Support pole for a basketball system

Abstract

A support pole for a basketball system is preferably adjustable in height to allow a basketball goal to be located at various heights. The support pole may include a first section and a second section that are movable relative to each other. An adjustment assembly may hold the first and second support pole sections in a generally fixed position and allow the support pole sections to be moved, which may allow the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted. The adjustment assembly may include, for example, one or more surfaces that frictionally abut or contact one or more support pole sections. The adjustment assembly may also include one or more structures that are inserted into openings, apertures, detents or the like to secure the support pole at a desired length. In addition, the adjustment assembly may include a handle, trigger or the like to allow the length of the support pole to be adjusted.

1 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal including a basketball backboard and a rim;    a support pole sized and configured to support the basketball goal, the support pole including a first support pole section and a second support pole section telescopically connected to the first support pole section, the first support pole section and the second support pole section being movable between a first position in which the support pole has a first length to support the basketball goal at a first height and a second position in which the support pole has a second length to support the basketball goal at a second height; and    an adjustment assembly sized and configured to selectively secure the first and second support pole sections in the first position and the second position, the adjustment assembly including a locking member sized and configured to pivot between a first position in which the locking member secures the first and second support pole sections in a generally fixed position, and a second position in which the first and second support pole sections may telescopically move to adjust the length of the support pole.    
   
   
       2 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises: 
 an adjustment mechanism including a handle and a trigger; and    a connecting member connecting the trigger to the locking member to allow the trigger to selectively move the locking member between the first position and the second position.    
   
   
       3 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the second support pole section includes a plurality of locking member receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the locking member in the first position.  
   
   
       4 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking member includes a latch portion having a generally oblong cross section.  
   
   
       5 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the locking member includes a first wall portion, a second wall portion, and an intermediate portion defining a generally U-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       6 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the support pole further comprises a plurality of alignment members sized and configured to define at least a portion of the movement of the first and second support pole sections, the plurality of alignment members including an outwardly extending portion and an elongated inwardly extending portion sized and configured to slidably receive at least a portion of the outwardly extending portion.  
   
   
       7 . The basketball system as in  claim 6 , wherein the first support pole includes the elongated inwardly extending portion and wherein the support pole further includes a collar and the collar includes the outwardly extending portion.  
   
   
       8 . The basketball system as in  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of alignment members are sized and configured to define a lower boundary for the length of the support pole.  
   
   
       9 . The basketball system as in  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of alignment members are sized and configured to define an upper boundary for the length of the support pole.  
   
   
       10 . The basketball system as in  claim 6 , wherein the plurality of alignment members are sized and configured to restrict the relative rotational orientation of the first and second support pole sections.  
   
   
       11 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal including a basketball backboard and a rim;    a support pole sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface, the support pole comprising: 
 a first support pole section and a second support pole section movably connected to the first support pole section, the first support pole section and the second support pole section being movable between a first position in which the basketball goal is supported at a first height and a second position in which the basketball goal is supported at a second height; and  
 one or more alignment members sized and configured to define at least a portion of the movement of the first support pole section and second support pole section; and  
   an adjustment assembly sized and configured to selectively secure the first and second support pole sections in the first position and the second position, the adjustment assembly including a locking member that is sized and configured to move between a first position in which the locking member secures the first and second support pole sections in a generally fixed position, and a second position in which the first and second support pole sections may move to adjust the length of the support pole.    
   
   
       12 . The basketball system as in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more alignment members are sized and configured to define a lower boundary for the length of the support pole.  
   
   
       13 . The basketball system as in  claim 1   1 , wherein the one or more alignment members are sized and configured to define an upper boundary for the length of the support pole.  
   
   
       14 . The basketball system as in  claim 11 , wherein the one or more alignment members are sized and configured to restrict the relative rotational orientation of the first and second support pole sections.  
   
   
       15 . The basketball system as in  claim 11 , wherein the adjustment assembly further comprises: 
 an adjustment mechanism including a handle and a trigger; and    a connecting member connecting the trigger to the locking member.    
   
   
       16 . The basketball system as in  claim 11 , wherein the locking member includes a latch portion having a generally oblong cross section.  
   
   
       17 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal including a basketball backboard and a rim;    a mounting member;    a first support pole section movably connected to the mounting member, the first support pole section being movable between a first position in which the basketball goal is supported at a first height and a second position in which the basketball goal is supported at a second height; and    an adjustment assembly sized and configured to selectively secure the first support pole section in the first position and the second position, the adjustment assembly comprising: 
 a locking member; and  
 an adjustment mechanism including a trigger sized and configured to move between a first position in which the locking member secures the first support pole section in a generally fixed position, and a second position in which the first support pole section may move to adjust the height of the basketball goal.  
   
   
   
       18 . The basketball system as in  claim 17 , wherein adjustment mechanism further includes a handle and wherein the adjustment assembly further includes a connecting member connecting the trigger and the locking member.  
   
   
       19 . The basketball system as in  claim 17 , wherein the mounting member comprises a second support pole section.  
   
   
       20 . The basketball system as in  claim 17 , wherein the locking member includes a projection having a generally oblong cross section, the projection sized and configured to move between a first position in which the projection secures the first support pole section in a generally fixed position, and a second position in which the first support pole section may move to adjust the height of the basketball goal.  
   
   
       21 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal including a basketball backboard and a rim;    a support pole including a first support pole section and a second support pole section telescopically connected to the first support pole section;    a base connected to the section support pole section;    at least one brace including a first end portion and a second end portion, the first end portion of the at least one brace connected to the base; and    an attachment assembly connected to the support pole and connected to the second end portion of the at least one brace;    the first support pole section being telescopically movable between a first position in which at least a portion of the first support pole section is at a first height below the attachment assembly and a second position in which at least a portion of the first support pole section is at a second height above the attachment assembly.    
   
   
       22 . The basketball system as in  claim 21 , wherein the attachment assembly includes an attachment member sized and configured to bite into at least a portion of the support pole.  
   
   
       23 . The basketball system as in  claim 21 , wherein the attachment assembly includes an attachment member having a generally C-shaped configuration.  
   
   
       24 . The basketball system as in  claim 21 , wherein the attachment assembly includes an attachment member having at least one clamping member.