# US 5,348,289 A · Breakaway basketball rim > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 5,348,289 A - Document ID: US5348289A - Status: Granted - Kind: A - Application number: 07/837,324 - Filed: 1992-02-18 - Granted: 1994-09-20 - Earliest claimed: 1990-01-30 - Assignees: Schutt Manufacturing Company - Inventors: Russell L. Vaught - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5348289A ## CPC - A63B 63/083: {for basketball} - A63B 2063/086: {deflectable under excessive loads} - Y10T 403/7041: including set screw - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A breakaway basketball goal is disclosed. In one aspect of the invention the goal includes a rim structure which employs a shock absorber. A rim support assembly moves the rim structure from a horizontal position to a nonhorizontal position upon application of a predetermined force to the rim. The shock absorber minimizes the vibrations that the rim support assembly encounters when the rim structure is in the horizontal position and when the rim structure returns to the horizontal position. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A basketball goal comprising: support structure adapted to be mounted to a backboard; a rim structure, including a rim, mounted to said support structure; and a rim support structure including a shaft, a clamp including a mating portion and a shock absorber, said clamp having a clamped position engaged with said shaft in said mating portion of said clamp for maintaining said rim in a horizontal position, and an unclamped position wherein said mating portion of said clamp is disengaged from said shaft enabling said rim to swing downwardly in an arcuate path; a coiled spring, operatively mounted to said clamp, for maintaining said clamp in said clamped position, and for permitting said clamp to assume said unclamped position and move in said arcuate path upon application of a predetermined force to said rim; and a rigid member, extending through said spring, having a looped end surrounding said shaft mounted for swinging movement along another arcuate path upon application of said predetermined force, thereby preventing damage to said spring when said clamp assumes said unclamped position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The basketball goal defined in claim 1 wherein said rigid member includes a threaded end, further including a nut tightened onto the threaded end of said bolt for compressing said coiled spring to a predetermined tension, thereby establishing said predetermined force. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The basketball goal defined in claim 1 further includes a pin extending through said clamp, thereby enabling said clamp to pivot about said pin when said predetermined force is applied to the pin. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The basketball goal defined in claim 1 wherein said shock absorber comprises one or more bumpers. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The basketball goal defined in claim 4, wherein said one or more bumpers engage said rim structure when said clamp is in said clamped position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The basketball goal defined in claim 5, wherein said one or more bumpers are separate from said rim structure when said clamp is in said unclamped position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 4) The basketball goal defined in claim 4, wherein said one or more bumpers are comprised of a compressible material which compresses upon a force being applied thereto. ### Claim 8 (depends on 4) The basketball goal defined in claim 4, wherein said one or more bumpers are comprised of a compressible material which returns to its original shape upon said force being discontinued. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The basketball goal defined in claim 8, wherein said compressible material comprises a rubber-like material. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The basketball goal defined in claim 1, wherein said shock absorber engages said rim structure when said clamp is in said clamped position. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The basketball goal defined in claim 10, wherein said shock absorber is separate from said rim structure when said clamp is in said unclamped position. ### Claim 12 A basketball goal comprising: support structure adapted to be mounted to a backboard; a rim structure, including a rim, mounted to said support structure; and a rim support assembly including a shaft, a clamp including a mating portion, said clamp having a clamped position engaged with said shaft in said mating portion of said clamp for maintaining said rim in a horizontal position, and an unclamped position wherein said mating portion of said clamp is disengaged from said shaft enabling said rim to swing downwardly in an arcuate path; a coiled spring, operatively mounted to said clamp, for maintaining said clamp in said clamped position, and for permitting said clamp to assume said unclamped position and move in said arcuate path upon application of a predetermined force to said rim; and a rigid member, extending through said spring, having a looped end surrounding said shaft mounted for swinging movement along another arcuate path upon application of said predetermined force, thereby preventing damage to said spring when said clamp assumes said unclamped position; and wherein said clamp further includes (1) a pin extending through said clamp enabling said clamp to pivot about said pin when said predetermined force is applied to the pin and (2) an engagement device to engage said pin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The basketball goal defined in claim 12 wherein said rigid member includes a threaded end, further including a nut tightened onto the threaded end of said bolt for compressing said coiled spring to a predetermined tension, thereby establishing said predetermined force. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The basketball goal defined in claim 12, wherein said engagement device is positioned off-set and perpendicular to said pin. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The basketball goal defined in claim 14, wherein said engagement device is a screw.