Patent ID: 7357738
Filing Date: 2008-04-15
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A method for reinforcing a hollow basketball goal support pole forming a cavity, the basketball goal support pole having a first portion and a second portion, the method comprising the steps of: attaching at least one spacer to at least one reinforcing bar, the at least one reinforcing bar including a first end and a second end and a first portion and a second portion; inserting the at least one reinforcing bar and the at least one spacer into the cavity in the first portion of the basketball goal support pole, the at least one spacer being configured to maintain the at least one reinforcing bar in a predetermined position within the first portion of the basketball goal support pole; maintaining the at least one reinforcing bar in the predetermined position while filling at least a portion of the cavity of the basketball goal support pole with a fill material such that the at least one reinforcing bar is substantially encased in the fill material; and placing the basketball goal support pole such that the first portion of the at least one reinforcing bar, including the first end is positioned below a basketball playing surface and the second portion of the reinforcing bar, including the second end, is positioned above the basketball playing surface; wherein: the basketball goal support pole includes an inner circumference; the at least one reinforcing bar includes at least three reinforcing bars; the predetermined position includes locating the first end and the second end of each of the at least three reinforcing bars substantially adjacent to the inner circumference and locating each of the at least three reinforcing bars at substantially equal intervals around the inner circumference of the basketball goal support pole; and the at least one spacer includes at least three clips for attaching to the at least three support reinforcing bars; and at least one member connecting the at least three clips and configured to locate the at least three clips substantially adjacent to the inner circumference and at substantially equal intervals around the inner circumference of the sports basketball goal support pole.