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: 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: An overhead supported net system including a net and a spaced pair of masts pivotally connected to the 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 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 wireless base station having sectorized distribution and omni-distribution of services is combined with ATM processing. Both narrowband and broadband services can be provided to fixed and mobile wireless subscribers by a flexible intelligent ATM base station. Two way integrated voice, wireless data, wireless multimedia, and compressed video services to a wireless subscriber using different narrowband and wideband common air interfaces. Uplink service includes narrowband signaling and bearer information signaling. A wireless base station can transmit a variety of omnidirectional services to all subscribers within a service area and can transmit certain services to a sector of the service area, that is to particular subscribers.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for generating voice signals for a wireless communication station. The wireless communications stations includes a receiver, a signal strength measuring device, a filter and a noise generator. The receiver receives a digitally modulated radio voice signal and the signal strength measuring device measures a signal strength of the received radio voice signal. The filter removes noise signals present with the received radio voice signal when the signal strength is below a predetermined threshold, and the a noise generator generates a noise signal for combination with the received voice signal.

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: An apparatus and method for detecting an antenna mispointing condition of an earth station. A noise floor detector, coupled to a received radio communications link signal, measures a noise floor of a selected frequency band in which no radio signals are normally present. A controller, coupled to the noise detector, detects an antenna mispointing condition when a signal strength of the received radio communications link signal is less than a predetermined signal strength and a difference between the measured noise floor and a baseline noise floor measurement is less than a predetermined difference.

Abstract: The present invention encompasses an apparatus and method for supporting multiple wireless data communication networks between a wireless communications device and a fixed communications device or another wireless communications device. Two network elements compose the physical apparatus, a protocol converter and a router. Upon receiving packet data from a fixed communications device, a router will locate a destination wireless communications device. The router will then convert the packet data to a format usable by the wireless data network that the wireless communications device is currently using for wireless access. After conversion, the router will perform actual transmission of the packet data to the correct destination wireless network. Once the converted packet data is received by the wireless network base station, it will be transmitted via RF to the destination wireless communications device.

Abstract: An antenna structure includes a plurality of vertical directed antennas mounted on an insulated cylindrical substrate. A parabolic reflecting antenna is mounted at one end of the cylindrical substrate cavity and a dielectric lens admits radiation through the cylindrical cavity to the parabolic reflector. Optical detectors are located on the cylindrical substrate periphery and exposed to optical signals through an InfraRed (IR) optical filter.

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: The invention relates to a personal communicator which includes an electromagnetic antenna for receiving signals from a wide-area paging system coupled to a receiver for receiving a number assignment module from the antenna. The receiver delivers the number assignment module to a controller which programs the number assignment module into a memory element. The number assignment module is stored in the memory element. The controller retrieves the number assignment module from the memory element for use in communication with a cellsite which forms a part of a cellular communications system. Advantageously, the present invention permits remote programming of a personal communicator by a cellular service provider, eliminating the need for an authorized agent to manually program the personal communicator.

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.