Abstract: A collapsible basketball apparatus which includes a backboard and a basketball hoop mounted to the backboard. The hoop is mounted to the backboard to be pivotable, via a release mechanism, about a horizontal axis parallel with the backboard between a first, horizontal position and a second, downwardly displaced position.In a first embodiment, a plurality of curved springs are positioned in the release mechanism and mounted in a manner such that when a predetermined force is applied to the hoop, the compressive (restraining) force of the springs is exceeded and the hoop moves to the second position. When the force is released, the spring moves back to its original or horizontal position. In a second embodiment, a pin inclined slot and spring arrangement is utilized as the release mechanism to move the hoop to the second position when the predetermined force is applied to the hoop and to return the hoop to the horizontal position when the force is removed.

Abstract: A lawn dart having front and rear portions, the front portion comprising a cylindrically shaped, hollow member fabricated from a flexible material, such as plastic. An elongated flexible tip in first, second and third embodiments is formed as a part of the hollow member, and in a fourth embodiment, is a second component coupled to the hollow member, the flexible tip absorbing and dissipating the energy of impact. A material to provide weight stability to the dart is positioned in the hollow portion of the cylindrical member. In the preferred embodiments, air cushions within the hollow portion act with the flexible tip to enhance the absorption and dissipation of the impact energy. The rear portion of the dart is in the preferred embodiments, permanently secured to the front portion.A target member, comprising a closed ended member, having netting attached thereto, is anchored to the ground and supported thereabove by a plurality of anchor members.

Abstract: Basketball goal height adjustment apparatus comprising a three dimensional parallelogram having nominally parallel but adjustable parallelogram bars. A mounting member is secured to the rear surface of the basketball backboard and coupled to a frame to which the parallelogram bars are also attached. A notched bracket member is secured to the mounting member and a bifurcated member, one end of the bifurcated member including a spring loaded pin which is operatively biased into engagement with a selected one of said notches, each notch corresponding to a predetermined vertical height of the goal. A device for visually indicating the height of the goal is also provided. To adjust the goal height, the bifurcated member (or the backboard) is pushed such that the pin moves away from the notch.