Abstract: A basketball goal system having a lightweight blow molded support frame and a transparent acrylic backboard is disclosed. The support frame includes an outer periphery and a support structure that is disposed within the outer periphery. The support structure divides the frame into two or more sections and at least a portion of the two or more sections are preferably covered by the acrylic backboard. Advantageously, the support structure and frame can create a lightweight basketball backboard with consistent rebounding characteristics.

Abstract: A collapsible table selectively positionable between an upright position above a surface and a collapsible position for storage. The table includes a table top having an envelope defining an interior cavity that is configured with an internal periphery sufficient for receiving one or more seating members therein when the table is positioned in the collapsed position. In operation, pedestals of the table may be pivoted between an extended position such that the pedestals support the table above a surface and a retracted position such that the pedestals are introduced within the interior cavity of the table and thereby substantially rest against the underside of the table top. The disposition of the seating members within the cavity of the table, and in relation to each other, further facilitates a means for securing the pedestals of the table in a collapsed position within the interior cavity of the table during storage.

Abstract: A personal table is provided having a table top supported by a support assembly. The table top is preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and the support assembly preferably includes a first leg and a second leg that are pivotally connected. The legs desirably have a generally X-shaped configuration when the legs are placed in an upright position and the legs can be collapsed into a storage position. Each of the legs may include a lower portion, a body portion and an upper portion that is preferably selectively connected to the table top. The legs, for example, can be connected to the table top by inserting the upper portions of the legs into leg receiving recess formed in the table top. The leg receiving recesses are preferably integrally formed in the bottom surface of the table top as part of a one-piece construction.

Abstract: A personal table is provided having a table top supported by a support assembly. The table top is preferably constructed from blow-molded plastic and the support assembly preferably includes a first leg and a second leg that are pivotally connected. The legs desirably have a generally X-shaped configuration when the legs are placed in an upright position and the legs can be collapsed into a storage position. Each of the legs may include a lower portion, a body portion and an upper portion that is preferably selectively connected to the table top. The legs, for example, can be connected to the table top by inserting the upper portions of the legs into leg receiving recess formed in the table top. The leg receiving recesses are preferably integrally formed in the bottom surface of the table top as part of a one-piece construction.

Abstract: A basketball goal system having a lightweight blow molded support frame and a transparent acrylic backboard is disclosed. The support frame includes an outer periphery and a support structure that is disposed within the outer periphery. The support structure divides the frame into two or more sections and at least a portion of the two or more sections are preferably covered by the acrylic backboard. Advantageously, the support structure and frame can create a lightweight basketball backboard with consistent rebounding characteristics.

Abstract: A collapsible table selectively positionable between an upright position above a surface and a collapsible position for storage. The table includes a table top having an envelope defining an interior cavity that is configured with an internal periphery sufficient for receiving one or more seating members therein when the table is positioned in the collapsed position. In operation, pedestals of the table may be pivoted between an extended position such that the pedestals support the table above a surface and a retracted position such that the pedestals are introduced within the interior cavity of the table and thereby substantially rest against the underside of the table top. The disposition of the seating members within the cavity of the table, and in relation to each other, further facilitates a means for securing the pedestals of the table in a collapsed position within the interior cavity of the table during storage.

Abstract: A folding picnic table is positionable between a platform and a picnic table configuration. The foldable picnic table includes a table top and two benches on opposing sides. The table top is pivotally supported by two telescoping support pedestals and the two benches are pivotally supported by two telescoping bench support members. The telescoping supports permit the support pedestals and bench support members to be positioned between an extended and a retracted position. The first and second bench support members are attached to the first and second ends of the benches, respectively and include a substantially horizontal segment disposed between telescoping bench supports pivotally attached to opposing benches. When the foldable picnic table is disposed in the stage or platform configuration, the table top is positioned in the same plane as the opposing benches.

Abstract: A portable, storable table and bench system may be collapsed and nested. Benches may nest within the envelope of the table. Benches may be deployed independently from the table. The table may be deployed independently from the benches. The table may be deployed, with the benches maintained in nested storage within the table envelope, without requirement to deploy the benches. Tables may be formed by several suitable methods including fabrication from wood, framing with metal and wood, blow molding, tumble molding, vacuum forming, and the like. Cavities in the table for nesting the bench may fit within the envelope or cross-section of the table, or may be formed as recesses in outside surfaces underneath the table top.

Abstract: A foldable picnic table is shown. The foldable picnic table includes a table top supported by two support pedestals pivotally attached to the table top. Each support pedestal is capable of telescoping engagement. The foldable picnic table also includes benches attached to the pedestals by bench support members. The foldable picnic table includes means for locking the table in an extended position. When the support pedestals are retracted, the pedestals and the attached bench supports can pivot inwardly toward the table top such that the entire unit is substantially flat.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball goal. A basketball goal is pivotally connected to a rigid vertical support by two parallel support members thereby forming a parallelogrammatic structure. A support arm containing a slot with a plurality of notches is pivotally connected to one of the vertexes of the parallelogrammatic structure while the opposite end of the support arm slidably engages a post attached to the parallelogrammatic structure. The notches are configured such that when a notch engages the post, the parallelogrammatic structure is locked in position. The method of the present invention allows a user equipped with a pole and standing on the basketball playing surface to apply a force to the goal thereby forcing the notch to disengage the post and allowing the parallelogrammatic structure to deform such that the user may raise the goal and engage the locking mechanism upon the release of the force.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of a basektball goal comprising a telescoping support pivotally mounted to form a diagonal within a deformable parallelogrammatic structure. The telescoping support has an outer cylinder slidably connected over a concentric inner cylinder. The inner cylinder has a slot with a plurality of notches on its underside and the outer cylinder has a post disposed inside the outer cylinder and in sliding engagement with the slot. The inner cylinder is pivotally mounted such that it may be rotated about its longitudinal axis enough to align the post with either a notch or the slot. The notches are configured such that when a notch engages the post, the telescoping support is held and restricted from extending. A release mechanism is provided to rotate the inner cylinder causing the notch to disengage the post and to align with the slot for sliding engagement with the post.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a basketball goal to a backboard or other rigid support such that when a force exceeding a threshold force is applied to the goal, the mounting apparatus of the present invention permits the goal to flexibly deflect away from the backboard along an arc-shaped path while the mounting apparatus dissipates much of the energy transferred to the goal from the impact of the force. The apparatus of the present invention includes a spring and a resilient ring which are used in combination to retrofit a goal to a backboard such that damage to the goal or backboard when someone dunks the basketball and/or suspends from the rim may be avoided. When a threshold force is applied to the goal the spring held in place by a bolt and securing the upper portion of the mounting plate of the goal to the backboard is compressed thereby allowing the upper portion of the mounting plate to temporarily separate from the backboard.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball goal. A basketball goal is pivotally connected to a rigid vertical support by two parallel support members thereby forming a parallelogrammatic structure. A support arm containing a slot with a plurality of notches is pivotally connected to one of the vertexes of the parallelogrammatic structure while the opposite end of the support arm slidably engages a post attached to the parallelogrammatic structure. The notches are configured such that when a notch engages the post, the parallelogrammatic structure is locked in position. The method of the present invention allows a user equipped with a pole and standing on the basketball playing surface to apply a force to the goal thereby forcing the notch to disengage the post and allowing the parallelogrammatic structure to deform such that the user may raise the goal and engage the locking mechanism upon the release of the force.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the height of a basketball goal comprising a telescoping support pivotally mounted to form a diagonal within a deformable parallelogrammatic structure. The telescoping support has an outer cylinder slidably connected over a concentric inner cylinder. The inner cylinder has a slot with a plurality of notches on its underside and the outer cylinder has a post disposed inside the outer cylinder and in sliding engagement with the slot. The inner cylinder is pivotally mounted such that it may be rotated about its longitudinal axis enough to align the post with either a notch or the slot. The notches are configured such that when a notch engages the post, the telescoping support is held and restricted from extending. A release mechanism is provided to rotate the inner cylinder causing the notch to disengage the post and to align with the slot for sliding engagement with the post.