PORTABLE BASKETBALL SYSTEM

Abstract

The present disclosure provides portable basketball goal systems. In particular, the present disclosure provides basketball goal systems, comprising a rolling member defining an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material. The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems comprising a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, a support member having a lower end coupled to the base assembly at the rearward portion and an upper end coupled to a backboard assembly having a backboard, and a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of the base assembly, wherein the base assembly is positioned rearward of the backboard when the support member is in a playing configuration. Other arrangements and features are disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure pertains generally to the field of basketball goals and particularly to portable basketball goals.

Portable basketball goals are commonly used in areas where permanent installation of a basketball goal is not desired. This may be due to aesthetic, functional, and/or contractual implications. For example, those living in apartments or renting homes may not wish, or be permitted to, install a permanent basketball goal on the landlord's property. Therefore a portable basketball goal is desirable as it can be relocated on and/or removed from the property during periods when a basketball goal is not desired.

Many portable basketball goals include a backboard assembly supported by a support member (e.g., a post) that extends upward from a base assembly. In many instances, the base assembly is fillable with a ballast material such as water or sand to counterbalance the weight of the backboard assembly and help prevent the goal from tipping when in a playing configuration. However, the basketball goal is often more difficult to move before and/or after play when the base assembly is filled with ballast material. Therefore, new arrangements of portable basketball goals are desired.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure pertains generally to basketball goal assemblies. In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides portable basketball goal assemblies that are resistant to tipping during play and/or windy conditions but that can be moved to another location on a playing surface without having to remove or empty ballast material (e.g., water or sand) from the base assembly. For instance, certain disclosed embodiments provide a basketball goal system having a center of gravity positioned slightly forward of a rearward mounted rolling member so that when the goal is tilted rearward, the center of gravity for the system is positioned substantially over the rolling member. In this way, the user simply balances the weight of the system on the rolling member as the system is moved to another location.

In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of the base assembly. The base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing configuration, and, in many instances, the rolling member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material.

The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of the base assembly; wherein the base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation and is positioned rearward of the backboard when the support member is in a playing configuration; and wherein the lower end of the support member is coupled to the rearward portion of the base assembly.

Similarly, it is contemplated to have basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a forward half and a rearward half, the forward half having a forward-facing side and the rearward half having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; a rolling member mounted to the rearward half of the base assembly; and a kickstand coupled to the base assembly and extending away from the rearward-facing side; wherein the base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing configuration; and wherein the rolling member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material; wherein the lower end of the support member is coupled to the rearward half of the base assembly.

In some arrangements, the lower end of the support member is coupled to the rearward portion of the base assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the base assembly can comprise a hollow member and a frame member, the hollow member mounted to the frame member; wherein the support member is coupled to the frame member; wherein the rolling member is coupled to the frame member; wherein the hollow member defines an interior cavity for receiving and retaining ballast material; and wherein the interior cavity has a centroid that is positioned within the rearward portion of the base assembly.

The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems having a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line extending through the rearward portion of the base assembly when the hollow member and rolling member are filled with a ballast material having a density equal to or greater than that of water and when resting on a horizontal playing surface. The rolling member can comprise a hollow cylindrical member or a pair of hollow wheels, just to name a few non-limiting examples.

The disclosed arrangements can include a kickstand coupled to the base assembly and extending rearward from the rearward-facing side. The base assembly is tiltable around the rolling member and the kickstand is arranged to limit the angle through which the base assembly can tilt.

In some instances, the base assembly is angled with respect to the playing surface. For example, a lower surface and/or upper surface of the base assembly may slant towards the playing surface, with the rearward portion being positioned higher than a forward portion. In some arrangements, the lower surface extends rearwardly and upwardly from a forward portion resting upon the ground to a rearward portion positioned above the rolling member.

Further forms, objects, features, aspects, benefits, advantages, and embodiments will become apparent from a detailed description and drawings provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a basketball goal system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side elevation view of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front elevation view of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the base assembly of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front elevation view of the base assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 5a illustrates a partial bottom view of the base assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side elevation view of the base assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 illustrates a back elevation view of the base assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 8 illustrates a top view of the base assembly illustrated in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of a base assembly having a frame and a hollow body.

FIG. 10 illustrates a perspective view of a removable ballast member removed from a base assembly.

FIG. 11 illustrates a perspective view of a removable ballast member positioned on a base assembly.

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate one method of moving the disclosed basketball goal assemblies.

FIG. 12c illustrates another method of moving the disclosed basketball goal assemblies.

FIG. 13 illustrates a side elevation view of a basketball goal assembly resting on a playing surface.

FIG. 14 illustrates a side elevation view of a basketball goal assembly tilted rearward.

FIG. 15 illustrates a side elevation view of a basketball goal assembly tilted forward.

DESCRIPTION OF THE SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.

The present disclosure pertains generally to the field of basketball goals and particularly to portable basketball goals. Portable basketball goals are commonly used in areas where permanent installation of a basketball goal is not desired. This may be due to aesthetic, functional, and/or contractual implications. For example, those living in apartments or renting homes may not wish, or be permitted to, install a permanent basketball goal on the landlord's property. Therefore a portable basketball goal is desirable as it can be relocated on and/or removed from the property during periods when a basketball goal is not desired.

Many portable basketball goals include a backboard assembly supported by a support member (e.g., a post) that extends upward from a base assembly. In many instances, the base assembly is fillable with a ballast material such as water or sand to counterbalance the weight of the backboard assembly and help prevent the goal from tipping when in a playing configuration. However, the basketball goal is often more difficult to move before and/or after play when the base assembly is filled with ballast material. Therefore, new arrangements of portable basketball goals are desired.

In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides portable basketball goal assemblies that are resistant to tipping during play and/or windy conditions but that can be moved to another location on a playing surface without having to remove or empty ballast material (e.g., water or sand) from the base assembly. For instance, certain disclosed embodiments provide a basketball goal system having a center of gravity positioned slightly forward of a rearward mounted rolling member so that when the goal is tilted rearward, the center of gravity for the system is positioned substantially over the rolling member. In this way, the user simply balances the weight of the system on the rolling member as the system is moved to another location.

In certain aspects, the present disclosure provides basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of the base assembly. The base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing configuration, and, in many instances, the rolling member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material.

The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; and a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of the base assembly; wherein the base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation and is positioned rearward of the backboard when the support member is in a playing configuration; and wherein the lower end of the support member is coupled to the rearward portion of the base assembly.

Similarly, it is contemplated to have basketball goal systems comprising a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard; a base assembly having a forward half and a rearward half, the forward half having a forward-facing side and the rearward half having a rearward-facing side; a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to the base assembly and the upper end coupled to the backboard assembly; a rolling member mounted to the rearward half of the base assembly; and a kickstand coupled to the base assembly and extending away from the rearward-facing side; wherein the base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing configuration; and wherein the rolling member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material; wherein the lower end of the support member is coupled to the rearward half of the base assembly.

In some arrangements, the lower end of the support member is coupled to the rearward portion of the base assembly. Additionally or alternatively, the base assembly can comprises a hollow member and a frame member, the hollow member mounted to the frame member; wherein the support member is coupled to the frame member; wherein the rolling member is coupled to the frame member; wherein the hollow member defines an interior cavity for receiving and retaining ballast material; and wherein the interior cavity has a centroid that is positioned within the rearward portion of the base assembly.

The present disclosure also provides basketball goal systems having a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line extending through the rearward portion of the base assembly when the hollow member and rolling member are filled with ballast material having a density equal to or greater than that of water and when resting on a horizontal playing surface. The rolling member can comprise a hollow cylindrical member or a pair of hollow wheels, just to name a few non-limiting examples.

The disclosed arrangements can include a kickstand coupled to the base assembly and extending rearward from the rearward-facing side. The base assembly is tiltable around the rolling member and the kickstand is arranged to limit the angle through which the base assembly can tilt.

The basketball goal systems disclosed herein can also include a brace member extending from the forward portion of the base assembly to the support member and/or a removable ballast member selectively attachable to the rearward portion of the base assembly.

In some instances, the base assembly is angled with respect to the playing surface. For example, a lower surface and/or upper surface of the base assembly may slant towards the playing surface, with the rearward portion being positioned higher than a forward portion. In some arrangements, the lower surface extends rearwardly and upwardly from a forward portion resting upon the ground to a rearward portion positioned above the rolling member.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a portable basketball goal assembly 100 in a playing configuration. The portable basketball goal assembly 100 comprises a backboard assembly 102, a support member 104 and a base assembly 106. Backboard assembly 102 comprises a backboard 110 having a forward-facing surface 112 and a rim 114 extending from forward-facing surface 112.

Support member 104 extends between backboard assembly 102 and base assembly 106 and has an upper end 120 coupled to backboard assembly 102, such as through upper and lower pairs of cross-members 122 and 124, and a lower end 126 coupled to the base assembly 106. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a height adjustment mechanism 128 may be used to raise or lower the backboard assembly 102 to a desired height while the basketball goal assembly 100 is in the playing configuration. Support member 104, therefore, may support backboard assembly 102 at a variety of heights above a playing surface, such as a basketball court, when in the playing configuration.

Base assembly 106 is positioned below and rearward of forward-facing surface 112 of backboard 110 when the basketball goal assembly 100 is in the playing configuration. Base assembly 106 has a forward portion 130 having a forward-facing side 132 and a rearward portion 136 having a rearward-facing side 138, the forward portion 130 is positioned forward of a midpoint of base assembly 106 and rearward portion 136 is positioned rearward of a midpoint of base assembly 106.

Lower end 126 of support member 104 can be coupled to base assembly 106 at rearward portion 136, with support member 104 extending in a generally vertical and forward direction towards backboard assembly 102. In some instances, one or more brace members 140 are coupled to support member 104 at a location intermediate upper end 120 and lower end 126. For example, brace member 140 can extend rearward and upward from forward portion 130 of base assembly 106 to the support member 104.

At least one rolling member 150 is mounted to rearward portion 136 of base assembly 106. Rolling member is rollable on the playing surface and rotates about an axis of rotation 152 so as to aid movement of base assembly 106 from a first position to a second position on the playing surface. Rolling member 150 can comprise a cylindrical member, a sphere, a wheel, or pair of wheels, just to name a few non-limiting examples.

In several embodiments, rolling member 150 defines an interior cavity arranged to receive and retain a ballast material. The interior cavity of rolling member 150 can be arranged to receive a flowable ballast material having a density greater than that of air, such as a liquid (e.g., water) or a pourable particulate solid (e.g., sand or pea gravel). The interior cavity of rolling member 150 may be accessible from the outside of rolling member 150 through a fill opening 156 that can be selectively opened and closed with a cap 158 or valve. Fill opening 156 may be used to selectively fill or remove ballast material from the interior cavity. For example, rolling member 150 can comprise a hollow cylindrical member or one or more hollow wheels 154 that can be selectively filled and selectively sealed with ballast material.

Moving now to FIGS. 4-9, base assembly 106 comprises a hollow member 160 having an interior surface 162 that defines an interior cavity 164 arranged for receiving and retaining a ballast material. Interior cavity 164 is accessible from the outside of base assembly 106, for example, through a fill opening 166 that can be selectively opened and closed with a cap 168. Interior cavity 164 extends through rearward portion 136 of base assembly 106 and can extend at least partially into and/or through forward portion 130.

In several instances, interior cavity 164 has a cross-sectional area in rearward portion 136 that is greater than a cross-sectional area in forward portion 130. For example, a cross-section taken along a vertical plane parallel to axis of rotation 152 in the rearward portion 136 would have a greater area than a parallel cross-section in the forward portion 130. Additionally or alternatively, interior cavity 164 can be arranged so that it has a volumetric center (i.e., centroid measured in three-dimensional space) that lies in rearward portion 136 of base assembly 106. For example, the interior cavity 164 may be arranged so that it has a volumetric center positioned along or rearward of an imaginary plane extending vertically through and coincident with axis of rotation 152.

In many instances, when the interior cavity of rolling member 150 and/or interior cavity 164 is filled with a ballast material such as water, the center of gravity of the basketball goal assembly 100 is positioned closer to the rearward portion of the base assembly than when the interior cavity is empty of ballast material. Advantageously, a user of the basketball goal assembly 100 may selectively move the center of gravity of the assembly rearward by filling portions of the rolling member 150 and/or base assembly 106 with ballast material. For example, the center of gravity for the basketball goal assembly 100 can lie along a vertical line extending through rearward portion 136 of base assembly 106 when the basketball goal assembly 100 is in the playing configuration and when the interior cavity of rolling member 150 and/or interior cavity 164 are/is full of water.

In some arrangements, a user of the basketball goal assembly 100 may also move the center of gravity of the system by tilting the base assembly. In instances in which the base assembly is partially filled with a flowable ballast material, tilting the base assembly may cause the ballast material within the base assembly to be redistributed to different portions of the base assembly. For example, tilting the base assembly 106 so as to lift the forward portion 130 of base assembly 106 from the ground may cause ballast material to flow toward the rolling member 150, thereby moving the center of gravity of the system to above the rolling member and making the basketball goal assembly easier to move. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the ballast material may be water or any flowable material having a density that is the same or greater than that of water.

Hollow member 160 can define a support member opening 170 for receiving support member 104 and brace member openings 172 for receiving brace members 140. Hollow member 160 can also define one or more handles 174 suitable for gripping and lifting forward portion 130 from a playing surface (i.e., tilt base assembly around axis of rotation 152) so as to move base assembly 106 from a first position to a second position on the playing surface using rolling member 150. Handles 174 may be located at the front corners of the base assembly, and, in some instances, are extendable and/or articulable so as to provide additional leverage for lifting the front portion of the base assembly. As shown in the provided drawings, handles 174 can be integrally-molded into hollow member 160 and defined by one or more grooves that extend inward from a side surface and/or the forward-facing side of the base assembly and provide room for a user's fingers.

In several embodiments, hollow member 160 is mounted to a frame member 180. Support member 104, brace member 140 and/or rolling member 150 can be coupled to frame member 180 as well to provide support for those members. Frame member 180 is preferably constructed of a rigid material. For example, frame member 180 can be constructed from a metal such as steel.

Optionally, a kickstand 190 is coupled to base assembly 106, such as frame member 180, and extends in a rearward direction from rearward-facing side 138 of base assembly 106. Kickstand 190 can be arranged to limit the angle 194 that base assembly 106 may tilt around rolling member 150. For example, kickstand 190 may be arranged to limit tilting base assembly 106 to 60° or less. In many instances, kickstand 190 is arranged to limit tilting to or between 10° and 50°. More particularly, some embodiments limit tilting to about 30°.

Kickstand 190 additionally may be used to shift the center of gravity of basketball goal assembly 100 to a position nearer to and/or vertically above axis of rotation 152. For example, a user of basketball goal assembly 100 may step downwards on kickstand 190 to tilt the goal assembly so as to lift forward portion 130 from the playing surface. In this way, support member 104 and backboard assembly 102 also rotate around axis of rotation 152, moving in a rearward direction, without the user having to lift from forward portion 130 with one's hands. Should the user desire, additional rotational force could be exerted to basketball goal assembly 100 by grasping and pulling support member 104 in a rearward direction.

Advantageously, lifting forward portion 130, such as by stepping downward on kickstand 190 or lifting from handles 174, can shift the ballast material of base assembly 106 towards axis of rotation 152 so as to move the center of gravity closer to axis of rotation 152.

Optionally, portable basketball goal assembly 100 may include a removable ballast. Turning now to FIGS. 10 and 11, a removable ballast 200 can be selectively attachable to and/or removable from rearward portion 136 of base assembly 106. Removable ballast 200 may comprise a hollow fillable member such as hollow member 160 that can be selectively filled with ballast material. For example, similar to rolling member 150 and hollow member 160, removable ballast 200 may define an interior cavity arranged to receive and retain a flowable ballast material, such as water and/or sand. Alternatively, removable ballast 200 may comprise a sealed or solid member, such as a lead weight within a plastic shell.

FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate an exemplary method for moving the illustrated basketball goal assembly. As discussed above, a user may step on the kickstand and pull the support member 104 in a rearward direction to lift the forward portion of the base assembly and position the center of gravity of the basketball goal assembly closer to and/or along a line extending vertically through the axis of rotation of the rolling member. Alternatively, the user may grasp and lift the forward portion of the base assembly as shown in FIG. 12c, such as from handles 174. The user may then move the basketball goal assembly from one location to another location using the rolling member. Advantageously, the kickstand limits the angle through which the basketball goal assembly can tilt in a rearward direction so as to prevent the basketball goal assembly from tipping-over in a rearward direction.

FIG. 13 illustrates basketball goal assembly 100 in a resting position on a horizontal playing surface 1000. When base assembly 106 is substantially filled with a ballast material having a density equal to or greater than that of water, basketball goal assembly 100 has a center of mass 500. When in the resting position, an imaginary vertical line 506 extending through center of mass 500 is positioned forward of axis of rotation 152.

When basketball goal assembly 100 is tilted rearwards, as shown in FIG. 14, center of mass 500 is positioned above or slightly behind rolling member 150. For instance, an imaginary vertical line 510 extending through center of mass 500 can extend through axis of rotation 152. Alternatively, vertical line 510 extending through center of mass 500 can lie slightly forward or rearward of axis of rotation 152, but preferably closer to axis of rotation 152 than when in the resting position illustrated in FIG. 13 or the forward-tilted position illustrated in FIG. 15.

FIG. 15 illustrates basketball goal assembly 100 tilted forwards approximately 45°. In this position, an imaginary vertical line 514 extending through center of mass 500 lies substantially along forward-facing side 132 of base assembly 106.

While one embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.

Claims

1. A basketball goal system, comprising:

a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard;

a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a rearward-facing side;

a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to said base assembly and the upper end coupled to said backboard assembly;

wherein said base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing configuration; and

a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of said base assembly;

wherein said rolling member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material.

2. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein:

said rolling member comprises a hollow cylindrical member.

3. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein:

said rolling member comprises a pair of hollow wheels.

4. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein:

the basketball goal system has a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line extending through said rearward portion of the base assembly when the hollow member and rolling member are filled with ballast material having a density equal to or greater than that of water and when resting on a horizontal playing surface.

5. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein:

said lower end of said support member is coupled to said rearward portion of said base assembly.

6. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein:

said base assembly comprises a hollow member and a frame member, said hollow member mounted to said frame member;

wherein said support member is coupled to said frame member;

wherein said rolling member is coupled to said frame member;

wherein said hollow member defines an interior cavity for receiving and retaining ballast material; and

wherein the interior cavity has a centroid that is positioned within said rearward portion of said base assembly.

7. The basketball goal system of claim 1, wherein:

said base assembly has a bottom surface that slopes in a generally downward direction from the rearward portion above said rolling member toward the forward portion of said base assembly.

8. The basketball goal system of claim 1, comprising:

a kickstand coupled to said base assembly and extending rearward from said rearward-facing side.

9. The basketball goal system of claim 8, wherein:

said base assembly is tiltable around said rolling member and said kickstand is arranged to limit the angle through which said base assembly can tilt.

10. The basketball goal system of claim 1, comprising:

a brace member extending from said forward portion of said base assembly to said support member.

11. The basketball goal system of claim 1, comprising:

a removable ballast member selectively attachable to said rearward portion of said base assembly.

12. A basketball goal system, comprising:

a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard;

a base assembly having a forward portion and a rearward portion, the forward portion having a forward-facing side and the rearward portion having a rearward-facing side;

a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to said base assembly and the upper end coupled to said backboard assembly; and

a rolling member mounted to the rearward portion of said base assembly;

wherein said base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation and is positioned rearward of the backboard when the support member is in a playing configuration; and

wherein said lower end of said support member is coupled to said rearward portion of said base assembly.

13. The basketball goal system of claim 12, wherein:

said base assembly comprises a hollow member and a frame member, said hollow member mounted to said frame member;

wherein said support member is coupled to said frame member;

wherein said rolling member is coupled to said frame member;

wherein said hollow member defines an interior cavity for receiving and retaining ballast material; and

wherein the interior cavity has a centroid that is positioned within said rearward portion of said base assembly.

14. The basketball goal system of claim 13, wherein:

the basketball goal system has a center of gravity that lies along a vertical line extending through said rearward portion of the base assembly when the hollow member is filled with ballast material having a density equal to or greater than that of water and when resting on a horizontal playing surface.

15. The basketball goal system of claim 12, wherein:

said base assembly has a bottom surface that slopes in a generally downward direction from the rearward portion above said rolling member toward the forward portion of said base assembly.

16. The basketball goal system of claim 12, comprising:

a kickstand coupled to said base assembly and extending rearward from said rearward-facing side.

17. The basketball goal system of claim 16, wherein:

said base assembly is tiltable around said rolling member and said kickstand is arranged to limit the angle through which said base assembly can tilt around said rolling member.

18. The basketball goal system of claim 12, comprising:

a brace member extending from said forward portion of said base assembly to said support member.

19. The basketball goal system of claim 12, wherein:

said rolling member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material

20. A basketball goal system, comprising:

a backboard assembly having a backboard and a rim extending forward from the backboard;

a base assembly having a forward half and a rearward half, the forward half having a forward-facing side and the rearward half having a rearward-facing side;

a support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end coupled to said base assembly and the upper end coupled to said backboard assembly;

a rolling member mounted to the rearward half of said base assembly; and

a kickstand coupled to said base assembly and extending away from said rearward-facing side;

wherein said base assembly supports the support member in a generally vertical orientation when the support member is in a playing configuration;

wherein said rolling member defines an interior volume arranged to be selectively filled with and retain a ballast material; and

wherein said lower end of said support member is coupled to said rearward half of said base assembly.