EP3160601A1

EP3160601A1 - Play structure for playing basketball

Info

Publication number: EP3160601A1
Application number: EP15736576.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Guillaume NGUYEN; William Lanigan; David Leleu
Original assignee: Decathlon SE
Current assignee: Decathlon SE
Priority date: 2014-06-27
Filing date: 2015-06-29
Publication date: 2017-05-03
Also published as: FR3022795A1; CA2952924A1; WO2015197998A1; FR3022795B1; US20170136327A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a play structure for playing basketball, comprising a base (1) that rests on the ground, as well as: a lower element (2) mounted on the base such that it can rotate between a lowered position and an upright position; and an upper element (3) on which a basketball backboard (4) is mounted, said upper element being mounted on an upper end of the lower element such that it can rotate between a folded position and a deployed position. The play structure is switched from a storage position to a use position first by moving the lower element (2) from the lowered position to the upright position and subsequently moving the upper element (3) from the folded position to the deployed position, the lower element (2) being arranged to come into contact with the ground in the upright position.

Description

Play structure for basketball practice

The invention relates to a game structure, especially for the practice of basketball.

Such play structures are known that are foldable to facilitate their implementation and storage, including limiting the use of tools and / or the time required for such operations, which may indeed be dissuasive both for the use of said structure for its storage.

For example, the document US Pat. No. 7,407,453 describes a play structure for the practice of basketball comprising a base placed in support on the ground, as well as:

a lower element rotatably mounted on said base between a folded position and an erected position;

- An upper element on which is mounted a basketball panel, said upper member being rotatably mounted on an upper end of said lower member between a folded position and an extended position. In addition, to allow adjustment of the height of the basketball panel, the lower member has a first portion slidably mounted in a second portion between a retracted position in said second portion and a raised position out of said second portion. Thus, to arrange the structure in the use position, it is sufficient to pass successively the lower element of the folded position to the erected position, then the upper element of the folded position to the deployed position, and then to raise to less partially the first part of the lower element, according to the desired height for the basketball panel.

Similarly, to arrange the structure in storage position, it is sufficient to retract possibly the first part of the lower element in the second part, then to successively put back the upper element in folded position and the lower element in the folded position, the base forming in particular a storage box whose lid is integral in rotation with the lower member to allow storage of the structure in said box when said lower member is returned to the folded position .

However, this structure is not entirely satisfactory, in that its structure remains relatively complicated. Moreover, to ensure its maintenance in the use position, the structure has only oblique arms rotatably mounted on the base and on the lower element and intended to be deployed during the passage of said lower element in erect position, which is not enough to prevent vertical tilting.

The invention aims to improve the prior art by proposing in particular a play structure easy to mount for use and which, in folded storage position, has a minimal footprint and is easy to carry, and while ensuring a good maintenance in position of use to avoid any risk of tipping.

For this purpose, the invention provides a play structure for the practice of basketball, comprising a base disposed in support on the ground, as well as:

- an upper member on which is mounted a basketball panel, said upper member being rotatably mounted on an upper end of said lower member between a folded position and an extended position; said play structure being provided with a storage position at a use position by successively passing the lower member from the folded position to the upright position, and then the upper member from the folded position to the deployed position, lower element being arranged to bear on the ground in erect position.

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear in the description which follows, made with reference to the appended figures, in which: - Figures 1 show a game structure according to the invention in storage position, respectively in perspective (Figure 1a) and side (Figure 1b);

FIGS. 2 and 2 show a game structure according to the invention in which the lower element is in an erect position, respectively in perspective (FIG. 2a) and from the side (FIG. 2b);

FIGS. 3 and 3 show a play structure according to the invention in use position, in which the lower element is in the upright position and the upper element is in the extended position, respectively in perspective (FIG. Figure 3b);

FIGS. 4 and 4 show a game structure according to the invention in use position, in which the first part of the lower element is also in a raised position out of the second part of said lower element, respectively in perspective (FIG. ) and side (Figure 4b);

- Figure 5 is a partial longitudinal sectional representation of the game structure according to Figures 3, 5a and 5b showing an enlargement of respectively a lower end and an upper end of the lower member;

- Figures 6 and 7 are perspective representations of the base of the game structure of Figures 1 to 4, the lower member being in the erect position.

In connection with these figures, a game structure for playing basketball is described below.

The game structure comprises a base 1 disposed in support on the ground, a lower member 2 rotatably mounted on said base between a folded position and an erect position, and an upper member 3 on which is mounted a basketball panel 4 and which is rotatably mounted on an upper end of said lower member between a folded position and an extended position.

Thus, the structure is disposable between a storage position, in which the lower 2 and upper 3 elements are respectively in the folded position and folded, and a position of use, wherein the lower and upper elements 2 and 3 respectively are upright and unfolded, and this by passing successively the lower element 2 from the folded position to the erected position, then the upper member 3 from the folded position to the extended position.

The base 1 comprises a central frame 5 on which the lower member 2 is rotatably mounted, and wheels 6 mounted on the frame 5 to allow movement of the structure. In connection with Figure 6, the wheels 6 each comprise a hub secured to the central frame 5, said hubs being arranged to allow the wheels 6 to rotate independently of each other.

In particular, at least some of the wheels 6 are arranged to be filled with a ballast material, for example water or sand, to form a counterweight to the lower member 2 upright. To do this, the refillable wheels 6 each comprise a cylindrical reservoir on the periphery of which an opening 7 is arranged to allow their filling with such a ballast material. For a good distribution of the weight, the fillable wheels 6 are distributed in pairs on either side of the central frame 5. In connection with the figures, the base 1 comprises in particular three pairs of fillable wheels 6 distributed on both sides 5. Furthermore, the axis of revolution of the tanks extends horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame 5, so that the base 1 is movable by rolling said tanks on their periphery.

As regards the mounting of the lower member 2, the central frame 5 comprises a front end on which said lower member is rotatably mounted. Thus, to dispose the game structure in the use position, the user first of all passes the lower member 2 from the folded position (FIG. upright position (FIG. 2) by pivoting it with respect to the front end of the central frame 5.

In particular, to facilitate the arrangement of the structure in the position of use, said structure comprises a system for assisting the displacement of the lower element 2 in an upright position. Such a system of assistance is all the more desirable that the user, by moving the lower element 2 upright, must not only manipulate said lower element, but also the upper element 3 disposed in folded position on said element lower, and the basketball panel 4 mounted on said upper element, which can be binding because of the total weight of the assembly.

In connection with the figures, the assistance system comprises a link arm

8 which has a first end rotatably mounted on the lower member 2, and a second end mounted in translation on the base 1, for example on a rail formed for this purpose on the central frame 5.

Furthermore, the assistance system comprises spring means 9 mounted on the central frame 5 on either side of the second end of the link arm 8, said spring means being arranged to actuate the translation of the link arm 8 by relative to the central frame 5, so as to assist the movement of the lower member 2 upright.

To do this, the spring means 9 are locked in the constrained position when the lower member 2 is in the folded position. For example, the means springs

9 may be compression springs - respectively traction - which are contracted - respectively stretched - when the lower member 2 is in the folded position, so as to accompany the translation of the connecting arm 8 by relaxing - respectively by contracting - towards their rest position.

To ensure safety, whether during the use of the structure or during its disposition in the position of use, said structure further comprises a system 10 for blocking the lower element 2 in upright position, in order to prevent said lower element from inadvertently tipping in the folded position.

In particular, the locking system 10 comprises means for locking the link arm 8 in translation and / or in rotation, in particular studs 11 carried by one of said link arm and the lower element 2, said studs being intended to be locked in a receiving device carried by the other of the lower element 2 and the connecting arm 8 when said lower element is in the upright position.

In connection with the figures, the receiving device comprises a plate 12 which is rotatably mounted on the lower element 2 and which has a locking slot of the studs 11 mounted on the connecting arm 8. Thus, during the deployment of the lower element 2 in upright position, the studs 11 are positioned in the locking slot of the plate 12, so as to activate the locking system 10.

Moreover, to arrange the structure in the storage position, the plate 12 is manually actuated in rotation to unlock the studs 11 of the slot, so as to move the link arm 8 in translation and thus allow the arrangement of the element lower 2 in the folded position.

In connection with FIG. 7, the locking system 10 also comprises a hook 13 rotatably mounted on the link arm 8 and intended to be manually hooked to a front transversal bar 14 mounted above the rail on the central frame 5, in order to prevent the translation of said connecting arm in said rail and thus contribute to the locking of the lower element 2 upright. To bring more stability to the structure when it is arranged in the position of use, the lower element 2 is arranged to rest on the ground in the erect position, which makes it possible to avoid the tilting of said structure in said position of use. To do this, the lower element 2 comprises two feet 15 mounted on either side of its lower end and intended to bear on the ground when said lower element is in the upright position. Thus, the feet 15 ensure a better stability of the structure including preventing its tilting on the sides, and this in combination with the base 1 which forms a counterweight to prevent tilting forward or backward. The feet 15 also make it possible to prevent the base 1 from rolling when the game structure is in the position of use.

Once the lower member 2 is in the upright position, the user can arrange the play structure in the use position by passing the upper member 3 from the folded position (Fig. 2), wherein said upper member is disposed against said lower member, in the extended position (Figures 3), and by manually rotating said upper member relative to the upper end of the lower member 2 on which it is rotatably mounted.

The upper element 3 comprises a free end on which is mounted the basketball panel 4, said panel comprising a board 4a and a bow 4b on which a net can be hung.

To limit the bulk of the game structure when arranged in the storage position, the basketball panel 4 can be arranged to be folded against the upper element 3 which is itself arranged against the lower element 2 when arranged in folded position. To do this, the basketball panel 4 can be rotatably mounted on the free end of the upper element 3.

Moreover, the arch 4b can be rotatably mounted on the panel 4 to be folded against the board 4a when the game structure is in the storage position. Alternatively, the arch 4b can be mounted reversibly on the panel 4 by means of a system without tools, to allow the user to easily dismount said arch when it wants to store the game structure. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the upper element 3 comprises two pairs of upper parallel bars 3a and lower 3b each having a rear end rotatably mounted on the upper end of the lower element 2, and a front end on which the basketball panel 4 is rotatably mounted. Thus, the upper member 3 forms a deformable parallelogram which allows the user to move said upper member in the deployed position and train the basketball panel 4 in one gesture.

In addition, to facilitate the arrangement of the upper member 3 in the deployed position, said upper member comprises a handle 16 that the user can grasp to manipulate said upper member. The game structure further comprises a locking system of the upper member 3 in the deployed position, to prevent inadvertent tilting of said upper member in the folded position, especially during the use of the structure, and thus ensure the safety of the users. To do this, the locking system comprises a hook 17 mounted on one of the upper 3 and lower 2, said hook being hooked manually on the other of said lower and upper elements when said upper member is in the deployed position. In particular, the hook 17 can be mounted in rotation to facilitate its handling by the user.

In connection with Figure 5b, the hook 17 is mounted on the upper member 3 and the lower member 2 comprises a device carrying a pin 18 on which said hook is hooked when said upper member is in the extended position. In Figures 3, the lower member 2 is upright and the upper member 3 is in the deployed position, the basketball panel 4 and the arch 4b he carries being erected forwardly. The game structure can therefore be used. However, depending on the user's level of practice, age and / or size, the height of the panel 4 can be adjusted. To do this, the lower element 2 comprises a first portion 2a slidably mounted in a second portion 2b between a retracted position in said second portion (FIG. 3) and a raised position outside said second portion (FIG. 4), said lower member being equipped with a system for actuating the displacement of said first part in the raised position.

In particular, the lower end of the second portion 2b is rotatably mounted on the central frame 5 and carries both feet 15, and the upper member 3 is rotatably mounted on an upper end of the first portion 2a.

In relation to FIGS. 5, the actuation system comprises a strap 19 whose first end is fixed to the second part 2b, said strap being mounted on a winding means around its second end. In particular, the winding means comprises a crank 20 mounted on the second portion 2b, in particular on a housing 21 carried by said second portion and inside which the second end of the strap 19 opens to wind around said crank.

In addition, the second portion 2b comprises a slide 22 fixed on its upper end, the strap 19 sliding out of said slide during its winding around its second end. Furthermore, the first part 2a is supported on the strap 19 between its first and second ends to be moved in the raised position - respectively retracted - by winding - unwinding respectively - of said strap. In relation to FIGS. 5 and 5a, the first part 2a comprises a slide 23 formed on its lower end and in which the strap 19 slides during actuation of the system. To prevent the total weight of the entire first part 2a - upper element 3 - basketball panel 4 does not rest on the strap 19, in particular on the portion of said strap disposed in the slide 23 of said first part, the system of actuation may comprise a safety device which, when actuated, supports said first portion to lock it to the desired height.

In particular, such a safety device may comprise a pin intended to be arranged in an orifice formed on the first part 2a and corresponding to a desired height for the panel 4, the user pulling said pin out of said orifice before unrolling the strap 19 of the winding means 20 when it wishes to retract said first part in the second part 2b, for example during the arrangement of the structure in the storage position. To ensure the safety of the users during the use of the game structure, the actuation system further comprises a locking device of the first part 2a in the raised position, in order to prevent any inadvertent movement of said first part towards its end. retracted position, and therefore any brutal and uncontrolled, and therefore potentially dangerous, lowering of the basketball panel.

To do this, the locking device is in particular arranged to block the winding means 20 of the strap 19, so that the user must manually actuate said device to be able to unroll said strap and thus have the first part 2a in the retracted position .

In particular, the locking device may be a pin safety device as described above, whose pin is arranged to lock the first part 2a in the raised position while blocking in rotation the winding means 20 of the strap 19. Thus, in order to unroll the strap 19, the user is obliged to first remove the pin, which prevents the strap 19 is unwound while the first part 2a is locked in the raised position. Indeed, if the user unlocked the first part 2a while the strap 19 is unrolled, said first part would slide brutally in the second part 2b, which would result in a brutal and uncontrolled descent, and therefore potentially dangerous, of the panel 4 basketball.

According to another embodiment, the locking device may comprise a notch wheel comprising teeth on its circumference and rotatably connected to the winding means 20, and a latch for snapping into one of the teeth of said wheel when the winding means 20 is actuated to wind the strap 19 and raise the first portion 2a, so as to form a stop with said tooth to prevent the rotation of said means in the reverse direction of unwinding said strap. Thus, to be able to unwind the strap 19 and retract the first part 2a, the user must first manually release the latch of the wheel spelled.

According to another embodiment, particularly when the winding means comprises a crank 20, the locking device may also comprise means for interfering with said crank to prevent its rotation in the direction of unwinding of the strap 19. In particular, the actuating system comprises a latch 24 rotatably mounted on the second portion 2b near the crank 20, the user manually rotating said latch to arrange it against the handle of the crank 20 to lock it in rotation.

Claims

1. A game structure for playing basketball, comprising a base (1) disposed in abutment on the ground, as well as:

- a lower member (2) rotatably mounted on said base between a folded position and an erect position;

- an upper member (3) on which is mounted a basketball board (4), said upper member being rotatably mounted on an upper end of said lower member between a folded position and an extended position;

said play structure being provided with a storage position at a position of use by successively passing the lower member (2) from the folded position to the upright position, and then the upper member (3) of the folded position in the extended position, said play structure being characterized in that the lower member (2) is arranged to bear on the ground in erect position.

2. Game structure according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a system for assisting the displacement of the lower element (2) in erect position.

3. Game structure according to claim 2, characterized in that the assistance system comprises a link arm (8) having a first end rotatably mounted on the lower member (2), and a second end mounted in translation on the base (1).

4. Play structure according to claim 3, characterized in that the assistance system comprises spring means (9) mounted on the base (1) on either side of the second end of the connecting arm (8). .

5. Play structure according to claim 4, characterized in that the spring means (9) are in the stress position when the lower member (2) is in the folded position.

6. Play structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that it comprises a locking system (10) of the lower member (2) in erect position.

7. Play structure according to claim 6 when it depends on claim 3, characterized in that the locking system (10) comprises means (11, 12, 13) for locking the link arm (8) in translation and / or in rotation.

8. Play structure according to claim 7, characterized in that the locking system (10) comprises studs (11) carried by one of the link arm (8) and the lower element (2), said studs being intended to be locked in a receiving device (12) carried by the other of the lower element (2) and the connecting arm (8) when said lower element is in the upright position.

9. Game structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the lower member (2) comprises two feet (15) mounted on either side of its lower end is intended to bear on the floor when said lower member is in upright position.

10. Play structure according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that it comprises a locking device of the upper member (3) in the deployed position.

11. Play structure according to claim 10, characterized in that the locking device comprises a hook (17) mounted on one of the upper (3) and lower (2) elements, said hook being hooked manually on the another of said lower and upper elements when said upper member is in the deployed position.

12. Play structure according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the upper element (3) comprises two pairs of bars upper (3a) and lower (3b) parallels each having a rear end rotatably mounted on a free end of the lower member (2) and a front end on which the basketball board (4) is rotatably mounted.

13. Play structure according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the lower member (2) comprises a first portion (2a) slidably mounted in a second portion (2b) between a retracted position in said second portion and a raised position out of said second portion, said lower member being provided with a system for actuating the displacement of said first portion in raised position.

14. Game structure according to claim 13, characterized in that the actuating system comprises a strap (19), a first end is fixed to the second portion (2b), said strap being mounted on a means (20) d winding around its second end, the first portion (2a) being supported on said strap between its first and second ends to be movable in the raised position - respectively retracted - by winding - unwinding respectively - of said strap.

15. Playing structure according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the base (1) comprises:

- a central frame (5) on which the lower member (2) is rotatably mounted;

- Wheels (6) mounted on said frame to allow the displacement of said structure.

16. Play structure according to claim 15, characterized in that at least some of the wheels (6) are arranged to be filled with a ballast material to form a counterweight to the element (2) in the erect position for the use of said structure.