Light for a basketball system

Abstract

A lighting system for a basketball system may be movable between a first position in which the lighting system is disposed behind the backboard and a second position in which the lighting system is disposed in front of the backboard to allow maintenance to be performed on the lighting system. When the lighting system is in the second position, the lights are preferably disposed at least proximate the rim. Advantageously, the lighting system may be pivotally connected to the support pole of the basketball system by at least some of the same structure that connects the basketball goal to the support pole. In addition, if the height of the basketball goal is adjustable, that may allow the height of the lights to be adjusted when the lighting system is in the second position.

1 . A lighting system for a basketball system, the system comprising: 
 a basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal;  
 a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface; and  
 a connecting structure that connects the basketball goal and the support structure; and  
   a lighting system that is movable between a first position and a second position, the first position including the lighting system being disposed behind the basketball goal and the basketball system being capable of being used, the second position including the lighting system being at least partially disposed in front of the basketball goal and allowing maintenance to be performed on the lighting system, the lighting system comprising: 
 a lighting support structure including a first end, a second end and a connecting portion disposed between the first end and the second end, the connecting portion being pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system to facilitate movement of the lighting system between the first and second positions;  
 one or more lights attached to the first end of the lighting support structure; and  
 an attachment mechanism that selectively connects the second end of the lighting support structure to the support structure of the basketball system to secure the lighting system in the first position, the attachment mechanism being selectively releasable to allow the lighting system to move between the first and second positions.  
   
   
   
       2 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure of the basketball system is pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system by a bracket and the connecting portion of the lighting system is pivotally connected to the same bracket.  
   
   
       3 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure of the basketball system is pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system by a connecting member and the connecting portion of the lighting system is pivotally connected to the same connecting member.  
   
   
       4 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a height adjustment mechanism connected to the basketball system that allows the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted relative to the playing surface.  
   
   
       5 . The system as in  claim 4 , wherein the lighting system is disposed behind the basketball goal regardless of the height of the basketball goal when the lighting system is disposed in the first position.  
   
   
       6 . The system as in  claim 4 , wherein the lighting system is disposed in front of the basketball goal regardless of the height of the basketball goal when the lighting system is disposed in the second position.  
   
   
       7 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the lighting support structure contacts the basketball goal when the lighting system is in the second position.  
   
   
       8 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a height adjustment mechanism connected to the basketball system that allows the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted relative to the playing surface; 
 wherein the lighting support structure contacts the basketball goal when the lighting system is in the second position; and    wherein adjusting the height of the basketball goal also adjusts the height of the lighting system when the lighting system is in the second position.    
   
   
       9 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the basketball goal includes a backboard and a rim; and 
 wherein the lights of the lighting system are disposed at least proximate the rim when the lighting system is in the second position.    
   
   
       10 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure of the basketball C system is pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system; 
 wherein the lighting support structure of the lighting system is pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system; and    wherein connecting structure of the basketball system is pivotally connected to the lighting support structure of the lighting system.    
   
   
       11 . The system as in  claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism has a generally U-shaped configuration and is sized and configured to be disposed about a portion of the support structure of the basketball system when the attachment mechanism is attached to the lighting support structure and the lighting support structure is disposed in the first position.  
   
   
       12 . The system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a handle attached to the lighting support structure, the handle being sized and configured to facilitate moving the lighting support structure between the first and second positions.  
   
   
       13 . The system as in  claim 12 , further comprising a clip attached to the lighting support system that is sized and configured to receive a portion of the handle.  
   
   
       14 . The system as in  claim 12 , wherein the handle and the attachment mechanism are attached to the lighting support structure by one or more brackets.  
   
   
       15 . A lighting system for a basketball system, the basketball system including a basketball goal with a backboard and a rim, a support structure that is sized and configured to support the basketball goal above a playing surface and a connecting structure that connects the basketball goal and the support structure, the lighting system comprising: 
 a lighting support structure including a first end, a second end and a connecting portion disposed between the first end and the second end, the connecting portion being sized and configured to be pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system, the lighting support structure being movable between a first position and a second position, the first position including the lighting system being disposed behind the backboard and the basketball system capable of being used, the second position including the lighting support structure being at least partially disposed in front of the backboard and allowing maintenance to be performed on the lighting system;    one or more lights attached to the first end of the lighting support structure; and    an attachment mechanism that selectively connects the second end of the lighting support structure to the support structure of the basketball system to secure the lighting system in the first position, the attachment mechanism being selectively releasable to allow the lighting system to move between the first and second positions.    
   
   
       16 . The system as in  claim 15 , wherein the connecting structure of the basketball system is pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system by a connecting member and the connecting portion of the lighting system is pivotally connected to the same connecting member.  
   
   
       17 . The system as in  claim 15 , further comprising a height adjustment mechanism connected to the basketball system that allows the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted relative to the playing surface; 
 wherein the lighting support structure contacts the basketball goal when the lighting system is in the second position; and    wherein adjusting the height of the basketball goal also adjusts the height of the lighting system when the lighting system is in the second position.    
   
   
       18 . The system as in  claim 15 , wherein the lights of the lighting system are disposed at least proximate the rim when the lighting system is in the second position.  
   
   
       19 . The system as in  claim 15 , wherein the connecting structure of the basketball system is pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system; 
 wherein the lighting support structure of the lighting system is pivotally connected to the support structure of the basketball system; and    wherein connecting structure of the basketball system is pivotally connected to the lighting support structure of the lighting system.    
   
   
       20 . The system as in  claim 15 , further comprising a handle attached to the lighting support structure, the handle being sized and configured to facilitate moving the lighting support structure between the first and second positions.