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A deformable basketball goal support structure configured to selectively engage a rigid upright member and allow for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal support structure has a backboard and an attachment member configured to selectively connect

A deformable basketball goal support structure configured to selectively engage a rigid upright member and allow for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface. The basketball goal support structure has a backboard and an attachment member configured to selectively connect the goal support structure to the upright member. At least one support arm pivotally attaches between the attachment member and the backboard. Preferably, a pair of first support arms and a pair of second support arms pivotally attach between the attachment member and the backboard. The backboard includes a support frame having an internal periphery sufficient for receiving at least a portion of the attachment member and the support arms. The attachment member and the support arms, in combination, form a deformable parallelogrammic structure positionable between an extended position for game play and a collapsed position wherein at least a portion of the attachment member and the support arms are positioned within the internal periphery of the backboard and lie substantially flat against the backboard. The attachment member and the support arms may be generally disposed in the same plane as the backboard thereby forming a compact system when packaging or storing the basketball goal support structure.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A deformable basketball goal support structure configured to selectively engage a rigid upright member and allow for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface, the basketball goal support structure comprising:an attachment member configured to connect the goal support

1. A deformable basketball goal support structure configured to selectively engage a rigid upright member and allow for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface, the basketball goal support structure comprising:an attachment member configured to connect the goal support structure to the upright member, the attachment member including an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being configured to connect the goal support structure to the upright member; a backboard having an internal periphery disposed within a rear portion of the backboard, the backboard including an upper portion and a lower portion; and at least one support arm pivotally attached between the attachment member and the backboard, the attachment member and the at least one support arm forming at least a portion of a deformable structure that is movable between an extended position for game play and a collapsed position, at least a majority of the attachment member and the at least one support arm being positioned within the internal periphery of the backboard when the deformable structure is in the collapsed position to facilitate packaging of the basketball goal support structure; wherein the upper end of the attachment member is disposed proximate the upper portion of the backboard and the lower end of the attachment member is disposed proximate the lower portion of the backboard when the deformable structure is in the collapsed position; and wherein the upper end of the attachment member is spaced apart from the backboard and the lower end of the attachment member is spaced apart from the backboard when the deformable structure is in the extended position. 2. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the attachment member has a length that is less than a distance between the upper portion of the backboard and the lower portion of the backboard.3. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the attachment member is at least substantially disposed within the internal periphery of the backboard when the deformable structure is in the collapsed position.4. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the attachment member is configured to lie substantially flat against the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.5. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the at least one support arm is at least substantially disposed within the internal periphery of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.6. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the at least one support arm is configured to lie substantially flat against the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.7. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a first support arm and a second support arm that are pivotally attached between the attachment member and the backboard.8. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 7, wherein at least a portion of the second support arm is at least substantially disposed within the internal periphery of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.9. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 7, wherein the second support arm is at least substantially disposed within the internal periphery of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.10. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the backboard is constructed from blow molded plastic.11. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 10, further comprising a frame that is integrally formed in the backboard as part of the blow molding process.12. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the attachment member and the at least one support arm are configured to rest in substantially the same plane when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.13. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the at least one support arm and the attachment member are at least substantially disposed within the internal periphery when the deformable support is in the collapsed position.14. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 1, wherein the backboard includes a support frame.15. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 14, wherein the at least one support arm comprises a pair of first support arms and a pair of second support arms, each of the support arms pivotally attached between the attachment member and the support frame of the backboard.16. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 15, wherein the pair of first support arms are spaced apart and substantially parallel to the pair of second support arms when the deformable basketball goal support structure is in the extended position for game play; and wherein the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms, the backboard and the attachment member have a generally parallelogram configuration when the deformable basketball goal support structure is in the extended position for game play.17. The basketball goal support structure as claim 16, wherein the backboard is constructed from blow molded plastic.18. The basketball goal support structure as claim 17, wherein the backboard includes a frame that is integrally formed in the backboard as part of a one-piece structure during the blow molding process.19. A deformable basketball goal support structure configured to selectively engage a rigid upright member and allow for adjustment of the height of a basketball goal above a playing surface, the basketball goal support structure comprising:an attachment member configured to connect the goal support structure to the upright member, the attachment member including an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being configured to connect the goal support structure to the upright member; a backboard having a support frame defining an internal periphery, the backboard including an upper portion and a lower portion; a first support arm pivotally secured between the attachment member and the backboard; and a second support arm pivotally secured between the attachment member and the backboard, the attachment member and the first and second support arms forming a deformable structure movable between an extended position for game play and a collapsed position, the attachment member, the backboard, the first support arm and the second support arm having a generally parallelogram configuration when the deformable structure is in the extended position for game play, at least a portion of the attachment member and the first and second support arms being positioned within the internal periphery of the support frame of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position to facilitate packaging of the basketball goal support structure; wherein the upper end of the attachment member is disposed proximate the upper portion of the backboard and the lower end of the attachment member is disposed proximate the lower portion of the backboard when the deformable structure is in the collapsed position; and wherein the upper end of the attachment member is spaced apart from the backboard and the lower end of the attachment member is spaced apart from the backboard when the deformable structure is in the extended position. 20. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the attachment member has a length that is less than a distance between the upper portion of the backboard and the lower portion of the backboard.21. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the attachment member is disposed within the internal periphery of the support frame of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.22. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the attachment member is configured to lie substantially flat against the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.23. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the first support arm is disposed within the internal periphery of the support frame of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.24. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the first support arm is configured to lie substantially flat against the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.25. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein at least a portion of the second support arm is disposed within the internal periphery of the support frame of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.26. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the second support arm is disposed within the internal periphery of the support frame of the backboard when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.27. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the attachment member and the support arms are configured to rest in substantially the same plane when the deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.28. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the backboard is constructed from blow molded plastic.29. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 28, wherein the frame is integrally formed in the backboard as part of a one-piece structure during the blow molding process.30. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the first support arm, the second support arm and the attachment member are disposed within the internal periphery when deformable structure is disposed in the collapsed position.31. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 19, wherein the first support arm includes a pair of first support arms and the second support arm includes a pair of second support arms, each of the support arms pivotedly attached between the attachment member and the support frame of the backboard.32. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 31, wherein the pair of first support arms are spaced apart and substantially parallel to the pair of second support arms when the deformable structure is disposed in the extended position.33. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 32, wherein the backboard is constructed from blow molded plastic.34. The basketball goal support structure as in claim 33, wherein the backboard includes a frame that is integrally formed in the backboard as part of a one-piece structure during the blow molding process.35. A basketball goal system that is movable between a use position that facilitates playing the game of basketball and a collapsed position that facilitates packaging of the basketball goal system, the basketball goal system comprising:a backboard including a front face and a rear face, the backboard having a maximum height measured from a lower portion to an upper portion; a basketball goal disposed proximate the front face of the backboard; a pair of first support arms, each of the pair of first support arms having a length; a pair of second support arms, each of the pair of second support arms having a length; and a support member having a length measured from a lower end to an upper end, the pair of first support arms and the pair of second support at least partially interconnecting the backboard and the support member, the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms, the backboard and the support member having a generally parallelogram configuration when the basketball goal system is in the use position; wherein the length of the support member, the length of the first support arms and the length of the second support arms are generally equal to or less than the maximum height of the backboard; wherein the support member, the pair of first support arms and the pair of second support arms are generally positioned adjacent to the rear face of the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; wherein the upper end of the attachment member is disposed proximate the upper portion of the backboard and the lower end of the attachment member is disposed proximate the lower portion of the backboard when the deformable structure is in the collapsed position; and wherein the upper end of the attachment member is spaced apart from the backboard and the lower end of the attachment member is spaced apart from the backboard when the deformable structure is in the extended position. 36. The basketball goal system as in claim 35, wherein the backboard is constructed from blow-molded plastic.37. The basketball goal system as in claim 35, further comprising a rearwardly extending portion extending from the rear surface of the backboard, the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms and the support member being generally disposed within the rearwardly extending portion when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position.38. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the rearwardly extending portion is a lip disposed about the perimeter of the backboard.39. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the rearwardly extending portion extends completely around the perimeter of the backboard.40. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the backboard is constructed from blow-molded plastic and the rearwardly extending portion is a lip that is integrally formed with the backboard to form a unitary, one-piece structure.41. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the rearwardly extending portion is a frame that is attached to the rear surface of the backboard.42. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the rearwardly extending portion has a length that is generally equal to or larger than a width of the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms or the support member.43. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the rearwardly extending portion and the rear surface of the backboard generally form an envelope; and wherein the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms and the support member are generally disposed within the envelope when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position.44. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms and the support member are generally aligned in the same plane when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position.45. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, further comprising a plane generally aligned with an outer surface of the rearwardly extending portion; and wherein the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms and the elongated member are generally disposed between the rear face of the backboard and the plane generally aligned with the outer surface of the rearwardly extending portion.46. The basketball goal system as in claim 37, wherein the pair of first support arms, the pair of second support arms and the elongated member are generally aligned in the same plane and positioned within a boundary generally defined by an outer perimeter of the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position.47. The basketball goal system as in claim 35, further comprising a height adjustment mechanism that is sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal system to be adjusted.48. The basketball goal system as in claim 35, further comprising a support pole with a first end and a second end, the first end being attached to the elongated member to support the backboard and basketball goal above a playing surface.49. The basketball goal system as in claim 48, further comprising a base attached to the second end of the support pole, the base including a generally hollow interior portion that is sized and configured to be filled with a ballast material.50. The basketball goal system as in claim 49, wherein the base includes a recess that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the support pole when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position.