Basketball goal unit

• Main Authors: FITZSIMMONS; JAMES N, SCHICKERT; RANDY R
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 03.11.1998
• Edition: 6
• Subjects: AMUSEMENTS; APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING,CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; GAMES; HUMAN NECESSITIES; SPORTS; TRAINING EQUIPMENT

A basketball goal unit having a first mounting plate for attachment to a backboard, a second mounting plate pivotally mounted to the first mounting plate, a rim supported from the second mounting plate, and a resilient member located between and in contact with the first and second mounting plates, the resilient member acting to bias the second mounting plate to a normal use position, wherein the resilient member is compressed and the second mounting plate is permitted to pivot a specified amount toward the first mounting plate when the rim receives a force having a downward component greater than a threshold level. Thereafter, the second mounting plate automatically pivots back to its normal use position due to the biasing action of the resilient member. Additionally, a rim support mechanism including a first support arm attached at a first end to a first side flange of the second mounting plate and to the rim at a second end, as well as a second support arm attached at a first end to a second side flange of the second mounting plate and to the rim at a second end, may be provided to assist in stabilizing the rim in a normal use position. A flexible cover for enclosing an area defined between the first and second mounting plates may also be provided to enclose the resilient member.