Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. A locking rod is also attached to the rigid support. An extension arm positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and a housing which is slidably engaged with the locking arm. The housing is configured with a pair of plates kept at non-perpendicular angles to the locking rod by a biasing spring. In this configuration, the locking plates bind with the locking rod and prevent movement of the housing relative to the locking rod.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a quick-release locking mechanism for adjustable basketball goal system and methods for using the same which facilitates an adjustment in the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The adjustable basketball goal system includes a deformable goal support structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is preferably attached at the other end of the goal support structure. A locking rod is also attached to the rigid support. An extension arm is positioned between the goal support structure and a housing which movably engages the locking rod. The housing is configured with one or more locking plates kept at non-perpendicular angles to the locking rod by a biasing spring. In this configuration, the locking plates selectively bind the locking rod and prevent movement of the extension arm relative to the locking rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to an adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. A locking rod is also attached to the rigid support. An extension arm positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and a housing which is slidably engaged with the locking arm. The housing is configured with a pair of plates kept at non-perpendicular angles to the locking rod by a biasing spring. In this configuration, the locking plates bind with the locking rod and prevent movement of the housing relative to the locking rod.

Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface is disclosed. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. An adjustment lever is pivotally mounted to the rigid support below the parallelogrammic structure. An extension arm is positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and the adjustment lever such that movement of the adjustment lever deforms the parallelogrammic structure which repositions the basketball goal to a different height above the playing surface. A lockable piston assembly is attached to the rigid support and to the adjustment lever. The piston assembly includes a switch which locks the piston assembly preventing the parallelogrammic structure from deforming.

Abstract: A mechanism for flexibly mounting a basketball goal to a backboard to permit the goal to retractably break away from the backboard if a force exceeding a threshold force is applied to the goal. The mechanism has at least one flexible mount disposed near the lower portion of the mounting plate of the goal which secures the lower portion of the mounting plate in flexible connection to the backboard. This flexible mount permits pivoting of the goal away from the backboard about a point near the lower portion of the mounting plate. The mechanism also has a biased mounting assembly disposed near the upper portion of the mounting plate and securing the upper portion of the mounting plate in biased abutment to the backboard. This biased mounting assembly is connected to the backboard in pivotal engagement to permit the upper portion of the mounting plate to separate from the backboard along a substantially arc-shaped path as the goal pivots about the point near the lower portion of the mounting plate.

Abstract: An adjustable basketball goal system for adjusting the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface is disclosed. The basketball goal includes a deformable parallelogrammic structure attached at one end to a rigid support. A basketball goal is attached to the other end of the parallelogrammic structure. An adjustment lever is pivotally mounted to the rigid support below the parallelogrammic structure. An extension arm is positioned between the parallelogrammic structure and the adjustment lever such that movement of the adjustment lever deforms the parallelogrammic structure which repositions the basketball goal to a different height above the playing surface. A lockable piston assembly is attached to the rigid support and to the adjustment lever. The piston assembly includes a switch which locks the piston assembly preventing the parallelogrammic structure from deforming.

Abstract: An adjustable basketball standard which may be assembled with a conventional backboard and goal to form a portable basketball system is disclosed. Embodiments include either a pole alone or the pole and a hollow ballast-receiving base which supports the pole. The pole includes a tubular inner pole section, a tubular outer pole section, and at least two fasteners. In the assembled system, the fasteners normally hold the inner pole section in a fixed position relative to the outer pole section. However, the fasteners may be released to permit telescopic movement of the inner pole section inside the outer pole section to change the pole's height. An insertion end of the inner pole section has an outwardly extending flare which acts as a bearing. The flare also works with a neck on the outer pole section to prevent accidental removal of the inner pole section. The outer pole section includes a base pole section and a middle pole section connected by a permanent fastener-free pole joint.

Abstract: Knock-on sweep mounting structure includes a combination of first and second tapers, and mating notch structure in the sweep connecting portion and in the mounting structure on the shank, to provide easy installation and prevent sweep loss. The notch structure facilitates easy connection of the sweep on the mounting structure by rotational movement of the sweep at a single narrowed attaching location between the tapers. Once on the mounting structure, the sweep can slide along the shank. By forcing the sweep upwardly, the sweep is wedge-locked in the field-working position on the first taper. The second taper, opposite in direction from the first taper, fits against the naturally occurring shape of the bottom of the sweep connecting portion to retain the sweep on the shank if the sweep is dislodged from the first taper. The combination of tapers with the notch structure located therebetween substantially reduces the possibility of a sweep accidentally falling off the shank.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of a basketball backboard is blow-molded from polyethylene. The backboard includes a front layer, a back layer, a plurality of offsets, and an edge wall which are homogeneously secured to one another during the blow-molding process and which together define an interior volume that is substantially filled with air, polyurethane foam, or another fill material. The front layer has a medium-to-large sized flat face for receiving basketball impacts. The back layer is spaced apart from the front layer by the offsets. A variety of differently shaped and positioned offsets are employed. Two T-shaped offsets are positioned alongside a location at which a hoop may be mounted to the backboard. Quadrilateral-shaped and other offsets are positioned relative to mounting sites for mounting the backboard to a backboard support such as a pole or wall. The mounting sites define a triangle whose sides correspond to lines of high stress within the backboard.

Abstract: A one-way pressure bleed off path is provided between the series cylinder depth control circuit and an additional hydraulic circuit for an agricultural implement to prevent pressure build-up and hose expansion that otherwise would cause uneven series cylinder extension and uneven implement depth. A line including an orifice and a one-way check valve is added between the depth control circuit and the second circuit, such as the wing fold circuit for the implement, to bleed off any series cylinder pressure build-up through the otherwise unused second circuit. The orifice limits the amount of oil that is returned to reservoir during operation of the series circuit to lower the implement. The check valve isolates the depth control circuit and the second circuit to prevent unwanted cylinder operation while the wings are being folded.

Abstract: Leaves and other debris arranged in piles along a roadway are lifted by a flail-type rotary cutting device towed centrally behind a tractor. The device includes a containment hood having a forwardly opening throat which is adjustable to conform generally to the size of the piles for receiving the piles and restricting the material from being thrown forwardly from under the hood particularly at the end of a pile. The lifted material is delivered into a receptacle towed behind the cutting device. The rotary cutting device can handle leaves and other debris in states ranging from dry and fluffy to frozen and snow-covered. The tractor and/or additional brushes may be used for preliminary piles sizing and positioning. Brushes may also be added to the machine for additional cleaning action and to help part wide piles.

Abstract: Hydraulic lift cylinders on a transversely extending implement frame, such as a multi-section hinged implement, are connected by valve and conduit structure to operate as single acting cylinders in parallel during an automatic depth control mode for individual cylinder control. An operator control valve and depth sensing valve permit the operator to change to a fast raise/fast lower mode wherein flow control structure causes the lift cylinders to operate substantially in series for raising and lowering the implement in level fashion across its width to and from a transport position.

Abstract: An improved hydraulic circuit for raising and lowering a three-point hitch-mounted implement having a lift assist assembly and for selectively lowering the lower draft links of the three-point hitch to transfer implement weight to the rear wheels of the tractor without affecting the normal operation of the tractor operator control valve. A shuttle valve connects the rockshaft control valve, which otherwise would be disabled, to the rockshaft cylinder which controls the lower draft links. The ball-check valve also connects the rockshaft cylinder to the operator control valve while isolating the rockshaft control valve from the operator control valve.

Abstract: A crop sheild is connected to the aft ends of a pair of parallel links by a bracket assembly which can pivot to permit the shield to dump trash. The bracket assembly is pivotally connected to the aft end of the lower link and includes a slot slidably received on a pin located on the aft end of the upper link to maintain the links in a generally parallel relationship. The weight of the shield normally biases the shield to a horizontal field-working position with the end of the slot stopped against the pin. When trash builds up, the shield pivots with respect to the lower link and the slot slides over the pin as the shield moves up against the bias over the trash. Dump forces are reduced since the shields pivot independently of the parallel links.

Abstract: A soil-smoothing or leveling tool, such as a harrow or press wheel gang, is rockably connected to the rear of the main frame of a tillage or seeding implement. The tool frame width is substantial compared to the width of the implement, and the height of the tool frame relative to the main frame is sensed to provide an accurate indication of the average depth of penetration across the width of the implement. The angle-sensing device operably connected to the drawbar of the trailing tool senses the angle between the main frame and the drawbar, and a control valve assembly responsive to the sensed angle controls the main frame lift system to maintain a preselected relationship between the tool and the main frame and thereby accurately control tillage or planting depth.

Abstract: Disclosed is a representative agricultural implement towed by a tractor equipped by a hydraulic power source connected to a lift mechanism for raising and lowering the implement frame so as to vary the ground-working depth of the working tools. The frame carries a sensor responsive to changes in implement depth above and below a preselected norm. This sensor serves as the input for the inventive control valve and system so as to control the implement lift system automatically. The valve is designed as a four-position valve, with one of the positions serving dual modes so that the system produces fast and slow raising, fast and slow lowering and a neutral or balanced position. The valve has a pressure port connected to the pressure side of the tractor source via a manual valve to afford three of the four active positions with one setting of the manual valve. The fourth active position (fast raise) is achieved by changing the manual valve to reverse the pressure and return ports in the depth control valve.

Abstract: A bearing surface for a hollow link of rectangular cross section including a pair of replaceable axially aligned bushings press-fitted into a pair of seats swaged in opposite sidewalls of the link.

Abstract: To form a furrow for row guidance systems, a shank is mounted on a frame forwardly of a wheel which includes a V-shaped tire. The shank opens the ground and the tire crushes clods and packs the sides of the furrow. Depth bands on each side of the tire shape the edges of the furrow and prevent loose dirt from rolling back into the furrow. When utilized to reform a furrow, the frame is pivotally connected to the implement for rocking about an upright axis to allow the wheel to trail and average out guidance system corrections and driver steering corrections so that the reformed furrow will be more accurate for the next operation.

Abstract: A guidance system for use with tractor-mounted row crop cultivators and similar implements includes a pair of independent furrow followers mounted one behind the other on the implement for sensing implement position relative to a preestablished guidance furrow. Series-connected switches are controlled by furrow sensor arms to activate a solenoid valve-controlled hydraulic cylinder on a laterally movable parallel linkage hitch which replaces the standard three-point hitch on the implement. When the implement is raised from the ground, V-shaped stops under the sensor arms automatically position the sensors at the null point. Switches and an actuator on the hydraulic cylinder operate in response to movement of the tractor rockshaft to return the implement to center position in preparation for alignment with the next set of rows to be cultivated.

Abstract: A flow drilling tool including a blunt-ended prepunch portion for punching a circular slug from the workpiece as the tool is rotated and moved axially with respect to the workpiece. Thereafter, a circular forming portion is rotated in contact with the workpiece to increase the length and diameter of the punched hole. The prepunch permits formation of a rimmed hole in a single step by eliminating predrilling. Variations and irregularities in the length and thickness of the rim portion surrounding the hole are reduced, and ragged tapered surfaces on the rim portion are eliminated. The axial location of the hole relative to the workpiece is controlled by adjusting the speed of rotation of the tool and the axial pressure of the tool against the workpiece, and by preheating the workpiece.