초록 ▼

A basketball goal system may include a basketball goal, which may include a rim assembly and a backboard, and a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface. The backboard may include one or more openings through which one or more portions of

A basketball goal system may include a basketball goal, which may include a rim assembly and a backboard, and a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface. The backboard may include one or more openings through which one or more portions of the rim assembly may extend, which may permit the rim assembly to be connected to the support structure. The basketball goal system may also include a base that is sized and configured to support the support structure and the rim assembly in a playing position. The base and the backboard may include openings to permit the base and the backboard to be connected when the basketball goal system is in a collapsed or storage position. In addition, the base and the backboard may include receiving portions that are sized and configured to receive and/or retain at least a portion of one or more components of the basketball goal system when the system is in the collapsed position.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A basketball goal system that is capable of being moved between a playing position in which the basketball goal system may be used for playing basketball and a collapsed position in which the basketball goal system may be more easily transported or stored, the basketball goal

What is claimed is: 1. A basketball goal system that is capable of being moved between a playing position in which the basketball goal system may be used for playing basketball and a collapsed position in which the basketball goal system may be more easily transported or stored, the basketball goal system comprising: a backboard including a first opening that is spaced apart from an outer perimeter of the backboard; a support structure that is sized and configured to support the backboard above a playing surface when the basketball goal system is in the playing position; a base that is sized and configured to support the support structure and the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the playing position, the base including a first opening that is spaced apart from an outer perimeter of the base; a support brace including a first end connected to the base and a second end connected to the support structure when the basketball goal system is in the playing position; and a first fastener inserted into an opening in the first end of the support brace and the first opening in the base to connect the support brace to the base when the basketball goal system is in the playing position, the first fastener being inserted into the first opening in the backboard and the first opening in the base to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position and further comprising a rim receiving portion disposed in a lower portion of the base that is sized and configured to receive a rim when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; and further comprising a support brace receiving portion in the lower portion of the base that receives a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; and further comprising a backboard receiving portion in the lower portion of the base that receives at least a portion of the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position, the rim and the support brace being disposed between the lower portion of the base and the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; and further comprising a support structure receiving recess in an upper portion of the base that receives a portion of the support structure when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position. 2. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, further comprising a support structure receiving recess on a first side of the base that receives and retains at least a portion of the support structure when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; further comprising a rim assembly receiving recess on a second side of the base that receives at least a portion of a rim assembly when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; further comprising a support brace receiving recess on the second side of the base that receives a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; and further comprising a backboard receiving recess on the second side of the base that receives at least a portion of the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position. 3. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, further comprising a second opening in the base that is spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the base; further comprising a second opening in the backboard that is spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the backboard; and further comprising a second fastener that is sized and configured to be inserted into the second opening in the backboard and the second opening in the base to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position. 4. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, wherein the base is constructed from blow-molded plastic and includes an upper portion, a lower portion and a hollow interior portion that is disposed between the upper portion and the lower portion, the upper portion, the lower portion and the hollow interior portion being integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; wherein the first opening in the base extends through the upper portion and the lower portion of the base; and wherein the first opening in the base is integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure. 5. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, wherein the backboard is constructed from blow-molded plastic and includes a front portion, a rear portion and a hollow interior portion that is disposed between the front portion and the rear portion of the backboard, the front portion, the rear portion and the hollow interior portion being integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; wherein the first opening in the backboard extends through the front portion and the rear portion of the backboard; and wherein the first opening in the backboard is integrally formed during the blow-molding process as part of the unitary, one-piece structure. 6. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, wherein the support structure comprises at least three telescopically coupled support members that are movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, the collapsed position of the telescopically coupled support members have a length that is generally equal to or less than a length of the base to facilitate positioning the basketball goal system in the collapsed position. 7. The basketball goal system as in claim 6, further comprising a bracket receiving portion in an upper portion of the base; further comprising a support structure receiving portion in the upper portion of the base; and further comprising a bracket disposed in the bracket receiving portion in the base, the bracket pivotally connecting the support structure to the base, the bracket being sized and configured to allow the support structure to be disposed in a generally upright configuration when the support members are in the extended position, the bracket being sized and configured to allow the support structure to be disposed in the support structure receiving portion in the base when the support members are in the collapsed position. 8. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, further comprising a rim assembly receiving portion in the lower portion of the base that receives at least a portion of a rim assembly when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position; further comprising a support brace receiving portion disposed in the lower portion of the base that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position; further comprising a backboard receiving portion in the lower portion of the base that receives at least a portion of the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position, the rim and the support brace being disposed between the lower portion of the base and the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; wherein the support brace is disposed between the backboard and the base when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position. 9. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, further comprising a support brace receiving portion in the base that receives a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position; and further comprising a support brace receiving portion in a rear portion of the backboard that receives a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position, the support brace being disposed between the backboard and the base when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position. 10. The basketball goal system as in claim 1, further comprising a receiving portion integrally formed in the base during the manufacturing process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the base receiving portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a component of the basketball goal system when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position; and a receiving portion integrally formed in backboard during the manufacturing process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the backboard receiving portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the component of the basketball system when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position, the component being disposed between the base and the backboard when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position. 11. The basketball goal system as in claim 10, wherein the support brace is at least partially disposed within the base receiving portion and being at least partially disposed within the backboard receiving portion when the basketball goal system is in the collapsed position. 12. A portable basketball system that is capable of being moved between a playing position in which the basketball system may be used for playing basketball and a collapsed position in which the basketball system may be more easily transported or stored, the portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal including a backboard and a rim; a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface when the basketball system is in the playing position; a base that is sized and configured to support the support structure and the backboard when the basketball system is in the playing position, the base including an upper portion, lower portion and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; a support structure receiving recess integrally formed in the upper portion of the base that receives the support structure when the basketball system is in the collapsed position; a rim receiving portion integrally formed in the lower portion of the base as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the rim receiving portion being sized and configured to receive the rim when the basketball system is in the collapsed position; a backboard receiving recess integrally formed in the lower portion of the base that receives the backboard when the basketball system is in the collapsed position, the rim being disposed between the base and the backboard when the basketball system is in the collapsed position; and a first fastener that is sized and configured to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position and further comprising a support brace including a first end that is connected to the base and a second end that is connected to the support structure when the basketball goal is in the playing position; and further comprising a support brace receiving portion disposed in a rear portion of the backboard that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position, the support brace being disposed between the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position. 13. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, further comprising a first opening in the backboard that is spaced apart from an outer perimeter of the backboard; and further comprising a first opening in the base that extends through the upper portion and the lower portion of the base, the first opening being integrally formed with the base as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the first opening being spaced apart from an outer perimeter of the base, the first fastener extending through the first opening in the backboard and the first opening in the base to connect the backboard to the base when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position. 14. The portable basketball system as in claim 13, further comprising a second opening in the backboard that is spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the backboard; further comprising a second opening in the base that extends through the upper portion and the lower portion of the base, the second opening being integrally formed with the base as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the second opening being spaced apart from the outer perimeter of the base; and further comprising a second fastener that is sized and configured to be inserted into the second opening in the backboard and the second opening in the base to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position. 15. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, wherein the support structure comprises at least three telescopically coupled support members that are movable between an extended position and a collapsed position, the collapsed position of the telescopically coupled support members have a length that is generally equal to or less than a length of the base to facilitate positioning the basketball system in the collapsed position. 16. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, further comprising a bracket receiving portion integrally formed in an upper portion of the base as part of the unitary, one-piece structure; further comprising a support structure receiving portion integrally formed in the upper portion of the base; further comprising a bracket disposed in the bracket receiving portion in the base and connecting the support structure and the base, the bracket being sized and configured to allow the support structure to be disposed in a generally upright configuration when the support members are in the extended position, the bracket being sized and configured to allow the support structure to be disposed in the support structure receiving portion in the upper portion of the base when the support members are in the collapsed position; and further comprising a support brace receiving portion integrally formed in the lower portion of the base that receives a support brace when the basketball system is in the collapsed position, the support brace being disposed between the base and the backboard when the basketball system is in the collapsed position. 17. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, wherein the rim receiving portion is sized and configured to receive the rim and a connecting structure that connects the rim to the support structure when the basketball system is in the collapsed position. 18. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, further comprising a support brace including a first end that is connected to the base and a second end that is connected to the support structure when the basketball goal is in the playing position; and further comprising a support brace receiving portion disposed in the lower portion of the base that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position; and further comprising a support brace receiving portion disposed in a rear portion of the backboard that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position, the support brace being disposed between the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position. 19. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, further comprising a receiving portion integrally formed in the base during the manufacturing process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the base receiving portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of a component of the basketball system when the basketball system is in the collapsed position; and a receiving portion integrally formed in backboard during the manufacturing process as part of a unitary, one-piece structure, the backboard receiving portion being sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the component of the basketball system when the basketball system is in the collapsed position, the component being disposed between the base and the backboard when the basketball system is in the collapsed position. 20. The portable basketball system as in claim 19, further comprising a brace including a first end that is connected to the support structure and a second end that is connected to the base when the basketball system is in the playing position, the brace being at least partially disposed within the base receiving portion and being at least partially disposed within the backboard receiving portion when the basketball system is in the collapsed position. 21. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, further comprising a connecting structure that is sized and configured to connect the rim to the support structure when the basketball goal is in the playing position, the connecting structure including at least one flange that extends through an opening in the backboard. 22. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, wherein the fastener that is sized and configured to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position is also sized and configured to connect the rim and the support structure when the basketball system is in the playing position. 23. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, wherein fastener that is sized and configured to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position is also sized and configured to connect a support brace to the support structure or the base when the basketball system is in the playing position. 24. The portable basketball system as in claim 12, wherein the fastener that is sized and configured to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position is also sized and configured to connect the backboard and the support structure when the basketball system is in the playing position. 25. A portable basketball system that is capable of being moved between a playing position in which the basketball system may be used for playing basketball and a collapsed position in which the basketball system may be more easily transported or stored, the portable basketball system comprising: a basketball goal including a backboard and a rim assembly; a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface when the basketball system is in the playing position; a base that is sized and configured to support the support structure and the backboard when the basketball system is in the playing position, the base including an upper portion, lower portion and a hollow interior portion that are integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure; a support structure receiving portion integrally formed in the upper portion of the base that receives the support structure when the basketball system is in the collapsed position; a rim assembly receiving portion integrally formed in the lower portion of the base as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the rim assembly receiving portion being sized and configured to receive the rim assembly when the basketball system is in the collapsed position, the rim assembly being disposed between the base and the backboard when the basketball system is in the collapsed position; a support brace including a first end that is connected to the base and a second end that is connected to the support structure when the basketball goal is in the playing position; and a support brace receiving portion integrally formed in the lower portion of the base as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the support brace receiving portion being sized and configured to receive a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position, the support brace being disposed between the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position and further comprising a support brace receiving portion disposed in a rear portion of the backboard that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the support brace when the basketball goal is in the collapsed position. 26. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, further comprising a fastener that is sized and configured to connect the backboard and the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position, the fastener extending through an opening extending through the upper portion and the lower portion of the base, the opening being integrally formed with the base as part of the unitary, one-piece structure, the opening being spaced apart from an outer perimeter of the base. 27. The portable basketball system as in claim 25, wherein a fastener connects the basketball goal to the support structure when the basketball system is in the playing position and the same fastener connects the backboard to the base when the basketball system is in the collapsed position.