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Basketball systemRelated 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.)Basketball system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070213147, Basketball system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/778,694, filed Mar. 3, 2006 and entitled BASKETBALL SYSTEM, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention generally relates to a basketball system and, in particular, to a portable basketball system and a basketball goal. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] The game of basketball is played by many people throughout the world. Briefly, the game of basketball typically includes a flat and level playing surface with a basketball goal at each end of the court. The basketball goal, which may include a backboard and a rim or hoop, is typically attached to the top of a support pole. The rim or hoop is normally located ten feet above the playing surface and the backboard may be constructed from materials such as wood, plastic or tempered glass. [0006] Conventional basketball goals typically include a backboard that is positioned perpendicular to the playing surface and a rim that is positioned parallel to the playing surface. The rim of many conventional basketball goals is rigidly mounted to the basketball backboard, but the rim may also be pivotally mounted to the backboard to create a breakaway type rim. The rims of some conventional basketball goals may be relatively weak and can undesirably bend or break when a large force is applied to the rim, such as when a player dunks a basketball or hangs from the rim. [0007] Known basketball systems may by permanently secured in a fixed location by, for example, inserting an end of the support pole into the ground. Known basketball systems may also be part of a portable basketball system that is capable of being moved from one location to another. For example, the support pole may be connected to a base and the base may be filed with ballast material, such as sand or water. Undesirably, some known portable basketball systems can be inadvertently moved. For instance, while the basketball system is being used, it may inadvertently be moved out of position. If this occurs, the basketball system may have to be repositioned, which may undesirably take time and interrupt playing basketball. BRIEF SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION [0008] A need therefore exists for a basketball system that eliminates or diminishes the disadvantages and problems described above. [0009] One aspect is a basketball system that may include a basketball goal, which may include a backboard, a rim and a net. The basketball system may also include a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal at a desired height above a playing surface. The support structure may support the basketball goal at a fixed height or the height of the basketball goal may be adjustable. In addition, the basketball system may be sized and configured to be fixed in permanent location or be part of a portable basketball system. Further, the basketball system may have various shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system. The basketball system may also include various parts and components depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system. [0010] Another aspect is a basketball system that may include a support structure which includes a support pole. The support pole may consist of a unitary, one-piece structure or it may include multiple pieces that are interconnected. The bottom portion of the support pole may be connected to a base, which may be used to create a portable basketball system. For example, the base may include a hollow interior portion that is formed from blow-molded plastic and the base may be filled with ballast material, such as sand or water. Advantageously, all or a portion of the support pole may be packaged with the base, which may facilitate shipping. For example, the top portion of the base may include an elongated opening and at least a portion of the support pole may be inserted into the opening. In greater detail, the opening may allow the support pole to be disposed at an angle. The opening may also allow at least a portion of the support pole to be disposed in the hollow interior portion of the base. Because all or a portion of the support pole may be disposed in the elongated opening and/or within the base, this may reduce the amount of required storage space and/or the size of the packaging, which may decrease shipping and storage costs. [0011] Still another aspect is basketball system that may include a support pole, which may be movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, and a base. The top portion of the base may include an opening that is in communication with a hollow interior portion of the base, and the opening may be sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the support pole in the collapsed position. Advantageously, because the opening may be disposed in the top portion of the base, the base may be quickly and easily filled with ballast. In addition, the opening is preferably elongated to allow the support pole to be disposed at an angle within the base. The support pole, however, could be disposed in other suitable locations and positions within the base, and the opening could have other suitable shapes, sizes, arrangements and configurations depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system. [0012] Yet another aspect is a basketball system is a basketball system that may include a support member. The support member is preferably constructed from a rigid material, such as metal, and may be disposed proximate a front portion of the base. The support member may be sized and configured to be connected to a support surface, such as a playing surface or the ground. Advantageously, this may help secure the basketball system in a fixed position. In addition, if the support structure is connected to the support member, then this may help secure the support structure in a fixed position, which may help secure the basketball system in a fixed location. Thus, when it is desired to secure the basketball system in a fixed location, the support member may be connected to the support surface. On the other hand, when it is desired to move the basketball system, the support member may be disconnected from the support surface. If desired, one or more wheels may be connected to the support member or other portions of the basketball system to facilitate movement of the basketball system. [0013] A further aspect is a basketball system that may include one or more braces connected to the support pole and the support member. In particular, a first brace may be attached to one side of the support pole and one end of the support member, and a second brace may be connected to the other side of the support pole and the other end of the support member. Advantageously, if the braces are connected to the sides of the support pole, then the braces may provide lateral support to the support pole. It will be appreciated that the braces may be connected to the support pole and the support member using one or more brackets, fasteners, connectors and the like. [0014] Desirably, the braces may have a low profile that may help prevent the braces from interfering with use of the basketball system because, for instance, the braces may be unlikely to be stepped on or contacted while the basketball system is used. In particular, the braces may be disposed proximate to the support surface, the support member and/or the base to create a low-profile type brace. For example, the low-profile braces may include a top portion and a bottom portion, and the top portion may be disposed less than about 8 to 12 inches (20.3 centimeters to 30.5 centimeters) from the support surface, the m support member and/or the base. In addition, the low-profile braces may be disposed at a relatively small angle relative to the support surface, the support member and/or the base. Moreover, if desired, at least a substantial portion of the low-profile braces may be disposed within receiving portions formed in the base. It will be appreciated, however, that low-profile type braces are not required and the braces may be disposed in any suitable positions, configurations and arrangements relative to the support surface, the support member and/or the base depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system. [0015] A still further aspect is a basketball system that may include a basketball goal with a rim assembly. The rim assembly may include a rim, a mounting member connected to the rim and one or more braces connected to the rim and the mounting member. The rim assembly may also include reinforcing members, which may be quickly and easily added or connected to the rim assembly. Advantageously, because the reinforcing members are not required, the reinforcing members may be manufactured, shipped and/or stored separately from the other portions of the rim assembly. Exemplary reinforcing members may include tie rods that can be connected to and/or at least partially disposed between the braces and to the rim to help strengthen and/or reinforce the braces. Another exemplary reinforcing member may be a ring or similar hoop-shaped structure. For example, a first ring may be connected to the rim assembly and a second ring may be connected to the first ring to may help strengthen and/or reinforce the first ring. It will be appreciated that the rim assembly may include other suitable reinforcing members with appropriate shapes, sizes, arrangements and configurations. [0016] 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 [0017] 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: [0018] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an exemplary basketball system; [0019] FIG. 2 a rear perspective view of the basketball system shown in FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 3 is a front view of the basketball system shown in FIG. 1; Continue reading about Basketball system... Full patent description for Basketball system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Basketball 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Basketball system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Apparatus and method for a court ball game Next Patent Application: Basketball rim assembly Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Basketball system patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.27496 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
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