Basketball light raising and lowering apparatus and method

#The present disclosure relates generally to lighting for basketball goals and courts that assists game play in low natural light conditions, and more particularly to an apparatus and method for mounting, raising and lowering a lighting apparatus in relation to a basketball goal.

#Various apparatuses and methods for providing light for basketball goals and courts are known. It is known to attach lights to basketball goals and their support structures to provide light in low or less-than-optimal lighting conditions. Some systems are adapted for use with an adjustable basketball goal where the height of the goal may be raised or lowered. Many systems are difficult to use and do not allow easy accessibility to the lamp for maintenance or for adjusting the lighting angle. Other systems can require strenuous exertion by one or more people to install and/or erect. Still other systems place the lamp behind or above the backboard potentially interfering with vision. Such systems typically require a ladder or disassembly of the basketball goal to access the light for mounting or to change a bulb. An improved apparatus and method for raising and lowering a light for a basketball goal is desired. Certain features of the present invention address these and other needs and provide other advantages.

#The present arrangement enables simplified raising and lowering of light arrangements for basketball goals, for example to replace light panels or bulbs, during inclement weather, or for aesthetics. The disclosure deals with an apparatus with a light assembly which can be mounted over a basketball goal. This assists people to play basketball in low-light conditions. In the illustrated arrangement, a light assembly is mounted at the upper end of an arcuate pole. The pole extends upward through two pairs of rollers arranged on mounting brackets extending from a base. The pole can be rolled upward and downward to raise and lower the light assembly. The apparatus may incorporate a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism may include one or both of a continuous resistance feature as a safety lock and discrete hard-lock locations.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment with the lighting apparatus in the raised position.

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the lighting apparatus in the lowered position.

#FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of portions of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

#For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended, such alterations, modifications, and further applications of the principles of the disclosure being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

#Certain preferred embodiments of the present disclosure provide an improved apparatus and method for mounting and selectively raising and lowering a lighting apparatus for a basketball goal. In brief, the disclosure deals with a light assembly which can be mounted over a basketball goal, typically outdoors. This assists people to play basketball in low-light conditions such as after dark. In the present arrangement, two LED light panels are mounted at the upper end of a segmented arcuate pole. A power cord (not shown) may extend through the pole. The pole extends upward through two pairs of rollers arranged on mounting brackets extending from a base. The base is mounted adjacent the upper end of a basketball goal support post. The upper pair of rollers may include a larger brace roller and a smaller guide roller.

#The lower pair of rollers incorporates a lock mechanism. The lock mechanism may include one or both of a continuous resistance feature as a safety lock and discrete hard-lock locations.