Patent ID: 7462117

Claim:
A ground anchor for a sports support pole, comprising: a sports support pole having a first end and a second end; an anchoring base having a first side and a second side, the first side and the second side being rotatably connected, the first side being attached to the first end of said sports support pole and the second side being anchored to support a basketball backboard and hoop assembly; and a lifting system rotatably connected to the second side of said anchoring base and configured to connect to the first side of said anchoring base, said lifting system including a threaded rod and a lifting nut threadably engaged with the threaded rod, such that tightening of the lifting nut raises the second end of said sports support pole; wherein the first side of said anchoring base includes a lock to secure said lifting system to the first side of said anchoring base; wherein adjustment of said lifting system raises the second end of said sports support pole to allow for assembly of the basketball backboard and hoop assembly at the second end of said sports support pole at a predetermined height above the ground.