Basketball goal system

Abstract

A basketball goal system may include a backboard and a backboard support assembly that is sized and configured to support the backboard. The basketball goal system may also include a rim that is disposed proximate a front surface of the backboard and the rim may be sized and configured to move between a first position in which the rim is generally parallel to a playing surface and a second position in which the rim is disposed at an angle relative to the playing surface. Additionally, the basketball goal system may include a connecting member that is connected to the rim and the connecting member may include a first portion that is disposed generally in the same plane as the rim and a second portion that is disposed at an angle relative to the first portion. The basketball goal system may further include one or more brackets connecting the connecting member to the backboard support assembly.

1 . A basketball goal system comprising: 
 a backboard;    a backboard support assembly connected to the backboard;    a rim disposed proximate a front surface of the backboard, the rim being sized and configured to move between a first position in which the rim is generally parallel to a playing surface and a second position in which the rim is disposed at an angle relative to the playing surface;    a connecting member connected to the rim, the connecting member including a first portion that is disposed generally in the same plane as the rim and a second portion that is disposed at an angle relative to the first portion;    a first bracket connected to the backboard support assembly;    a biasing mechanism connecting the first bracket and the second plate of the connecting member, the biasing mechanism being sized and configured to bias the rim into the first position; and    a second bracket connected to the backboard support assembly and the second plate of the connecting member.    
   
   
       2 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the biasing member is disposed behind the second plate of the connecting member and the first bracket when the rim is in the first position.  
   
   
       3 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 1 , wherein the first bracket is pivotally connected to the backboard support assembly and the second bracket is pivotally connected to the backboard support assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 1 , wherein the backboard support assembly includes a first support arm and a second support arm, the first bracket being connected to the first support arm and the second support arm of the backboard support assembly, the second bracket being connected to the first support arm and the second support arm of the backboard support assembly  
   
   
       5 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an elongated opening disposed in the second portion of the connecting member; and    a opening disposed in the first bracket, the biasing mechanism being at least partially disposed within the elongated opening in the second portion of the connecting member and the opening in the first bracket.    
   
   
       6 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 5 , wherein the biasing mechanism is capable of moving within the elongated opening in the second portion of the connecting member when the rim is moved between the first and second positions.  
   
   
       7 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 5 , wherein the biasing mechanism includes a fastener than extends through the elongated opening in the second portion of the connecting member and the opening in the first bracket.  
   
   
       8 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 7 , wherein the biasing mechanism include a biasing member that is disposed between an end of the fastener and the first bracket.  
   
   
       9 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first flange connected to the rim;    a first rim brace including a first end connected to the first flange and a second end connected to the second bracket and the backboard support assembly;    a second flange connected to the rim;    a second rim brace including a first end connected to the second flange and a second end connected to the second bracket and the backboard support assembly.    
   
   
       10 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 9 , further comprising: 
 a first brace cover that is sized and configured to at least partially cover a portion of the first rim brace; and    a second brace cover that is sized and configured to at least partially cover a portion of the second rim brace.    
   
   
       11 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 a first receiving portion disposed within the first brace cover that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first brace cover; and    a second receiving portion disposed within the second brace cover that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second brace cover.    
   
   
       12 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 10 , wherein the first brace cover and the second brace cover are sized and configured to create the appearance of a spring.  
   
   
       13 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a rim cover that is sized and configured to at least partially cover a portion of the rim.  
   
   
       14 . A basketball rim cover that is sized and configured to at least partially cover a portion of a basketball rim, the basketball rim cover comprising: 
 an engaging surface that is sized and configured to engage at least a portion of a basketball rim;    a plurality of net hook receiving portions, each of the net hook receiving portions being sized and configured to receive a net hook of the rim; and    a plurality of net receiving portions, each of the net receiving portions being sized and configured to receive a portion of a basketball net;    wherein the rim cover is sized and configured to at least partially enclose the connection of the basketball net to the net hook.    
   
   
       15 . The basketball rim cover as in  claim 14 , wherein the basketball rim cover is sized and configured to be attached to the basketball rim by a friction fit, a snap fit or an interference fit.  
   
   
       16 . A basketball goal system comprising: 
 a backboard;    a backboard support assembly connected to the backboard;    a rim disposed proximate a front surface of the backboard, the rim being sized and configured to move between a first position in which the rim is generally parallel to a playing surface and a second position in which the rim is disposed at an angle relative to the playing surface;    a connecting member connected to the rim and the backboard support assembly, the connecting member including a first portion that is disposed generally in the same plane as the rim;    a first rim brace including a first end connected to the rim and a second end connected to the backboard support assembly; and    a second rim brace including a first end connected to the rim and a second end connected to the backboard support assembly.    
   
   
       17 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a first flange connected to the rim, the first end of the first rim brace being connected to the first flange;    a second flange connected to the rim, the first end of the second rim brace being connected to the second flange.    
   
   
       18 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 a first brace cover that is sized and configured to at least partially cover a portion of the first rim brace; and    a second brace cover that is sized and configured to at least partially cover a portion of the second rim brace.    
   
   
       19 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 a first receiving portion disposed within the first brace cover that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first brace cover; and    a second receiving portion disposed within the second brace cover that is sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the second brace cover.    
   
   
       20 . The basketball goal system as in  claim 16 , wherein the first brace cover and the second brace cover are sized and configured to create the appearance of a spring.