Adjustable basketball goal

An adjustable height basketball goal including a vertical column having angled corners and a beam extending up from the column. The upper end of the beam supports a basketball goal and the lower end is attached to the column by a movable collar. The collar carries a first set of rollers disposed to contact the angled corners at a first elevation, and a second set of rollers disposed to contact the angled corners at a second lower elevation. The rollers allow easy movement of the collar with respect to the column while firmly securing the beam against wobbling. A vertical adjustment mechanism, such as a rack and gear assembly selectively moves the collar with respect to the column to adjust the height of the basketball goal above the playing surface.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
This invention relates to sporting devices, and more particularly to an 
adjustable height basketball goal. 
BACKGROUND ART 
Several adjustable height basketball goals are shown in the prior art, but 
none to date have been commercially successful, due top various problems. 
Complicated structures are characteristic of the known devices and many 
include telescoping sections that bind and make operation difficult if not 
impossible. 
Those concerned with these and other problems recognize the need for an 
improved adjustable height basketball goal. 
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides an adjustable height basketball goal 
including a vertical column having angled corners and a beam extending up 
from the column. The upper end of the beam supports a basketball goal and 
the lower end is attached to the column by a movable collar. The collar 
carries a first set of rollers disposed to contact the angled corners at a 
first elevation, and a second set of rollers disposed to contact the 
angled corners tat a second lower elevation. The rollers allow easy 
movement of the collar with respect to the column while firmly securing 
the beam against wobbling. A vertical adjustment mechanism, such as a rack 
and gear assembly selectively moves the collar with respect to the column 
to adjust the height of the basketball goal above the playing surface. 
An object of the present invention is the provision of an improved 
adjustable height basketball goal. 
Another object is to provide an adjustable basketball goal having an 
uncomplicated structure. 
A further object of the invention is the provision of an adjustable 
basketball goal that is easy and safe to operate. 
Still another object is to provide an adjustable basketball goal that is 
durable. 
A still further object of the present invention is the provision of an 
adjustable basketball goal that is secured against wobbling.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate 
identical or corresponding parts throughout the several views, FIG. 1 
shows the adjustable height basketball goal (10) of the present invention 
including a vertical column (12) formed of square steel tubing extending 
above the basketball playing surface (14). A beam (16) extends upwardly 
and outwardly from the column (12) and the upper end of the beam (16) 
supports a conventional basketball goal (18). The lower end of the beam 
(16) is attached to the column (12) by a movable collar (20). 
As best shown in FIGS. 3-5, the collar (20) includes a U-shaped bracket 
(22) that is welded to the lower end of the beam (16). A first set of 
rollers (30, 32 and 34) are rotatably attached to an upper portion of 
bracket (22) and are disposed to contact the corners of the column (12) at 
a first elevation. A second set of rollers (40, 42 and 44) are rotatably 
attached to the lower portion of the bracket (22) and are disposed to 
contact the corners of the column (12) at a second lower elevation. The 
arrangement of the rollers facilitates movement of the collar (20) up and 
down the column (12) while preventing the beam (16) from wobbling. 
The collar (20) is selectively moved along the column by a rack and gear 
mechanism. A vertical rack (50) is attached to the column (12) and a 
mating gear (52) is rotatably attached by a shaft (54) to the bracket 
(22). As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the mating gear (52) is driven by a worm 
and worm gear arrangement. The worm gear 956) is mounted on the shaft (54) 
and the worm (58) is attached to a shaft (59) rotatably mounted on the 
mounting plate (60). A crank handle (62) is attached to the end of the 
shaft (59) and rotation of the handle (62) causes the collar (20) to move 
with respect to the column (12). The worm and worm gear arrangement allows 
the collar (20) to be securely positioned at any elevational on the column 
(12) without the need for a separate locking mechanism. 
The height of the basketball goal (18) above the playing surface (14) can 
be selectively adjusted between the lowest position (FIG. 2) where the 
collar (20) contacts a lower stop(64), and the highest position where the 
mating bar (52) reaches the top end of the rack (50). A pointer (66) is 
attached to the collar (20) and a scale (68) extends along the column 
(12). The height of the goal (18) is indicated by the relative position of 
the pointer (66) with respect to the scale (68). 
As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the column (12) includes a leveling 
mechanism to secure it in its vertical position. A base (70) is anchored 
in the ground with the upper end disposed generally at the elevation of 
and adjacent to the playing surface 914). Threaded studs (72) are attached 
to and extend up from a flange (74) at the top of the base 970). A mating 
flange (76) is attached to the bottom of the column (12) and includes 
openings disposed to receive the upper portions of the studs (72). 
Fasteners (78) are threaded on the studs (72) both above and below the 
mating flange (76). The fasteners (78) are then adjusted to position and 
secure the column in its vertical orientation. 
Thus, it can be seen that at least all of the stated objectives have been 
achieved. 
Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are 
possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood 
that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be 
practiced otherwise than as specifically described.