Poolside goal system

Abstract

A poolside goal system may allow various games or sports, such as basketball or volleyball, to be played in a swimming pool. For example, the poolside goal system may include a base, a goal support, a basketball goal assembly and volleyball net assembly. The basketball goal assembly is preferably movable between a first position in which basketball can be played and a second position which allows volleyball to be played. Advantageously, the basketball goal assembly may be configured to counterbalance forces applied to the volleyball net assembly. The poolside goal system may also include a wheel assembly to allow the system to be readily moved, or the goal system may be permanently secured in a fixed position. The poolside goal system, however, does not have to be used in connection with a swimming pool and it could be used in other environments or situations.

1 . A poolside goal system comprising: 
 a goal support including at least one elongated support member; and    a basketball goal assembly including a backboard and a rim, the basketball goal assembly being pivotally connected to an upper portion of the goal support, the basketball goal assembly being movable between a first position in which the basketball goal assembly can be used for playing basketball and a second position in which the basketball goal assembly is pivoted about the upper portion of the goal support in an at least partially downward direction from the first position to the second position.    
   
   
       2 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 1 , wherein the backboard and the rim face a first direction in the first position, and the backboard and the rim face a generally opposite direction in the second position.  
   
   
       3 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a net assembly at least partially connected to the basketball goal assembly, the basketball goal assembly being sized and configured to counterbalance a force applied to the net assembly.  
   
   
       4 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a net assembly at least partially connected to the basketball goal assembly, the basketball goal assembly being sized and configured to move from the second position toward the first position when a force is applied to the net assembly.  
   
   
       5 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 1 , further comprising a net assembly at least partially connected to the basketball goal assembly; and means for counterbalancing a force applied to the net assembly.  
   
   
       6 . A poolside goal system comprising: 
 a base;    a basketball goal assembly including a backboard and a rim disposed near a front face of the backboard; and    a support structure including a first support member connected to the base and a second support member connected to the basketball goal assembly, the first support member and the second support member including a first position in which the front face of the backboard and rim are generally disposed away from the base and a second position in which the rim is disposed towards the base.    
   
   
       7 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 6 , further comprising an alignment mechanism that facilitates connection of the first support member and the second support member in the first position, and facilitates connection of the first support member and the second support member in the second position.  
   
   
       8 . The poolside goal systems as in  claim 6 , further comprising a bushing positioned between at least a portion of the first support member and at least a portion of the second support member.  
   
   
       9 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 6 , further comprising a bushing constructed of a compressible material adapted to secure the second support member in a position relative to the first support member.  
   
   
       10 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 9 , wherein the bushing is sized and configured to guide the second support member to a position relative to the first support member.  
   
   
       11 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 9 , wherein second support member includes one or more flared portions adapted to compress at least a portion of the bushing.  
   
   
       12 . A poolside goal system comprising: 
 a base;    a basketball goal assembly including a backboard and a rim;    a goal support including a first support member connected to the base and a second support member connected to the basketball goal assembly; and    one or more engaging members integrally formed in the goal support, the engaging members being sized and configured to releasably connect the first support member and the second support member.    
   
   
       13 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 12 , wherein the one or more engaging members include one or more notches.  
   
   
       14 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 12 , wherein the one or more engaging members are sized and configured to releasably secure the second support member in a plurality of positions relative to the first support member.  
   
   
       15 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 12 , wherein the one or more engaging members are sized and configured to secure the second support member in a first rotational position relative to the first support member and to secure the second support member in a second rotational position relative to the first support member.  
   
   
       16 . A goal system comprising: 
 a first support structure including a base, a support structure and a basketball goal assembly, the support structure including a first support member connected to the base and a second support member connected to the basketball goal assembly, the basketball goal assembly being movable between a first position in which basketball is capable of being played and a second position;    a second support structure including a base, a support structure and a basketball goal assembly, the support structure including a first support member connected to the base and a second support member connected to the basketball goal assembly, the basketball goal assembly being movable between a first position in which basketball is capable of being played and a second position; and    a net assembly connected to the first support structure and connected to the second support structure, the net assembly including a net and at least one line connecting the net to at least one of the support structures.    
   
   
       17 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 16 , wherein the basketball goal assembly including a backboard and a rim; and 
 wherein the backboard and the rim face a first direction when the basketball goal assembly is in the first position, and the backboard and the rim face a generally opposite direction when the basketball goal assembly is in the second position.    
   
   
       18 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 16 , wherein the net assembly is at least partially connected to the basketball goal assembly of the first support structure and the second support structure, the basketball goal assembly of the first support structure and the basketball goal assembly of the second support structure being sized and configured to counterbalance a force applied to the net assembly.  
   
   
       19 . The poolside goal system as in  claim 16 , wherein the net assembly is at least partially connected to the basketball goal assembly of the first support structure and the second support structure, the basketball goal assembly of the first support structure and the second support structure being sized and configured to move from the second position toward the first position when a force is applied to the net assembly.