Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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BASKETBALL GOAL WITH VIBRATION DAMPING
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present disclosure pertains generally to accessories for use in
combination with a basketball goal assembly. More particularly, the present
invention pertains to devices helpful in damping movement and vibration of a
basketball goal assembly.
BACKGROUND
In the popular sport of basketball, normal play includes impacts against the
basketball goal assembly, primarily the backboard assembly. Impacts can occur
from the basketball striking the backboard or rim assembly or from player
contact,
such as hanging on the rim assembly. Correspondingly, the impact can cause a
vibration in the basketball goal structure. Such vibrations can interfere with
later
shots at the basket and can contribute to wear and tear on the goal assembly.
Accordingly, it is desirable for the basketball goal assembly to return to a
static,
non-vibrating state as soon as possible after an impact. For example, NCAA
rules
require official competition backboards to return to a static state within
four
seconds of an impact.
The time necessary for a basketball goal system to naturally return or
dampen to a static state is a function, among other variables, of its mass and
rigidity. Typically the approach to reducing vibrations has been to use a
heavier
mass and more rigid mountings and materials. However, such an approach adds
weight and cost to a basketball goal assembly.
The concerns in pole mounted basketball goal assemblies are of especial
concern because in pole-based arrangements the basketball backboard assembly
functions as a weight mounted at the end of a cantilevered lever arm extending
from a base, creating a leveraging effect against the base. Traditional pole
mounted systems have correspondingly had to balance a longer natural damping
time before the system returns to a static state versus using heavy materials
and a
secure or heavy base to minimize the goal's natural damping time.
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Arrangements to accelerate damping and to minimize the damping time for
basketball goal assemblies are desired.
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SUMMARY
Certain disclosed embodiments include a basketball goal assembly
including a basketball backboard and rim assembly and a tuned mass damper
operatively mounted to the backboard and rim assembly to dampen vibration of
the
assembly. In some embodiments, the tuned mass damper is mounted to a pole
having an upper end and a base end, where the pole supports the backboard and
rim assembly above a support surface. Optionally, the tuned mass damper is
mounted adjacent the upper end of the pole.
Some embodiments of a basketball goal assembly include a basketball
backboard and rim assembly and a tuned mass damper operatively mounted to said
backboard and rim assembly to dampen vibration of the assembly. An example
embodiment of the tuned mass damper includes a conductor plate arranged normal
to the plane of the basketball backboard, a pair of flexures arranged on
opposing
sides of the conductor plate, and a moving mass extending over the conductor
plate
and mounted to the pair of flexures. The moving mass may comprise a pair of
magnets arranged on opposing sides of the conductor plate, with the magnets
laterally offset from each other. In some embodiments the pair of flexures may
be
leaf springs. The moving mass may be formed as a pair of symmetric
subassemblies, wherein each subassembly includes a magnet block and a ballast
block.
Certain illustrative embodiments include a basketball goal assembly,
comprising, a basketball backboard and rim assembly and a tuned mass damper
operatively mounted to the backboard and rim assembly to dampen vibration of
the
assembly. Some arrangements include
a pole having an upper end and a base end, wherein the pole supports said
backboard and rim assembly above a support surface, and wherein the tuned mass
damper is mounted to the pole. In some embodiments, the tuned mass damper uses
magnetic damping.
In some embodiments, the basketball backboard defines a planar backboard
surface and the tuned mass damper is mounted to be operative along a plane
normal to the backboard surface. In certain examples, the tuned mass damper
comprises a moving mass arranged on a pair of flexures, such as but not
limited to
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leaf springs arranged on opposing sides of a conductor plate. The moving mass
may include at least one magnet arranged in the moving mass. The moving mass
optionally may include a pair of magnets arranged on opposing sides of a
conductor plate.
Certain embodiments incorporate methods for arranging and using a tuned
mass damper on a basketball goal assembly to dampen impact forces applied to
the
basketball goal assembly, thereby minimizing the time to return the basketball
goal
assembly to a static state.
Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and
embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from a detailed
description and drawings provided herewith.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a representative
basketball goal assembly and a tuned mass damper according to certain
embodiments of the present disclosure.
5 FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a tuned mass damper.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a tuned mass damper
usable in the embodiment of FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is a side view of the tuned mass damper of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 is a front view of the tuned mass damper of FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the tuned mass damper of FIG. 3.
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a tuned mass damper mounted within a
pole of a basketball goal assembly.
FIG. 7B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 7A with a cover.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tuned mass damper mounted within a pole
of a basketball goal assembly.
FIG. 9 is an exploded view of portions of an alternate embodiment of a
tuned mass damper.
FIG. 10 is a magnetic flux diagram of the tuned mass damper of FIG. 3.
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DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENTS
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the
disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the
drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will
nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope is thereby
intended. Any
alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any
further
applications of the principles of the disclosure as described herein are
contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the
disclosure relates.
With respect to the specification and claims, it should be noted that the
singular forms "a", "an", "the", and the like include plural referents unless
expressly discussed otherwise. As an illustration, references to "a device" or
"the
device" include one or more of such devices and equivalents thereof. It also
should
be noted that directional terms, such as "up", "down", "top", "bottom",
"front",
"rear" and the like, are used herein solely for the convenience of the reader
in order
to aid in the reader's understanding of the illustrated embodiments, and it is
not the
intent that the use of these directional terms in any manner limit the
described,
illustrated, and/or claimed features to a specific direction and/or
orientation.
In some aspects, the present disclosure provides a damping apparatus such
as a tuned mass damper or "TMD" operatively attached or for attachment to a
basketball goal assembly.
Embodiments of the disclosure will be described in detail with reference to
a representative basketball goal assembly 1000 illustrated in FIG. 1.
Specifically,
various aspects of the disclosed embodiments will be discussed with reference
to a
basketball goal assembly 1000 having a support such as a pole or post 1002
with a
top end 1004 and a bottom end 1006. A backboard assembly having a backboard
1010 and a rim assembly 1012 attached thereto is coupled to the top end 1004
of
the pole or post 1002. The height of the backboard 1010 and rim assembly 1012
may be adjustable relative to the pole 1002. The post 1002 is often
perpendicular
to the support surface supporting the basketball goal assembly 1000. For
example,
some basketball goal assemblies have the post 1002 entering a hole in the
ground
or being bolted to a base in or on the ground. Other basketball goal
assemblies
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have the post 1002 being supported by a weighted base, such as a sand or water
filled container. Sometimes the bases are portable and may have wheels
attached
thereto. Example backboard sizes may be 54", 60" or 72" and they may be
adjustable in height to place the hoop as desired, for example within a range
between 7.5' and 10' above the playing surface.
Embodiments of the present disclosure also include basketball goal
assemblies with slanted, segmented and/or curvilinear posts and basketball
goal
assemblies that are not mounted on a post. For example, some basketball goal
assemblies are mounted on a wall and/or are suspended from a ceiling. As will
be
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, different arrangements of
basketball
goal assemblies are contemplated by the inventor(s) of the present disclosure
and
the embodiments illustrated and described in the present disclosure may be
modified for the various arrangements of basketball goal assemblies.
FIG. 1 illustrates representative basketball goal assembly 1000 with an
example embodiment of a tuned mass damper 10. Tuned mass damper 10 is
mounted adjacent the upper end 1004 of pole 1002. A tuned mass damper or
TMD, also known as a harmonic absorber, is typically a relatively small
resonant
system, including a mass, a spring and a damper or dashpot aspect. A tuned
mass
damper can be mounted to certain structures to reduce the amplitude and time
of
the structure's natural vibration frequency as the structure returns to a
static state
after an external force is applied. The damper is tuned to a frequency so that
it
resonates out of phase with the structure's motion. Using a tuned mass damper
can
minimize and/or prevent discomfort, wear and tear, damage, and/or structural
failure. Prior art applications of tuned mass dampers have often been in large
structures such as buildings or ships. When installed properly a tuned mass
damper can draw away vibrational energy and dissipate it internally into heat,
reducing the motion of the structure. A simple mechanical schematic of a tuned
mass damper on a base structure is illustrated in FIG. 2. A tuned mass damper
typically includes a mass (m), a spring with a spring constant (k) and damper
aspect (c).
In the present context, a tuned mass damper 10 is added to a basketball goal
assembly 1000. External forces in this context, considered to be transient
inputs,
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include basketball impacts against the basketball backboard, rim or post or
forces
from a player grabbing and/or hanging on and then releasing the rim or
otherwise
impacting the basketball goal assembly. Fundamentally, a basketball goal
assembly includes the mass of the backboard assembly mounted at the upper end
of a vertical cantilever beam. Accordingly, the external forces cause the
basic
basketball goal assembly 1000 to vibrate/resonate for a period of time after
an
impact until the assembly returns to a normal, static state. It has been found
that
incorporating a tuned mass damper 10 into a basketball goal assembly can
substantially accelerate the damping and efficiently reduce the time it takes
for the
basketball goal assembly to return to a normal static state.
An example tuned mass damper 10 usable with a basketball goal assembly
is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 3-6. A TMD base or mounting block 20 can be
used to mount the tuned mass damper 10 to the basketball goal assembly. In
some
embodiments, the tuned mass damper 10 can be mounted directly to the backboard
and rim assembly. In alternate embodiments, the tuned mass damper 10 can be
mounted adjacent an upper and of a supporting pole or post 1002. In certain
example embodiments, the tuned mass damper, and specifically the moving mass
(m), has a total mass of approximately ten pounds. In comparison, the mass
ratio
may be calculated considering an example basketball goal assembly of 225
pounds
or more.
Extending upward from a base or mounting block 20 is a conductor plate
30. Conductor plate 30 is preferably formed of a magnetic conductor material
such
as copper or aluminum. In the illustrated embodiment plate 30 is a separate
upper
portion mounted via fasteners to a lower plate portion 34. Alternately plate
30 and
lower plate portion 34 may be an integral, single piece. Still alternately,
plate 30
may be secured within the system, typically in a fixed position, without
directly
extending from mounting block 20. As illustrated, the plane of plate 30 is
normal
to the plane of backboard 1010. An example plate thickness is within a range
of
approximately 0.1 ¨ 0.3 inches, with a preferred thickness of approximately
0.2
inches.
Also extending upward from mounting block 20 is a pair of flexures such
as leaf springs 40. Flexures 40 are formed as flexible metal plates, but
alternate
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flexure materials or structures can be used. Flexures 40 are arranged on
opposing
sides of plate 30 and are arranged to move or bend parallel to plate 30. Lower
ends
42 of flexures 40 are secured to mounting block 20, for example with
corresponding mounting brackets 24. Upper ends 44 of the flexures 40 are
respectively coupled to a movable mass.
The movable mass (m) as illustrated includes magnet blocks 50, magnets
52, ballast blocks 54, and top plate 60, as well as fasteners. The moving mass
(m)
forms an inverted pendulum and is arranged to extend over the top and across
plate
30 and then downward with portions facing opposing faces of plate 30. A gap G
is
defined within the moving mass parallel to plate 30. Plate 30 is located
within the
gap, without touching the moving mass. An example gap spacing is approximately
0.03 inches from either side of plate 30. The moving mass is arranged on
flexures
40 to be allowed to move forward or rearward relative to plate 30 as the
flexures
40 bend. Flexures 40 define a pivot axis adjacent lower ends 42. Flexures 40
are
typically perpendicular to plate 30, and aligned with the center of plate 30.
The
movement of the moving mass is within the limits defined by the radial length
and
degree of bending in flexures 40. Plate 30 may have an arcuately curved upper
edge 32 to accommodate the radial movement of the moving mass (m). The
moving mass is arranged with a single degree of freedom normal to the
backboard.
The moving mass couples the flexures 40 together so that they are synchronized
in
their movement.
Optionally, bumper pads 65 can be arranged on plate 30. Bumper pads 65
limit the forward and rearward movement of the moving mass and correspondingly
the flexures 40. In the illustrated embodiment, pairs of bumper pads 65 are
arranged on opposing sides of plate 30 adjacent the upper forward and upper
rearward edges of plate 30. As illustrated, each pair of bumper pads includes
one
bumper pad with a protruding threaded shaft or bolt which extends through
plate
and is received in a mated threaded fastener or nut in a corresponding bumper
pad. Bumper pads 65 can be mounted in alternate ways, such as using different
30 fasteners, clamps, adhesive, material fusion, or welding, to name a few
examples.
Bumper pads 65 can be formed of rubber, plastic or another material.
Preferably,
yet optionally, the bumper material is resilient to absorb force and reduce
noise.
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Moving mass (m) includes a set of magnet blocks 50 and ballast blocks 54
arranged at the upper ends 44 of flexures 40. The blocks are arranged in an
alternating pattern, with a ballast block arranged opposing a magnet block on
opposing sides of plate 30, and also with a ballast block arranged opposing a
5 magnet block on opposing side of each flexure 40. The magnet blocks 50
and
ballast blocks 54 form symmetric subassemblies (s) on opposing sides of plate
30,
with each subassembly (s) clamped to a respective flexure 40. Preferably the
ballast blocks 54 are made of a material which has high magnetic permeability
such as 1010 steel. In some embodiments, the magnet blocks 50 are also made
10 from 1010 steel. Alternately, the magnet blocks 50 are made from a
material
which has relatively low magnetic permeability such as stainless steel. Magnet
blocks 50 may each include an integrated or separate magnet housing.
Top plate 60 couples the subassemblies (s) together. Top plate 60 may be
made from a non-magnetic material such as aluminum. The materials preferably
are chosen to maximize containment of the magnetic flux within the circuit.
Optionally, the material and size of top plate 60 can be chosen or changed to
select
a desired mass and therefore to tune the performance of the tuned mass damper.
At least one and more preferably a pair of magnets 52 are arranged within
the moving mass (m). Specifically, a magnet 52 is arranged in each magnet
block
50, and the magnets are offset from each other on opposing sides of plate 30.
A
face 53 of each magnet is arranged parallel to and facing a corresponding face
33
of plate 30 and is aligned with an opposing ballast block 54. In the
illustrated
embodiment, the magnetic poles are arranged perpendicular to plate 30. The
magnetic poles are arranged to match, for example with the respective north
poles
of magnets 52 facing plate 30. An example magnet size is 0.75" in diameter by
0.5" long. Example magnets are neodymium iron boron magnets. In certain
alternate embodiments, magnets can be mounted to a center plate or separately
from the mass, and the moving mass dampens vibration by movement relative to
the magnets.
There are various options for mounting a tuned mass damper 10 to a
basketball goal assembly such as assembly 1000. In certain embodiments, the
tuned mass damper is mounted adjacent an upper end 1004 of a support pole
1002.
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In poles which are hollow and which have a sufficient internal diameter, the
tuned
mass damper 10 can be mounted internally to the pole, optionally with portions
protruding upward from the pole, as illustrated in FIG. 7A. By way of example,
an
inside diameter of approximately five inches or larger may allow the mounting
block 20 and portions of conductor plate 30 and flexures 40 to be mounted
internally to pole 1002. The moving mass and upper portion of plate 30 may
protrude from the pole to allow a larger moving mass and flexure displacement
range than may be available within the pole.
As illustrated in FIG. 7B, optionally, yet preferably, the upper end 1004 of
pole 1002 and the tuned mass damper 10 may be enclosed within a cover 72 or
housing, which may include a portion 74 which extends forward or rearward to
accommodate the displacement movement of the moving mass. Cover 72 may
provide aesthetic aspects to conceal the tuned mass damper and may also
protect
the tuned mass damper and pole interior from outdoor weather or other ambient
conditions. Cover 72 may be plastic, metal or made of other materials as
desired.
In alternate embodiments, the tuned mass damper 10 can be mounted
externally to a pole 1002, optionally with portions protruding above the pole,
as
illustrated in FIG. 8. By way of example, a pole with an inside diameter of
less
than approximately five inches may require the mounting block 20 to be mounted
externally to pole 1002. Optionally a mounting bracket 26 can be used to
support
and help attach mounting block 20 to upper end 1004 of pole 1002. The moving
mass and upper portion of plate 30 may protrude in height above the pole to
allow
a larger displacement range than may be available if the moving mass height
overlaps with the upper end of the pole. Again optionally, a cover or housing
may
be used to conceal and protect the tuned mass damper and upper pole end.
Portions of an alternate embodiment of a tuned mass damper 110 are
illustrated in FIG. 9. The illustrated portion of tuned mass damper 110
includes a
base or mounting block 120, a flexure 140 with a lower end 142 and an upper
end
144 and a subassembly including a magnet block 150 and a ballast block 156. A
magnet 152 is mounted in magnet block 150 within a magnet housing 154. In the
illustrated embodiment, the upper end 144 of flexure 140 defines at least one
and
optionally a pair of mounting slots 146. Fasteners extend through slots 146 to
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connect magnet block 150 to ballast block 156 as a subassembly on opposing
sides
of flexure upper end 144. Slots 146 are arranged to have a vertical length,
allowing the fasteners to be selectively placed in height within the range
defined by
slots 146. Accordingly, the subassembly can be selectively arranged in height
and
adjusted to a desired height relative to flexure 140 within the defined range.
Changing the mass height effectively changes the lever arm length of flexures
140,
slightly changing the performance of the tuned mass damper. This allows the
tuned mass damper 110 to be further tuned or customized. One base, flexure and
subassembly portion of tuned mass damper 110 are shown for purposes of
illustration. A symmetric base, flexure and subassembly are arranged on the
opposite side of a conductor plate and attached via a top plate, comparable to
the
arrangement of tuned mass damper 10.
An illustration of the magnetic flux circuit of tuned mass damper 10 is
shown in FIG. 10. Specifically, the N poles of the magnets 52 are forwardly
and
rearwardly offset on opposing sides of conductor plate 30. When an external
force
is applied to the basketball goal it causes a movement of the backboard
assembly
and pole and correspondingly imparts movement to the tuned mass damper 10.
This causes the moving mass to begin to oscillate rearward and forward
relative to
plate 30. The mass is arranged as an inverted pendulum above the pivot point.
Correspondingly, the movement of the moving mass with magnets 52 creates a
flux and eddy currents through conductor plate 30 and ballast blocks 54. The
flux
moving through the conductor plate 30 creates a drag force, which dissipates
energy within the system, damping movement of basketball goal assembly 1000.
Specific advantages to magnetic damping include simple, robust
construction of the tuned damper, providing a large damping constant in a
relatively compact device. Magnetic damping also provides linear viscous
damping. Further, the operation of the magnets and the tuned mass damper
efficiency is substantially temperature invariant.
Examples of alternate damping mechanisms which can be used in the
disclosed embodiments with appropriate modifications include liquid damping
arrangements, wherein a fluid is allowed to travel within a defined pathway to
absorb energy. An alternate damping mechanism can incorporate a mass
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suspended between springs or a spring or within an elastic type of material,
such as
a mass suspended or encapsulated within a rubber piece or between rubber
cables.
In various alternate arrangements, the mass can be supported on rollers,
sliders or
as a hanging pendulum.
Certain embodiments of the present disclosure include methods for
mounting a tuned mass damper on a basketball goal assembly. Broadly, the steps
include providing a basketball backboard and rim assembly and optionally also
providing a support pole to which the basketball backboard and rim assembly
can
be mounted. The steps include mounting a tuned mass damper assembly to the
basketball backboard and rim assembly. Optionally, this includes mounting the
tuned mass damper adjacent the upper end of the support pole.
The method may include mounting a base or mounting block to the
basketball goal assembly directly or mounting it adjacent an upper end of a
supporting pole. The method includes arranging a conductor plate, typically in
a
fixed position, and arranging the plane of the plate normal to the plane of
the
backboard. Flexures are arranged on opposing sides of the conductor plate and
are
arranged to move or bend parallel to plate 30. A moving mass is coupled to the
flexures. The movable mass is arranged to extend over the top and across the
conductor plate and then downward with portions facing opposing faces of the
plate. The method allows the moving mass to move forward or rearward relative
to the plate as the flexures bend. Optionally, movement of the moving mass can
be
limited by arranging bumper pads on the plate.
The moving mass may be formed with a set of magnet blocks and ballast
blocks, for example arranged in an alternating pattern, with a ballast block
arranged opposing a magnet block on opposing sides of the plate, and also with
a
ballast block arranged opposing a magnet block on opposing sides of each
flexure.
The magnet blocks and ballast blocks are configured as symmetric subassemblies
on opposing sides of the plate, with each subassembly clamped to a respective
flexure. The subassemblies are connected via a top plate.
The method includes arranging a pair of magnets within the moving mass,
with a magnet arranged in each magnet block, and offsetting the magnets from
each other on opposing sides of the plate. In certain methods, a face of each
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magnet is arranged parallel to and facing a corresponding face of the plate
and is
aligned with an opposing ballast block. Optionally, the magnetic poles are
arranged perpendicular to the plate.
There are various methods for mounting a tuned mass damper to a
basketball goal assembly. In certain embodiments, the tuned mass damper is
mounted adjacent an upper end of a support pole. In some methods, the tuned
mass damper can be mounted internally to the pole, optionally with portions
placed
to protrude upward from the pole. In certain alternate methods, the tuned mass
damper can be mounted externally to a pole and optionally placed with portions
protruding above the pole. Optionally, in certain methods, the damper can be
tuned by selectively arranging the subassemblies in height relative to the
flexures
within a defined range.
Once the tuned mass damper is arranged on a basketball goal assembly,
with or without a pole, the method includes dissipating energy when an impact
force strikes the basketball goal assembly by allowing the moving mass to
oscillate
forward and rearward on the flexures relative to the conductor plate. The
method
includes operatively mounting the oscillating mass to create a magnetic flux
and
correspondingly a drag force to damp movement of the basketball goal assembly.
Case Studies
Testing has found that adding a tuned mass damper to a basketball goal
assembly can substantially decrease the median time for the goal assembly to
return to a static state after an impact. The goal assemblies tested were
based on
illustrated basketball goal assembly 1000, with a fixed external force applied
to the
rim assembly.
Backboard/ Height Median Median Effectiveness
Undamped End Damped End
Time (sec) Time (sec)
54" backboard at 10'height 25.5 7.0 72%
54" backboard at 9'height 31.6 4.5 86%
54" backboard at 8'height 31.5 4.3 86%
72" backboard at 10'height 11.0 6.2 44%
72" backboard at 9'height 12.9 4.7 64%
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72" backboard at 8'height 10.8 5.7 48%
Appropriate fasteners and fitting are used to assemble and connect the
basketball goal assembly and tuned mass dampers disclosed herein, as would be
understood by those of skill in the art. For ease of illustration, the
fasteners and
5 fittings have not been described and illustrated in complete detail.
The following numbered clauses set out specific embodiments that may be
useful in understanding the present invention:
1. A basketball goal assembly, comprising,
a basketball backboard and rim assembly; and,
10 a tuned mass damper operatively mounted to said backboard and rim
assembly to dampen vibration of said assembly.
2. The basketball goal assembly of clause 1, comprising, a pole having an
upper end and a base end, wherein said pole supports said backboard and rim
assembly above a support surface, and wherein said tuned mass damper is
mounted
15 to said pole.
3. The basketball goal assembly of clause 2, wherein said tuned mass damper
is mounted adjacent said upper end of said pole.
4. The basketball goal assembly of clause 3, wherein said tuned mass damper
is mounted within said upper end of said pole.
5. The basketball goal assembly of clause 3, wherein said tuned mass damper
is mounted outside said upper end of said pole.
6. The basketball goal assembly as in any one of clauses 1-5, wherein
said
basketball backboard defines a planar backboard surface and said tuned mass
damper is mounted to be operative along a plane normal to said backboard
surface.
7. The basketball goal assembly as in any one of clauses 1-6, wherein said
tuned mass damper uses magnetic damping.
8. The basketball goal assembly as in any of clauses 1-7, wherein said
tuned
mass damper comprises a moving mass arranged on a pair of flexures.
9. The basketball goal assembly of clause 8, wherein said flexures are leaf
springs.
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10. The basketball goal assembly of clause 8, wherein said pair of flexures
are
arranged on opposing sides of a conductor plate.
11. The basketball goal assembly of any one of clauses 8-10, wherein said
tuned mass damper comprises at least one magnet arranged in said moving mass.
12. The basketball goal assembly of any one of clauses 8-11, wherein said
tuned mass damper comprises a conductor plate, and stops arranged on said
conductor plate limit the travel of said moving mass.
13. The basketball goal assembly of any one of clauses 8-12, wherein
the
height of said moving mass on said flexures is adjustable.
14. The basketball goal assembly of any one of clauses 8-13, wherein said
moving mass is comprised of a pair of subassemblies arranged on opposing sides
of a conductor plate and connected by a top plate.
15. The basketball goal assembly as in any one of clauses 1-14, wherein
said
tuned mass damper comprises a conductor plate and a pair of magnets arranged
on
opposing sides of said conductor plate.
16. The basketball goal assembly of clause 15, wherein said pair of magnets
are
laterally offset from each other.
17. A basketball goal assembly, comprising,
a basketball backboard and rim assembly; and,
a tuned mass damper operatively mounted to said backboard and rim
assembly to dampen vibration of said assembly;
wherein said tuned mass damper includes
a conductor plate arranged normal to the plane of said basketball
backboard;
a pair of flexures arranged on opposing sides of said conductor
plate; and
a moving mass extending over said conductor plate and mounted to said pair of
flexures to form an inverted pendulum.
18. The basketball goal assembly of clause 17 wherein said moving mass
comprises a pair of magnets arranged on opposing sides of said conductor
plate,
wherein the magnets are laterally offset from each other.
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19. The basketball goal assembly of any one of clauses 17 or 18, wherein
said
pair of flexures comprise leaf springs.
20. The basketball goal assembly of any one of clauses 17-19, wherein said
moving mass comprises a pair of symmetric subassemblies on opposing sides of
said conductor plate, wherein each subassembly includes a magnet block with a
magnet and a ballast block.
21. A method, comprising,
providing a basketball backboard and rim assembly; and,
operatively mounting a tuned mass damper to said backboard and rim
assembly to dampen vibration of said assembly.
22. The method of clause 21, comprising mounting said tuned mass damper to
a pole supporting said backboard and rim assembly above a support surface.
23. The method as in any one of clauses 21-22 , comprising mounting said
tuned mass damper to be operative along a plane normal to said backboard
surface.
24. The method as in any one of clauses 21-23, comprising arranging at
least
one magnet within said said tuned mass damper.
25. The method as in any one of clauses 21-24, comprising arranging a
moving
mass on a pair of flexures within said said tuned mass damper.
26. The method as in any one of clauses 25, comprised arranging a pair of
subassemblies arranged on opposing sides of a conductor plate and connected by
a
top plate within said moving mass.
27. The method as in any one of clauses 21-26, comprising arranging a pair
of
magnets.on opposing sides of a conductor plate within said tuned mass damper
While at least one embodiment has been illustrated and described in detail
in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as
illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that
preferred
embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents,
and modifications that come within the spirit of the following claims are
desired to
be protected. It will be evident from the specification that aspects or
features
discussed in one context or embodiment will be applicable in other contexts or
embodiments. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this
specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual
publication,
CA 03008230 2018-06-12
WO 2017/105387
PCT/US2015/065501
18
patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to
be
incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
10
20
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