Portable support for a basketball goal system

An attachment assembly for positioning a support arm to brace a pole and for regulating the movement of the pole between a first position corresponding to the pole being disposed in a generally vertical position and a second position corresponding to the pole being disposed in a tilted position at an angle to the vertical position, the attachment assembly comprising:

• a contractible collar connected to the support arm in pivotal engagement and said collar being capable of slidable engagement with the pole, thereby permitting relative movement between the support arm and the pole;
• a fastening assembly connectable to said collar such that tightening of said fastening assembly forces said collar to contract thereby firmly securing said collar to the pole and loosening of said fastening assembly permits said collar to expand thereby allowing said collar to slide relative to the pole such that the pole may be moved between the generally vertical position and the tilted position;
• and
• a bubble level disposed on said collar for indicating the positioning of the pole with respect to the vertical position.

A portable support for supporting a basketball goal system on a support surface, the basketball goal system including a pole and a backboard and goal assembly secured to a portion of the pole, the portable support comprising:

• a base capable of holding a ballast material;
• and
• an attachment assembly connected to said base, said attachment assembly for regulating the movement of the pole between a generally vertical position and a tilted position disposed at an angle to the vertical position, and such that if a predetermined amount of ballast material is placed within said base, the basketball goal system will maintain a generally rigid position during use of the basketball goal system during play of the game of basketball, said attachment assembly comprising:
• a support arm pivotally connected to said base;
• a contractable collar pivotally connected to said support arm, said collar being capable of slidable engagement with the pole thereby permitting relative movement between the support arm and the pole, said collar having flanges configured for receiving a bolt;
• a fastening assembly comprising a bolt and a nut threadably engageable with said bolt, said fastening assembly connectable to said collar such that tightening of said fastening assembly forces said collar to contract thereby firmly securing said collar to the pole and loosening of said fastening assembly permits said collar to expand thereby allowing said collar to slide relative to the pole such that the pole may be moved between said generally vertical position and said tilted position;
• and
• an adjustment wheel configured with a nut retainer, said nut being capable of nesting disposition within said nut retainer so that rotation of said adjustment wheel imparts rotation to said nut, said adjustment wheel being configured with a plurality of radial spokes and said collar being configured with a tab for engagement with said spokes upon rotation of said adjustment wheel whereby said adjustment wheel is biased against rotation if said tab engages one of said spokes.

An attachment assembly for securing a support arm to a pole for movement of the support arm relative to the pole from a first position corresponding to the pole being disposed in a generally vertical position and a second position corresponding to the pole being disposed in a tilted position at an angle to the vertical position, the attachment assembly comprising:

• a contractible collar pivotally connected to the support arm, said collar being capable of slidable engagement with the pole thereby permitting relative movement between the support arm and the pole, said collar including a bolt-head retainer configured to prevent the rotational movement of a head of a bolt relative to said collar, and flanges for receiving a bolt;
• a bolt and a nut threadably engageable with said bolt, said bolt having a head and a shaft, said shaft extending through said flanges, said head of said bolt capable of nesting disposition within said bolt-head retainer;
• and
• an adjustment wheel configured with a nut retainer and said nut being capable of nesting disposition within said nut retainer so that rotation of said adjustment wheel imparts rotation to said nut, said adjustment wheel being further configured with a plurality of radial spokes and said collar being configured with a tab for engagement with said spokes upon rotation of said adjustment wheel whereby said adjustment wheel is biased against rotation if said tab engages one of said spokes;
• said collar further configured such that rotation of said adjustment wheel to tighten said nut against said flanges forces said collar to contract thereby firmly securing said collar to the pole and such that counter-rotation of said adjustment wheel to loosen said nut against said flanges permits said collar to expand thereby allowing said collar to slide relative to the pole such that the pole may be moved between the generally vertical position and the tilted position.