Basketball system

Abstract

A basketball system may include a basketball goal and a support structure sized and configured to support the basketball goal at a desired height. The basketball goal may include a rim assembly, which may include a ring, one or more rim braces and one or more reinforcing members connected to the ring and the rim braces. The support structure may include a support pole. The basketball system may include a support member connected to a lower end of the support pole, which may form a generally T-shaped configuration. The support member may have a generally rigid construction and may be connected to a support surface to help secure the support pole in a generally fixed position. The basketball system may also include one or more braces that may have a low profile and that may be connected to the support pole and/or the support member.

1 . A portable basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal;    a support pole sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface, the support pole including an upper end disposed proximate the basketball goal and a lower end disposed proximate a support surface;    a base including a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receive ballast; and    an elongated rigid member connected to the lower end of the support pole in a generally T-shaped configuration, the elongated rigid member abutting and being sized and configured to be connected to the support surface to secure the support pole in a generally fixed position, the elongated rigid member being disposed proximate the base.    
   
   
       2 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the basketball goal includes a rim assembly including a ring, mounting member connected to the rim, a rim brace connected to the ring and the mounting member, and a reinforcing member including a first end connected to the ring and a second end connected to the rim brace, the second end being spaced apart from the first end.  
   
   
       3 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first brace connected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 12 inches from the support surface; and    a second brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole, the second brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 12 inches from the support surface.    
   
   
       4 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first brace connected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 8 inches from the support surface; and    a second brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole, the second brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 8 inches from the support surface.    
   
   
       5 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first brace connected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed between 8 to 12 inches from the support surface; and    a second brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole, the second brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed between 8 to 12 inches from the support surface.    
   
   
       6 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first brace connected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first brace being disposed at an angle that is between 20 to 30 degrees relative to the support surface; and    a second brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole, the second brace being disposed at an angle that is between 20 to 30 degrees relative to the support surface.    
   
   
       7 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first brace connected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first brace being disposed at an angle that is less than 30 degrees relative to the support surface; and    a second brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole, the second brace being disposed at an angle that is less than 30 degrees relative to the support surface.    
   
   
       8 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 a first brace connected to a first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first brace including a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion being disposed at a height that is less than the height of a top portion of the base; and    a second brace connected to a second portion of the elongated rigid member, the second portion of the elongated rigid member being spaced apart from the first portion of the elongated rigid member, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole, the second brace including a bottom portion and a top portion, the top portion being disposed at a height that is less than the height of a top portion of the base.    
   
   
       9 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated rigid member has a generally tubular configuration.  
   
   
       10 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated rigid member has a generally U-shaped cross section.  
   
   
       11 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the elongated rigid member is disposed proximate a front portion of the base.  
   
   
       12 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising at least one wheel connected to the elongated rigid member.  
   
   
       13 . A portable basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal;    a support pole sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface, the support pole including an upper end disposed proximate the basketball goal and a lower end disposed proximate a support surface;    a base including a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receive ballast;    a first brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 12 inches from the support surface; and    a second brace including a top portion and a bottom portion, the top portion being disposed less than 12 inches from the support surface, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole.    
   
   
       14 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein the basketball goal includes a rim assembly including a ring, mounting member connected to the rim, a rim brace connected to the ring and the mounting member, and a reinforcing member including a first end connected to the ring and a second end connected to the rim brace, the second end being spaced apart from the first end.  
   
   
       15 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein the top portion of the first brace is disposed less than 8 inches from the support surface; and wherein the top portion of the second brace is disposed less than 8 inches from the support surface.  
   
   
       16 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein the top portion of the first brace is disposed between 8 to 12 inches from the support surface; and wherein the top portion of the second brace is disposed between 8 to 12 inches from the support surface.  
   
   
       17 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein the first brace is disposed at an angle that is between 20 to 30 degrees relative to the support surface; and wherein the second brace is disposed at an angle that is between 20 to 30 degrees relative to the support surface.  
   
   
       18 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein the first brace is disposed at an angle that is less than 30 degrees relative to the support surface; and wherein the second brace is disposed at an angle that is less than 30 degrees relative to the support surface.  
   
   
       19 . The portable basketball system as in  claim 13 , wherein the top portion of the first brace is disposed at a height that is less than the height of a top portion of the base; and wherein the top portion of the second brace is disposed at a height that is less than the height of the top portion of the base.  
   
   
       20 . A basketball goal comprising: 
 a rim assembly including a ring, mounting member connected to the rim, a rim brace connected to the ring and the mounting member, and a reinforcing member including a first end connected to the ring and a second end connected to the rim brace, the second end being spaced apart from the first end.    
   
   
       21 . The basketball goal as in  claim 20 , wherein the reinforcing member comprises a tie rod.