Support structure for a basketball system

Abstract

A basketball system may include a support member that is sized and configured to support a basketball goal at a desired height above a playing surface. The basketball system may also include a base connected to the support member and the base may be sized and configured to be connected to a support surface or structure. A reinforcing structure may be used to increase the strength and/or rigidity of the connection between the support member and the base. The reinforcement structure may include one or more reinforcing members and an intermediate portion, if desired.

1 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal;    a support member connected to the basketball goal;    a base connected to the support member; and    a reinforcing structure connected to the base, the reinforcing structure being sized and configured to reinforce the connection of the base to the support member, the reinforcing structure comprising: 
 a first reinforcing member connected to the base, the first reinforcing member including an upper portion and a lower portion;  
 a second reinforcing member connected to the base, the second reinforcing member including an upper portion and a lower portion; and  
 an intermediate portion at least partially disposed between the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member, the intermediate portion including an inner surface that is sized and configured to abut the support member.  
   
   
   
       2 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a plate and the first reinforcing member is connected to the plate and the second reinforcing member is connected to the plate.  
   
   
       3 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion of the reinforcing structure is spaced apart from the base.  
   
   
       4 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion of the reinforcing structure abuts the base.  
   
   
       5 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion is connected to the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member.  
   
   
       6 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate portion is connected to the support member.  
   
   
       7 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed above the upper portion of the first reinforcing member and the upper portion of the second reinforcing member.  
   
   
       8 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed between the first reinforcing member and the support member; and 
 wherein a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed between the second reinforcing member and the support member.    
   
   
       9 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first reinforcing member comprises: 
 a generally triangular-shaped body including a first side connected to the base; and    an extension extending outwardly from the body, the extension being disposed away from the base and being disposed generally proximate the support member; and    wherein the second reinforcing member comprises:    a generally triangular-shaped body including a first side connected to the base; and    an extension extending outwardly from the body, the extension being disposed away from the base and being disposed generally proximate the support member.    
   
   
       10 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a first side of the first reinforcing member that is attached to the base and a second side of the first reinforcing member that is disposed generally proximate the support member, a length of the second side being greater than a length of the first side of the first reinforcing member; and 
 further comprising a first side of the second reinforcing member that is attached to the base and a second side of the second reinforcing member that is disposed generally proximate the support member, a length of the second side being greater than a length of the first side of the second reinforcing member.    
   
   
       11 . A portion of a basketball system comprising: 
 a support member;    a base connected to the support member;    a reinforcing member including an upper portion and a lower portion, the reinforcing member comprising: 
 a body including a first portion connected to the base and a second portion connected to the support member; and  
 an extension that extends outwardly from the second portion of the body, the extension being connected to the support member.  
   
   
   
       12 . The portion of a basketball system as in  claim 11 , wherein the body of the reinforcing member has a generally triangular-shaped configuration; and 
 wherein the extension of the reinforcing member has a generally rectangular-shaped configuration.    
   
   
       13 . The portion of a basketball system as in  claim 11 , further comprising an intermediate portion connected to the extension of the reinforcing member, the intermediate portion including an inner surface that is sized and configured to abut the support member.  
   
   
       14 . The portion of a basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed above the upper portion of the reinforcing member.  
   
   
       15 . The portion of a basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed between the reinforcing member and the support member.  
   
   
       16 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal;    a support member connected to the basketball goal;    a base connected to the support member; and    a reinforcing structure connected to the base and the support member, the reinforcing structure comprising: 
 a first reinforcing member connected including an upper portion and a lower portion, the first reinforcing member comprising: 
 a body including a first portion connected to the base and a second portion connected to the support member; and  
 an extension that extends outwardly from the second portion of the body, the extension being connected to the support member;  
 
 a second reinforcing member including an upper portion and a lower portion, the second reinforcing member comprising: 
 a body including a first portion connected to the base and a second portion connected to the support member; and  
 an extension that extends outwardly from the second portion of the body, the extension being connected to the support member; and  
 an intermediate portion at least partially disposed between the first reinforcing member and the second reinforcing member, the intermediate portion including an inner surface that is sized and configured to abut the support member.  
 
   
   
   
       17 . The basketball system as in  claim 16 , wherein at least a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed above the upper portion of the first reinforcing member and the upper portion of the second reinforcing member  
   
   
       18 . The basketball system as in  claim 16 , wherein a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed between the first reinforcing member and the support member; and 
 wherein a portion of the intermediate portion is disposed between the second reinforcing member and the support member    
   
   
       19 . The basketball system as in  claim 16 , wherein the body of the first reinforcing member has a generally triangular-shaped configuration and the extension of the first reinforcing member has a generally rectangular-shaped configuration; and 
 wherein the body of the second reinforcing member has a generally triangular-shaped configuration and the extension of the second reinforcing member has a generally rectangular-shaped configuration.    
   
   
       20 . The basketball system as in  claim 16 , wherein the intermediate portion includes a first section that is connected to the first reinforcing portion and a second section that is connected to the second reinforcing portion, the first section of the intermediate portion being spaced apart from the second section of the intermediate portion.