are mechanically complex and require numerous parts, making them large and heavy.
Innovation Solution
A simplified height adjustment mechanism using a rotatable adjustment handle and a lockable gas spring system, allowing for single-action alignment and locking of axes to adjust the backboard and goal height, with components potentially made from blow-molded plastic and other materials.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then the basketball system can adjust height, but the mechanism becomes mechanically complex and requires numerous parts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the adjustment handle, actuator arm, and locking mechanism into an integrated assembly that operates as a unified system. The adjustment handle directly connects to the actuator arm, which in turn connects to the locking mechanism, eliminating the need for separate adjustment and locking devices. This merging reduces the total number of parts while maintaining full height adjustment functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment handle serves multiple functions: it acts as the primary operation interface for height adjustment, connects to the actuator arm to transmit motion, and works with the locking mechanism to secure the desired position. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then the basketball system can adjust height, but the system becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
By merging multiple functions into the adjustment handle assembly (adjustment operation, actuation, and locking), the patent eliminates redundant structural components that would add weight. The integrated design uses shared mounting structures and connection points, reducing the total material required and thus the overall weight of the basketball system.
3Device complexity
If a simplified mechanism with fewer parts is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the reliability of the locking mechanism may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the adjustment handle is rotated to a predetermined position. The actuator arm is pre-configured with a cam surface or lever arm that, upon rotation, automatically actuates the locking pin to engage with the locking hole. This preliminary positioning ensures that the locking action occurs at the correct moment in the adjustment cycle, maintaining reliability without requiring additional control components.
Solution Approach 2:
The locking mechanism is designed to be self-actuating through the rotation of the adjustment handle. As the user rotates the handle to adjust the height, the actuator arm automatically moves the locking pin into engagement with the locking hole at the appropriate position. The spring-loaded pin automatically engages and disengages based on the handle's position, eliminating the need for separate locking controls or complex actuation 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 mechanism reduces mechanical complexity, requires fewer parts, and allows for easy, single-action height adjustment of the backboard and goal, enhancing user convenience and reducing system size and weight.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element, such as, but not limited to, a spring or gas shock
Implementation Method 2
an actuator arm rotatably connected to the adjustment handle
Data Source
AI summary
One example of a basketball system includes a post, a backboard, a connecting structure that connects the backboard to the post, and a height adjustment mechanism operable to adjust a position of the backboard relative to a reference surface, and the height adjustment mechanism includes one or more arms connected to the connecting structure, an adjustment handle connected to the one or more arms and to the support structure, a gas shock including a locking pin and connected to the support structure, to the one or more arms, and to the adjustment handle, and an actuator arm connected to the adjustment handle and operable to change a disposition of the locking pin of the gas shock when the adjustment handle is operated so that the locking pin is moved between first and second dispositions which respectively correspond to a locked state and an unlocked state of the gas shock.