Basketball goal rim lock

Abstract

A basketball goal having a goal rim locking structure. The goal rim locking structure has an open goal position to allow use of the goal rim and a closed position that prevents use of the goal rim.

1 . A basketball goal comprising: 
 a backboard;    a goal rim operatively associated with the backboard; and    a goal rim locking structure constructed and arranged such that an open goal position of the goal rim locking structure allows use of the goal rim and a closed position of the goal rim structure prevents use of the goal rim.    
   
   
       2 . The basketball goal according to  claim 1 , wherein the goal rim locking structure comprises a retractable piston that when in the closed position extends from the backboard a sufficient distance to prevent a basketball from passing through the goal rim and when in the open position is retracted such that a basketball ball can pass through the goal rim unimpeded.  
   
   
       3 . The basketball goal according to  claim 2 , wherein the goal rim locking structure is mounted to the backboard, goal rim, or support structure.  
   
   
       4 . The basketball goal according to  claim 2 , wherein the retractable piston extends at least about 10 to 14 inches from the backboard when in the closed position.  
   
   
       5 . The basketball goal according to  claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling the goal rim locking structure.  
   
   
       6 . The basketball goal according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller and goal rim locking structure are connected using a wireless transmitter and a wireless receiver.  
   
   
       7 . The basketball goal according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller is operated by at least one according to the group consisting of coin operated, token operated, card operated and key operated.  
   
   
       8 . The basketball goal according to  claim 5 , wherein the controller is automated using a timer and/or a photo-cell.  
   
   
       9 . The basketball goal according to  claim 1 , wherein the goal rim locking structure comprises a flap device having a vertical open position that allows a basketball to pass through the goal rim and a closed position that prevents a basketball from passing through the goal rim.  
   
   
       10 . The basketball goal according to  claim 1 , wherein the goal rim locking structure comprises a disc plate device having an open position in which the disk is retracted into and behind the backboard and a closed position in which the disk protrudes from the backboard and prevents a basketball from passing through the goal rim.  
   
   
       11 . A basketball court comprising: 
 at least one court;    at least one basketball goal associated with the at least one court, the basketball goal having a backboard and goal rim operatively associated with the backboard; and    a goal rim locking structure mounted on the basketball goal, the goal rim locking structure having an open goal position to allow use of the goal rim and a closed position that prevents use of the goal rim.    
   
   
       12 . The basketball court according to  claim 11 , further comprising a plurality of courts and basketball goals and associated goal rim locking structures.  
   
   
       13 . The basketball court according to  claim 12 , wherein the goal rim locking structures are controlled by a central controller.  
   
   
       14 . A method of preventing unauthorized use of a basketball court having at least one goal rim locking structure mounted on a basketball goal having a backboard and a goal rim, the goal rim locking structure having an open goal position that allows use of the goal rim and a closed position that prevents use of the goal rim, the method comprising the steps of: 
 controlling use of the basketball court by setting the goal rim locking structure to the open position to allow use of the court and setting the goal rim locking structure to the closed position to prevent use of the court as desired.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 14 , further comprising collecting fees for use of the basketball court.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the step of collecting fees includes using a coin, token, or card operated controller for controlling the goal rim locking structure.  
   
   
       17 . A goal rim lock comprising: 
 a goal rim locking structure having an open goal position of the goal rim locking structure allows use of a goal rim and a closed position of the goal rim structure prevents use of the goal rim, and a mount for mounting the goal rim locking structure on a goal rim.