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Support structure for a 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.), Backboard Or Support Structure ThereforSupport structure for a basketball system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060194654, Support structure for a 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. 60/632,128, filed Dec. 1, 2004 and entitled SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A BASKETBALL GOAL SYSTEM, 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 support structure and, in particular, to a support structure that may be used to support at least a portion of a basketball system. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] Basketball is an increasingly popular sport in the United States and abroad. There are many cities, counties and other associations that sponsor professional, recreational and instruction leagues where people of all ages can participate in the sport of basketball. Today there are organized leagues for children as young as five and six years old. Accordingly, is not surprising that more and more people play basketball and/or own a basketball system. [0006] A conventional basketball system often includes a basketball goal, which may include a backboard, a rim and a net, that is positioned above a playing surface at a desired height. In some systems, an elongated support member, such as a support pole or post, is used to support the basketball goal above the playing surface. The basketball goal is typically positioned so that the rim is ten feet above the playing surface, but it is known to adjust the height of the basketball goal to allow, for example, children to play basketball. [0007] Conventional basketball systems may be used in variety of locations, such as parks, schools, gymnasiums and playgrounds, to allow basketball to be played. In addition, it may be desirable to play basketball at home. Basketball systems that are used at home are typically either portable or permanently-mounted systems. Portable basketball systems are often relatively lightweight and may include a base that can be transported from one location to another through the use of wheels. The base can be filled with ballast material, such as sand or water, when the portable basketball system is located in the desired location to prevent the portable basketball system from undesirably moving. Permanently-mounted basketball systems, on the other hand, are typically larger and heavier systems that are designed to be fixed permanently in place. For example, conventional permanently-mounted basketball systems may be attached to a concrete mounting block or a similar mounting structure. [0008] Conventional permanently-mounted basketball systems may be somewhat difficult to assemble and install. For example, many conventional permanently-mounted basketball systems are attached to a concrete mounting block with four upwardly protruding bolts that are arranged into a square configuration. These known permanently-mounted basketball systems may include a base plate affixed to the elongated support member and the base plate may include holes that are sized and configured to receive the four upwardly protruding bolts. The elongated support member and the base plate are typically lifted off the ground, in a vertical orientation, and then set down so that each hole of the base plate is aligned with a bolt. Unfortunately many conventional permanently-mounted basketball systems are heavy and difficult to lift. In addition, many conventional permanently-mounted basketball systems are often large, bulky and awkward to move. Consequently, the task of lifting conventional permanently-mounted basketball systems in the vertical orientation, moving the structure over the upwardly protruding bolts and aligning the holes of the base plate with the upwardly extending bolts is often a difficult operation that normally requires the use of several strong adults. [0009] In addition, because the basketball goal is often relatively heavy and the basketball system may be subject to large forces, such as when a person dunks a basketball or hangs from the rim, known basketball systems typically have a heavy-duty support pole or post. This may be true whether the support pole is part of a permanent or portable basketball system. The heavy-duty support pole is typically constructed from metal, such as steel, and the pole is typically a tube or cylinder with large, thick outer walls. Thus, many conventional basketball systems include a support pole that is constructed from heavy-duty, large gauge steel tubing. [0010] Conventional basketball systems, however, may still not be sturdy enough to prevent damage to portions of the system, such as the elongated support pole or the base plate, when large forces are applied to the system. For example, the support pole and/or the connection of the support pole to the base plate may be damaged when large forces are applied to the system. In addition, the support pole and/or the connection of the support pole to the base plate may be cracked, bent or otherwise damaged when repeatedly subjected to such forces. [0011] Conventional basketball systems with support poles constructed from heavy-duty, large gauge steel tubing may be relatively expensive because of the cost of the support pole. In addition, the large gauge steel tubing may increase the overall weight of the basketball system, which may increase the cost of shipping the system. This large weight may also deter customers from purchasing the basketball system because it may be very difficult to load the basketball system into their vehicles, transport the basketball system home, position the basketball system in the desired location and/or install the basketball system. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] A need therefore exists for a basketball system that reduces or eliminates the above-described disadvantages and problems. [0013] One aspect is a basketball system that may include a basketball goal. The basketball goal may include a backboard, a rim and a net. The basketball rim, for example, 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 basketball system may also include a support member, such as a support pole or post, which may be connected to the basketball goal and help support the basketball goal at a desired height above a playing surface. If desired, the height of the basketball goal above the playing surface may be adjustable. The basketball goal, support member and other portions of the basketball system may have a variety of suitable arrangements, configurations and the like depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system. [0014] Another aspect is a basketball system that may include a support member and a base. For example, the support member may include a basketball goal connected to one end and a base connected to the other end. The base may be sized and configured to be position the support member in a desired position and/or location. In addition, the base may be connected to the support surface or structure. For instance, the base may include a plate that is connected to the support member and the support surface or structure. The base may also include a second plate that could be connected, for example, to the first plate and the support surface or structure. The plates are preferably constructed from metal and welded in position, but the plates may be constructed from other suitable materials and connected using other appropriate processes and methods. [0015] Still another aspect is a basketball system that may include a base that is connected to a desired portion of the support member. For example, the base may be connected to the bottom portion of the support member or the end of the support member may extend through and/or beyond the base. The base and the support member may be integrally formed as part of a unitary structure, if desired. [0016] A further aspect is a basketball system that may include a reinforcing structure that is sized and configured to help increase the strength and/or rigidity of the connection between the support member and the base. Advantageously, the reinforcing structure may help reinforce and/or fortify the connection of the support member and the base. In addition, the reinforcing structure may help prevent or reduce cracking, bending and other damage to the support member and/or base by, for example, absorbing energy that might otherwise damage the system. Significantly, the reinforcing structure may also permit the support member and/or base to be constructed from thinner and/or lighter materials, which may allow the weight and/or cost of the basketball system to be decreased. [0017] A still further aspect is a basketball system that may include a reinforcing structure with one or more reinforcing members. Advantageously, the reinforcing members may be connected to the support member and/or the base in one or more suitable positions. For example, the support member and the base may include a front portion, a rear portion, a left side and a right side. One reinforcing member may be attached to the right, rear portion of the support member and the support plate, and another reinforcing portion may be attached to the left, rear portion of the support member and the support plate. Desirably, the reinforcing members are disposed at an angle relative to the support member and the base. It will be appreciated that the reinforcing members could be attached in a variety of suitable locations, arrangement and configurations. It will also be appreciated that the reinforcing members could have a variety of suitable shapes, sizes and forms. [0018] Another aspect is a basketball system that may include reinforcing members that have a generally non-linear outer edge, such as angled, curvilinear, jagged, and the like. Advantageously, the non-linear shape of the outer edge may help increase the strength, rigidity, and/or flexibility of the connection between the support member and the base. In addition, the reinforcing members may have a generally non-planar outer surface. The non-planar surface may also help increase the strength, rigidity, and/or flexibility of the connection between the support member and the plate. The generally non-linear outer edge and/or a generally non-planar outer surface may also define at least a portion of an inwardly extending portion or recess, which may also help increase the strength, rigidity, and/or flexibility of the connection between the support member and the plate. [0019] Still another aspect is a basketball system that may include reinforcing members with a generally triangular configuration. The reinforcing members may also include an extension that extends from the generally triangular portion. Advantageously, the generally triangular portion and/or the extension may help increase the strength, rigidity, and/or flexibility of the connection between the support member and the plate. [0020] Yet another aspect is a basketball system that may include a reinforcement structure that includes one or more reinforcement members and one or more intermediate portions. For example, the reinforcement structure may include a first reinforcement member, a second reinforcement member and an intermediate portion. The first and second reinforcement members may be spaced apart from each other and the intermediate portion may be at least disposed between the first and second reinforcement members. The intermediate portion preferably interconnects the first and second reinforcement members, but the reinforcement members do not have to be connected. The first and second reinforcement portions may have a generally triangular configuration and the intermediate portion may have a generally rectangular configuration with an inner surface adapted to abut and/or be secured to the support member. Advantageously, the reinforcement members and the intermediate portion may help increase the strength, rigidity, and/or flexibility of the connection between the support member and the plate. In addition, the reinforcement members and the intermediate portion may be formed integrally as a one piece component or as separate components. [0021] Yet another aspect is a basketball system that may include a reinforcement structure with a first reinforcing member having a body and an extension, and a second reinforcing member with a body and an extension. The reinforcement members may be spaced apart from each other, if desired. The bodies of the reinforcement members preferably have a generally triangular-shaped configuration and the extensions of the reinforcement members preferably have a generally rectangular-shaped configuration. Continue reading about Support structure for a basketball system... 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