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Basketball goalsRelated 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, With Height Adjustment FeatureBasketball goals description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080090682, Basketball goals. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of copending U.S. utility application entitled, "Basketball Goal Systems," having Ser. No. 11/238,268, filed Sep. 29, 2005, which claims priority to copending U.S. provisional application entitled, "BASKETBALL GOAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS," having Ser. No. 60/632,395, filed Dec. 1, 2004, all of which are entirely incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to basketball equipment, and more particularly, to basketball goal systems. BACKGROUND [0003] As the popularity of basketball has continued to increase, so has the availability of a diverse selection of basketball goals. Gone are the days of plywood nailed to the side of a garage, wherein a rusty metal rim and a chain-link net often completed the goal. Backboard options are now plentiful, ranging from inexpensive molded, opaque plastic versions to higher end acrylic or tempered glass models. Lighted rims and other specialty items are also available to enable specialized and uniquely stylized goal configurations. [0004] In addition to backboard and rim developments, advances have continued with respect to the design of the main upright support pole and the configuration of the attachment of the backboard thereto. At least some reconfigurations of the support pole connections aesthetically improved the view through acrylic backboards, while some others have been directed toward strengthening the rim support. Other changes to the upright support pole have focused on facilitating backboard height adjustment mechanisms. [0005] Numerous systems enable adjustment of backboard and goal height relative to the player. One simply constructed version provides a series of selectable backboard mounting apertures, thereby enabling mounting of the backboard at a first particular height, and subsequent re-mounting of the backboard at a second, or different height. While such a system does enable a basketball goal to "grow" with a child, it requires generally complete disassembly in order to adjust the height, and is thus disadvantageous for gyms, arenas or home courts where children and/or adults of varying heights and/or skills interactively play. [0006] Other more sophisticated adjustable height versions enable adjustment without removal of the backboard, wherein on-board mechanisms are provided about or within the main support pole. Some such mechanisms manipulate the height of the pole, and thus indirectly influence the height of the backboard by changing the height of the pole. Other mechanisms involve manipulation of a backboard support arm or arms about a pivot point. Unfortunately, the design of some pivot-type adjustable goals disadvantageously results in often a significant non-standardized overhang at some heights, preventing use in some environments. That is, the distance between the main support pole and the backboard is not constant or substantially constant, and thus the standard high school, college and professional basketball dimensional requirement of four feet (4') for the overhang is not maintained for all goal heights. Still other designs disadvantageously limit the range of adjustability. [0007] Some pivot-type adjustable goals are disadvantageous because backboard support is limited to a single arm connected behind the rim. Although such designs can potentially increase direct support of the rim, which can be advantageous during aggressive play, single arm support designs disadvantageously allow potentially damaging backboard torque. Unchecked backboard torque can lead to goal breakage, and possible player injuries as a result thereof. [0008] In an effort to limit backboard torque, some pivot-type adjustable height designs provide for two support arms, defining a V-shape support structure, and others provide four support arms, wherein each arm is secured to the backboard, thereby defining a parallelogram configuration. Although such designs can be beneficial for counteracting backboard torque, additional improvements are still needed to ensure more durability. SUMMARY [0009] Embodiments of basketball goal systems are disclosed. One embodiment, among others, comprises a rim connection assembly coupled to a support structure, the rim connection assembly comprising a support plate coupled to a backboard frame, a rim, and a plurality of tubular members through which portions of the rim are inserted and from which the rim is secured to the support plate, wherein the plurality of tubular members are configured to maintain a gap between the goal rim and a substrate corresponding to the backboard frame. [0010] Other systems, features, and advantages of the disclosed systems will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, features, and advantages be included within this description and be within the scope of the disclosure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosed systems. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. [0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an embodiment of a basketball goal system. [0013] FIG. 2 is a side view of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 3A is an aerial perspective view of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 3B is a lower angled view of a rear wall of a bracket of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 4 is an aerial view of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1. [0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1, showing the backboard goal in a low-height position. [0018] FIGS. 6A-6G are various schematic diagrams showing embodiments of a height-adjustment mechanism and cooperating components of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1. [0019] FIGS. 7A and 7B are various schematic diagrams showing a rim connection assembly of the basketball goal system of FIG. 1. Continue reading about Basketball goals... Full patent description for Basketball goals Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Basketball goals patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. 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