Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: A portable basketball stand apparatus includes a frame member for supporting a backboard and rim assembly, a base member for supporting the frame member, and wheels that allow the base member to move over a supporting surface. A reciprocating actuator displaces the frame member between a storage position and a playing position. One or more front wheels lie adjacent the front or first end of the base member, the end most proximate the backboard and rim assembly when the frame extends to the playing position. These front wheels move relative to the base member between a lowered position in which the base member lies above the supporting surface and a raised position in which the base member engages the supporting surface.

Abstract: An overhead supported net system including a net and a spaced pair of masts pivotally connected to an overhead structure to pivot about an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the net between a stored position and a play position. A pair of braces are connected to the overhead structure and the masts to lock the masts in the play position. The mast terminates short of the floor.

Abstract: A portable basketball stand apparatus includes a frame member for supporting a backboard and rim assembly, a base member for supporting the frame member, and wheels that allow the base member to move over a supporting surface. A reciprocating actuator displaces the frame member between a storage position and a playing position. One or more casters lie at the front or first end of the base member, the end most proximate the backboard and rim assembly when the frame extends to the playing position. These casters move relative to the base member between a lowered position in which the base member lies above the supporting surface and a raised position in which the base member engages the supporting surface.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: An adjustable structure wherein the rim is mounted directly to a center bracket and a slide through or under the backboard. A support bracket having vertical and horizontal walls with apertures in each wall to receive fasteners to mount the adjustable structure to single or dual, horizontal or vertical support struts and systems.

Abstract: An overhead sport assembly includes a mast pivotally coupled to an overhead structure near a first end of the mast, and a sport apparatus, such as a basketball goal or volleyball net, for example, coupled near a second end of the mast. A pair of braces hold the masts in the play position. The braces include a first brace with a first end pivotally coupled to an overhead structure at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast, and a second brace with a first end pivotally connected to the mast at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast. The second ends of the braces are pivotally coupled to a connector at respective pivot points displaced from one another along the connector. The braces and the connector being cooperatively configured to allow the braces to pivot from the stowed position to the play position, and further configured to prevent further rotation past the play position.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being fixedly mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being fixedly mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: An overhead sport assembly includes a mast pivotally coupled to an overhead structure near a first end of the mast, and a sport apparatus, such as a basketball goal or volleyball net, for example, coupled near a second end of the mast. A pair of braces hold the masts in the play position. The braces include a first brace with a first end pivotally coupled to an overhead structure at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast, and a second brace with a first end pivotally connected to the mast at a pivot point displaced from the first end of the mast. The second ends of the braces are pivotally coupled to a connector at respective pivot points displaced from one another along the connector. The braces and the connector being cooperatively configured to allow the braces to pivot from the stowed position to the play position, and further configured to prevent further rotation past the play position.

Abstract: A flexible partition includes a curtain secured to a support structure at its topped edge and a shaft secured to the curtain displaced from the top edge and extending across the curtain. A driver is coupled to the shaft to rotate the shaft, thereby rolling and unrolling the curtain. A carriage connected to one end of the driver cooperates with a guide to restrict the rotation of the first end of the driver. The guide is pivotally coupled at one end to the support structure to move between raised and lowered positions.

Abstract: A unique sleeve which is capable of supporting two adjacent nets on a single standard or pole at the same height above the ground as well as being adjustable to different heights relative to each other. The standard system includes a pole and a pair of sleeves on the pole having opposed surfaces when adjacent. A lock on each sleeve locks the sleeve at a vertical position on the pole and net surfaces are provided on each sleeve. The opposing surfaces of the sleeves are shaped so that the net support surfaces are substantially planar when the opposing surfaces are adjacent to each other.

Abstract: An adjustable structure wherein the rim is mounted directly to a center bracket and a slide through or under the backboard. A support bracket having vertical and horizontal walls with apertures in each wall to receive fasteners to mount the adjustable structure to single or dual, horizontal or vertical support struts and systems.

Abstract: A wall padding having a core of open cell, low smoke, flame resistant polychloroprene and a cover of fire retardant vinyl on the core. The total padding having a flame spread index in the range of 0 to 25 and a smoke development index in the range of 0 to 450.

Abstract: A base for an athletic assembly unit to which a support is connected and which includes a hollow compartment for receiving the ballast and including a top wall and a port for access to the hollow compartment. A first recess in the top wall of the hollow compartment and a cover attached to the base for covering the recess form a storage compartment. The storage compartment is sized to store basketballs and beverage containers and may be insulated thermally.

Abstract: A height adjustable basketball backboard is pivotally attached to a support member by a parallelogram linkage. An adjusting link is a pivotally attached to an extension on one of the parallelogram links, is adjustably mounted to the support member and is weighted to act as a counter balance force to the weight of the basketball backboard to reduce the effort necessary to raise and lower the basketball backboard. A conversion kit for converting existing basketball backboard support system to the above referenced adjustable counter-weight design and methods for adjusting the counter-balance effect of the weight are disclosed.

Abstract: A portable basketball goal system including at least one first wheel adjacent to the rear end of the base and at least one second wheel adjacent to the top of the support structure. By tilting the base onto the first wheel and the other end of the support including the backboard and rim combination onto the second wheel, the total structure is supported on wheels. A parallelogram structure which adjustably mounts the backboard-rim combination to the support includes an extension extending past the support and the second wheel is adjacent to the end of the extension. A backboard-rim height adjustment link may include a first vertical section adjustably connected to the support and a second section extending from the first section at an obtuse angle and connected to the extension.

Abstract: An adjustable height basketball backboard support system wherein a retainer is attached to an adjustment link in order to maintain the adjustment link adjacent to the support member during the adjustment process. The retainer consists of a slide which rides on a guide or rail. The slide includes two parallel legs, although one leg can be used, which extend to and form an U-shaped terminal end. The slide can also consist of a loop configuration. The guide or rail is positioned on the support member or can even be the support member. The slide's legs curve around the guide which can be a bracket attached to the support member or the support member itself. The retainer can be both the retaining mechanism and the mechanism which locks the adjustment link to the support member or it can be a separate element which only serves as the retaining mechanism.

Abstract: A lock structure which automatically locks the screw drive upon deactivation of the screw drive and automatically unlocks the screw drive upon activation of the screw drive. The locking structure is responsive to the attaching and detaching of a driver such that the detaching of the driver from an input of the screw drive automatically locks the screw drive and attaching the driver to the input of the screw drive automatically unlocks the screw drive. This is achieved by providing an outer locking surface on the screw drive and a locking plate whose axial position is controlled by the position of the drive and having an aperture for mating with the outer locking surface and locking the screw drive.

Abstract: An assembly including a base having a backboard-rim combination support at one end and at least one wheel adjacent to the second end. A brace assembly is pivotally connected to the base and the support and determines, in a playing position, a fixed erect position of the support forming a substantially 90.degree. with the base. The brace assembly, in a transport position, determines a fixed lowered position of the support forming an acute angle greater than zero with the base to aid the tilting of the base and counter-balancing the weight of the base with the weight of the backboard-rim combination during transport of the assembly. A lock assembly is operatively connected to the brace assembly for locking the brace assembly in the playing position in a locking condition of the lock and permits the brace assembly to assume the transport position in an unlocked condition of the lock.

Abstract: An adjustable structure wherein the rim is mounted directly to a center bracket and a slide through or under the backboard. A support bracket having vertical and horizontal walls with apertures in each wall to receive fasteners to mount the adjustable structure to single or dual, horizontal or vertical support struts and systems.