Kentucky Patent of the Month – March 2021
Basketball nets are adjustable to allow for variation in game difficulty. Conventional adjustment methods use either a lifting mechanism or a gas strut to lock it in place. The lifting mechanism only allows preset height selections based on the notches set in the mechanism. The gas strut allows for any height but is prone to leaks over time. These leaks cause the strut to stick or could result in the net spontaneously dropping. Russell Brands, LLC has designed an improved height adjustment method which offers infinite, secure height possibilities.
The backboard is attached to the pole by two arms. One arm connects the center of the backboard to the top of the pole. The second arm attaches from the bottom of the backboard to the pole by a pin. This second arm extends past the pole to a second pole, attached to a joint. This joint arm and pole can straighten or bend to adjust the height of the net. At a maximum height, both arms would be positioned straight up in line with the poles. As the net is lowered, they begin to rotate horizontally, pivoting at the poles. The adjustment uses a spring loaded locking assembly to grip and secure the net in the desired position. This allows for the height to be set at any position and is more durable than a gas strut.
About Russel Brands, LLC
From its beginnings in 1902, Russell has prided itself on the quality and value of its products—and on its commitment to its employees and the communities where it operates. Russell has long been a company that is able to take advantage of changes in the marketplace, changes in technology and changes in its products. Building on its heritage as an athletic company, Russell has become a global leader in the sporting goods industry with apparel and equipment for all levels of activity—from the playing fields of major colleges to the backyards of homes.
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