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 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 basketball system may 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. The basketball system may include a base and one or more braces connecting to the support pole and the base. The base is preferably spaced apart from the support pole by a distance. The basketball goal may include a backboard that may include one or more receiving portions sized and configured to receive at least a portion of the base when in a packaging arrangement.

1 . A basketball system disposed in a packaging arrangement, the basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball backboard including a rebound portion and a frame, the frame including an outer member, the outer member of the frame and the rebound portion forming a receiving portion; and    a base including a hollow interior portion sized and configured to receive ballast material, at least a portion of the base being disposed within the receiving portion formed by the outer member of the frame and the rebound portion.    
   
   
       2 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the at least a portion of the base has a generally planar surface that abuts a generally planar rear surface of the rebound portion.  
   
   
       3 . The basketball system as in  claim 1 , wherein the frame further includes a central support structure sized and configured to be connected to the outer member after the at least a portion of the base is removed from the receiving portion formed by the outer member of the frame and the rebound portion.  
   
   
       4 . The basketball system as in  claim 3 , wherein the central support structure is sized and configured to be at least partially disposed within the receiving portion formed by the outer member of the frame and the rebound portion when the central support structure is connected to the outer member.  
   
   
       5 . The basketball system as in  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the central support structure is sized and configured to abut a generally planar rear surface of the rebound portion when the central support structure is connected to the outer member.  
   
   
       6 . The basketball system as in  claim 3 , wherein the central support structure includes a pair of generally straight supports.  
   
   
       7 . The basketball system as in  claim 3 , wherein the central support structure includes a pair of angled supports.  
   
   
       8 . A basketball system comprising: 
 a basketball goal including a backboard and a rim;    a support pole connected to the basketball goal;    a wheel disposed proximate a lower end of the support pole;    a base that is spaced apart at least 12 inches from the at least one wheel; and    a brace connecting the base and the support pole.    
   
   
       9 . The basketball system as in  claim 8 , wherein the base has a height and the base is spaced apart from the support by a distance at least twice as large as the height of the base.  
   
   
       10 . The basketball system as in  claim 8 , further comprising: 
 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 a support surface to secure the support pole in a generally fixed position.    
   
   
       11 . The basketball system as in  claim 10 , further comprising an axle, the axle being connected to the elongated rigid member in a cantilevered arrangement, the axle being connected to the wheel.  
   
   
       12 . The basketball system as in  claim 10 , further comprising: 
 an axle connected to the elongated rigid member, the axle including a elongated body having a length and a positioning member extending outwardly from the elongated body;    wherein the wheel includes a receiving portion, at least a portion of the positioning member being disposed within the receiving portion of the wheel and limiting the movement of the wheel along the length of the elongated body of the axle.    
   
   
       13 . The basketball system as in  claim 12 , 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.  
   
   
       14 . The basketball system as in  claim 12 , 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.  
   
   
       15 . A 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;    an elongated rigid member connected to the lower end of the support pole in a generally T-shaped configuration;    a first brace connected to the elongated rigid member and the support pole, 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 the elongated rigid member and 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, the first and second braces being connected to generally opposing portions of the support pole.    
   
   
       16 . The basketball system as in  claim 15 , 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.  
   
   
       17 . The basketball system as in  claim 15 , 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.  
   
   
       18 . The basketball system as in  claim 15 , further comprising a base that is spaced apart at least 12 inches from the support pole.  
   
   
       19 . The basketball system as in  claim 18 , wherein the base has a width and a length, the length being larger than the width, the length extending rearwardly from the support pole.  
   
   
       20 . The basketball system as in  claim 15 , further comprising a cover sized and configured to cover at least a portion of the support pole, at least a portion of the elongated rigid member, at least a portion of the first brace and at least a portion of the second brace.