Abstract:
In one example, a basketball system includes a basketball goal, a support structure, a connecting structure connecting the basketball goal and the support structure, and a height adjustment mechanism connected to the support structure and the connecting structure. The height adjustment mechanism includes: a biasing mechanism connected at least indirectly to the connecting structure and including a locking pin movable between a first position where the biasing mechanism is locked and a second position where the biasing mechanism is unlocked; and, a handle including an outer surface configured such that rotation of the handle results in a corresponding linear movement of the locking pin as the outer surface slidingly engages the locking pin. The height adjustment mechanism is configured such that a single movement of the handle is sufficient to effect both unlocking of the biasing mechanism and adjustment of a height of the basketball goal.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of, and claims priority to, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/192,046, entitled HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A BASKETBALL SYSTEM, which was filed on Aug. 14, 2008. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/192,046, entitled HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A BASKETBALL SYSTEM, which was filed on Aug. 14, 2008 claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/955,866, entitled BASKETBALL SYSTEM, which was filed on Aug. 14, 2007; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/026,392, entitled HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM FOR A BASKETBALL SYSTEM, which was filed on Feb. 5, 2008. Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention is generally directed towards sporting equipment and, in particular, to a height adjustment mechanism for a basketball system. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     The game of basketball is played by many people throughout the United States and the world. Briefly, the game of basketball typically includes a flat and level playing surface with a basketball goal at each end of the court. The basketball goal, which may include a backboard and a rim or hoop, is typically attached to the top of a support pole. The rim or hoop is normally located ten feet above the playing surface and the backboard may be constructed from materials such as wood, metal, plastic or tempered glass. 
     Conventional basketball goals typically include a backboard that is perpendicular to the playing surface and a rim that is parallel to the playing surface. The rim is often rigidly mounted to the basketball backboard, but the rim may also be pivotally mounted to the basketball backboard to create a movable or “break-away” type rim. 
     Known basketball systems may be permanently secured in a fixed location. For example, the end of the support pole may be inserted into the ground and secured in a set position. Portable basketball systems, in which the system may be selectively moved from one location to another, are also known. Conventional portable basketball systems may include a base with a hollow interior portion that is sized and configured to be filled with ballast such as sand or water. These known portable basketball systems may include one or more wheels to facilitate movement of the basketball system. These known portable basketball systems may also include a handle to facilitate movement of the basketball system. 
     Basketball systems that allow the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted relative to the playing surface are also known. These known adjustable height basketball systems may allow basketball to be played and/or practiced by a wide variety of persons. For instance, adjustable height basketball systems may be used by relatively tall players for some games and by shorter players during other games. Adjustable height basketball systems may also be used by players of different strengths or skill levels. In addition, adjustable height basketball systems may be used by adults and children. Further, adjustable height basketball systems may be used to play a regulation game of basketball or for practicing skills such as dunking the basketball. 
     Many conventional adjustable height basketball systems are difficult and/or time consuming to adjust. In addition, many conventional adjustable height basketball systems have complicated designs with numerous parts and connections, which may undesirably increase the cost of the system and make the system time consuming and difficult to assemble. Further, many known adjustable height basketball systems are constructed with large and bulky components. Disadvantageously, these large and bulky components may require a large amount of space, interfere with playing basketball and can make the basketball system more difficult to ship, store and/or assemble. The large and bulky components may also create an unpleasing appearance or design of the basketball system. 
     It may also be difficult and time consuming to adjust the height of many conventional adjustable height basketball systems. For example, some known adjustable height basketball systems require two people and/or two hands to adjust the height of the basketball system. For example, one hand or person may need to operate a release mechanism so that the height of the basketball goal may be adjusted and the other hand or person may then adjust the height of the basketball goal. Additionally, some known adjustable height basketball systems may require the user to perform multiple functions in order to adjust the height of the basketball system. Thus, it may be difficult and awkward to adjust the height on these known basketball systems if two people or hands are required, and/or if multiple functions have to be performed. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT 
     In one example embodiment, a basketball system includes a basketball goal, a support structure, a connecting structure connecting the basketball goal and the support structure, and a height adjustment mechanism connected to the support structure and the connecting structure. The height adjustment mechanism includes: a biasing mechanism connected at least indirectly to the connecting structure and including a locking pin movable between a first position where the biasing mechanism is locked and a second position where the biasing mechanism is unlocked; and, a handle including an outer surface configured such that rotation of the handle results in a corresponding linear movement of the locking pin as the outer surface slidingly engages the locking pin. The height adjustment mechanism is configured such that a single movement of the handle is sufficient to effect both unlocking of the biasing mechanism and adjustment of a height of the basketball goal. 
     The foregoing and other aspects of embodiments of the invention will become more fully apparent from the following detailed description of example embodiments and appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages and features of the invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a rear perspective view of an exemplary basketball system with a height adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is an enlarged, partially exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  is another enlarged, partially exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 5  is still another enlarged, partially exploded rear perspective view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 2 , illustrating the height adjustment mechanism in an exemplary locked position; 
         FIG. 7  is a side view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 2 , illustrating the height adjustment mechanism in an exemplary unlocked position; 
         FIG. 8  is a side view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 2 , illustrating the adjustment mechanism in another exemplary unlocked position; 
         FIG. 9  is a rear perspective view of a portion of the basketball system, illustrating an exemplary handle that may be used in connection with the adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear perspective view of a portion of another exemplary basketball system with a height adjustment mechanism; 
         FIG. 11  is an enlarged rear perspective view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a partially exploded view of a portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is another partially exploded view of the portion of the basketball system shown in  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a portion of yet another exemplary height adjustment mechanism for a basketball system. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is directed towards a height adjustment mechanism for a basketball system. The principles of the present invention, however, are not limited to height adjustment mechanism for a basketball system. It will be understood that, in light of the present disclosure, the height adjustment mechanism disclosed herein can be successfully used in connection with other types of sports equipment and/or support structures. 
     Additionally, to assist in the description of the height adjustment mechanism for a basketball system, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, right and left are used to describe the accompanying figures, which are not necessarily drawn to scale. It will be appreciated that the height adjustment mechanism and various components thereof can be located in a variety of desired positions—including various angles, sideways and even upside down. Further, while the accompanying drawings illustrate exemplary embodiments of the height adjustment mechanism and basketball system, the height adjustment mechanism and basketball system may include other parts, components, features, functions, etc., depending, for example, upon the intended use of the height adjustment mechanism and/or basketball system. 
     For convenience, some of the components shown in the accompanying figures and discussed in detail below may have the same reference numbers. It will be appreciated, however, that these and other components may have different shapes, sizes, configurations and the like depending, for example, upon the intended use of the height adjustment mechanism and/or basketball system. A detailed description of the height adjustment mechanism for basketball system now follows. 
     As seen in  FIG. 1 , an exemplary basketball system  10  may include a support structure  12 , such as a support pole, that is sized and configured to support a basketball goal  14  above a playing surface. The support structure  12  may include one or more segments that are interconnected, which may facilitate shipping and transportation of the basketball system  10 , or a single elongated pole. The basketball goal  14  preferably includes a backboard  16  and a rim  18 , and the basketball goal may also include a net connected to the rim. The backboard  16  may be constructed from materials such as glass, metal, plastic and the like. In addition, the backboard  16  may be a unitary, one-piece structure or it may include two or more components. For example, the backboard  16  may include a frame and a rebound member connected to the frame. The frame may be constructed from a relatively strong and durable material, such as metal or plastic, and the rebound member may be constructed from acrylic or other suitable materials. As shown in the accompanying figures, the backboard  16  may have a generally rectangular configuration and it may have a width of about four or five feet, but it will be appreciated that the backboard may have other appropriate shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system  10 . Further, the rim  18  may be secured in a fixed configuration relative to the backboard  16  or the rim may have a displaceable or “break-away” type configuration, if desired. 
     The basketball system  10  may be part of a portable basketball system that is capable of being moved or a permanent system that is intended to remain in a fixed location. For example, the support structure  12  may be connected to a base to form part of a portable basketball system. The support structure  12  may also be connected to the ground to form an in-ground or permanent basketball system  10 . Advantageously, the basketball system  10  may be used in connection with either a portable or permanent basketball system. 
     The basketball goal  14  is preferably connected to the support structure  12  by a connecting structure  20 . The connecting structure  20  is preferably sized and configured to position the backboard  16  in a generally vertical position and the rim  18  in a generally horizontal position relative to the playing surface. The connecting structure  20  may also be sized and configured to allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted. 
     In particular, the connecting structure  20  may allow the rim  18  to be positioned at the standard, regulation height of ten (10) feet for playing the game of basketball. The connecting structure  20  may also allow the rim  18  to be positioned at higher and/or lower heights. For example, the connecting structure  20  may allow the rim  18  to be positioned below the standard height to accommodate children that may lack the ability to shoot at a regulation height rim. In addition, the connecting structure  20  may allow the rim  18  to be positioned above the standard height, if desired. 
     As shown in the accompanying figures, the connecting structure  20  may include one or more connecting members or arms that interconnect the support structure  12  and the basketball goal  14 . For example, the connecting structure  20  may include upper connecting members  22 ,  24  and lower connecting members  26 ,  28 . If desired, the connecting members  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  may be interconnected by one or more braces, such as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
     In order to permit the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted, the connecting members  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  are preferably movable. For example, the upper connecting members  22 ,  24  are preferably pivotally connected to an upper portion of the support structure  12  and an upper portion of the backboard  16 . The lower connecting members  26 ,  28  are preferably pivotally connected to a lower portion of the support structure and a lower portion of the backboard  16 . In addition, the connecting members  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  are preferably disposed in a generally parallelogram-shaped configuration. The connecting members  22 ,  24 ,  26 ,  28  are also preferably connected to the basketball goal  14  and the support structure  12  to form part of a four-bar and/or four-pivot linkage. Advantageously, this may allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted while maintaining the backboard  16  and rim  18  in a desired position relative to the playing surface. 
     In greater detail, the generally parallelogram-shaped configuration may include the portion of the backboard disposed between the upper connecting members  22 ,  24  and the lower connecting members  26 ,  28 ; the upper connecting members; the portion of the support structure  12  disposed between the upper connecting members and the lower connecting members; and the lower connecting members. The upper connecting members  22 ,  24  are preferably disposed parallel to the lower connecting members  26 ,  28 . In addition, the portion of the backboard disposed between the upper connecting members  22 ,  24  and the lower connecting members  26 ,  28  is preferably disposed parallel to the portion of the support structure  12  disposed between the upper connecting members and the lower connecting members. Further, the ends the upper connecting members  22 ,  24  and the lower connecting members  26 ,  28  are preferably pivotally connected to the basketball goal  14  and the support member  12 , respectively, to form the four-pivot linkage. It will be appreciated that the support structure  12  and the basketball goal  14  may be connected using other suitable structures and arrangements, such as shown in pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/500,791, entitled Basketball System, which was filed on Aug. 7, 2006; pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/625,677, entitled Basketball System, which was filed on Jan. 22, 2007; and pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/836,121, entitled Basketball System, which was filed on Aug. 8, 2007, which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
     The support structure  12  and the connecting structure  20  are preferably constructed from relatively strong materials such as metal or steel. Advantageously, the metal or steel components may allow a strong and durable basketball system  10  to be constructed. It will be appreciated, however, that the support structure  12  and/or connecting structure  20  can be constructed from other materials with suitable characteristics and qualities. It will also be appreciated that the support structure  12 , basketball goal  14  and/or connecting structure  20  may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system  10 . For instance, the connecting structure  20  does not require a generally parallelogram-shaped configuration, a four-bar or four-pivot linkage, and any suitable number and arrangement of connecting members may be used to connect the support structure and the basketball goal  14 . 
     A height adjustment mechanism  30  may be used to adjust the height of the basketball goal  14 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the height adjustment mechanism  30  may include a first portion that is connected to the support structure  12  and a second portion that is connected to the connecting structure  20 . In particular, the height adjustment mechanism  30  may include a first end  32  that is connected to the support structure  12  and a second end  34  that is connected to the connecting structure. Advantageously, this positioning of the height adjustment mechanism  30  may allow a user to quickly and easily adjust the height of the basketball goal  14 . In addition, this positioning of the height adjustment mechanism  30  may help prevent it from interfering with the use of the basketball system  10 . It will be appreciated, however, that the height adjustment mechanism  30  may also be connected to other portions of the basketball system  10  and it may be disposed in other suitable locations. 
     The height adjustment mechanism  30  is preferably connected to the lower connecting members  26 ,  28  of the connecting structure  20 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 1 , the lower connecting members  26 ,  28  may have a longer length than the upper connecting members  22 ,  24 . In particular, the lower connecting members  26 ,  28  may include extensions  36 ,  38 , respectively, that extend beyond the support structure  12  and away from the basketball goal  14 . First and second elongated arms  40 ,  42  may be connected to the extensions  36 ,  38  and the arms may be disposed generally parallel to the support structure  12 . The upper portions of the arms  40 ,  42  are preferably pivotally connected to the extensions  36 ,  38  of the connecting members  26 ,  28  and the lower portions of the arms are preferably connected to the height adjustment mechanism  30  and the support structure  12 . For example, first and second links  46 ,  48  may be used to connect the arms  40 ,  42  to the support structure  12 . 
     As shown in the accompanying figures, the basketball system  10  may include a pair of upper connecting members  22 ,  24 ; a pair of lower connecting members  26 ,  28 ; a pair of extensions  36 ,  38 ; a pair of elongated arms  40 ,  42 ; and a pair of links  46 ,  48 . It will be appreciated, however, that the basketball system  10  may include any suitable number of connecting members, extensions, arms and/or links. For example, the connecting structure  20  may include three pairs of connecting members or only a single pair of connection members. Additionally, the basketball system  10  could include only one or multiple extensions, arms and/or links. Further, while these connecting members, arms, links, etc. may be shown as individual components, these and other components may be integrally formed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure. 
     It will further be appreciated that the height adjustment mechanism  30  may be connected to other portions of the basketball system  10  such as the upper connecting members  22 ,  24 . For instance, the upper connecting members  22 ,  24  may have a longer length that the lower connecting members  26 ,  28  and/or may extend beyond the support structure  12  and away from the basketball goal  14 . The elongated arms  40 ,  42  may then be connected to the upper connecting members  22 ,  24 . Thus, it will be understood that the basketball system  10  and the accompanying parts and components may have various suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system. 
     A biasing mechanism  50  may be sized and configured to bias the basketball goal  14  into a desired position, help maintain the basketball goal in a desired position and/or facilitate movement of the basketball goal. In particular, the biasing mechanism  50  may help facilitate movement of the basketball goal  14  and/or help prevent unintended movement of the basketball goal. For example, the biasing mechanism  50  may be disposed in or include a first position that allows the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted and a second position that at least helps maintain the basketball goal in a fixed position. 
     The biasing mechanism  50 , however, does not have to bias the basketball goal  14  into any particular configuration or position. For example, the biasing mechanism  50  may simply provide a counterbalance or counterweight. For instance, as discussed in more detail below, the biasing mechanism  50  may provide a counterbalance or counterweight to the basketball goal  14  and/or connecting structure  20 . Preferably, the biasing mechanism  50  provides sufficient force to allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be easily adjusted, but the biasing mechanism could provide any desired force. 
     The biasing mechanism  50  may include one or more shocks, dampers and the like. In particular, the biasing mechanism  50  may include a gas shock, such as a pneumatic shock. The biasing mechanism  50  may also include other types of shocks, such as fluid shocks and the like, and/or one or more springs, such as gas springs, compression springs, tension springs, torsion springs and the like. These springs may be coil springs, cantilever springs, etc. If desired, the biasing mechanism  50  may include one or more different types of springs such as mechanical springs and/or gas springs. 
     The biasing mechanism  50  is preferably sized and configured to provide a force that at least partially counters the weight of the basketball goal  14 . In particular, the biasing mechanism  50  may help provide a counterbalance force that at least partially counters the force of gravity against the basketball goal  14 . Advantageously, this may make the height of the basketball goal  14  easier to adjust. The biasing mechanism  50  may also assist in raising and lowering the basketball goal  14 , but it may only assist in raising or lowering the basketball goal. 
     In greater detail, as best seen in  FIGS. 2-5 , the biasing mechanism  50  may include an end  52  with flanges  54 ,  56 . The flanges  54 ,  56  may include slots  58 ,  60 , respectively, and a locking pin  62  may be disposed in the slots. The locking pin  62  is preferably moveable within the slots  58 ,  60  between a first position in which the biasing mechanism  50  is disposed in the locked position and a second position in which the biasing mechanism is disposed in the unlocked position. For example, when the locking pin  62  is in the first position and the biasing mechanism  50  is in the locked position, the locking pin may be disposed away from the biasing mechanism. On the other hand, when the locking pin  62  is in the second position and the biasing mechanism  50  is in the unlocked position, the locking pin may be disposed towards the biasing mechanism. 
     It will be appreciated that the locking pin  62  and the biasing mechanism  50  may have other suitable arrangements and configurations. For instance, the locking pin  62  may be disposed towards the biasing mechanism  50  when the locking pin is in the first position and the biasing mechanism is in the locked position; and the locking pin may be disposed away from the biasing mechanism when the locking pin is in the second position and the biasing mechanism  50  is in the unlocked position. 
     The flanges  54 ,  56  extending outwardly from the end  52  of the biasing mechanism  50  may also include openings  64 ,  66  that are sized and configured to receive a connector or fastener  68 , such as a bolt. The fastener  68  is preferably sized and configured to connect the biasing mechanism  50  to the elongated arms  40 ,  42  and the links  46 ,  48 . In greater detail, the arms  40 ,  42  may include openings  70 ,  72  and the links  46 ,  48  may include openings  74 ,  76 , respectively. The fastener  68  may extend through the openings  64 ,  66 ,  70 ,  72 ,  74 ,  76  to interconnect these components. Thus, the fastener  68  may allow the biasing mechanism  50  to be connected to the support structure  12  by the links  46 ,  48  and be connected to the connecting structure  20  by the arms  40 ,  42 . As shown in FIGS.  2 - 5 , the links  46 ,  48  may be connected to the support structure  12  by a bracket  44  but the links  46 ,  48  may also be directly connected to the support structure  12 , if desired. 
     A handle  78  may be used to adjust the height of the basketball goal  14 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-5 , the handle  78  may have a generally T-shaped configuration with a gripping portion  80  and an elongated body  82 . The handle  78  may also include an opening  84  and the fastener  68  may extend through the opening to interconnect the handle, the biasing mechanism  50 , the elongated arms  40 ,  42  and the links  46 ,  48 . 
     The handle  78  may include a normal or rest position in which the basketball goal  14  may be disposed in a generally fixed position. The handle  78  may also be movable in a first direction to move the basketball goal  14  in one direction and moveable in a second direction to move the basketball goal in a second direction. In particular, the handle  78  may be pulled downwardly and that may raise the basketball goal  14  or the handle may be lifted and that may lower the basketball goal. It will be appreciated that the basketball goal  14  and/or the handle  78  may be moved in different directions depending, for example, upon the geometry and particular arrangement of the basketball system  10 . 
     Desirably, the movement of the handle  78  locks and/or unlocks the biasing mechanism  50  and allows the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted, which preferably happens almost simultaneously and without any other actions being required. Advantageously, this may allow a person to adjust the height of the basketball goal  14  using only one hand. In addition, because the movement of the handle  78  may both lock and/or unlock the biasing mechanism and adjust the height of the basketball goal  14 , no other movements or tasks may need to be performed by the user. Thus, no other mechanisms need to be released and/or other functions performed other than simply grasping the handle  78  and moving the handle so that the basketball goal  14  is disposed at the desired height. This one-handed operation of the height adjustment mechanism  30  may allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be quickly and easily adjusted. In addition, because no other mechanisms need to be used and no other tasks executed, this may allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be simply and efficiently changed. 
     In greater detail, the opening  84  in the elongated body  82  of the handle  78  may be disposed between the flanges  54 ,  56  and the fastener  68  may extend through the openings  64 ,  66  in the flanges and the opening in the handle. The handle  78  may include an outer surface  86  that is sized and configured to control the movement of the locking pin  62  of the biasing mechanism  50 . For example, the outer surface  86  may be curved or shaped to contact the locking pin  62 . Advantageously, as the handle  78  is being moved, the outer surface  86  may position the locking pin  62  in the desired locations and that may lock/unlock the biasing mechanism  50 . In particular, the outer surface  86  may protrude outwardly from the elongated body  82  and it may help control the movement of the locking pin  62  within the slots  58 ,  60 . For instance, if the handle  78  is in a first position, then the curved outer surface  86  may dispose and/or maintain the locking pin  62  in a first position, such as a locked position. On the other hand, if the handle  78  is in a second position, then the curved outer surface  86  may move or allow the locking pin  62  to be disposed in a second position, such as an unlocked position. Thus, moving the handle  78  may lock and/or unlock the biasing mechanism  50 . 
     One or more brackets may also be used to connect the handle  78  to the biasing mechanism  50  and/or control the movement of the locking pin  62 . For example, a first bracket  88  may be disposed on one side of the elongated body  82  of the handle and a second bracket  90  may be disposed on the second side of the elongated body. The brackets  88 ,  90  may include openings  92 ,  94  that facilitate attachment of the brackets to the elongated body  82  of the handle  78 . For example, a fastener may be inserted through the openings  92 ,  94  and it may attach the brackets  88 ,  90  to the handle  78 . The brackets  88 ,  90  may also include slots  96 ,  98  and the fastener  68  may be disposed within the slots. The brackets  88 ,  90  may further include openings  100 ,  102  that may be used to connect the brackets to the links  46 ,  48 . In particular, the links  46 ,  48  may include openings  104 ,  106  and a fastener  112  may be used to connect the brackets  88 ,  90  to the links  46 ,  48 . 
     The brackets  88 ,  90  may include outer surfaces  108 ,  110 , which may be similar to the outer surface  86  of the handle  78 , that are sized and configured to help control the movement of the locking pin  62  of the biasing mechanism  50 . Advantageously, the outer surfaces  108 ,  110  of the brackets  88 ,  90  may work in conjunction with the outer surface  86  of the handle  78  to control the movement of the locking pin  62 . The outer surfaces  108 ,  110  of the brackets  88 ,  90  may also work independently of the outer surface  86  of the handle, if desired. For example, if the handle  78  is in a first position, then the curved outer surfaces  108 ,  110  may dispose and/or maintain the locking pin  62  in a first position, such as a locked position. On the other hand, if the handle  78  is in a second position, then the curved outer surfaces  108 ,  110  may move or allow the locking pin  62  to be disposed in a second position, such as an unlocked position. 
     In greater detail, if the outer surface  86  and the handle  78  and the outer surface  100 ,  102  of the brackets  88 ,  90  are sized and configured to control the movement of the locking pin  62 , then movement of the handle may determine the positioning of the locking pin. As discussed above, the positioning of the locking pin  62  may determine if the biasing mechanism  50  is in the locked or unlocked position. For example, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the handle  78  may be disposed in a normal or first position in which no force is being applied to the handle. Preferably, the handle  78  is biased or predisposed to be in this normal position so that a force has to be applied to the handle  78  to move it from this normal position. As shown in the accompanying figure, the slot  96  in the first bracket  88  and the opening  84  in the handle  78  may not be aligned. In this position, the locking pin  62  is disposed away from the biasing mechanism  50  and the biasing mechanism is in the locked position. Preferably the outer surface  86  of the handle  78  and/or the outer surfaces  108 ,  110  of the brackets  88 ,  90  help maintain the locking pin  62  in the first position, which may help maintain the height of the basketball goal  14  in a fixed position. It will be appreciated, however, that the handle  78  does not have to be biased into the first position and the biasing mechanism does not have to be locked in this position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 7 , when a force F is applied to the handle  78 , the gripping portion  80  of the handle may move upwardly and this may cause the outer surface  86  of the handle  78  and/or the outer surfaces  108 ,  110  of the brackets  88 ,  90  to move the locking pin  62  into a second position. When the locking pin  62  is in the second position, the biasing mechanism  50  may be unlocked and the height of the basketball goal  14  may be adjusted. In particular, the upward movement of the handle  78  may cause the biasing mechanism  50  to be unlocked and the height of the basketball goal  14  to be lowered. 
     On the other hand, as seen in  FIG. 8 , when a force F is applied to the handle  78 , the gripping portion  80  of the handle may be moved downwardly and this may also cause the outer surface  86  of the handle  78  and/or the outer surfaces  108 ,  110  of the brackets  88 ,  90  to move the locking pin  62  into the second position. Thus, once again, the biasing mechanism  50  may be unlocked and the height of the basketball goal  14  may be adjusted. Specifically, the downward movement of the handle  78  may cause the biasing mechanism  50  to be unlocked and the height of the basketball goal  14  to be increased. Therefore, the movement of the handle  78  may lock/unlock the biasing mechanism  50  and allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted. 
     Advantageously, a single movement of the handle  78  may unlock the biasing mechanism and allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted. Significantly, no other tasks or functions need to be performed by the user. Thus, this may allow the user to use a single hand to change the height of the basketball goal  14 , which may make the basketball system  10  easier to use by a wide range of people. 
     It will be understood that the handle  78  (including the outer surface  86 ) and the brackets  88 ,  90  (including the outer surfaces  108 ,  110 ) may have other shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the particular configuration of the biasing mechanism  50 . For example, if the biasing mechanism  50  is disposed in the locked position when the locking pin  62  is disposed proximate the biasing mechanism, then the outer surface  86  of the handle  78  and/or the outer surfaces  108 ,  110  of the brackets  88 ,  90  may be sized and configured to maintain the locking pin proximate the biasing mechanism when the handle is in a normal position. The outer surface  86  of the handle  78  and/or the outer surfaces  108 ,  110  of the brackets  88 ,  90  may also be sized and configured to position the locking pin  62  away from the biasing mechanism  50  when the handle  78  is moved upwardly or downwardly. 
     Therefore, it will be understood that the height adjustment mechanism  30  and biasing mechanism  50  may have various shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system  10 . For example, as seen in  FIG. 9 , the height adjustment mechanism  30  may include a handle  120  with a different configuration. The height adjustment mechanism  30  does not require a handle and it could include a lever or other similar structure. 
     It will also be understood that the height adjustment mechanism and its accompanying parts and components may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements. For example, as shown in  FIGS. 10-13 , the height adjustment mechanism  130  may include a first end  134  connected to the support structure  12  and a second end  132  connected to the connecting structure  20 . The height adjustment mechanism  130  preferably functions in a similar manner as the height adjustment mechanism  30 . In addition, the height adjustment mechanism  130  preferably has a structure similar to the height adjustment mechanism  30 , but the various parts and components may have other shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements. 
     For example, as best seen in  FIG. 13 , the biasing mechanism  150  may include an end  152  with flanges  154 ,  156 . The flanges  154 ,  156  may include slots  158 ,  160  and a locking pin  162  may be disposed in the slots. The flanges  154 ,  156  may also include openings  164 ,  166  and a fastener  168  may be disposed in the openings. As best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the fastener  168  may also be disposed within openings  170 ,  172  in the arms  140 ,  142  to interconnect the arms and the biasing mechanism  150 . 
     As best seen in  FIGS. 12 and 13 , a handle  178  may include a gripping portion  180  and an elongated body  182 . The handle  178  may also include an opening  184 , such as a slot, and an outer surface  186 , which may be used to control the movement of the locking pin  162  of the biasing mechanism  150 . The handle  178  may also include openings or slots  188 ,  190  in the elongated body  182 . 
     The height adjustment mechanism  130  may also include a first bracket  192  that may be disposed on one side of the elongated body  182  of the handle  178  and a second bracket  194  that may be disposed on an opposing side of the elongated body of the handle. The first bracket  192  may include a first opening  196  that may be aligned with a first opening  198  in the second bracket  194  and a fastener  200  may be disposed within the openings. The first and second brackets  192 ,  194  may also include a second opening  202 ,  204  and the fastener  168  may be disposed within these openings. In addition, the first and second brackets  192 ,  194  may include third openings  206 ,  208  and a fastener  210  may be disposed within these openings. 
     The brackets  192 ,  194  may include extensions  212 ,  214  that are sized and configured to attach the brackets to the support structure  12 . For example, a fastener  216  may be used to connect the brackets  192 ,  194  to the support structure  12 . Desirably, the brackets  192 ,  194  are pivotally connected to the support structure  12  by the fastener  216 . If desired, the brackets  192 ,  194  and the extensions  212 ,  214  may be integrally constructed as part of a unitary, one-piece structure. The brackets  192 ,  194  and extensions  212 ,  214 , however, could be separate structures that are interconnected, such as by the fastener  210 . It will be appreciated that other parts and components of the height adjustment mechanism  130  may also have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system  10 . 
     As shown in the accompanying figures, the openings  184 ,  188 ,  190  in the elongated body  182  of the handle  178  are preferably elongated slots. In addition, the openings  196 ,  198 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  in the brackets  192 ,  194  may consist of elongated slots. This may allow, for example, the elongated body  182  of the handle  178  to move relative to the brackets  192 ,  194 . In addition, this may allow one or more of the fasteners  168 ,  200 ,  210  to move within one or more of the slots  184 ,  188 ,  190 ,  196 ,  198 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208 . In particular, when the handle  178  is moved upwardly or downwardly, the fasteners  168 ,  200  and/or  210  may move within the slots  196 ,  198 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  and this may allow the biasing mechanism  150  to be unlocked and the height of the basketball goal to be adjusted. 
     In greater detail, when the handle  178  is moved, the fasteners  168 ,  200 ,  210  may allow the handle to move relative to the brackets  192 ,  194 . For example, if the handle  178  is moved upwardly, then one or more of the slots  184 ,  188 ,  190 ,  196 ,  198 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  may allow the elongated portion  182  of the handle  178  to move so that the locking pin  162  is moved to an unlocked position and the height of the basketball goal  12  may be adjusted. Alternatively, if the handle  178  is moved downwardly, then one or more of the slots  184 ,  188 ,  190 ,  196 ,  198 ,  202 ,  204 ,  206 ,  208  may allow the elongated portion  182  of the handle  178  to move so that the locking pin  162  is moved to an unlocked position and the height of the basketball goal  12  may be adjusted. Preferably, when no force is applied to the handle  178 , the locking pin  162  is disposed in a locked position and the basketball goal  12  remains at a fixed height. 
     In operation, when the handle  178  is moved upwardly, the body  182  of the handle may release the locking pin  162  of the biasing mechanism  150 , which allows the height of the basketball goal  14  to be adjusted. For example, this may allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be lowered. When the handle  178  is moved downwardly, the body  182  of the handle may release the locking pin  162  of the biasing mechanism  150  to allow the height of the basketball goal  14  to be increased. 
     As discussed above, the movement of the handle  178  preferably both unlocks the height adjustment mechanism  150  and adjusts the height of the basketball goal  14 . Thus, a person may only perform the sole function of moving the handle  178  to adjust the height of the basketball goal  14 . Because no other functions or tasks have to be performed, it will be understood that the height of the basketball goal  14  may be easily adjusted. It will also be understood that other functions could be performed, if desired. It will further be understood that the biasing mechanisms  50 ,  150  could have other shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the basketball system  10 . 
     Although this invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claims which follow.