Mounting structure for supporting a basketball pole
US6041559A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 20, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 28, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 20, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE01F9/685
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A mounting structure for supporting a removable basketball support pole in the ground. In a first embodiment, the mounting structure may include a sleeve body, a clamping mechanism and a cap. The sleeve body has an open end of a predetermined size for receiving the basketball pole. The open end of the sleeve has relief portions, such as grooves, for providing flexibility to permit deformation of the open end of the sleeve to adjust to the size of the basketball pole. The clamping mechanism then may be used to engage the sleeve with the pole and securely support the basketball pole in position. In another embodiment, the clamping mechanism is unnecessary as a portion of the cap forms a wedge. In particular, the cap may include the relief portions and the sleeve has a camming surface whereby a portion of the cap wedges between the camming surface and the pole when the cap is tightened onto the sleeve. In yet another embodiment of the invention, the ground sleeve may include a four-piece construction that is capable of assembly in either a compact arrangement or an assembled arrangement. This four-piece construction may also include relief portions, a clamping mechanism and a cap simi…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.