Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim, includes a base plate; a rim; and a collapsible assembly to which the base plate and the rim are affixed. The collapsible assembly further includes: a control subassembly affixed to the base plate and the rim; and a bearing subassembly horizontally disposed between the control subassembly and the rim.

Abstract: Basketball goals may incorporate folding rim assemblies which can be packaged and transported pre-mounted to certain backboard assemblies. Alternately, folding rim assemblies can be sold separately or packaged with a backboard for on-site mounting. Some basketball rim assembles may incorporate a break-away mechanism using a leaf spring. The leaf spring biases the rim bracket and resiliently resists downward pivotal movement of the rim bracket and rim. When the rim is rotated downward under an applied force, the leaf spring is flexed, biasing the rim to return to a static playing position when the force is removed.

Abstract: A basketball net testing device has a mounting frame, a delivering mechanism, a shooting mechanism, a basketball hoop, a returning mechanism, and a controller. The delivering mechanism has multiple ball seats used for delivering basketballs. The shooting mechanism has a guiding disc and two speeding rollers. The ball seats deliver the basketballs to the guiding disc. The guiding disc guides each of the basketballs to drop between the speeding rollers. The speeding rollers are driven to rotate by a second motor assembly and increase momentum of the basketball. Thus, the basketball is shot into the basketball hoop to rub against a basketball net. Then the basketball drops into the returning mechanism and rolls back into one ball seat of the delivering mechanism in order to be used for testing durability of the basketball net again.

Abstract: A basketball hoop has a stationary panel, a first pivoting seat, a rim assembly, a second pivoting seat and a torsion assembly. The torsion assembly has at least one torsion spring and a pivoting rod. The pivoting rod is mounted through the first pivoting seat and the second pivoting seat to pivotally mount the stationary panel around the rim assembly. The torsion springs offer a resilient force to resist the force of bending the rim assembly. With the torsion springs mounted around the pivoting rod, the basketball hoop in accordance with the present invention reduces the amount of the components. With the decrease of the amount of the components, the installation is easier and faster, and the cost is reduced therefore.

Abstract: A basketball hoop has a stationary panel, a first pivoting seat, a rim assembly, a second pivoting seat and a torsion assembly. The torsion assembly has at least one torsion spring and a pivoting rod. The pivoting rod is mounted through the first pivoting seat and the second pivoting seat to pivotally mount the stationary panel around the rim assembly. The torsion springs offer a resilient force to resist the force of bending the rim assembly. With the torsion springs mounted around the pivoting rod, the basketball hoop in accordance with the present invention reduces the amount of the components. With the decrease of the amount of the components, the installation is easier and faster, and the cost is reduced therefore.

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 miniature basketball hoop has a pair of spaced apart hooks on the top of a backboard to hook the backboard over the top of a door. The hoop includes a break-away rim mounted to the front of the backboard, and sound dampening material on the rear face of the backboard, so as to minimize sound when a ball hits the backboard or rim during use.

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 basketball goal provides a support that has upper and lower end portions. A backboard is affixed to the upper end portion of the support. A hoop or rim is affixed to the backboard. A jacking mechanism elevates the hoop when the hoop pivots downwardly when a player dunks a basketball through the hoop or rim. In such a case, the player typically contacts the rim or hoop with his or her hands or hand forcing it downwardly. With each such dunk shot, the rim or hoop is deflected downwardly and the jacking mechanism elevates the hoop about half an inch. A control positioned on the support enables the hoop to be selectively used in the jacking mode or in a fixed mode wherein the hoop or rim is affixed to a selected position in a selected elevation thus overriding the jacking mechanism. The control has multiple selectable positions including a position that engages the jacking mechanism and a fixed position that overrides the jacking mechanism.

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 basketball goal system may include a rim assembly that forms part of a breakaway rim that can deflect downwardly when a force larger than a predetermined amount is applied to the rim. The basketball goal system may include a biasing member, which may be sized and configured to bias the rim assembly from a deflected position to its previous playing position. The basketball goal system may include a rim mounting bracket, which may be sized and configured to connect the rim assembly to a mounting surface, such as a backboard or a basketball goal support structure. The basketball goal system may also include pivot bracket and a connector that may be sized and configured to interconnect the biasing member, the pivot bracket and the rim assembly. The rim mounting bracket may be movable between a storage position and a use position.

Abstract: A basketball breakaway goal release apparatus, is designed to allow a basketball rim to pivot down under excessive pressure and reset to a normal horizontal playing position. The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus includes 1) a main support base assembly; 2) a basketball goal support assembly pivotally connected along an upper rear edge to the main support base assembly and 3) a positive release actuator mechanism operably mounted to the main support base assembly and the basketball goal support assembly. The positive release actuator mechanism includes a rocker arm assembly pivotally connected at one end to the main support base assembly and engageable with a roller track assembly under adjustable force of a compression spring member. After excess pressure is applied, the rocker arm assembly pivots relative to the roller track assembly to allow the downward pivotal movement of the basketball rim assembly.

Abstract: A removable basketball assembly includes a housing section securely mounted to a selected portion of the backboard and an anchor section removably positionable into the housing. A rim section is pivotally connected to the anchor section and extends outwardly therefrom. A mechanism for locking the anchor section with the housing section after the anchor section has been positioned therein is also included. The assembly further includes a mechanism for resiliently opposing downwardly forces exerted on the rim section such that a player can offset the rim section from the horizontal plane without permanently detaching the rim section from the anchor section. The housing section includes a rear wall provided with a plurality of holes for receiving a plurality of fastening members therethrough respectively. A protruding support compartment is integral with the rear wall and has a plurality of sidewalls and a front wall integrally connected for defining a cavity therebetween.

Abstract: A basketball goal system may include a rim assembly that forms part of a breakaway rim that can deflect downwardly when a force larger than a predetermined amount is applied to the rim. The basketball goal system may include a support pole, a support structure including a pair of upper arms and a pair of lower arms, a backboard support frame including a pair of elongated members, and a backboard. The elongated members of the backboard support frame are preferably connected to one of the upper support arms and one of the lower support arms of the support structure, and these upper and lower support arms are preferably connected to the support pole. The basketball goal system may also include a backboard connected to the backboard support frame and a rim assembly including a pair of support arms. The support arms of the rim assembly are preferably connected to the elongated members of the backboard support frame.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a basketball goal assembly. The goal assembly includes a mounting bracket having opposing side plates. A first pair of opposing pivot holes are co-axially defined in the side plates to define a pivot axis. A rim assembly has a basketball goal rim and an attachment bracket. The attachment bracket also includes opposing side plates. A second pair of opposing pivot holes is defined in the attachment bracket side plates. The second pair of pivot holes are co-axially aligned first pair of pivot holes along the pivot axis. A pivot bar extends through the first and second pairs of pivot holes. The first end of the pivot bar terminates in a portion with a diameter larger than the diameter of the pivot holes, and the second end of said pivot bar terminates in a portion with a diameter larger than the diameter of the pivot holes. Preferably, at least one end of the pivot bar is cold forged in place.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being fixedly mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being fixedly mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which the mounting bracket and rim are operably interconnected by a torsion rod which twists resiliently in response to an impact or other downward load on the rim. The torsion rod may extend parallel to the backboard, with one end being fixedly mounted to the mounting bracket and the other end being fixedly mounted to the rim, so that the torsion rod allows the rim to deflect downwardly about an axis that extends parallel to the backboard. The torsion rod may be mounted to overlapping flanges on the mounting bracket and the rim. There may also be a longitudinal torsion rod that extends perpendicular to the transverse torsion rod, so as to permit the rim to deflect downwardly about axes that extend both parallel and perpendicular to the backboard.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly with a mounting unit with a vertical baseplate and a horizontal mounting plate, and a rim unit having a circular hoop portion and a pivot plate that projects rearwardly from the hoop portion in spaced relation above the mounting plate. A ball bearing is positioned between the pivot plate and the mounting plate to provide the pivot point for releasing the rim unit when a downward load is placed upon the hoop portion. At least one stop is placed on top of the mounting plate to restrict the movement of the pivot plate and load a plurality of spring-loaded attachments that extend from the pivot plate through the mounting plate to return the rim unit to a generally horizontal position.

Abstract: A breakaway net attachment system for detachably mounting a basketball net to the rim of a basketball goal with resilient net clips. The net clips include a body member with a net release portion attachable to the rim and a retainer portion for retaining the net in association with the rim. The rim preferably includes a plurality of rams extending therefrom to which the clips are removably coupled. The clips are provided with flexible fingers for coupling to the ram wherein the fingers will release from the ram in response to a predetermined force being applied to the net.

Abstract: A basketball goal has a hoop connected through a breakaway mechanism with a support, independently of the backboard. A force on the hoop is transmitted to the support and is not applied to the backboard.

Abstract: A resilient basketball goal assembly having a substantially u-shaped back plate, having side elements, an inside back surface, and an outside back surface adapted to attach to a vertical surface such as a basketball backboard. There is a top plate having a top surface and a bottom surface, a front edge, a back edge, and downwardly extending sidewalls pivotally connected to the back plate. In a resting position, the top surface of the top plate is essentially even with the top edge of the back plate and is substantially perpendicular to the vertical surface. The top plate pivots about a pivot point proximate the front edge of the side elements of the back plate. An angle bracket is coupled to the inside back surface of the back plate such that a portion of the angle bracket extends inwardly perpendicular from the back plate and is parallel to the top plate in the resting position. A carriage bolt extends from the top surface of the top plate through the inwardly extending portion of the angle bracket.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which there is a release assembly which operably interconnects the base member and the rim member, the release assembly being configured to release the rim member in response to a downward load which is received at any point along an extended frontal arc of the circular hoop portion, so that the hoop tilts downwardly generally in the direction of the load. There is also a reaction load mechanism for returning the hoop to its horizontal playing position. In a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped fulcrum joint extends between the reaction load in the hoop so as to provide a pivot point in line between the reaction load and any impact point along the extended frontal arc of the hoop. The joint is configured so that the rim releases in response to a substantially identical impact load anywhere along the frontal arc. The rim comprises a rim portion, a backboard mounting portion, and bolts for securing the rim portion to the mounting portion.

Abstract: A basketball goal assembly (10) includes a base (11), a pole assembly (12) carried by the base (11), a rim assembly (14) pivotally carried by the pole assembly (12) and a backboard (13) carried by the pole assembly (12). The pole assembly (12) has a front face (21) having a recess (27) therein. A lug (36) on the rim assembly (14) is received in the recess (27) to hold the rim assembly (14) in a useable condition. Upon a downward force on the rim assembly (14), the rim assembly (14) breaks away from the pole assembly (12) as the lug (36) comes out of the recess (27). A yoke (59) extends between the base (11) and the pole assembly (12) to assist in supporting the pole assembly (12). However, the yoke (59) may be removed from the pole assembly (12) and the base (11) and positioned in a compartment (64) formed in the base (11). The pole assembly (12) may then be rotated to be generally flat with the base (11) and to be positioned over the yoke (59).

Abstract: A basketball backboard assembly comprising a body including a plurality of selectively releasable interfitting pieces and a rim extending from the body is disclosed whereby upon generating a sufficient force on the rim, the plurality of interfitting pieces release from each other to simulate a shattered backboard.

Abstract: A basketball goal unit having a first mounting plate for attachment to a backboard, a second mounting plate pivotally mounted to the first mounting plate, a rim supported from the second mounting plate, and a resilient member located between and in contact with the first and second mounting plates, the resilient member acting to bias the second mounting plate to a normal use position, wherein the resilient member is compressed and the second mounting plate is permitted to pivot a specified amount toward the first mounting plate when the rim receives a force having a downward component greater than a threshold level. Thereafter, the second mounting plate automatically pivots back to its normal use position due to the biasing action of the resilient member.

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: A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which there is a release assembly which operably interconnects the base member and the rim member, the release assembly being configured to release the rim member in response to a downward load which is received at any point along an extended frontal arc of the circular hoop, so that the hoop tilts downwardly generally in the direction of the load. There is also a reaction load mechanism for returning the hoop to its horizontal playing position. In a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped fulcrum joint extends between the reaction load in the hoop so as to provide a pivot point in line between the reaction load and any impact point along the extended frontal arc of the hoop. The joint is configured so that the rim releases in response to a substantially identical impact load anywhere along the frontal arc.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball goal is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention the goal includes rim structure which pivots about self-lubricating bearings when a predetermined force is applied to the rim.

Abstract: A breakaway basketball goal is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention the goal includes rim structure which pivots about self-lubricating bearings when a predetermined force is applied to the rim.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing hydrogen sulfide (H.sub.2 S) and/or carbon disulfide (CS.sub.2) from exhaust gases. These exhaust gases are brought into contact with water and bromine so that H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 and HBr in aqueous solution and possible CO.sub.2 are formed. Bromine is regenerated from the hydrobromic acid in an electrolysis cell. In addition, marketable hydrogen is produced.