Abstract: A portable, folding basketball system employing a unique design to allow manual manipulation of the system from an extended position suitable for game play and a retracted position for compacted storage of the system. The system comprises a plurality of pole sections which form a pole of variable height, a base pivotally connected to the pole and having a recess for receiving the pole, a support arm pivotally connected to the base, a collar pivotally connected to the support arm and slidably engaging the pole, a bracket assembly pivotally connected to the pole, a backboard connected to the bracket assembly, and a rim assembly pivotally connected to the backboard. In the extended position the pole is generally directed upward at a playable height, the rim is in the horizontal position, and the backboard is in a playable position.

Abstract: A portable, folding basketball system employing a unique design to allow manual manipulation of the system from an extended position suitable for game play and a retracted position for compacted storage of the system. The system comprises a plurality of pole sections which form a pole of variable height, a base pivotally connected to the pole and having a recess for receiving the pole, a support arm pivotally connected to the base, a collar pivotally connected to the support arm and slidably engaging the pole, a bracket assembly pivotally connected to the pole, a backboard connected to the bracket assembly, and a rim assembly pivotally connected to the backboard. In the extended position the pole is generally directed upward at a playable height, the rim is in the horizontal position, and the backboard is in a playable position.

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 portable, folding basketball system employing a unique design to allow manual manipulation of the system from an extended position suitable for game play and a retracted position for compacted storage of the system. The system comprises a plurality of pole sections which form a pole of variable height, a base pivotally connected to the pole and having a recess for receiving the pole, a support arm pivotally connected to the base, a collar pivotally connected to the support arm and slidably engaging the pole, a bracket assembly pivotally connected to the pole, a backboard connected to the bracket assembly, and a rim assembly pivotally connected to the backboard. In the extended position the pole is generally directed upward at a playable height, the rim is in the horizontal position, and the backboard is in a playable position.

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: A support arm for attaching a basketball backboard to a pole is disclosed. The support arm includes two support members configured with flanges extending generally along a longitudinal axis of the support arm. The flanges have a toothed configuration in the shape of a square wave which includes a plurality of tabs and recesses. The support members are capable of mating engagement with each other wherein the tabs along each of the flanges of the first support member engage the corresponding recesses of the respective flanges of the second support member, thereby disposing engaged flanges at an angle with respect to each other. The support members are configured with a substantially C-shaped cross section. The support members are attached to each other with bolts, thereby eliminating the need for welding. Means are also provided attaching one end of the support arm to the basketball backboard and the other end to a pole.