Portable Basketball Goal System with Improved Height Adjustment Mechanism

Abstract

A portable basketball goal assembly and the height adjustment mechanism used within that assembly. The portable basketball goal has a base and a pole assembly that extends upwardly from the base. The pole assembly includes a first pole section and a second pole section in a telescopic arrangement. A height adjustment mechanism is positioned inside the pole assembly. The height adjustment mechanism has a threaded shaft, a gearbox for turning said threaded shaft, and a turnbuckle frame that engages said threaded shaft, wherein the turnbuckle frame moves in relation to the gearbox as the threaded shaft turns. The gearbox is affixed to the first pole section inside of the first pole section. The turnbuckle frame is affixed to the second pole section inside of the second pole section. As the gearbox turns the threaded shaft, the second pole section moves relative to the first pole section. As such, the pole assembly can be selectively lengthened and shortened.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable basketball goal assembly, comprising;
 a base;   a pole assembly supported by said base, said pole assembly having a first pole section and a second pole section in a telescopic arrangement;   a height adjustment mechanism having a threaded shaft, a gearbox for turning said threaded shaft, and a turnbuckle frame that engages said threaded shaft, wherein said turnbuckle frame moves in relation to said gearbox as said threaded shaft turns,   wherein said gearbox is affixed to said first pole section inside of said first pole section, and   wherein said turnbuckle frame is affixed to said second pole section inside of said second pole section;   a backboard affixed to said second pole section.   
     
     
         2 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a hole in said first pole section for accessing said gearbox and a crank handle sized to pass into said hole to engage and selectively power said gearbox. 
     
     
         3 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a guide sleeve disposed between at least parts of said first pole section and said second pole section to inhibit water from passing between said first pole section and said second pole section. 
     
     
         4 . The assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein said guide sleeve prevents said first pole section from rotating relative to said second pole section. 
     
     
         5 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said gearbox is a right-angle gearbox 
     
     
         6 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , further including a bracket that attaches said backboard to said second pole section of said pole assembly. 
     
     
         7 . The assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said pole assembly includes a third pole section that is mounted to said base, wherein said third pole section interconnects with said first pole section. 
     
     
         8 . A pole assembly with an adjustable length for use in supporting a basketball backboard, said assembly comprising:
 a first pole section and a second pole section interconnected in a telescopic arrangement so that an adjustable length of said second pole section extends from said first pole section;   a height adjustment mechanism having a threaded shaft and a gearbox for turning said threaded shaft, wherein said gearbox is affixed to said first pole section inside of said first pole section, and   wherein said threaded shaft engages threads disposed inside of said second pole section, wherein said adjustable length of said pole section is selectively altered when said gearbox turns said threaded shaft.   
     
     
         9 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , further including a hole in said first pole section for accessing said gearbox and a crank handle sized to pass into said hole to engage and selectively turn said gearbox. 
     
     
         10 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , further including a guide sleeve disposed between at least parts of said first pole section and said second pole section to inhibit water from passing between said first pole section and said second pole section. 
     
     
         11 . The assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein said guide sleeve engages both said first pole section and said second pole section and prevents said first pole section from rotating relative to said second pole section. 
     
     
         12 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said gearbox is a right-angle gearbox 
     
     
         13 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , further including a bracket that attaches said basketball backboard to said second pole section of said pole assembly. 
     
     
         14 . The assembly according to  claim 8 , wherein said pole assembly includes a third pole section, wherein said third pole section interconnects with said first pole section. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly according to  claim 14 , further including a base, wherein said third pole section is mounted to said base. 
     
     
         16 . A method of adjusting a height for a basketball backboard on a portable basketball goal assembly, said method comprising;
 providing a pole assembly supported by said base, said pole assembly having a first pole section and a second pole section in a telescopic arrangement;   providing a height adjustment mechanism having a threaded shaft, a gearbox for turning said threaded shaft, and a turnbuckle frame that engages said threaded shaft;   affixing said gearbox to said first pole section inside of said first pole section;   affixing said turnbuckle frame to said second pole section inside of said second pole section, wherein rotation of said threaded shaft by said gearbox causes relative movement between said first pole section and said second pole section.   
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including providing a crank handle sized to engage and selectively provide rotational power to said gearbox. 
     
     
         18 . The method according to  claim 16 , further including providing a guide sleeve between at least parts of said first pole section and said second pole section to inhibit water from passing between said first pole section and said second pole section. 
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said guide sleeve engages both said first pole section and said second pole section and prevents relative rotation between said first pole section and said second pole section. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 16 , wherein said gearbox is a right-angle gearbox.