SET OF EUROLEAGUE BACKSTOP UNITS (Reference PK120) DESCRIPTION The EUROLEAGUE backstop unit is mainly designed for multi-sports pavilions and installations where the highest-level basketball competitions are held. Because of its design, approach and handling, the EUROLEAGUE backstop unit can be easily and quickly folded into reduced dimensions for later storage when it is not in use, but this does not result in a reduction of its structural properties, such as resistance, rigidity and stability with respect to the stress it is going to be submitted to when used to play Basketball. All of this provides versatility to the installation where it is going to be used. All the dimensions, requirements and specifications have been carried out in order to satisfy the different articles of the regulation established by the International Basketball Federation in the appendices of the official rules, as well as that stipulated by the European standard UNE-EN 1270, which converts it into one of the highest-level backstop units on the market. Insofar as its design, calculations and sizing are concerned, the EUROLEAGUE backstop unit has been developed with the highest technology in computer-assisted design, carrying out studies on resistance and rigidity using the finite element analysis in order to achieve maximum safety and stability, satisfying the specified requirements.
GENERAL DIMENSIONS The EUROLEAGUE backstop unit, when unfolded, has an overhang, distance measured from the front of the structure (nearest to the base line of the court), to the outer part of the board, of 3.38m, exceeding the minimum of 3.250 m established the by F.I.B.A. The general dimensions of the backstop unit in its position for use are 6.14 x 3.96 x 1.8 m * Possession scoreboard support is not included in the standard product. When the backstop unit is folded and ready for storage, its folded dimensions are 5.310 m. long by 1.150 m wide in the base area and 1.800m in the board part. The maximum height with the board folded down is 2.125 m. (not considering the 24 possession scoreboard, which also folds down). The approximate weight of the backstop unit including the handling counterweight, the board and the hoop is approximately 1350 kg and the weight of the play counterweight is 720 kg.
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE STRUCTURE The EUROLEAGUE basketball unit is comprised of a structure, made of cold-formed profiles and steel structural tube. The structure is comprised of an upper arm, which is what really supports the board and is responsible for transmitting all the stress to the base, two vertical columns attached to the base and to this arm by means of 8 rotation points, each of which is equipped with self-lubricating bearings to make the holding and unfolding process easier. Finally, there is the base, which is the element that the uprights rest upon. The base is responsible for placing the whole unit firmly and making it stable. In addition, it is equipped with a transfer system that has the wheels and necessary counterweights to move and handle it, guaranteeing stability during the folding and unfolding processes of the backstop unit at all times in its position for use. It is important to point out that these are not the appropriate counterweights for using the backstop unit when playing basketball. For use, the backstop unit must be anchored or some additional counterweights must be fitted to it. That is, apart from these handling counterweights it also has a series of anchorage points on the rear of the base, which enable the backstop unit to be fastened to the floor. The manual holding and unfolding operation is made easier by means of a set of traction springs that provide the force required in the elevation and dampening phase in the backstop unit holding phase. Once the backstop unit has been folded down, it can be moved manually with the 8 wheels incorporated into the actual structure, 4 of them are swivel to steer it easier and the other fixed 4 are bearing wheels. The backstop unit is equipped with an automatic system that activates the floor or pavement fastening feet. When the backstop unit is unfolded (play use position), the fastening feet are activated, the backstop unit is raised and these feet become the backstop unit support points.
When the backstop unit is folded down (non-play use position) the fastening feet stop acting and the wheels become the support points for the backstop unit, making it movable. DESCRIPTION OF THE MAIN ARM The main arm where the board is secured is configured in the shape of a box beam, which is supported by two columns, one front and one rear, which are the ones that join it to the base, forming an articulated quadrilateral. The board adjustment system is located at the front end of the arm to keep it perpendicular on the vertical plane and parallel on the horizontal plane, with respect to the paving, where the backstop unit is located. DESCRIPTION OF THE BACKSTOP UNIT UPRIGHTS Each column is comprised of two main rectangular profiles reinforced on the inside with large steel brackets, providing the unit with the necessary resistance and indeformability. These columns have four rotation points each one of which is comprised of two self-lubricating and perfectly aligned steel bearings, which together with the steel shaft, guarantee a perfect and smooth rotation both in the connection to the base and to the main arm.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BASE The base is comprised of a reinforced tubular structure, which supports all the elevation and movement elements. Forming an integral part of the base, the 400-kilo counterweight is located behind the rotation shafts of the rear upright. This is necessary to stop the backstop unit tipping over when elevated, without the need for it to be fastened to the floor. For maximum stability of the backstop unit, the fastening feet system has a height adjustment system at each end. In this way the backstop unit is levelled on the playing area and the height of the hoop is adjusted. The system is adjusted activating (with a wrench) a Squire threaded spindle, which rotates on the inner thread of a tube, attached to the base.
DESCRIPTION OF THE TRANSFER SYSTEM AND THE FASTENING FEET SYSTEM The fastening feet elevation system is activated when the backstop unit is raised (unfolded). The backstop unit rests on the four fastening feet on the floor or pavement. The fastening feet system is no longer activated when the backstop unit is folded up. In this position the backstop unit rests on the transfer system on the floor or pavement, enabling it to be moved in any direction. The transfer system consists of four wheels located on the rear of the base and two front supports, each of which is comprised of two wheels mounted on a rotating support, which enables the backstop unit to be moved in any direction. The front wheels, which are only used to move the backstop unit, are mounted on a support with a shaft that rotates on the runway of a rigid ball bearing; this support is connected to the base with a threaded rod. The rear wheels are housed with a shaft and bearings in a support attached to the base of the backstop unit. The wheels used are 200 mm in diameter and have a vulcanised polyurethane band with a cast iron core. Each of these rotates on two rigid ball bearings coupled on the inside of this core, and mounted on a 20 mm diameter steel shaft. These wheels are characterised by their considerable elasticity and excellent recovery with low rolling resistance (less than 30% compared with similar rubber bands). They look good and have an excellent finish, they move smoothly and silently and are able to support a 1000-kilo load each one. Polyurethane is a material with exceptional resistance to wear, it is more elastic than nylon, and it makes less noise and protects flooring more. It resists atmospheric agents, hydrocarbons, grease, oils, etc well. They support temperatures from -30ºC to +80ºC. Their best field of use is between +5ºC a +40ºC. Forming an integral part of the base, there is a 400 kgs. counterweight behind the rotation shafts of the rear upright. This counterweight is necessary for the backstop unit not to tip over when elevated, without having to be fastened to the floor.
To achieve maximum stability of the backstop unit, the base is equipped with an automatic fastening feet system, which only comes into action when the backstop unit is unfolded. The feet system has an independent height adjustment for each foot, thus levelling the backstop unit on the playing area and adjusting the height of the hoop. The fastening feet are manufactured in polyurethane and the adjustment is carried out by acting (with a wrench) upon the square threaded spindle that rotates on the thread of the fastening foot. The hoop, which is kept perpendicular to the board, is secured to the support attached to the arm so that the transmission of the stress produced during the match is carried out directly on the structure without harming the board. A 35 mm diameter steel tie-rod secured to the main arm, by means of a novel system, extends to the upper corners of the board frame, making the whole assembly rigid and decreasing the level of vibrations produced by the impacts of the ball on the board. The tie-rod is easy to adjust, thus maintaining the board perfectly perpendicular with respect to the play area. The backstop unit has a safety bar fastened between the uprights whose function is to prevent the backstop unit from folding during play. This bar is equipped with a large diameter nut, which, when activated, presses against the locking stud, eliminating any play of the articulated quadrilateral. The structure is prepared with a series of openings to insert the cables used to activate the 24 possession scoreboard and the television cameras. These cables go through the inside of the structure from the end of the upper arm to the rear of the base, passing through the rear upright. These openings are covered with metal plates screwed to the structure and go unnoticed when not in use. FOLDING OPERATION Rotating on the points mentioned above, the EUROLEAGUE backstop unit is folded and elevated manually at a controlled speed, the force exercised by a person on the pull area being necessary. This force must never exceed 50 kilos. This is possible thanks to a novel system comprised of a line of springs that provide the necessary force to overcome the momentum produced by the weight of the backstop unit with all its folding phases. These traction springs provide the necessary force in the elevation phase and the dampening necessary in the folding phase. The elevation and folding system of the backstop unit improves this type of backstop unit considerably. This system is possible thanks to a careful kinematic calculation of the position and movement of the centre of gravity of the dynamic parts of the backstop unit for any position of the folding and elevation phases, thus obtaining the magnitude and orientation of the force that needs to be applied to achieve elevation. BOARD The backstop unit board is regulation and manufactured according to the requirements of European Standard UNE-EN 1270. The board is comprised of the following elements: - A board measuring 1.800 x 1.050 mm, which the regulation lines are painted on. It is manufactured with 14 mm hardened glass. - A frame, which the board is secured to, manufactured with a rectangular profile measuring 50 x 30 x 1.5, forming an 1.800 x 1.050 mm rectangle.
- Regulation safety protections, manufactured with foam rubber (reticulated expanded polyethylene) with 33kg/m3 density. The safety protections cover the board frame enveloping the whole lower part and up to a height of 375 mm on the sides of the board. The weight of the board assembled with 10 mm hardened glass or 30 mm methacrylate is approximately 88 kgs. COMPLEMENTS (mandatory to be used together with PK120) Product description Set of floor anchorages for a set of Euroleague backstop units Reference PK165 ACCESSORIES (not included in the standard product) Product description Set of two supports for one sided possession scoreboards Set of two supports for four sided possession scoreboards One unit of ring height meter One unit of operation table for replacing crystal board works Additional set of counterweight for a set of basketball units Reference PK195 PK196 PK935 PK970 PK150 SPARE PARTS Product description Unit of blue Board protection (injected, for one basketball unit) Unit of black Board protection (injected, for one basketball unit) Unit of Tilting ring (FIBA approved, for one basketball unit) One unit of glass 14 mm board+metal frame+ BLUE board protection (for spare, for one basketball unit) One unit of glass 14 mm board+metal frame+ BLACK board protection (for spare, for one basketball unit) Set of two nylon 4,5 mm nets Reference PK961 PK962 PK912 PK865 PK866 PK982 GUARANTEE Mondo provides a guarantee of 2 years on the supplied product in accordance with Mondo standard text. INSTALLATION AND USE This product has been designed to play indoor top level basketball. It is not allowed to use it for any other reasons. MONDO recommends that the EUROLEAGUE backstop unit is located over a flat subbase and a wooden flooring FIBA level 1 certified. The use of counterweights without using anchoring for fixing to the floor is not permitted. Current regulations (EN 1270) require anchoring to the floor irrespective of whether or not counterweights are used. EUROLEAGUE backstop units have been used in last FINAL FOUR editions: 2010 Paris Bercy, 2011 Palau Sant Jordi, Barcelona and 2012 Sinan Erdem Arena, Istambul.