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  Basketball goal systemUSPTO Application #: 20060287141Title: Basketball goal system Abstract: A basketball goal system may include a backboard and a backboard support assembly that is sized and configured to support the backboard. The basketball goal system may also include a rim that is disposed proximate a front surface of the backboard and the rim may be sized and configured to move between a first position in which the rim is generally parallel to a playing surface and a second position in which the rim is disposed at an angle relative to the playing surface. Additionally, the basketball goal system may include a connecting member that is connected to the rim and the connecting member may include a first portion that is disposed generally in the same plane as the rim and a second portion that is disposed at an angle relative to the first portion. The basketball goal system may further include one or more brackets connecting the connecting member to the backboard support assembly. (end of abstract)
Agent: Workman Nydegger (f/k/a Workman Nydegger & Seeley) - Salt Lake City, UT, US Inventors: S. Curtis Nye, Robert A. Astle USPTO Applicaton #: 20060287141 - Class: 473481000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Playing Field Or Court Game; Game Element Or Accessory Therefor Other Than Projector Or Projectile, Per Se, Goal Or Target Structure For Projectile; Element Thereof, Apertured Or Pocketed Goal Or Target (e.g., For Hockey, Soccer, Polo, Lacrosse, Etc.), Goal Or Target Is Elevated And Horizontally Disposed (e.g., For Basketball, Etc.), Backboard Or Support Structure Therefor The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060287141. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/690,702, filed Jun. 15, 2005 and entitled BASKETBALL GOAL SYSTEM, and U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/756,640, filed Jan. 6, 2006 and entitled BASKETBALL GOAL SYSTEM. The disclosures of each are incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to basketball and, in particular, to a basketball goal system. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Basketball is a very popular game and the game of basketball typically includes players, a basketball and a basketball goal system. Conventional basketball goal systems may be permanently fixed in a particular location or movable from one location to another location. Conventional basketball goal systems typically include a basketball goal, which may include a rim, a backboard, and/or a net; and basketball goal systems typically include a support structure, such as a support pole, that supports a basketball goal at a desired height. [0006] Unfortunately, some known support structures for conventional basketball goal systems can be large and/or heavy, which can make shipping the system more expensive. Also, such large and heavy support structures can make assembling the basketball goal system more difficult. Further, many conventional basketball goal systems often include several large and/or awkwardly sized components, making them inefficient for storage and/or shipping. BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0007] A need therefore exists for a basketball goal system that eliminates or diminishes the above-described disadvantages and problems. [0008] One aspect is a basketball goal system that may include one or more components. For example, the basketball goal system may include a base, a support structure and/or a basketball goal. The basketball goal may include a backboard, a rim or a hoop and/or a net; and the support structure may include one or more support members. The basketball rim may have a displaceable (or break away) configuration or a fixed configuration, and the basketball backboard may have a variety of suitable configurations and arrangements. The support structure may be connected to the basketball goal and may help support the basketball goal at a desired height about a playing surface. The support structure may have various configurations depending, for example, upon the type of basketball system and the support structure may allow the height of the basketball goal to be varied. The support structure may also be movable between a plurality of positions, such as between an extended or use position and a collapsed or storage position. [0009] Another aspect is a basketball goal system that may be part of a portable basketball system that is selectively moved from one location to another location. Desirably, the portable basketball goal system is readily capable of being moved. Advantageously, the portable basketball goal system may be quickly and easily moved from one location to another and the basketball goal system may be moved by one or more persons. The basketball goal system may also be fixed at a particular location, if desired [0010] Yet another aspect is a basketball goal system that may include a base and the base may be sized and configured to receive ballast such as sand or water. For example, the base may include a hollow interior portion that is sized and configured to received ballast and/or a relatively large surface or portion upon which ballast may be placed. Advantageously, the base may be constructed from relatively lightweight materials, such as plastic, which may allow the basketball goal system to be easily shipped and transported. In addition, the base could be constructed from blow-molded plastic which may help create a lightweight, rigid and sturdy structure. [0011] Still another aspect is a basketball goal system that may include a rim and a cover for the rim. The rim cover may include a sleeve, guard or the like and it may enclose at least a portion of a rim. The rim cover may also receive and/or retain at least a portion of the rim such as the net hooks. Advantageously, the rim cover may help prevent inadvertent contact with the net hooks and/or may help the securely attach a net to the rim. The rim cover may also permit the rim to be used without the net, if desired, which may provide a different and/or cleaner appearance. Additionally, the rim cover may give the rim a bigger, more durable-looking appearance that may be appealing to consumers. In addition, the rim cover is preferably constructed from relatively lightweight and durable materials such as plastic, but the cover could be constructed from metal or other suitable materials. Further, the rim cover may be attached to the rim using a snap fit, a friction fit, an interference fit, fasteners, adhesives or other suitable devices or means. [0012] Still yet another aspect is a basketball goal system that may include a rim brace and a cover for the rim brace. The brace cover may include a sleeve, guard or the like and it may enclose at least a portion of the brace. The brace cover may also be sized and configured to be attached to the brace by, for example, one or more fasteners and the brace cover may be sized and configured to appear like and/or enclose shock absorber. In particular, the brace cover may include a generally helical portion that may be similar to that of a shock absorber. In addition, the brace cover may be constructed from relatively lightweight and durable materials such as plastic, but the cover may be constructed from metal or other suitable materials. Further, the brace cover may be attached to the brace using a snap fit, a friction fit, an interference fit, fasteners, adhesives or other suitable devices or means. [0013] A further aspect is a basketball goal system that may include a rim and a connecting member with a first portion, such as an upper plate, and a second portion, such as a back plate. The basketball goal system also may include a basketball backboard support assembly that is sized and configured to support the backboard. The backboard support assembly may include one or more support arms and a first bracket may be connected to the support arms. The first bracket may be connected to a biasing member, such as a compression spring, and the connecting member. The biasing member is preferably connected to a rear portion of the first bracket and the back plate of the connecting member is preferably connected to a front portion of the first bracket. Advantageously, this may help hide the biasing member from view. The basketball goal system may also include a second bracket that is connected to the support arms and rim braces, which may allow the rim to temporarily move or shift to create a displaceable or break away type rim. [0014] A still further aspect is a basketball goal system that may include a backboard with a rebound member and a frame. The frame may be constructed from blow-molded plastic and it may include a hollow interior portion that is formed during the blow-molding process. The frame may be relatively lightweight, which may allow it to be easily transported and stored, and the frame may be straightforwardly constructed and assembled. Further, because the frame may be lightweight, it may not require a large support structure to support the backboard above the playing surface. [0015] Another aspect is a basketball goal system that may include a backboard with a rebound member and a frame. The outer periphery of the frame may have a generally rectangular configuration with generally parallel disposed upper and lower surfaces. The outer periphery of the frame, however, may also be curved, fan-shaped or have other desired shapes and configurations. The frame may include a generally open center portion, which may help decrease the weight of the frame. The frame may also include a support structure that divides the frame into one or more areas. For example, the support structure could divide the frame into four distinctive areas with a right side portion, left side portion, upper center portion and lower center portion. Advantageously, the support structure may allow the basketball backboard and/or rebound member to be securely supported. [0016] Still another aspect is a basketball goal system that may include a backboard with a rebound member that is bonded to a frame by an adhesive. For example, the rebound member may be a generally flat, planar structure that is constructed from acrylic, such as an acrylic sheet. The acrylic sheet is preferably a translucent, transparent or semi-transparent material that allows light to be transmitted through the rebound member. Advantageously, this may allow a backboard with a professional appearance to be created. The rebound member may be attached to the frame by an elastomeric adhesive and the rebound member may be spaced from the frame by a bond gap. Significantly, the size of the bond gap may be controlled by bond gap spacers, which may be structural elements of the frame, beads disposed within the adhesive or the like. [0017] These and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments and appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: [0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary basketball goal; [0020] FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the basketball goal shown in FIG. 1; Continue reading... Full patent description for Basketball goal system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Basketball goal system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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