초록 ▼

The portable basketball system allows a basketball goal to be positioned in a desired location and readily moved to another location. The portable basketball system may include a basketball goal, a pole or support structure that supports the basketball goal above a playing surface, and a base that

The portable basketball system allows a basketball goal to be positioned in a desired location and readily moved to another location. The portable basketball system may include a basketball goal, a pole or support structure that supports the basketball goal above a playing surface, and a base that maintains the support structure in a generally upward direction. The portable basketball system may also include an adjustment assembly that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the playing surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is readily movable relative to the playing surface. The adjustment assembly may include a bracket, an arm, a link pivotally connecting the arm to the bracket, and a wheel assembly connected to the bracket. Desirably, at least a portion of the base contacts the playing surface when the adjustment assembly is in the first position to maintain the basketball goal in the generally fixed location.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention claimed is: 1. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a support structure being sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface; a base being sized and configured to support the support structure, and an adjustment assembly that is capa

The invention claimed is: 1. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a support structure being sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface; a base being sized and configured to support the support structure, and an adjustment assembly that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the playing surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is readily movable relative to the playing surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket at least partially disposed within a recess in the base; an arm disposed proximate to the bracket, the arm being separate and distinct from the bracket; a link pivotally connecting the arm to the bracket to provide a first connection between the arm and the bracket, the link including a first portion pivotally connected to the arm and a second portion pivotally connected to the bracket; and a wheel assembly connected to the bracket and the arm, the wheel assembly providing a second connection between the arm and the bracket that is distinct from the first connection between the arm and the bracket; wherein at least a portion of the base contacts the playing surface when the adjustment assembly is in the first position. 2. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly includes a wheel at least partially disposed within the bracket. 3. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein the bracket has generally U-shaped configuration with a first side, a second side and a connection portion. 4. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly includes an axle with one or more wheels attached to the axle. 5. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly includes an axle and the arm rotates about the axle of the wheel assembly when the adjustment assembly is moved from the first position to the second position. 6. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, further comprising a wheel attached to the base. 7. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein movement of the adjustment assembly between the first position and the second position does not require substantial tilting of the base. 8. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the base remains generally parallel to the playing surface when the adjustment assembly is moved between the first position and the second position. 9. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the arm, the handle being sized and configured to move the adjustment assembly between the first position and the second position. 10. The portable basketball system of claim 1, wherein the wheel assembly includes an axle that is disposed through an opening in the arm and a slot in the bracket, the axle being movable within the slot when the adjustment assembly moves between the first position and the second position. 11. The portable basketball system of claim 1, wherein the bracket is pivotally connected to the base to allow the wheel assembly to turn relative to the base. 12. The portable basketball system as in claim 1, further comprising an interior cavity of the base that is sized and configured to receive ballast material. 13. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a support structure being sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface; a base being sized and configured to support the support structure, and an adjustment assembly that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the playing surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is readily movable relative to the playing surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket at least partially disposed within a recess in the base; an arm disposed proximate to the bracket; a link pivotally connecting the arm to the bracket; and a wheel assembly connected to the bracket and the arm; wherein at least a portion of the base contacts the playing surface when the adjustment assembly is in the first position; wherein the wheel assembly includes an axle that is disposed through an opening in the arm and a slot in the bracket, the axle being movable within the slot when the adjustment assembly moves between the first position and the second position; and wherein the bracket is pivotally connected to the base to allow the wheel assembly to turn relative to the base. 14. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a support structure being sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface; a base being sized and configured to support the support structure, and an adjustment assembly that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the playing surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is readily movable relative to the playing surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket at least partially disposed within a recess in the base; an arm disposed proximate to the bracket; a link pivotally connecting the arm to the bracket; and a wheel assembly connected to the bracket and the arm; wherein at least a portion of the base contacts the playing surface when the adjustment assembly is in the first position; and wherein the bracket includes two generally opposing sides and an axle of the wheel assembly is disposed within a slot in the two generally opposing sides, the axle being movable within the slots when the adjustment assembly moves between the first position and the second position. 15. A portable sports system that is sized and configured to be positioned on a support surface, the portable sports system comprising: a base include an interior cavity that is capable of receiving ballast material; and an adjustable transport assembly connected to the base, the adjustable transport assembly comprising: a wheel assembly including an axle; and an adjustment assembly that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable sports system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the support surface and a second position in which the portable sports system is readily movable relative to the support surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket; a pair of arms disposed on each side of the bracket, each arm of the pair of arms being separate and distinct from the bracket; and a pair of links connecting the arms to the bracket to provide a first connection between the pair of arms and the bracket, each link being sized and configured so that movement of the adjustment assembly from the first position to the second position corresponds to a change in position of the base member, each link including a first portion connected to one of the arms and a second portion connected to the bracket; wherein the wheel assembly is connected to the pair of arms and the bracket to provide a second connection between the pair of arms and the bracket that is distinct from the first connection between the pair of arms and the bracket. 16. The portable sports system as in claim 15, wherein the adjustable transport assembly is rotatably attached to the base member. 17. The portable sports system as in claim 15, further comprising a handle connected to the pair of arms, wherein motion of the handle towards the support surface corresponds to motion of the base member away from the support surface, and motion of the handle away from be support surface corresponds to motion of the base member toward the support surface. 18. A portable basketball system for use in connection with a support surface, the portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a support structure supporting the basketball goal above the support surface; a base being sized and configured to support the support structure, the base including an interior cavity that is capable of receiving ballast material, the base including a lower portion that is sized and configured to contact the support surface; and an adjustment assembly that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the support surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is movable relative to the support surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket including at least one elongated slot; an arm disposed proximate to the bracket and including an opening; a link pivotally connecting the arm and the bracket; a portion of a wheel assembly disposed through the at least one elongated slot in the bracket and the opening in the arm, the movement of the adjustment assembly from the first position to the second position causes the portion of the wheel assembly to move within the slot; and a handle connected to the arm. 19. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a base; a support structure interconnecting the base and the basketball goal; and an adjustment assembly movable relative to the base between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to a playing surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is movable relative to the playing surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket, an arm, a link pivotally attaching the arm and the bracket, a wheel assembly including an axle that is disposed through an opening in the arm and an elongated slot in the bracket, and a handle that is connected to the arm; wherein movement of the handle causes the adjustment assembly to move relative to the base between the first position and the second position. 20. The portable basketball system as in claim 19, further comprising an interior cavity of the base that is capable of receiving a ballast material. 21. The portable basketball system as in claim 19, wherein a portion of the base contacts the playing surface in the first position to hold the basketball goal in the generally fixed position relative to the playing surface. 22. The portable basketball system as in claim 19, wherein the wheel assembly includes one or more wheels. 23. The portable basketball system as in claim 19, further comprising a wheel connected to the base. 24. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a base; a support structure interconnecting the base and the basketball goal; a wheel assembly including an axle and at least one wheel; and an adjustment assembly that is sized and configured to move the wheel assembly relative to the base between a first position in which the basketball goal is held in a generally fixed position relative to a playing surface and a second position in which the basketball goal is movable relative to the playing surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket connected to the base, the bracket including two elongated slots and the axle of the wheel assembly being disposed within the slots, the axle of the wheel assembly being movable within the slots when the adjustment assembly moves between the first and second positions; an arm including an opening and the axle of the wheel assembly disposed within the opening; a link connecting the arm and the bracket; and a handle connected to the arm; wherein movement of the handle causes the arm to rotate about the axle of the wheel assembly and the link to move the bracket relative to the arm so that the adjustment assembly is moved from the first position to the second position. 25. A portable basketball system comprising: a support structure for supporting a basketball goal above a playing surface; a base that is sized and configured to support the support structure above the playing surface; a wheel assembly including an axle connected to the base; and an adjustment mechanism that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to a support surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is readily movable relative to the support surface, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a bracket including two generally opposing sides, each of the generally opposing sides of the bracket including an opening and an elongated slot; a pair of arms disposed proximate the generally opposing sides of the bracket, each of the arms including an opening; and a link pivotally connecting each of the pair of arms to the bracket; wherein the axle of the wheel assembly is disposed through the opening in each of the pair of arms and through the slot in each of the generally opposing sides of the bracket, the axle being movable within the slot in each of the generally opposing sides of the bracket when the adjustment mechanism moves between the first position and the second position. 26. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, further comprising a wheel attached to the axle of the wheel assembly and the wheel being at least partially disposed between the generally opposing sides of the bracket. 27. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, further comprising a handle attached to the pair of arms, the motion of the handle in a first direction causes movement of the adjustable mechanism from the first position to the second position, and the motion of the handle in a second direction causes movement of the adjustable mechanism from the second position to the first position. 28. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, wherein motion of the handle in the first direction causes rotation of the arms about the axle and the relative upward movement of the bracket relative to the arms. 29. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, wherein the arm rotates about the axle when the adjustment mechanism is moved from the first position to the second position. 30. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, further comprising a wheel attached to the base. 31. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, wherein the bracket is sized and configured to be pivotally connected to the base to allow the wheel assembly to turn relative to the base. 32. A portable basketball system comprising: a support structure for supporting a basketball goal above a playing surface; a base that is sized and configured to support the support structure relative to the playing surface, the base including an exterior surface and an interior portion that is capable of receiving ballast material; and an adjustment mechanism that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the playing surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is movable relative to the playing surface, the adjustment mechanism comprising: a bracket that is at least generally disposed proximate an exterior surface of the base; at least one brace disposed proximate to the bracket, the brace being separate and distinct from the bracket; at least one link connecting the brace and the bracket to provide a first connection between the brace and the bracket, the link including a first portion connected to the brace and a second portion connected to the bracket; and a wheel assembly including at least one wheel, the wheel assembly being connected to the brace and the bracket to provide a second connection between the brace and the bracket that is distinct from the first connection between the brace and the bracket, the wheel assembly facilitating movement of the portable basketball system relative to the playing surface when the adjustment mechanism is in the second position. 33. The portable basketball system as in claim 32, wherein the bracket is at least partially disposed within a recess in the base. 34. The portable basketball system as in claim 32, wherein the bracket can pivot relative to the base to allow the wheel assembly to pivot relative to the base. 35. The portable basketball system as in claim 32, wherein the at least one brace includes a first brace disposed proximate a first side of the bracket and a second brace disposed proximate a second side of the bracket. 36. The portable basketball system as in claim 32, further comprising a handle attached to the at least one brace. 37. The portable basketball system as in claim 36, wherein the handle is sized and configured to move the adjustment mechanism between the first position and the second position. 38. The portable basketball system as in claim 32, further comprising an axle of the wheel assembly, the axle being disposed through an opening in the bracket and an opening in the at least one brace. 39. The portable basketball system as in claim 38, wherein the opening in the bracket is an elongated slot and the axle moves within the elongated slot when the adjustment mechanism is moved between the first and second positions. 40. The portable basketball system as in claim 32, further comprising one or more elongated slots in the bracket and one or more openings in the at least one brace; wherein an axle of the wheel assembly is disposed within the slots and the openings. 41. The portable basketball system as in claim 32, wherein the bracket includes two sides and an axle of the wheel assembly is disposed within a slot in each of the two sides of the bracket, the axle being movable within the slots when the adjustment mechanism moves between the first position and the second position. 42. A portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal; a support structure being sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface; a base being sized and configured to support the support structure, and an adjustment assembly that is capable of being moved between a first position in which the portable basketball system is held in a generally fixed position relative to the playing surface and a second position in which the portable basketball system is readily movable relative to the playing surface, the adjustment assembly comprising: a bracket at least partially disposed within a recess in the base; an arm disposed proximate to the bracket; a link pivotally connecting the arm to the bracket; and a wheel assembly connected to the bracket and the arm; wherein at least a portion of the base contacts the playing surface when the adjustment assembly is in the first position; and wherein the wheel assembly includes an axle that is disposed through an opening in the arm and a slot in the bracket, the axle being movable within the slot when the adjustment assembly moves between the first position and the second position.