High-strength, lightweight blow-molded plastic backboards

Abstract

Blow molded plastic structures are provided for use in various structures such as, but not limited to, tables, chairs, walls, backboards, storage bins, sports equipment and the like. The blow molded plastic structure has a first surface and a second surface extending between a first end and a second end and forming a chamber there between. A plurality of depressions is formed on the second surface and extends into the chamber. The depressions are usually unitary structures formed by a depression wall. Generally, the steeper the depression wall, the more strength is provided to the structure. In addition, where the plurality of depressions has a low profile and a greater density, increased strength is provided to the structure. The depressions may or may not be joined to the first surface.

1 . A basketball backboard constructed from molded plastic, the basketball backboard comprising:
 an outer wall forming a first surface and a second surface of the basketball backboard;   a chamber disposed between the first surface and the second surface;   a plurality of depressions formed in the second surface, the plurality of depressions substantially covering at least a substantial portion the second surface, the first surface, the second surface, the chamber and the depressions being integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure;   a pattern formed by the plurality of depressions, the pattern including the depressions of the plurality of depressions disposed in a generally uniform and consistent arrangement; and   a distance separating adjacent depressions in the plurality of depressions, the distance measured from a center point of one depression to a center point of an adjacent depression, the distance separating adjacent depressions being minimized to increase a density of the depressions in the second surface, the distance separating adjacent depressions being generally less than or equal to three times a thickness of the basketball backboard;   wherein increasing the number of depressions allows a thickness of the outer wall to be decreased.   
     
     
         2 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein the distance separating adjacent depressions is generally less than or equal to three times an average height of the depressions of the plurality of depressions. 
     
     
         3 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein minimizing the distance separating adjacent depressions minimizes unsupported areas of the first surface. 
     
     
         4 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein minimizing the distance separating adjacent depressions increases the smoothness of the first surface. 
     
     
         5 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein the distance separating adjacent depressions is generally constant. 
     
     
         6 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein the generally uniform and consistent arrangement of the depressions in the pattern of depressions creates a basketball backboard with generally uniform strength and structural integrity. 
     
     
         7 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein minimizing the distance separating adjacent depressions increases the strength and structural integrity of the basketball backboard. 
     
     
         8 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein the depressions are disposed in at least two generally parallel and aligned rows extending along at least a substantial portion of a width of the basketball backboard, each of the rows of depressions including at least eight depressions. 
     
     
         9 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein the depressions are disposed in at least two generally parallel and aligned columns extending along at least a substantial portion of a height of the basketball backboard, each of the columns of depressions including at least eight depressions. 
     
     
         10 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein the depressions are disposed in at least three generally parallel and aligned rows extending along at least a substantial portion of a width of the basketball backboard, each of the rows of depressions including at least eight depressions; and
 wherein the depressions are disposed in at least three generally parallel and aligned columns extending along at least a substantial portion of a height of the basketball backboard, each of the columns of depressions including at least eight depressions.   
     
     
         11 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , wherein the molded plastic basketball backboard is formed during a blow-molding process. 
     
     
         12 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 1 , further comprising a recessed structure formed in the second surface, at least one of the depressions of the plurality of depressions disposed within the recessed structure. 
     
     
         13 . A basketball backboard constructed from molded plastic, the basketball backboard comprising:
 an outer wall forming a first surface and a second surface of the basketball backboard;   a chamber disposed between the first surface and the second surface;   a plurality of depressions formed in the second surface, the plurality of depressions substantially covering at least a substantial portion the second surface, the first surface, the second surface, the chamber and the depressions being integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure;   a pattern formed by the plurality of depressions, the pattern including the depressions of the plurality of depressions disposed in a generally uniform and consistent arrangement; and   a distance separating adjacent depressions in the plurality of depressions, the distance measured from a center point of one depression to a center point of an adjacent depression, the distance separating adjacent depressions being minimized to increase a density of the depressions in the second surface, the distance separating adjacent depressions being generally less than or equal to two times a thickness of the basketball backboard.   
     
     
         14 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 13 , wherein increasing the number of depressions allows a thickness of the outer wall to be decreased. 
     
     
         15 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 13 , wherein the depressions are disposed in at least three generally parallel and aligned rows extending along at least a substantial portion of a width of the basketball backboard, each of the rows of depressions including at least eight depressions; and
 wherein the depressions are disposed in at least three generally parallel and aligned columns extending along at least a substantial portion of a height of the basketball backboard, each of the columns of depressions including at least eight depressions.   
     
     
         16 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 13 , wherein the distance separating adjacent depressions is generally less than or equal to two times an average height of the depressions of the plurality of depressions. 
     
     
         17 . A basketball backboard constructed from molded plastic, the basketball backboard comprising:
 an outer wall forming a first surface and a second surface of the basketball backboard;   a chamber disposed between the first surface and the second surface;   a plurality of depressions formed in the second surface, the plurality of depressions substantially covering at least a substantial portion the second surface, the first surface, the second surface, the chamber and the depressions being integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure;   a pattern formed by the plurality of depressions, the pattern including the depressions of the plurality of depressions disposed in a generally uniform and consistent arrangement; and   a distance separating adjacent depressions in the plurality of depressions, the distance measured from a center point of one depression to a center point of an adjacent depression, the distance separating adjacent depressions being minimized to increase a density of the depressions in the second surface, the distance separating adjacent depressions being generally less than or equal to a thickness of the basketball backboard.   
     
     
         18 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 17 , wherein increasing the number of depressions allows a thickness of the outer wall to be decreased. 
     
     
         19 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 17 , wherein the depressions are disposed in at least three generally parallel and aligned rows extending along at least a substantial portion of a width of the basketball backboard, each of the rows of depressions including at least eight depressions; and
 wherein the depressions are disposed in at least three generally parallel and aligned columns extending along at least a substantial portion of a height of the basketball backboard, each of the columns of depressions including at least eight depressions.   
     
     
         20 . The basketball backboard as in  claim 17 , wherein the distance separating adjacent depressions is generally less than or equal to an average height of the depressions of the plurality of depressions.