Basketball Pole Mounting with Integrated Welded Bolt Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Assembling a basketball goal without a wall-mounted support structure can be challenging for a single person, particularly attaching the backboard to a pole, as it requires supporting the backboard while securing the support arms and managing loose bolt pieces.
Innovation Solution
A support system with bolt pieces having a medial portion that wraps around the pole, permanently fixed by welding, provides attachment points for support arms, eliminating the need for loose pieces and allowing single-person assembly by using spacers and locking members to secure the arms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If traditional loose bolt pieces are used to attach support arms to the pole, then the assembly process requires multiple loose components, but this increases the complexity of assembly and the risk of losing pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate components (bolt piece, spacers, locking members) into a single integrated attachment assembly that is pre-mounted to the pole. This merging eliminates the need for loose pieces during assembly, reducing complexity while maintaining ease of manufacture through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment assembly is pre-assembled and permanently fixed to the pole before the actual basketball goal assembly. This preliminary action ensures that all necessary components are in place and properly positioned, eliminating the need for complex on-site assembly operations and reducing the risk of losing loose pieces.
2Ease of operation
If a single person attempts to attach the backboard to the pole using traditional methods, then the assembly can be completed without additional help, but it becomes difficult to support the backboard while securing the support arms
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment assemblies are pre-mounted to the pole with all necessary components (bolt pieces, spacers, locking members) already in place. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for a second person to hold or support components during assembly, enabling single-person operation while maintaining sufficient support capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment assembly is designed to be self-supporting and self-aligning. The bolt piece with its medial portion wrapping around the pole provides inherent stability and positioning, allowing a single person to complete the assembly without needing another person to support the structure during attachment.
3Reliability
If multiple loose bolt pieces are used for assembly, then the attachment points can be secured, but the loose pieces are easily lost or misplaced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple separate bolt pieces, spacers, and locking members are merged into a single integrated attachment assembly that remains fixed to the pole. This eliminates the possibility of losing individual pieces while maintaining reliable securement of attachment points through the integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
All necessary components for securing attachment points are pre-assembled and permanently fixed to the pole in the correct positions. This preliminary action ensures that no pieces are lost or misplaced during assembly, as everything is already in its final position and properly secured.
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 solution enables secure and efficient assembly of basketball goal support arms to a pole, reducing the risk of lost pieces and allowing solo assembly, enhancing ease and reliability of the installation process.
Implementation Method 1
The medial portion of the bolt piece may be permanently fixed to the support pole by a suitable attachment method, such as a weld.
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe an arrangement for mounting basketball goal support arms to a support pole. The arrangement includes an attachment assembly that has a bolt piece, spacers, and a locking portion. The bolt piece includes a medial portion and bolt ends. The medial portion may be permanently attached to the support pole of a basketball goal. The bolt ends may receive a spacer, a support arm, and a locking portion.