Cover for poolside basketball/volleyball pole hole

Abstract

A cover for insertion into a poolside goal receiving hole is disclosed. The hole is the type for receiving basketball goal poles and/or volleyball net poles. The cover includes a table surface member having a generally flat top surface. The table surface member also includes a side skirt surface extending downwardly from the top surface. A central shank member is located beneath the table surface member. The shank member fits down into the goal receiving hole.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A cover for insertion into a basketball goal/volleyball net pole receiving hole located alongside a swimming pool, comprising: 
 a table surface member having a generally flat top surface and having a side skirt surface extending downwardly from said top surface a first distance, said side skirt surface defining a perimeter of said flat top surface;    said top surface member having a diameter distance which is greater than 1.9 inches and which is less than 16 inches;    a central shank member located beneath said table surface member and centrally located thereunder, said central shank member being integrally formed with said table surface member;    said central shank member having a transverse profile taken in a plan direction which is less than or equal to 1.9 inches, said central shank member having transverse dimensions taken in a plan direction to fit securely in the pole receiving hole comprising a cylindrical hole having a diameter of 1.9 inches;    wherein said central shank has a vertical length extending from said table surface member which is at least three times greater than said first distance of said side skirt surface.    
     
     
         2 . The retrofit cover of  claim 1  and further comprising a chrome layer on the outside of said table surface member and said side skirt surface.  
     
     
         3 . The retrofit cover of  claim 2  wherein said central shank is a hollow cylinder having an outer diameter between 1.8 inches and 1.9 inches.  
     
     
         4 . The retrofit cover of  claim 3  wherein said central shank member and said top surface member are integrally molded plastic.  
     
     
         5 . The retrofit cover of  claim 4  wherein said first distance of said side skirt surface is less than one inch, and wherein said side skirt surface is smoothly blended into said table surface member with a convex curvature.  
     
     
         6 . The retrofit cover of  claim 5  wherein said table surface member has a circular diameter of about 8 inches.  
     
     
         7 . The retrofit cover of  claim 6  in combination with a hole formed along side of a swimming pool, said central shank member extending into said hole.  
     
     
         8 . The retrofit cover of  claim 7  wherein said table surface member and said side skirt surface collectively form a hollow chamber with said central shank member projecting therethrough.  
     
     
         9 . The retrofit cover of  claim 1  wherein said central shank is a hollow cylinder having an outer diameter between 1.8 inches and 1.9 inches.  
     
     
         10 . The retrofit cover of  claim 1  wherein said central shank member and said top surface member are integrally molded plastic.  
     
     
         11 . The retrofit cover of  claim 1  wherein said first distance of said side skirt surface is less than one inch, and wherein said side skirt surface is smoothly blended into said table surface member with a convex curvature.  
     
     
         12 . The retrofit cover of  claim 1  wherein said table surface member has a circular diameter of about 8 inches.  
     
     
         13 . The retrofit cover of  claim 1  in combination with a hole formed along side of a swimming pool, said central shank member extending into said hole.  
     
     
         14 . The retrofit cover of  claim 1  wherein said table surface member and said side skirt surface collectively form a hollow chamber with said central shank member projecting therethrough.  
     
     
         15 . A kit, comprising: 
 a poolside sports event goal selected from the group consisting of: a basketball goal and a volleyball net, and including a pole adapted to be inserted into a hole located alongside a swimming pool;    a removable cover for insertion into a basketball goal/volleyball net pole receiving hole located alongside a swimming pool table, said cover including a surface member having a generally flat top surface;    a central shank member located beneath said table surface member and centrally located thereunder, said central shank member being integrally formed with said table surface.