Telescoping Basketball Post Locking Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing plastic youth basketball sets lack a sturdy height position locking system and corner guards, leading to instability and potential damage during use, especially during intense movements like 'slam-dunks', and do not maintain a rigid upright stance without additional components.
Innovation Solution
A blow molded basketball set design featuring an inner and outer post system with protrusions and recesses for secure height adjustment, a latch mechanism for locking, and removable corner guards for enhanced stability and safety, along with a stepped collar to prevent movement of the rim and backboard when force is applied.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manually adjustable posts are used for height adjustment, then height adaptability is improved, but the post stability and locking reliability deteriorate when extended
Solution Approach 1:
The post is divided into an inner telescoping section and an outer stationary section, allowing the inner post to slide within the outer post for height adjustment while maintaining structural integrity through segmented construction
Solution Approach 2:
The inner post is nested within the outer post, with the inner post containing multiple recesses that align with protrusions on the outer post, creating a telescoping structure that provides both adjustability and stability
2Stability of the object's composition
If additional locking components are added to maintain rigid upright position, then post stability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is merged into the post structure itself, with recesses and protrusions integrated directly into the inner and outer posts, eliminating the need for separate locking components while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The post structure provides its own locking capability through the recess-protrusion interface, where the geometry of the inner and outer posts creates automatic mechanical interlocking without requiring additional locking devices
3Ease of manufacture
If standard rim securing methods are used, then ease of assembly is improved, but rim security under intense forces deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The rim securing system combines multiple securing mechanisms (tapered protrusions for friction fit, stepped collar for mechanical locking, and recess-protrusion interfaces for positional registration) to create a composite securing system that maintains both ease of assembly and high strength under load
4Object-affected harmful factors
If corner guards are added for safety and decorative purposes, then user safety and appearance are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Corner guards are added only at the specific locations where safety is needed (the corners of the backboard), rather than throughout the entire structure, providing localized protection while minimizing overall complexity
Data Source
AI summary
A blow molded basketball goal having an inner post, an outer post, a rim, and a backboard. The inner post having a top end, a bottom end, a length measured from the top end to the bottom end, and a plurality of protrusions positioned near the bottom end. The outer post having a bottom end, a hollow interior defined by an interior wall, an open top end adapted to receive the inner post, and at least one protuberance on the interior wall. When the inner post is received in the outer post, the plurality of protrusions of the inner post bear against the interior wall of the outer post and the at least one protuberance of the outer post bears against the inner post. The rim is securable to the inner post, and the backboard is securable to the rim.