Adjustable basketball apparatus

Abstract

An adjustable basketball apparatus having a basketball backboard, a support member or pole, and upper arm and a lower arm connecting the basketball backboard to the support member which, together with the backboard and support member, form a deformable parallelogram. There is an electrically powered elevating assembly coupled to one of the upper and lower arm and the support member for adjusting and securing the basketball backboard at a selected height. The elevating assembly is actuated by a user operated switch and upon actuation, causes the deformable parallelogram to be deformed, thereby adjusting the height of the basketball backboard.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An adjustable basketball apparatus comprising: 
 a basketball backboard;    a basketball goal coupled to said basketball backboard;    a support member;    an upper arm and a lower arm connecting said basketball backboard to said support member which, together with said basketball backboard and said support member form a deformable parallelogram;    a linkage member coupled to at least one of said upper and lower arm; and    a motor-driven screw mechanism coupled to said linkage member;    wherein said screw mechanism is selectively driven to deform said deformable parallelogram thereby adjusting the height of said basketball goal.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a switch, coupled to said motor, for turning said motor off and for selectively operating said motor in a forward or reverse direction.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a battery coupled to said motor for providing power to said motor.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein a battery charger is attached to said battery for recharging said battery.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a housing, wherein said housing accommodates said motor, said screw mechanism, said battery, said battery charger and said switch.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said housing includes a plurality of height markings for visibly indicating the height of said basketball goal.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said housing accommodates said linkage member.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said housing is coupled to said support member.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said housing is coupled to said support member.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to claims  5 , further comprising a bracket mounted on said support member.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , further comprising a bracket mounted on said support member.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein said housing is coupled to said bracket.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein said housing is coupled to said bracket.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein when said switch is an on position, said motor drives said linkage member to deform said deformable parallelogram.  
     
     
         15 . An adjustable basketball apparatus comprising: 
 a basketball backboard;    a basketball goal coupled to said basketball backboard;    a support member;    an upper arm and a lower arm connecting said basketball backboard to said support member which, together with said basketball backboard and said support member form a deformable parallelogram;    a linkage member coupled to at least one of said upper and lower arm;    an elevator assembly including a screw mechanism and a motor; and    a switch coupled to said elevator assembly;    wherein said deformable parallelogram is deformed to adjust the height of said basketball goal.    
     
     
         16 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said elevator assembly operates to adjust the height of said basketball goal.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein said elevator assembly is driven by said motor to deform said deformable parallelogram thereby adjusting the height of said basketball goal.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said screw mechanism is driven by said motor thereby deforming said deformable parallelogram.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said switch turns said motor off and selectively actuates said motor in a forward or reverse direction.  
     
     
         20 . The apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein when said switch actuates said motor, said motor drives said screw mechanism to deform said deformable parallelogram.  
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein said elevator assembly further comprises a battery and a battery charger.  
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 15 , further comprising a plurality of height markings for visibly indicating the height of said basketball goal.