Column configuration for sporting equipment

Abstract

A portable sporting equipment assembly including a column removably attachable to a base. The column can include a tapered foundation and can be inserted through a bottom of the base. The base includes an opening with a taper that is complimentary to the tapered foundation of the column. One or more horizontal notches can secure the tapered foundation of the column into the base when engaged with one or more horizontal recessions of the opening of the base. The tapered foundation can reduce strain at an interface between the column and the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable sporting equipment assembly, comprising:
 a column insertable through a base of the portable sporting equipment assembly, the column including a tapered foundation such that a diameter increases toward a bottom of the column; and   a base configured to receive the column in an opening, the opening having a taper that is substantially complimentary to the tapered foundation of the column.   
     
     
         2 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the column is configured for insertion through a bottom of the base. 
     
     
         3 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the column is removably attachable to the base via one or more notches engaging with one or more recessions. 
     
     
         4 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 one or more horizontal notches on the column configured to attach to a horizontal recession in an upper portion of the opening in the base.   
     
     
         5 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more horizontal notches secure the tapered foundation of the column into the base when engaged with the horizontal recession in the upper portion of the opening. 
     
     
         6 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a backboard attachable to an upper portion of the column; or   a volleyball net attachable to the column.   
     
     
         7 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the column includes a plate configured for insertion into a backboard. 
     
     
         8 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plate is removably attachable to a slot of the backboard. 
     
     
         9 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the plate includes a raised edge configured to wedge the plate into a slot of the backboard. 
     
     
         10 . A portable sporting equipment assembly, comprising:
 a column insertable through a base of the portable sporting equipment assembly, the column including a vertical plate configured for insertion into a backboard; and   a base configured to receive the column in an opening, the opening having a taper that is complimentary to the tapered foundation of the column.   
     
     
         11 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the column includes a tapered foundation such that a diameter increases toward a bottom of the column. 
     
     
         12 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the column is configured for insertion through a bottom of the base. 
     
     
         13 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the column is removably attachable to the base via one or more notches engaging with one or more recessions. 
     
     
         14 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the backboard includes a slot configured to receive the vertical plate. 
     
     
         15 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the vertical plate includes a raised edge configured to wedge into the slot. 
     
     
         16 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the vertical plate is removably attachable to the backboard via a raised edge configured to wedge the vertical plate into a slot of the backboard. 
     
     
         17 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the vertical plate further includes depressions arranged in a checker-board pattern. 
     
     
         18 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the plate is attachable to the column via a bolt insertable through any of the depressions such that the bolt is flush with or below a surface of the vertical plate. 
     
     
         19 . A portable sporting equipment assembly, comprising:
 at least two columns insertable through respective bases of the portable sporting equipment assembly, the columns including a tapered foundation such that a diameter increases toward a bottom of the column, the columns being configured to support a net;   the bases being configured to receive any of the at least two columns in an opening, the opening having a taper that is substantially complimentary to the tapered foundation of the column.   
     
     
         20 . The portable sporting equipment assembly of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a net configured to attach to and extend between the at least two columns, wherein the tapered foundation is configured to counterbalance a tension force extending along the net.