Break-away basketball goal system
OwnerAlan D. Baldasariinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A breakaway basketball goal system is provided for absorbing shocks during playing conditions. In embodiments of the invention, the basketball goal system includes a base, a neck movably coupled to the base, a backboard attached to a distal end of the neck, and a shock-absorbing mechanism that permits a neck, backboard and rim to move downward to absorb severe shocks, and that may automatically return them to their playing position. The shock-absorbing mechanism can include a housing disposed on a rearward side of a mounting post, a shock absorber, a guide attached to a movable end of the shock absorber, and a cable connecting the guide to the neck. In embodiments of the invention, the backboard extends a horizontal distance from the base to provide a safe playing area.
Claims26
A shock-absorbing basketball goal system comprising:
- a base;
- a neck movably coupled to the base extending a horizontal distance from the base;
- a backboard attached to a distal end of the neck;
- and
- a shock-absorbing mechanism for absorbing substantially downward shocks to the neck by permitting movement of the neck from an original position and returning the neck to the original position, the shock-absorbing mechanism including:
- a shock absorber coupled to the base;
- and
- a cable connecting the shock absorber to the neck.
A shock-absorbing basketball goal system comprising:
- a base;
- a mounting post attached to the base;
- a neck rotatably attached to the mounting post;
- a backboard attached to a distal end of the neck and disposed a horizontal distance from the base;
- and
- a shock-absorbing mechanism generally disposed on a rearward side of the mounting post opposite the backboard, the shock-absorbing mechanism configured for absorbing substantially downward shocks to the neck by permitting movement of the neck from an original position, the shock-absorbing mechanism including:
- a shock absorber coupled to the mounting post;
- a cable connecting the shock absorber to the neck;
- a housing retaining the shock-absorber;
- and
- a guide attached to the shock absorber and connected to the cable, the guide being movable within the housing for guiding a movable end of the shock absorber while the shock absorber expands and contracts.
A breakaway basketball goal system comprising:
- a base;
- a mounting post attached to the base;
- a neck movably attached to the mounting post;
- a backboard attached to a distal end of the neck and disposed a horizontal distance from the base of 4 feet or more;
- and
- a shock-absorbing mechanism generally disposed on a rearward side of the mounting post opposite the backboard, the shock-absorbing mechanism comprising:
- a shock absorber coupled to the base;
- a cable connecting the shock absorber to the neck;
- a housing retaining the shock-absorber, the housing defining a channel;
- and
- a slide attached to the shock absorber and connected to the cable for translating within the channel to guide a movable end of the shock absorber while the shock absorber expands and contracts.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.