Patent Publication Number: US-7214148-B2

Title: Basketball breakaway goal release apparatus

Description:
PRIOR ART 
   The applicant herein is very knowledgeable in the area of basketball goal release mechanisms used to release a basketball rim assembly when excessive pressure is applied thereto, such as in a slam-dunk basketball exhibition or game play. The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus is used primarily to prevent breakage of a glass basketball backboard member which is extremely costly on a national television exposure event when it takes thirty or more minutes to replace the shattered glass basketball backboard member. As the applicant is educated in this area and presently manufacturing basketball breakaway goal release apparatus, a patent search was conducted but only two patents are deemed pertinent. The following prior art patents considered pertinent to the invention herein are as follows: 
   
     
       
         
             
             
             
             
           
             
                 
             
             
               U.S. Pat. No. 
               Issued 
               Invention 
               Inventor 
             
             
                 
             
           
          
             
               4,676,503 
               June 1987 
               Break-Away Basketball 
               Kenneth J. Mahoney 
             
             
                 
                 
               Goal Apparatus 
               et al 
             
             
               5,318,289 
               June 1994 
               Break-away Basketball 
               Kenneth J. Mahoney 
             
             
                 
                 
               Goal Release 
               et al 
             
             
                 
                 
               Mechanism 
             
             
                 
             
          
         
       
     
   
   The first patent number, U.S. Pat. No. 4,676,503, was invented by Elmo J. Mahoney and Kenneth J. Mahoney, brothers, in response to activity in the area of basketball sports of shattering glass backboard members during television displays and, thus, a need to solve this problem by having a pressure released basketball goal rim assembly. This patent is not deemed pertinent to the applicant&#39;s invention submitted herein as of a “detent” or “latch” goal release mechanism. 
   The second U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,289 utilizes a breakover basketball goal release mechanism invented by Kenneth J. Mahoney and his son, Thomas H. Mahoney, the sole inventor of the invention herein. U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,289 includes upper and lower breakaway arm members which are pivotally connected to each other and operable to overcome a spring pressure and provide a positive release of a basketball rim and support assembly. However, it is felt that this patent is not pertinent to the inventor&#39;s application herein as numerous structural differences in providing areas of wear thus requiring maintenance which cannot easily be achieved unless returned to an origin of manufacture. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Breakaway basketball goal release structures have become increasingly popular over the past decades and are believed to provide several benefits to the users of this type of equipment. Benefits include reduced damage to basketball backboard members, improved player safety, reduced stress on the backboard support structure, and adds to the excitement of the game of basketball and related dunking activities. 
   In the past, there have been numerous attempts to design and develop basketball goal release systems to provide the benefits as described above. Though these attempts have achieved varying degrees of success and/or acceptance, they are nonetheless subject to certain drawbacks. These drawbacks relate to location and geometry of component parts, cost of manufacturing, susceptibility of such parts to damage and wear, and difficulty of service and maintenance. 
   To date, there are two basic categories of breakaway rims being marketed. They are “positive locking rims” and “non-positive locking rims”. Positive locking rims are designed to hold their position until an external force that is placed on a basketball rim reaches a level that will trip the basketball rim loose and allow it to pivot downward. This action relieves lever arm forces on the basketball rim that are being applied to a basketball backboard member and the support structure up to a point that basketball rim rotation is stopped. Non-positive locking rims are simpler structures whereupon, as more external force is applied to a basketball rim, more downward travel in the basketball rim will result. This increase in basketball rotation results in additional force being placed on the backboard and support structure with the maximum force being applied as rotation is stopped. 
   The advantage to a “positive locking rim” is that it can be set not to release until a preset level of force is applied to the basketball rim. Generally, this type of basketball rim will hold more closely to normal ball rebound characteristics of a standard non-movable basketball rim. “Non-positive locking rims” will generally not hold a normal rebound of a standard non-movable basketball rim unless the holding mechanism is tightened up to a point that basketball rim rotation is virtually eliminated. Of the two basic categories, the “positive locking rim” design is considered to be of higher quality. 
   Most “positive locking rims” use a detent or latch mechanism that secures the basketball rim in the playing position. The amount of force required to release the basketball rim from the playing positions is usually controlled by spring pressure placed upon a pin or ball that fits into a detent. Although this has been an accepted method for holding the basketball rim in a solid fixed position until an overload force is applied, this system is generally associated with a high degree of friction. 
   Unless all of the components in this system are in some way hardened so as to prevent wear, this detent or latch type of locking system has a tendency to lose the ability to hold a constant release setting. Therefore, constant maintenance is required on this type “positive locking rims” to ensure that they maintain acceptable levels of performance. 
   A more recent type of “positive locking” mechanism that has been invented is the breakover arm system and a system of this nature is found in Mahoney et al U.S. Pat. No. 5,318,289 issued Jun. 7, 1994. In this patent, a breakover actuator assembly consisting of breakover arm members which pivotally connected to each other and provides support to a basketball rim assembly with spring type pressure holding the breakover arm members in place. This system eliminates the wear associated with a latch or detent but is subject to considerable wear at the pivot points in the upper and lower breakover arm members and other pivot locations. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus of this invention includes a main support base assembly that is to be bolted to a support structure such as a basketball backboard member. A movable basketball goal support assembly is pivotally connected at a top back edge to the main support base assembly. This pivot point allows rotation of the basketball rim assembly in both the upward and downward directions. This is an important feature of this design since it 1) provides the most uniform downward release pressure across the top of the basketball goal support assembly; and 2) provides a method to open the basketball rim assembly for periodic inspection, maintenance, and replacement of component parts as required over time and use. A pair of parallel actuator link members are pivotally connected at one end to a link pivot shaft at a bottom of the main support base assembly. Upper ends of the actuator link members have a roller support shaft having an actuator roller member mounted on outer ends. The actuator link members are positioned under a base of the basketball rim assembly in such a manner as to provide support to the basketball rim assembly. The actuator roller members are in contact with a roller track assembly that is fixed to a underside of the basketball rim assembly at such an angle so as to allow the actuator link members to hold the basketball rim assembly in the playing position with a relatively small force. However, when an excessive downward force is applied to the basketball rim assembly, the top end of the actuator link member/roller assembly will rotate to the aft position and the basketball rim assembly will freely rotate downwardly. 
   In another aspect of the invention, this rim design can be serviced without removal from the support structure to which it is attached. The actuator link members can be forcibly rotated rearward by use of an external device, such as a pry bar. This will release the actuator roller members from a pocket formed by the roller track assembly that is fixed to the underside of the basketball rim assembly. At this point, the basketball rim assembly can be rotated upwardly so as to reveal the internal parts of the basketball rim assembly. The basketball rim assembly can be held in the open position with an external cross pin, screw driver or other device that will fit into a hole in a rim support plate of the basketball rim assembly. The actuator link members can then be rotated downwardly to reveal other rim components such as a rubber soft stop members, the actuator roller members, a compression spring member, and an adjuster screw assembly. Additionally, lubrication points for the two main pivot points can now be reached. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the external downward pressure required to release the basketball rim assembly from the normal playing position can be independently controlled with an adjustment device such as an Allen wrench. This adjustment device can be an externally adjuster screw assembly that acts as a screw jack against the compression spring member that holds the actuator link members and actuator roller members in place. 
   In another aspect of the invention, when excessive force is applied to the rim, the actuator link members and actuator roller members trip rearward as the basketball rim assembly rotates downwardly. The basketball rim assembly rotation is stopped when the lower portion of the base of the basketball rim assembly contacts the main support base assembly that is attached to the base support structure. This, in itself, prevents the total compression of the compression spring member thus preventing what is known as a “solid column”. Preventing a “solid column” is critical to prevent damage to the operating components that make up the positive release actuator mechanism. 
   In another aspect of the invention, a shock absorbing assembly can be incorporated into a basketball goal support assembly design to prevent sudden stop of the basketball rim assembly when it reaches the bottom of its downward rotation. This components can be positioned directly between the lower portion of the back of the basketball rim assembly and the main support base assembly. This totally by-passes the components that make up the positive release actuator mechanism further preventing a “solid column” situation. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the downward rotation of the basketball rim assembly relative to a main support base assembly is positively stopped by contact of a stop wall of the basketball rim assembly with a front lower wall of the main support base assembly. This also prevents a “solid column” situation with the compression spring member and is known as a “hard stop”. 
   In another aspect of the invention, the basketball rim assembly will automatically return to the normal playing position. The compression spring member that holds the actuator link members in place when the basketball rim assembly is in the normal playing position also acts to return the basketball rim assembly back to the normal playing position after any external force that released the basketball rim assembly is removed. 
   PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus is provided to be attached to a basketball backboard member to prevent breakage thereof on applying an overload condition to a basketball rim assembly. 
   The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus includes 1) a main support base assembly which is attached as by a connector assembly to a basketball backboard member; 2) a basketball goal support assembly which includes a basketball rim assembly being pivotally connected to the main support base assembly; and 3) a positive release actuator mechanism operable to be connected between the main support base assembly and the basketball rim assembly. 
   The positive release actuator mechanism includes 1) a rocker arm assembly engageable with the basketball rim assembly; 2) a roller track assembly operable to engage the rocker arm assembly; and 3) an adjustable bias release assembly operable to maintain the rocker arm assembly and the basketball rim assembly in a horizontal position under normal basketball playing conditions. 
   The adjustable bias release assembly is operable on release of the rocker arm assembly to automatically return the basketball rim assembly to the normal horizontal basketball playing condition. 
   The rocker arm assembly is provided with actuator link members that are pivotally connected at a lower end to the main base support assembly and, at an upper end, is engaged with the roller track assembly and operable to pivot the basketball rim assembly on reaching an adjustable, preset pressure thereagainst and being easily adjustable to release on a preset pressure being applied thereto. 
   The positive release actuator mechanism is operable to maintain the basketball rim assembly in a solid rigid condition until a preset excessive pressure is applied thereto, which then pivots downwardly. Release of pressure on the basketball rim assembly causes an automatic return of the basketball rim assembly to the horizontal basketball playing condition. 
   OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
   One object of this invention is to provide a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus which can be mounted on any basketball backboard member and being operable to automatically release on excessive pressure applied to a basketball rim assembly and then return the basketball rim assembly to the normal horizontally extended basketball playing condition. 
   Another object of this invention is to provide a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus that resembles a normal basketball goal support assembly but having a unique mechanism therein for downward pivotal movement of a basketball rim assembly on application of excessive pressure applied thereto while maintaining continuous linkage connections between a main support base assembly and the basketball rim assembly. 
   One other object of this invention is to provide a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus having a basketball goal support assembly having a basketball rim assembly pivotal about a top main pivot shaft being a solid rigid structure without fluttering effect until a preset adjustable excessive pressure is applied to a hoop ring member and having an adjustable bias release assembly which increases pressure on the basketball rim assembly on pivotal movement so as to aid in the basketball players maintaining control after experiencing a slam-dunk basketball shot and, perhaps, sequential pivotal movement of the basketball rim assembly. 
   A further object of this invention is to provide a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus including a positive release actuator mechanism and a shock absorbing assembly to provide a cushioning effect on release of the basketball rim assembly and to prevent excessive forces and wear being applied to the overall basketball breakaway goal release apparatus. 
   Still, one other object of this invention is to provide a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus which is sturdy in construction; new and novel in operation; substantially maintenance free; adjustable and reliable in repeat pressure release operations; readily accessible and easy to perform maintenance operations thereto; and easy to install. 
   Various other objects, advantages, and features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following discussion taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 

   
     FIGURES OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a fragmentary perspective view of a basketball backboard member having a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus of this invention connected thereto; 
       FIG. 2  is a fragmentary perspective view of the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus of this invention having portions thereof broken away for clarity; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the support base member with portions of the positive release actuator mechanism broken away for clarity; 
       FIG. 4  is a fragmentary side elevational view with portions broken away of the basketball backboard member and the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus connected thereto; 
       FIG. 5  is an exploded perspective view of a main support base assembly and a positive release actuator mechanism to be pivotally connected to a support base member that is part of the main support base assembly; 
       FIG. 6  is an exploded fragmentary side elevational view of a rocker arm assembly and a spring compression adjuster assembly having elements deleted in order to achieve clarity; 
       FIG. 7  is an enlarged side elevational view of an adjustable bias release assembly and a portion of a rocker arm assembly; 
       FIG. 7   a  is an exploded perspective view of the rocker arm assembly and details of an adjustable bias release assembly; 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic side elevational view of the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus in a normal basketball playing condition; 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic side elevational view similar to  FIG. 8  showing the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus in a pressure released condition; 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic side elevational view showing a pry bar member being used in a maintenance operation; 
       FIG. 11  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  except the basketball goal support assembly is being moved upwardly and downwardly during the maintenance operation; and 
       FIG. 12  is a view similar to  FIG. 10  except the basketball goal support assembly is moved to a vertical position during the maintenance operation and held in the vertical position by a screw driver or similar object. 
   

   The following is a discussion and description of preferred specific embodiment of the new basketball breakaway goal release apparatus of this invention, such being made with reference to the drawings, whereupon the same reference numerals are used to indicate the same or similar parts and/or structure. It is to be understood that such discussion and description is not to unduly limit the scope of the invention. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   On referring to the drawings in detail and, in particular to  FIG. 1 , a basketball breakaway goal release apparatus, indicated generally at  10 , is shown as attached to a basketball backboard member  12  by a connector assembly  16 . The connector assembly  16  includes a plurality, namely four, members  18  with washer members  20  and nut members  22  mounted on respective bolt members  18 . (See  FIG. 4 ). 
   The purpose of the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  is to provide a means of releasing a basketball goal support assembly  26  when excessive pressure is applied thereto, such as occurs when slam-dunking a basketball member and a player grabs a basketball rim assembly  76 . This problem came to light when basketball players were shattering glass basketball backboard members while attempting a dunking procedure and it requires thirty minutes or more to replace the now shattered basketball backboard member. 
   The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  includes 1) a main support base assembly  24 ; 2) a basketball goal support assembly  26  pivotally connected to the main support base assembly  24 ; and 3) a positive release actuator mechanism  28  pivotally mounted between the main support base assembly  24  and the basketball goal support assembly  26 , as will be described, is releasably connected to the goal support assembly  26 . 
   As best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the main support base assembly  24  includes a support base member  30 ; a spaced pair of side support plates  32  extended outwardly along outer edges of the support base member  30 ; and a pair of spaced cover support lugs  34 . The support base member  30  is of a generally rectangular plate structure having an anchor support openings  42  therein. 
   The anchor support openings  42  include a pair of spaced anchor slots  44 , a pair of spaced key-shaped anchor openings  46  for ease of mounting and operable to receive the connector assembly  16  therein for anchoring to the basketball backboard member  12 , and a central spring bolt alignment opening. 
   Each side support plate  32  is of an irregular shape having 1) a vertical connector edge  50 ; 2) cover connector edges  52 ,  54 ; 3) a front vertical edge  56 ; and 4) a top shaft support opening  58 . 
   The pair of side support plates  32  are each provided with the aligned top shaft support openings  58  for pivotal connection by a top main pivot assembly to be described relative to the positive release actuator mechanism  28  as will be noted. 
   The spring bolt alignment opening  43  is adapted to receive a spring alignment assembly therein as will be described. 
   Each cover support lug  34  includes a support plate  60  having a connector edge  62 , and anchor slot  64 , and a connector clip  66  mounted about the anchor slot  64  to receive a cover connector bolt therein as will be noted. 
   The cover assembly  36  includes 1) a cover member  68 ; and 2) connector bolts  74  to be mounted in respective connector clips  66  for anchoring purposes. 
   The cover member  68  has a bottom section  70  integral with an upper section  72  forming a inclined plate structure operable to be placed against the cover connector edges  52 ,  54  of the side support plate members  32 . 
   As noted in  FIG. 1 , the basketball goal support assembly  26  includes a conventional basketball rim assembly  76  having 1) a rim assembly  78  connected to a top main pivot assembly  80 ; and 2) a net tube support assembly  79  connected to the rim assembly  78 . 
   As noted in  FIG. 1 , the rim assembly  78  includes 1) a hoop ring member  82 ; 2) a ring support plate  84  of a circular shape and welded to an under surface of the hoop ring member  82 ; 3) a basketball net assembly  79  is secured to the ring support plate  84 ; 4) a pair of parallel, spaced rim support plates  86  connected at rear upper edges to the top main pivot assembly  80  and connected as by welding to outer surfaces of the ring support plate  84 ; and 5) a top connector plate  92  welded to upper edges of the rim support plates  86  and a portion of the main pivot assembly  80  as will be noted. 
   A safety plate  93  is secured as by welding to upper adjacent edges of the support base member  30  and the side support plates  32 . The safety plate  93  functions to close a slot opening to the top main pivot assembly  80  to protect a basketball player from injury should a finger be inserted and caught in the slot opening. 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , the net tube support assembly  79  includes 1) a plurality of spaced support tube segments  96  secured to an undersurface of the hoop ring member  82 ; 2) a net support rod or wire  98  trained through the support tube segments  96 ; 3) a basketball net member  85  having upper portions supported on the net support rod  98  between adjacent end wall of the support tube segments  96 . 
   The top main pivot assembly  80  includes 1) a top main pivot shaft  104 ; and 2) a top main pivot tube  106  mounted about the top main pivot shaft  104 . 
   The top main pivot shaft  104  is mounted within upper top shaft support openings  58  in the respective side support plate members  32  and secured thereto as by welding. 
   The top main pivot tube  106  is mounted within the openings in the rim support plates  86  and welded thereto and mounted about the top main pivot shaft  104  so as to provide an upper main pivot axis for pivotal movement of the basketball rim assembly  76  from a generally horizontal playing condition to a pressure release condition and, further, pivotally upward to vertical position for ease of maintenance operations thereon as will be explained. 
   The positive release actuator mechanism  28  includes 1) a rocker arm assembly  108 ; 2) a roller track assembly  110  operably engageable with the rocker arm assembly  108 ; 3) and adjustable bias release assembly  112 ; and 4) a shock absorbing assembly  114 . 
   The arm assembly  108  includes 1) a pair of actuator link members  116 ; 2) a link pivot shaft  118  connected to inner ends of the actuator link members  116 ; 3) a link pivot tube  120 ; 4) a roller support shaft  122 ; 5) a pair of actuator roller members  124  each respectively connected to outer ends of the roller support shaft  122 ; and 6) a roller support shaft anchor assembly  126  connected to outer ends of the actuator link members  116 . 
   The identical actuator link members  116  are constructed of a sturdy rectangular sheet steel material and having 1) a pivot tube connector end section  128 ; and 2) a roller shaft connector end section  130 . 
   The pivot tube connector end section  128  has a pivot shaft opening  132  operable to receive the link pivot shaft  118  therein. 
   The roller shaft connector end section  130  includes 1) a shaft connector opening  134  to receive and support the roller support shaft  122  therein; and 2) an aligned clamp opening  136  to receive the roller shaft anchor assembly  126  therein as will be explained. 
   The roller support shaft  122  has outer anchor sections  138 , each operable to receive and support an actuator roller member  124  thereon. 
   The link pivot tube  120  includes an anchor mid section  140  with a pivot tube anchor member  142  connected to the anchor mid section  140 . The pivot tube anchor member  142  has a support base anchor edge  144  which is secured as by welding to a lower front wall of support base member  30 . (See  FIG. 5 ) 
   Each actuator roller member  124  resembles a bearing having a central shaft support opening  150  to receive the outer anchor sections  138  of the roller support shaft  122 . 
   The roller support shaft anchor assembly  126  includes a pair of clamp members  152 . Each clamp member  15  includes 1) a bolt member  154  to be mounted in one of the aligned clamp openings  136  of the respective roller shaft connector end sections  130 ; and ) a nut member  156  secured to an outer threaded end of the bolt member  154 . The nut member  156  is rotated to provide a clamping action against the outer anchor section  138  of the roller support shaft  122 . 
   As shown in  FIG. 5 , the roller track assembly  110  includes a pair of roller track members  158  having an upper leg section  160  which is integral with a lower leg section  162  and each leg section  160 ,  162  is extended substantially ninety degrees to each other. 
   The adjustable bias release assembly  112  includes 1) a spring adjuster support plate assembly  166 ; 2) a spring compression adjuster assembly  168 ; 3) a compression spring assembly  169 ; and 4) a spring alignment assembly  172 . 
   The spring adjuster support plate assembly  166  includes an adjuster plate member  174  having a lower first leg section  176  integral with an upper second leg section  180  to form an angle there between and having outer vertical edges  185 . 
   The outer vertical edges  185  are secured as by welding to adjacent inner surfaces of the actuator link members  116  as shown in  FIG. 7   a.    
   The second leg section  180  has 1) an alignment anchor hole  182  to receive part of the spring alignment assembly  172  therein as will be explained; 2) and adjustment slot  184  extended vertically and operable to receive a portion of the spring compression adjuster assembly  168  therein. The spring compression adjuster assembly  168  includes 1) an adjuster screw assembly  186 ; and 2) a spring adjuster plate  187 . 
   The adjuster screw assembly  186  includes 1) an adjuster screw member  188 ; 2) a locked nut member  189  connected to an outer end of the adjuster screw member  188 ; 3) a washer member  192  mounted on the adjuster screw member  188  and positioned in abutting relation to an outer surface of the second leg section  180 ; and 4) an anti-rotation, square nut member  197  secured as by welding to an inner end of the adjuster screw member  188  and being non-rotatable thereon; 5) a rotation flange nut member  190  mounted about the adjuster screw member  188  and being rotatable thereon; and 6) a limit or lock nut member  194  mounted on an inner end of the adjuster screw member  188  and being non-rotatable thereon. 
   The spring adjuster plate member  187  is of a generally rectangular plate steel construction having a receiving spring end section  193  which is integral with an alignment end section  195 . 
   The spring receiving end section  193  is provided with an adjuster screw opening  196  therein of irregular shape to receive the adjuster screw member  188  there through and encloses the rotation flange nut member  190 . A flange  191  on the rotation flange nut member  190  plus spring pressure against the spring receiving section  193  holds the rotation flange nut member  190  within the adjuster screw opening  196 . This allows the adjuster screw member  188  to rotate and the flange nut member  190  to move axially to achieve an adjustment feature of the compression spring member  170  to set release pressure of the basketball rim assembly  76 . 
   The adjuster screw opening  196  irregular shape is a hexagonal or 6 sided shape to receive the rotation flange nut member  190  and having an outer surface of hexagonal shape prevents relative rotation between the flange nut member  190  and the adjuster plate member  187 . 
   As noted in  FIG. 7 , the lock nut member  189 , the washer member  192 , and the anti-rotation square nut member  197  are fixed on the adjuster screw member  188  so as to clamp the adjuster plate member  174  there between but allow rotation of the adjuster screw member  188  in order to adjust rim release pressure from the compression member  170 . 
   The spring adjuster plate member  187  is connected to the rotation flange nut member  190  and provides axial movement on the adjuster screw member  188  in a spring adjustment function. 
   The alignment end section  195  is provided with an alignment slot  200  therein to receive the spring alignment assembly  172  there through as will be noted. 
   The alignment slot  197  is operable to receive the spring alignment assembly  172  therein and prevent rotation of the interconnected spring adjuster plate member  187  and the rotation flange nut member  190 . 
   As noted in  FIG. 7 , the anti-rotation square nut member  197  with one of it&#39;s four flat sides  199  against an outer surface of the roller support shaft  122  is held in this anti-rotation feature of the adjuster screw member  188  under force of the compression spring member  170 . (See  FIGS. 4 and 8 ) 
   The compression spring member  170  in the curved, normal playing condition ( FIG. 4 ) forces a flat side  199  of the anti-rotation square nut member  197  into contact with the roller support shaft  122  to restrict rotation of the adjuster screw member  188 . 
   During a spring adjustment procedure, Allen wrench outer hexagonal end is inserted into the tool receiving outer end of the adjuster screw member  188  and rotated in selecting the rim release pressure received from the compression spring member  170 . This caused downward movement of the adjuster screw assembly  168  in the adjustment slot  184  until a corner of the anti-rotation square nut member  197  loses contact with the roller support shaft  122 . 
   Then, the compression spring  170  forces a flat side  199  into contact with the roller support shaft  122  and the spring force holds the adjuster screw member  188  to prevent undesired rotation thereof. 
   The compression spring member  170  is of a predetermined strength and size and being compressible to adjust the compression pressure to be obtained therefrom. The compression spring member  170  has a plurality of integral coil portions and flat support surfaces on outer ends thereof. 
   The spring alignment assembly  172  includes 1) an alignment bolt member  198 ; 2) a lock nut member  206  mounted about the alignment bolt member  198 ; and 3) a guide sleeve member  208  mounted about the alignment bolt member  198 . The alignment bolt member  198  is inserted into the anchor hole  182  in the second leg section  180  of the adjuster plate member  174  and extended toward the support base member  30 . 
   The guide sleeve member  208  is mounted about alignment bolt member  198  and anchored thereto by the lock nut member  206 . 
   The shock absorbing assembly  114  includes 1) a stop support assembly  210 ; 2) stop support members  216 , 3) stop contact members  212 ; and 4) soft stop members  214 . 
   The stop support assembly  210  includes a pair of stop support member  216  of L-shape each having a stop support shaft  218  to receive a soft stop member  214  mounted thereon. 
   The stop support member  216  has 1) an anchor leg section  220  secured as by welding to the front wall of the support base member  30 ; and 2) a stop support section  222  which is operable to support the stop support shaft  218  mounted thereon. 
   The stop contact members  212  have outer stop contact surfaces  224  which abut the soft stop members  214  when the basketball goal support assembly  26  is in a pressure released condition. 
   Each of the soft stop members  214  are preferably made of a resilient rubber material having a main body section  226  integral with inclined stop contact surfaces  244  on an outer contact end thereof. 
   The main body section  226  has a support shaft opening  230  to receive the stop support shaft  218  of the stop support assembly  210 . 
   The association between the rocker arm assembly  108  and roller track assembly  110  are such, that a center line  312  passing through the center point or longitudinal axis of both the link pivot shaft  118  and roller support shaft  122  must be at an angle as indicated by an arcuate line  310  of less than ninety degrees in relationship to a line  314  that runs true to the surface of the upper leg section  160  of the roller track assembly  110 . The angle indicated by an arcuate line  310  must not be less then an angle that is useful in holding the basketball goal support assembly  26  in the normal playing position. The angle indicated by an arcuate line  310  is dependent on the spring force of compression spring member  170  when the positive release actuator mechanism  28  is in the locked position as indicated in  FIG. 8 . Spring force is controlled by adjustments made to the spring compressor adjustor assembly  168 . 
   USE AND OPERATION OF THE INVENTION  
   In the use and operation of this invention, the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  is secured to the basketball backboard member  12  by the connector assembly  16 . Limited adjustment of the main support base assembly  24  to the basketball backboard member  12  can be accomplished due to anchor slots  44  and the key shaped anchor openings  46 . The key shaped anchor openings  46  are important as the upper bolt members  18  with the washer members  20  and nut members  22  are connected to respective bolt members  18  and the nut and bolt members can be first inserted into the proper holes in the basketball backboard member  12 . 
   The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  can then be elevated to place the upper outer heads of the bolt members  18  through the large hole portions of the key shaped anchor openings  46 . 
   The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  is then lowered about the upper bolt members  18  which provides vertical support. The other bolt members  18  can be inserted in the respective anchor slots  44  and all of the nut members  22  can then be tightened. 
   The basic basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  includes the main support base assembly  24  which is bolted securely to the support structure, such as the basketball backboard member  12 . The basketball goal support assembly  26  is pivotally connected to the support base member  30  at the top thereof. This pivot point provides rotation of the rim assembly  78  in both upward and downward directions. This is an important design feature since it 1) provides the most uniform downward release pressure across the top of the basketball rim assembly  76 ; and 2) provides a method to open up the basketball rim assembly  76  for periodic inspection, maintenance, and replacement of component parts as may be required over time and usage. 
   The rocker arm assembly  108  includes the actuator link members  116 . The link members  116  are positioned under the base of the basketball goal support assembly  26  in such a manner as to provide support to the basketball rim assembly  76 . 
   As noted in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the roller members  124  on the outer ends of the actuator link members  116  are in contact with the roller track assembly  110  that is affixed to the underside of the basketball rim assembly  76  at such an angle as to allow the actuator link members  116  to hold the basketball rim assembly  76  in the playing position with a relatively small force. But, when an excessive downward force is applied to the basketball rim assembly  76 , a top end of the rocker arm assembly  108  will rotate to an aft position ( FIG. 9 ) and the basketball rim assembly  76  will rotate downwardly to prevent breakage of the basketball backboard member  12 . 
   After the excessive downward force is released from the basketball rim assembly  76 , the compression spring member  170  will return the basketball rim assembly  76  to the normal position as shown in  FIG. 8 . 
   In another important feature of this invention, the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  can be readily serviced without being removed from the support structure, namely the basketball backboard member  12 , to which it is attached. 
   First, the rocker arm assembly  108  can be forcibly rotated rearward by using an external device, such as a pry bar member  240  inserted between the link pivot tube  120  and the adjuster plate member  174  as shown in  FIG. 10 . The pry bar member  240  is rotated upwardly as noted by an arrow  242  in  FIG. 10 . This will release the actuator roller members  124  from the rocker track members  158  that are affixed to the underside of the basketball rim assembly  76 . At this point, the basketball rim assembly  76  can be rotated upwardly as shown in  FIG. 10  by an arrow  244  so as to reveal the internal parts thereof. 
   As shown in  FIG. 12 , the basketball rim assembly  76  can be held in the open position with an external cross pin, screwdriver, or other device that will fit into one of the maintenance holes  90  in the rim support plates  86  of the basketball rim assembly  76 . 
   The rocker arm assembly  108  can then be rotated downward as shown in  FIG. 12  to reveal components of the positive release actuator mechanism  28  such as the soft stop member  214 , the actuator roller members  124 , the compression spring member  170 , the spring compression adjuster assembly  168 , and the spring alignment assembly  171 . 
   Additionally, the two main pivot points of the top main pivot assembly  80  and the actuator link members  116 , plus the actuator roller members  124 , can now be cleaned and easily lubricated. 
   One other aspect of the invention is that the external downward pressure required to release the basketball rim assembly  76  from the normal playing position can be independently controlled with an adjustment device such as an Allen wrench used to rotate the adjuster screw member  188  to increase or decrease pressure on the compression spring member  170 . 
   Another aspect of the invention, when excessive force is applied to the basketball rim assembly  76 , the rocker arm assembly  108  moves rearward as the basketball rim assembly  76  rotates downwardly. (See  FIG. 9 ) 
   This downward movement of the basketball rim assembly  76  is stopped when the stop contact members  212  contact the support stop members  214  connected to the stop support assembly  210  which, in turn, is connected to a front wall of the support base member  30  of the main support base assembly  24 . This in itself prevents the total compression of the compression spring member  170  and prevents what is know as a “solid column” within the components of the compression spring member  170 . Preventing a “solid column” in compression of the compression spring member  170  is critical in preventing damage to the operating components that make up the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10 . 
   In the case of extreme pressure on the basketball rim assembly  76 , the invention provides safety during a “hard stop” condition wherein the inclined hard stop surfaces  95  on the rim support plates  86  contact the front wall of the support base member  30  to prevent the “solid column” condition on the compression spring member  170  to prevent damage to the operating components of the positive release actuator mechanism  28 . 
   The inclined angle of the hard stop surfaces  95  is designed to achieve parallel wall contact with the abutting surface of support base member  30 . 
   It is seen that the basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  of this invention is unique in operation and maintains the actuator link members  116  with a minimum amount of pivotal movement to prevent excessive wear thereon. 
   The basketball breakaway goal release apparatus  10  is sturdy in construction, reliable in forces to cause breakaway conditions, and substantially maintenance free. 
   While the invention has been describe in conjunction with a preferred specific embodiment thereof, it will be understood that this description is intended to illustrate and not to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the following claims: