Basketball system

Abstract

A basketball system may include a basketball goal, which may include a backboard and a rim. The basketball system may include a support structure, which may support the basketball goal at a desired height. The support structure may include one or more support members, which may be arranged in a generally tripod-shaped configuration or other configurations. Some of the support members may be disposed within each other when in a packaging arrangement. The basketball system may include a base sized and configured to receive ballast material, and the backboard may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the base when in a packaging arrangement. The base may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the backboard, for example, at least a portion of a backboard frame when in a packaging arrangement.

1 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal; and    a support structure sized and configured to support the basketball goal at a height above a playing surface, the support structure comprising: 
 a first support member having an elongated configuration extending between an top end of the support member and a bottom end of the support member;  
 a second support member connected to the first support member;  
 a third support member connected to the first support member; and  
 a fourth support member connected to the first support member, the second, third and fourth support members being arranged in a generally tripod-shaped configuration that supports the first support member at least eight inches above a support surface.  
   
   
   
       2 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the second support member is connected to a first side portion of the bottom end of the first support member; wherein the third support member is connected to an opposing second side portion of the bottom end of the first support member; and wherein the fourth support member is connected to a rear portion the bottom end of the first support member.  
   
   
       3 . The basketball system as in  claim 2 , wherein the first support member includes a tube having a first diameter; wherein the second support member includes a tube having a second diameter that is less than first diameter; and wherein the third support member includes a tube having a third diameter that is less than first diameter.  
   
   
       4 . The basketball system as in  claim 2 , further comprising a barrier sized and configured to hide at least a portion of the first support member, at least a portion of the second support member, at least a portion of the third support member and at least a portion of the fourth support member.  
   
   
       5 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the fourth support member is sized and configured to have an adjustable length.  
   
   
       6 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the fourth support member includes at least two telescopically coupled tubes.  
   
   
       7 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a foot sized and configured to engage the support surface, the foot being movably connected to the support structure.  
   
   
       8 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a wheel including a first plastic wheel section connected to a second plastic wheel section, the first and second wheel sections being molded to be substantially interchangeable.  
   
   
       9 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 an axle including a elongated body having a length and a positioning member extending outwardly from the elongated body; and    a wheel including a receiving portion, at least a portion of the positioning member being disposed within the receiving portion and limiting the movement of the wheel along the length of the elongated body of the axle.    
   
   
       10 . The basketball system as in  claim 9 , wherein the wheel further includes a first wheel section and a second wheel section connected to the first wheel section, a part of the receiving portion being formed in first wheel section, a part of the receiving portion being formed in second wheel section.  
   
   
       11 . The basketball system as in  claim 9 , wherein the wheel further includes a first wheel section and a second wheel section connected to the first wheel section, at least a portion of the positioning member being sandwiched between the first and second wheel sections.  
   
   
       12 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the second, third and fourth support members are arranged in a generally tripod-shaped configuration that supports the first support member at least twelve inches above a support surface.  
   
   
       13 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the second, third and fourth support members are arranged in a generally tripod-shaped configuration that supports the first support member at least 18 inches above a support surface.  
   
   
       14 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the second, third and fourth support members are arranged in a generally tripod-shaped configuration that supports the first support member at least twenty-four inches above a support surface.  
   
   
       15 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a base including a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receive ballast material; wherein the basketball goal includes a backboard, the backboard including one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the base in a packaging arrangement, the base including one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the backboard in the packaging arrangement.  
   
   
       16 . A basketball system disposed in a packaging arrangement, the basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball backboard including at least one receiving portion; and    a base comprising: 
 a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receive ballast material; and  
 at least one receiving portion, at least a portion of the backboard being disposed in the at least one receiving portion of the base, at least a portion of the base being disposed in the at least one receiving portion of the backboard.  
   
   
   
       17 . The basketball system as in  claim 16 , wherein the basketball backboard further includes a rebound member and a backboard frame sized and configured to be connected to the rebound member; and wherein at least a portion of the backboard frame is disposed within the at least one receiving portion of the base.  
   
   
       18 . The basketball system as in  claim 17 , wherein the backboard frame includes an outer portion and an elongated central support; and wherein at least a portion of the elongated central support is disposed within the at least one receiving portion of the base.  
   
   
       19 . A basketball system disposed in a packaging arrangement, the basketball system comprising: 
 a first connecting member sized and configured to be movably connected to a basketball goal and to a generally upright support member; and    a second connecting member sized and configured to be movably connected to the basketball goal and to the generally upright support member; at least a portion of the basketball goal, at least a portion of the first connecting member, at least a portion of the generally upright support member and at least a portion of the second connecting member being sized and configured to form at least a portion of a four-bar linkage;    wherein the second connecting member includes a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the first connecting member.    
   
   
       20 . The basketball system as in  claim 19 , wherein the second connecting member includes an elongated tube, the elongated tube including the hollow interior portion.