Clamshell basketball system

Abstract

One example of a basketball system includes a goal, a backboard to which the goal is attachable, a support structure that is connectible to the backboard, legs that are attachable to the support structure, and a base to which the legs are attachable, and the base is sized and configured to completely enclose the goal, the backboard, the support structure, and the legs. The backboard is configured to fold when not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A basketball system, comprising:
 a goal;   a backboard to which the goal is attachable;   a support structure that is connectible directly or indirectly to the backboard;   legs that are attachable to the support structure; and   a base to which the legs are attachable, and the base is sized and configured to completely enclose the goal, the support structure, and the legs.   
     
     
         2 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the backboard is foldable and, when folded, fits within the base. 
     
     
         3 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the backboard comprises a living hinge that runs a length, or a width, of the backboard. 
     
     
         4 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising struts that are connectible to respective legs, and to the base, and the struts are containable in the base along with the goal, the backboard, the support structure, and the legs. 
     
     
         5 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising an axle and two wheels configured to be positioned on the axle, and the wheels and the axle are containable in the base along with the goal, the backboard, the support structure, the legs, and struts. 
     
     
         6 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a stiffener configured to removably engage a recess defined by the backboard, and the stiffener is containable in the base along with the goal, the backboard, the support structure, and the legs. 
     
     
         7 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising wheels that enable the basketball system to be rolled from one location to another when the basketball system is in an assembled state. 
     
     
         8 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the base comprises a bottom portion, and a cover that removably fits with the bottom portion. 
     
     
         9 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the backboard comprises two pieces. 
     
     
         10 . A basketball system, comprising:
 a base that contains basketball system components comprising:
 a goal; 
 a backboard comprising two portions; 
 a support structure; 
 legs; 
 one or more wheels; 
 an axle; and 
 struts. 
   
     
     
         11 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the base comprises a bottom portion, and a cover that removably fits with the bottom portion. 
     
     
         12 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the base defines a locating element that is integral with the base. 
     
     
         13 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the base defines recesses that are integral with the base and that are configured to accommodate respective portions of the legs. 
     
     
         14 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the base further contains a cross piece, and one or more stiffeners that are removably connectible to the backboard. 
     
     
         15 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the backboard is folded. 
     
     
         16 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the base defines an integral handle. 
     
     
         17 . The basketball system as recited in  claim 10 , wherein the base is made of plastic. 
     
     
         18 . A backboard, comprising:
 a first portion;   a second portion; and   a living hinge integral with, and connecting, the first portion and the second portion.   
     
     
         19 . The backboard as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the backboard is foldable. 
     
     
         20 . The backboard as recited in  claim 19 , wherein when the backboard is fully folded, the first portion and the second portion are stacked one on top of the other. 
     
     
         21 . The backboard as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the living hinge enables one of the first portion and the second portion to rotate about  180  degrees, or more, relative to the other of the first portion and the second portion. 
     
     
         22 . The backboard as recited in  claim 19 , wherein when the backboard is fully folded, respective faces of the first portion and the second portion, and are in contact with, each other. 
     
     
         23 . The backboard as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the backboard comprises one or more tack-offs. 
     
     
         24 . The backboard as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the backboard is hollow. 
     
     
         25 . The backboard as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the backboard comprises a parting line. 
     
     
         26 . The backboard as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the first portion and the second portion are configured to be positioned with respect to each other so as to cooperatively define a recess that extends along a length or a width of the backboard. 
     
     
         27 . The backboard as recited in  claim 26 , further comprising a stiffener configured to be removably received within the recess. 
     
     
         28 . The backboard as recited in  claim 18 , further comprising a third portion and a second living hinge that connects the third portion to one or both of the first portion and the second portion.