Frameless Basketball Backboard with Integral Flanges
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional basketball goals with metal frames are heavy, costly, and difficult to assemble, making them unsuitable for portable systems and home installations, while lacking the aesthetic appeal and ease of assembly desired for modern settings.
Innovation Solution
A frameless basketball backboard assembly is created using a bendable material blank that is heated and formed into flanges to provide rigidity, allowing for a lightweight, easy-to-assemble, and aesthetically pleasing design that mimics traditional framed backboards.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a steel frame is added around the backboard to provide rigidity and strength, then the backboard's structural support is improved, but the weight and cost of the basketball goal increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the backboard panel and support flanges into a single integrated one-piece construction. The flanges are formed as integral extensions of the backboard blank, eliminating the need for separate steel frames while maintaining structural rigidity. This combining approach reduces weight and assembly complexity while preserving the strength needed for basketball play.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat backboard to a three-dimensional structure by forming flanges that extend rearward from the backboard panel. These flanges create a framed appearance and provide structural support through their spatial configuration, achieving frame-like strength without the weight of traditional metal frames.
2Strength
If a steel frame is added around the backboard to provide rigidity and strength, then the backboard's structural support is improved, but the assembly complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The backboard panel and support flanges are merged into a single one-piece construction formed from one blank. This integration eliminates multiple separate components that would need to be assembled, significantly reducing assembly complexity and the number of fasteners required while maintaining the framed appearance and structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The flanges are pre-formed as integral extensions of the backboard blank during the forming process, before assembly. This preliminary formation of the support structure eliminates the need for separate frame assembly steps and reduces the complexity of on-site installation while providing the necessary rigidity.
3Strength
If a steel frame is added around the backboard to provide rigidity and strength, then the backboard's structural support is improved, but the aesthetic appeal is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The backboard and frame are combined into a seamless one-piece structure with the same material and finish. This integration creates a clean, streamlined aesthetic without the visual disruption of separate metal frames, while the flanges provide the necessary structural support and framed appearance from a distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material parameters by using the same material for both the backboard panel and flanges, creating a uniform appearance. The flanges are formed with smooth transitions and consistent thickness, transforming the structural support elements into aesthetic features that enhance rather than detract from the overall appearance.
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 results in a lightweight, cost-effective, and easy-to-assemble basketball goal with sufficient strength and resilience, offering a clean look and consistent bounce characteristics similar to framed backboards, while reducing weight and assembly complexity.
Implementation Method 1
The blank is heated near one or more portions of its outside edges
Implementation Method 2
The blank is then bent along one or more lines in the heated portions to form one or more flanges
Implementation Method 3
The blank is allowed to cool to form a rigid, one-piece backboard
Data Source
AI summary
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure describe a frameless basketball backboard assembly and a method for producing a frameless basketball backboard assembly. A mounting structure is attached to one side of the backboard assembly, and a support assembly mounted to the backboard assembly connects the backboard assembly to a base. A rim may be added to a side of the backboard assembly by attaching to the support assembly.