Adjustable basketball system and method of use thereof

Abstract

An adjustable basketball system is provided. The system includes a sleeve positioned in a substantially vertical orientation with respect to a surface upon which the system rests. The system further includes a post configured to be inserted partially within the sleeve to functionally engage the sleeve. The system further includes a basketball backboard coupled to a portion of the post not inserted within the sleeve, the basketball backboard further including the basketball rim. The system also includes an actuator that is functionally coupled to the sleeve and the post, wherein actuation of the actuator axially transitions the post with respect to the sleeve to reposition the backboard with respect to the surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A basketball system comprising:
 a rectilinear sleeve with a through bore having first end and a second end a rectilinear cross-section and a first end and a second end;   a rectilinear post with a through bore having a first end and a second end, the post configured to be inserted partially within the sleeve and to functionally engage the sleeve, wherein the post comprises four rollers on each side of the post located at the second end of the power and the sleeve comprises a bushing coupled to the first end of the sleeve such that the rollers engage the inner surfaces of sides of the sleeve and the bushing engages outer surfaces of the sides of the post;   a basketball backboard assembly coupled to a first end of the post; and   an electric linear actuator comprising an actuator rod and an actuator cylinder, the electric linear actuator located within the sleeve and the actuator cylinder is coupled directly to the sleeve with a connection member and the actuator rod is coupled directly to the post with a connection member, wherein actuation of the electric linear actuator axially transitions the post in and out of the sleeve to reposition a height of the backboard assembly, and wherein the bushing and the rollers cooperate with each to maintain the post and the sleeve in a coaxial relationship as the post is raised and lowered in and out of sleeve during operation of the electric linear actuator.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the post comprises four apertures formed in each side of the post, the apertures located at the second end of the post. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the post further includes a roller operationally coupled within each aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the rollers operate to reduce friction, wear and damage to the post during transition of the post in and out of the sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , comprising a control electrically coupled between the actuator and a power source, wherein the control comprises a switch, wherein the actuator operates in response to operation of the switch. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a control for operating the actuator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the control unit comprises a removable memory coupled to the input/output port for storing photos and video captured by the camera. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the control comprises a power source. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the power source is one of AC power, a battery, a solar panel or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the backboard assembly comprises a backboard and a rim. 
     
     
         11 . A portable basketball system comprising:
 a post coupled to a portable base at an acute angle with respect to a front of the portable base;   a post support coupled between the post and the portable base to provide additional support to the post and to hold in an operable, playable position;   an upper adjustable support is pivotally coupled to a backboard with a pivot pin at a first end of the upper adjustable support and pivotally coupled to the upper portion of the post with a pivot pin at a second end of the upper adjustable support;   a lower adjustable support is pivotally coupled to the backboard with a pivot pin at a first end of the lower adjustable support and pivotally coupled to the post below the upper adjustable support with a pivot pin at a location between a second end and the first end of the lower adjustable support, wherein the upper and lower adjustable supports operate to adjust a height of the backboard assembly;   a linear actuator pivotally coupled on a first end to the post with a bracket and pivot pin and pivotally coupled on a second end to the second end of the lower adjustable support with a pivot pin, wherein the linear actuator moves the backboard assembly to a highest height when the linear actuator is in a fully retracted position and to a lowest height when the linear actuator is in a fully extended position.   
     
     
         12 . The portable basketball system of  claim 11 , wherein the linear actuator is operated and stopped at any position between the fully retracted and fully extend positions, thereby setting the height the backboard assembly at any height between the highest height and the lowest height.