Patent ID: 7214148

Claim:
A basketball breakaway goal release apparatus secured to a basketball backboard member to prevent damage thereto when excessive pressure is applied to a basketball rim member, compromising: a) main support base assembly connected to the basketball backboard member; b) a basketball goal support assembly including a basketball rim assembly pivotally connected to said main support base assembly; c) a positive release actuator mechanism having 1) a roller track assembly connected to said basketball goal support assembly; and 2) a rocker arm assembly having an actuator link member pivotally connected at the lower end to said main support base assembly; and having an actuator roller member connected to an upper end thereof; whereby said actuator roller member moves upwardly and rearwardly in the released condition to increase the spring pressure to assure return movement of said basketball rim assembly to the horizontal basketball game playing condition upon release of pressure on said basketball rim assembly; d) said rocker arm assembly engages said roller track assembly under spring pressure to hold said basketball rim assembly in a horizontal basketball game playing condition; e) said positive release actuator mechanism includes an adjustable bias release assembly mounted between said rocker arm assembly and said main support base assembly to hold said basketball rim assembly in a horizontal basketball playing condition; and f) said positive release actuator mechanism operates on receiving a predetermined downward pressure on the basketball rim assembly to cause a goal released condition and said basketball rim assembly pivots downwardly.