Basketball Goal Height Lock Release With Gas Shock Actuation
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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 with alignable axes, a gas shock, and an actuator arm to control the backboard and goal height, allowing for a single operation to unlock and adjust position.
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 complex mechanisms for each function.
Solution Approach 2:
The adjustment handle serves multiple functions: it acts as the user interface for operation, transmits force to the actuator arm, and works in conjunction with the locking mechanism to both release and secure the height adjustment. This multi-functional design reduces the total number of parts needed.
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 the adjustment handle, actuator arm, and locking mechanism into a single integrated assembly, the patent eliminates redundant structural components and fasteners that would otherwise be required to connect separate mechanisms. This integration significantly reduces the overall weight of the height adjustment system.
3Adaptability or versatility
If conventional height adjustment mechanisms are used, then the basketball system can adjust height, but the operation requires multiple steps and is not user-friendly
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is pre-positioned to engage automatically when the actuator arm reaches its extended position. This preliminary action ensures that the locking occurs without requiring a separate user action, making the height adjustment process simpler and more intuitive.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanism performs the locking function automatically through the mechanical connection between the actuator arm and locking mechanism. When the user operates the adjustment handle, the system self-locks at the desired height without requiring additional user intervention, making the operation easier and more reliable.
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 enables easy, single-action adjustment of the backboard and goal height while ensuring secure locking in the desired position.
Implementation Method 1
a biasing element, such as, but not limited to, a gas spring or the like, which is biased to maintain the adjustment handle in the default configuration
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.