Abstract: A reciprocating hammer with a two-stage acceleration of a pile driving ram, including a first stage in which initial gravitational acceleration is assisted by a thruster and a second stage in which the initially accelerated ram is allowed to further accelerate under the force of gravity alone for the remainder of the pile driver stroke. The force assist in the initial acceleration stage acts as a force multiplier, such that the anvil delivers impact forces to the pile greater than the impact forces achievable by gravity alone for a given stroke length/ram weight combination.

Abstract: A net system used for example a sports game and a fine height adjustment system is provided. A cable mount is coupled to one or both of the upright posts with coarse height adjustment. A cable system for supporting the net includes a first end coupled to the upright post, and a second end coupled to a tension system of the other upright post. An intermediate portion of the cable system is slidably coupled along a pivoting member of the cable mount. The cable mount includes the fine height adjustment system that is coupled to the pivoting member. The pivoting member is pivotable in an upward direction or a downward direction upon movement of the fine height adjustment system without relieving tension from the cable system. The total distance of travel provided by fine height adjustment may be less than an incremental distance with coarse height adjustment.

Abstract: A net system used for example a sports game and a fine height adjustment system is provided. A cable mount is coupled to one or both of the upright posts with coarse height adjustment. A cable system for supporting the net includes a first end coupled to the upright post, and a second end coupled to a tension system of the other upright post. An intermediate portion of the cable system is slidably coupled along a pivoting member of the cable mount. The cable mount includes the fine height adjustment system that is coupled to the pivoting member. The pivoting member is pivotable in an upward direction or a downward direction upon movement of the fine height adjustment system without relieving tension from the cable system. The total distance of travel provided by fine height adjustment may be less than an incremental distance with coarse height adjustment.

Abstract: A reciprocating hammer with a two-stage acceleration of a pile driving ram, including a first stage in which initial gravitational acceleration is assisted by a thruster and a second stage in which the initially accelerated ram is allowed to further accelerate under the force of gravity alone for the remainder of the pile driver stroke. The force assist in the initial acceleration stage acts as a force multiplier, such that the anvil delivers impact forces to the pile greater than the impact forces achievable by gravity alone for a given stroke length/ram weight combination.

Abstract: A system positioning a flexible partition at a desired vertical position includes an elongated cylinder extending across the entire partition, connected to the partition to divide the partition into upper and lower portions. An outer bearing is fixed to an outside surface of a first end of the elongated cylinder. A proximal end of an arm is coupled to the outer bearing outer surface, the outer bearing permitting rotation of the elongated cylinder with respect to the arm. A counterweight is fixed to a distal end of the arm, to inhibit movement of the arm during any rotation of the elongated cylinder. A rotor portion of a motor is coupled to the elongated cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and a bracket is fixed to stator portion of the motor and to the arm proximal end to inhibit rotation of the stator during any rotation of the elongated cylinder.

Abstract: A basketball rim mounting assembly permitting multi-directional deflection in response to extraordinary forces imposed on the rim has a fixed portion coupled to a backboard and a movable portion fixed to a basketball rim. The fixed portion can include a back plate secured to a front face of the backboard and a pair of bracket plates fixed to extend forward from the back plate. A tilt regulating structure can control the extent of deflection of the rim relative to the backboard such that the extraordinary force necessary to cause the rim to break-away from its normal position is the same in any direction. The tilt regulating structure can bias a rollable member within a detent formed in the back plate. A pivot axis member can be coupled to the tilt regulating structure to define the tilt and roll axes of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A system positioning a flexible partition at a desired vertical position includes an elongated cylinder extending across the entire partition, connected to the partition to divide the partition into upper and lower portions. An outer bearing is fixed to an outside surface of a first end of the elongated cylinder. A proximal end of an arm is coupled to the outer bearing outer surface, the outer bearing permitting rotation of the elongated cylinder with respect to the arm. A counterweight is fixed to a distal end of the arm, to inhibit movement of the arm during any rotation of the elongated cylinder. A rotor portion of a motor is coupled to the elongated cylinder for rotating the cylinder, and a bracket is fixed to stator portion of the motor and to the arm proximal end to inhibit rotation of the stator during any rotation of the elongated cylinder.

Abstract: A basketball rim mounting assembly permitting multi-directional deflection in response to extraordinary forces imposed on the rim has a fixed portion coupled to a backboard and a movable portion fixed to a basketball rim. The fixed portion can include a back plate secured to a front face of the backboard and a pair of bracket plates fixed to extend forward from the back plate. A tilt regulating structure can control the extent of deflection of the rim relative to the backboard such that the extraordinary force necessary to cause the rim to break-away from its normal position is the same in any direction. The tilt regulating structure can bias a rollable member within a detent formed in the back plate. A pivot axis member can be coupled to the tilt regulating structure to define the tilt and roll axes of the movable portion relative to the fixed portion.

Abstract: A fixed support member includes upper and lower horizontal plates, and a movable support member is coupled to the fixed support member for vertical movement. A drive screw extending between the fixed support member upper and lower horizontal plates and coupled to the movable support member for adjusting the position of the movable support member relative to the fixed support member by rotation of the drive screw. A locking plate fixed to a lower surface of the fixed support member lower horizontal plate having an opening receiving a lower end of the drive screw. A drive coupling connected to the lower end of the drive screw has a portion that can be coupled to a torque input device so that a torque applied to the drive coupling can cause rotation of the drive screw. The drive coupling has an upper portion shaped to be received in the locking plate opening to prevent rotation of the drive coupling and drive screw.

Abstract: A storage cart for supporting a backboard assembly during replacement and storage is provided, which may also be used in combination with a quick change coupling system to permit the quick removal and replacement of the backboard assembly. The storage cart can include a frame, a carrier unit and a lifting mechanism. The frame includes a base, a top, and upright support members interconnecting the base and top. The base depth can be greater than the top depth to form a taper, permitting a backboard assembly to lean against the frame. The carrier unit includes a shelf sized to support the backboard assembly. The lifting mechanism includes means for adjusting the vertical position of the shelf to (dis)engage the shelf with the backboard assembly. The storage cart can include wheels, where the storage cart can be easily moved through a standard sized door and into its suitable position.

Abstract: A basketball rim mounting assembly permitting multi-directional deflection in response to extraordinary forces imposed on the rim has a fixed portion coupled to a back board and a movable portion fixed to a basketball rim. The fixed portion can include a back plate secured to a front face of the back board, a pair of bracket plates fixed to extend forward from the back plate, and a base plate fixed between the bracket plates. The movable portion can include a top plate overlying the base plate and a pair of side plates extending downward from the top plate outside the bracket plates. A pair of downwardly extending members is fixed to the top plate in spaced relation to each other. Tilt regulating structure is coupled between the pair of downwardly extending members and to the fixed portion for controlling the extent of deflection of the rim relative to the backboard such that the extraordinary force necessary to cause the rim to break-away from its normal position is the same in any direction.

Abstract: A quick change backboard bracket system for a basketball goal permitting the quick removal and replacement of a basketball goal can include a backboard assembly and a basketball goal support assembly. The backboard assembly can include a backboard, a first yoke member, and a rim assembly. The basketball goal support assembly can include a second yoke member, a connecting pin, and bracing means for coupling the backboard to a basketball goal support. When the basketball goal is assembled, a slot of the first yoke member is coupled to a coupling shaft of the second yoke member, the connecting pin is engaged to both yoke members, and the basketball goal support is coupled to the backboard by the bracing means. When the basketball goal is in need of replacement, all of the points of coupling, as described above, are decoupled and the old basketball goal is removed, and a new basketball goal is coupled at the points of coupling.

Abstract: A basketball rim mounting assembly permitting multi-directional deflection in response to extraordinary forces imposed on the rim has a fixed portion coupled to a back board and a movable portion fixed to a basketball rim. The fixed portion can include a back plate secured to a front face of the back board, a pair of bracket plates fixed to extend forward from the back plate, and a base plate fixed between the bracket plates. The movable portion can include a top plate overlying the base plate and a pair of side plates extending downward from the top plate outside the bracket plates. A pair of downwardly extending members is fixed to the top plate in spaced relation to each other. Tilt regulating structure is coupled between the pair of downwardly extending members and to the fixed portion for controlling the extent of deflection of the rim relative to the backboard such that the extraordinary force necessary to cause the rim to break-away from its normal position is the same in any direction.

Abstract: A fixed support member includes upper and lower horizontal plates, and a movable support member is coupled to the fixed support member for vertical movement. A drive screw extending between the fixed support member upper and lower horizontal plates and coupled to the movable support member for adjusting the position of the movable support member relative to the fixed support member by rotation of the drive screw. A locking plate fixed to a lower surface of the fixed support member lower horizontal plate having an opening receiving a lower end of the drive screw. A drive coupling connected to the lower end of the drive screw has a portion that can be coupled to a torque input device so that a torque applied to the drive coupling can cause rotation of the drive screw. The drive coupling has an upper portion shaped to be received in the locking plate opening to prevent rotation of the drive coupling and drive screw.

Abstract: A basketball rim mounting assembly permitting multi-directional deflection in response to extraordinary forces imposed on the rim has a fixed portion coupled to a back board and a movable portion fixed to a basketball rim. The fixed portion can include a back plate secured to a front face of the back board, a pair of bracket plates fixed to extend forward from the back plate, and a base plate fixed between the bracket plates. The movable portion can include a top plate overlying the base plate and a pair of side plates extending downward from the top plate outside the bracket plates. A pair of downwardly extending members are fixed to the top plate in spaced relation to each other. Tilt regulating structure is coupled between the pair of downwardly extending members and to the fixed portion for controlling the extent of deflection of the rim relative to the backboard such that the extraordinary force necessary to cause the rim to break-away from its normal position is the same in any direction.

Abstract: A quick change backboard bracket system for a basketball goal permitting the quick removal and replacement of a basketball goal can include a backboard assembly and a basketball goal support assembly. The backboard assembly can include a backboard, a first yoke member, and a rim assembly. The basketball goal support assembly can include a second yoke member, a connecting pin, and bracing means for coupling the backboard to a basketball goal support. When the basketball goal is assembled, a slot of the first yoke member is coupled to a coupling shaft of the second yoke member, the connecting pin is engaged to both yoke members, and the basketball goal support is coupled to the backboard by the bracing means. When the basketball goal is in need of replacement, all of the points of coupling, as described above, are decoupled and the old basketball goal is removed, and a new basketball goal is coupled at the points of coupling.

Abstract: A storage cart for supporting a backboard assembly during replacement and storage is provided, which may also be used in combination with a quick change coupling system to permit the quick removal and replacement of the backboard assembly. The storage cart can include a frame, a carrier unit and a lifting mechanism. The frame includes a base, a top, and upright support members interconnecting the base and top. The base depth can be greater than the top depth to form a taper, permitting a backboard assembly to lean against the frame. The carrier unit includes a shelf sized to support the backboard assembly. The lifting mechanism includes means for adjusting the vertical position of the shelf to (dis)engage the shelf with the backboard assembly. The storage cart can include wheels, where the storage cart can be easily moved through a standard sized door and into its suitable position.

Abstract: A net system pivotally displacing a net between a playing position in a vertical plane bifurcating a playing area and a nearly horizontal elevated storage position freeing the playing area for other uses. Parallel poles are located on opposite sides of the playing area with a net coupled to the pair of poles to lie in a plane including the pair of poles. Coupling members couple pivot members to ceiling structure over the playing area. Supports have proximal ends fixed to an upper end of each of the pair of poles and a distal end extending on a common side of the plane defined by the net and poles. The distal end of the supports are coupled to the pivot members to allow the poles and net to be pivoted about an axis lying parallel to but outside the plane defined by the net and poles, the position of the pivot members ensuring a downward force on the playing surface by lower ends of the poles when the poles are in the vertical playing position.

Abstract: Laterally extending upper and lower backboard bracing members are coupled to a vertically movable framework, the bracing members including ends coupled to corner brackets of a peripheral frame surrounding a backboard. A yoke member has a central plate coupled to a back face of the backboard in alignment with a basket assembly. The yoke member includes horizontal webs fixed to the central plate defining outwardly extending arms having terminal ends including rearwardly extending tabs coupled to the lower backboard bracing member at locations laterally outward spaced from the central plate.