Portable Basketball Goal Having an Adjustable Backboard Angle

Abstract

A portable basketball goal assembly that has a backboard and rim. The backboard can be adjusted to a vertical position even if the assembly is set on a sloped surface. The backboard is supported at an elevation by a pole and linkages. The linkages engage brackets that are affixed to the backboard. A manual adjustment is provided that selectively moves the point where at least one of the linkages connects to the bracket. This changes the angle of inclination of the bracket. Since the backboard is affixed to the brackets, the angle of inclination also changes. This enables the backboard to be adjusted to a vertical orientation when the pole is slanted away from vertical due to uneven ground.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A basketball goal assembly, comprising:
 a support pole;   a backboard;   at least one bracket that support said backboard, wherein said at least one bracket has a bolt hole connector and a slotted connector thereon;   at least one upper linkage extending from said pole to said bolt hole connector;   at least one lower linkage extending from said pole to said slotted connector, wherein said at least one lower linkage can move within said slotted connector; and   a manual adjustment that selectively moves said at least one lower linkage within said slotted connector.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein a slide bolt connects said at least one lower linkage to said slide connector. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said manual adjustment includes a threaded shaft that threads through said at least one bracket and acts upon said slide bolt, therein moving said slide bolt relative to said at least one bracket when said threaded shaft is turned. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 3 , further including a knob for manually turning said threaded shaft. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one bracket includes a reinforcement bracket that is affixed to said backboard and an adjustment bracket that connects to said reinforcement bracket, wherein said slotted connector is disposed on said adjustment bracket. 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein said adjustment bracket can be selectively adjusted in position relative to said reinforcement bracket through an adjustment range. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said at least one lower linkage is connected to said pole with a pivot connection and further including a height adjustment mechanism that connects to said at least one lower linkage for selectively pivoting said at least one lower linkage about said pivot connection. 
     
     
         8 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a portable base that supports said pole. 
     
     
         9 . A basketball goal assembly, comprising:
 a support pole;   support linkages that extend from said support pole;   a bracket coupled to support linkages by a pivot joint;   a backboard supported at an orientation by said bracket, wherein said bracket can rotate about said pivot joint, therein altering said orientation; and   an adjustment for selectively rotating said bracket about said pivot joint.   
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said backboard is mounted to a reinforcement bracket and said reinforcement bracket is connected to said adjustment. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said adjustment bracket is adjustable in position relative to said reinforcement bracket. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , further including a height adjustment mechanism that selectively pivots said support linkages relative to said support pole. 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , wherein said adjustment includes a threaded shaft that acts upon at least one of said support linkages, therein moving said at least one of said support linkages relative to said bracket when said threaded shaft is turned. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 9 , further including a base for supporting said pole. 
     
     
         15 . A basketball goal assembly, comprising:
 a pole having long axis;   a backboard supported in a plane by said pole, wherein said plane is at an angle of inclination relative to said long axis of said pole;   a manual adjustment disposed between said backboard and said pole that selectively adjusts said angle of inclination for said backrest relative to said long axis of said pole.   
     
     
         16 . The assembly according to  claim 15 , further including a second adjustment for selectively adjusting said orientation of said backboard in said plane. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly according to  claim 15 , further including support linkages that extend from said pole and support a bracket. 
     
     
         18 . The assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein said backboard is mounted to said bracket. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly according to  claim 17 , wherein said manual adjustment is a knob and shaft that, when turned, affect rotational movement of said bracket relative to said support linkages. 
     
     
         20 . The assembly according to  claim 15 , further including a base for supporting said pole.