Abstract: A portable basketball goal assembly that includes a rim attached to a backboard bracket. The backboard bracket is attached to a basketball backboard. The rim is pivotal in a direction towards the basketball backboard. The backboard is attached to one end of a shaft that contains foldable elements. The other end of the shaft is pivotally attached to the rear end of a base. A shaft support element has one end pivotally attached to the front end of the base. The other end of the shaft support element is removably attached to the shaft. The shaft and the shaft support element can be folded towards the base to allow storage and portability of the basketball goal. The base includes one or more wheels along its front edge allowing for transportability of the folded assembly. The basketball goal assembly can be stored in either a horizontal position parallel to the ground, or a vertical position perpendicular to the ground.

Abstract: A method of packing a portable basketball goal support system having a base, a ballast tank, and an arm for supporting a basketball goal support pole which can be assembled in an expanded configuration for use and a compact configuration for shipping or storage. In the expanded configuration, the ballast tank extends at least partially behind the support pole providing stability for the base, while in the compact configuration, the ballast tank may be nested within a portion of the base, thereby occupying less space. The overall length, height, and thickness of the support assembly are thus reduced for storage, thus occupying less space when shipped or stored than would be possible in previous conventional designs providing comparable performance.

Abstract: A basketball backboard assembly for supporting a rebound member having a tubular steel frame and one or more plastic channels connecting the rebound member to the frame in a manner that protects the edge of the rebound member. The steel frame includes an outer section preferably formed from a single piece of tubular steel and an inner section welded to the outer section. The plastic channel includes a first slot which receives the peripheral edge of the rebound member and a second slot which receives a portion of the outer section of the frame.

Abstract: A basketball assembly for supporting a backboard comprises, a base having a plurality of generally vertical side walls and a base face extending between said sidewalls. The base face and one of said side walls defining a forward edge. The assembly includes a pole, having spaced apart ends. An elongated opening is provided in the base for supporting one end of said pole on said base with said pole at an angle to the vertical to extend the other end of the pile over and beyond the forward edge of the base.

Abstract: A basketball goal unit having a first mounting plate for attachment to a backboard, a second mounting plate pivotally mounted to the first mounting plate, a rim supported from the second mounting plate, and a resilient member located between and in contact with the first and second mounting plates, the resilient member acting to bias the second mounting plate to a normal use position, wherein the resilient member is compressed and the second mounting plate is permitted to pivot a specified amount toward the first mounting plate when the rim receives a force having a downward component greater than a threshold level. Thereafter, the second mounting plate automatically pivots back to its normal use position due to the biasing action of the resilient member.

Abstract: A breakaway net attachment system for mounting a basketball net to the rim of a basketball goal at predetermined locations along the rim. The system includes clips which are attachable to the rim and which include retainer portions for retaining the net in association with the rim. The rim includes a plurality of small mounting projections, which may be in the form of studs welded along an undersurface thereof for engaging within apertures formed in the clips whereby the clips are retained in engagement with the rim. In one embodiment, the clips are provided with fingers for retaining the net wherein the fingers will release the net in response to a predetermined force being applied to the net. In a further embodiment, the clip is adapted to be pulled off of the rim when a predetermined force is applied to the net.

Abstract: A basketball net clip for a breakaway net attachment system that detachably mounts a basketball net to the rim of a basketball goal at predetermined locations along the rim. The net clips are resilient and include a base portion attachable to the rim and a retainer portion for detachably retaining the net in association with the rim. The rim preferably includes a plurality of studs located along an undersurface thereof for engaging within apertures formed in the clips whereby the clips are retained in engagement with the rim. In one embodiment, the clips are provided with fingers for retaining the net wherein the fingers will release the net in response to a predetermined force being applied to the net. In a further embodiment, the clip is adapted to be pulled off of the rim when a predetermined force is applied to the net.

Abstract: A support structure or ground sleeve for supporting a pole including a cap threadably engageable with an open end of a sleeve body. The ground sleeve includes a sleeve body adapted to be positioned in a ground surface for receiving and supporting a pole and includes at least one flange extending outwardly from the sleeve body for preventing the sleeve from rotating in the ground, a collet for engaging the pole, and an inwardly tapered closed end of the sleeve body for centering an end of the pole. An inwardly tapered race surface of the cap and a plurality of cirumferentially-spaced tabs of the sleeve body cooperate to define the collet. In addition, the ground sleeve is formed of a weather resistant non-corrosive material.

Abstract: A basketball goal support including a base, a ballast tank and an adjustable pole. The ballast tank is formed as a hollow structure for receiving a fluid such as water to provide ballasting weight to the base. The ballast tank is removably attached to the base to facilitate filling and emptying of the ballast tank as well as transportation of the base. The pole includes upper and lower tubes and an elastomeric ring extending around the upper tube. The elastomeric ring may be positioned at a substantially infinite number of locations along the upper tube to thereby define the position of the upper tube relative to the lower tube.

Abstract: A basketball backboard formed of a structural foam material such as structural foam polypropylene. The backboard is provided with an inmolded graphics sheet formed of the same material as that used to form the backboard. The graphics sheet of material is formed with pores to receive the printing inks whereby a desired visual graphics display is provided on an exposed facing surface of the graphics sheet. The backboard is formed as a high strength rigid structure having good rebound characteristics.

Abstract: A basketball goal unit is disclosed having a first mounting plate for attachment to a backboard, a second mounting plate pivotally mounted to the first mounting plate, a rim supported from the second mounting plate, and a resilient member located between and in contact with the first and second mounting plates, the resilient member acting to bias the second mounting plate to a normal use position, wherein the resilient member is compressed and the second mounting plate is permitted to pivot a specified amount toward the first mounting plate when the rim receives a force having a downward component greater than a threshold level. Thereafter, the second mounting plate automatically pivots back to its normal use position due to the biasing action of the resilient member.

Abstract: A support structure or ground sleeve for supporting a pole including a cap threadably engageable with an open end of a sleeve body. The ground sleeve includes a sleeve body adapted to be positioned in a ground surface for receiving and supporting a pole and includes at least one flange extending outwardly from the sleeve body for preventing the sleeve from rotating in the ground, a collet for engaging the pole, and an inwardly tapered closed end of the sleeve body for centering an end of the pole. An inwardly tapered race surface of the cap and a plurality of cirumferentially-spaced tabs of the sleeve body cooperate to define the collet. In addition, the ground sleeve is formed of a weather resistant non-corrosive material.

Abstract: A breakaway net attachment system for mounting a basketball net to the rim of a basketball goal at predetermined locations along the rim. The system includes clips which are attachable to the rim and which include retainer portions for retaining the net in association with the rim. The rim preferably includes a plurality of studs located along an undersurface thereof for engaging within apertures formed in the clips whereby the clips are retained in engagement with the rim. In one embodiment, the clips are provided with fingers for retaining the net wherein the fingers will release the net in response to a predetermined force being applied to the net. In a further embodiment, the clip is adapted to be pulled off of the rim when a predetermined force is applied to the net.