US20230173361A1

US20230173361A1 - Stowable basketball rim

Info

Publication number: US20230173361A1
Application number: US17/545,546
Authority: US
Inventors: Beatriz Zepeda-Almazan
Original assignee: Implus Footcare LLC
Current assignee: Implus Footcare LLC
Priority date: 2021-12-08
Filing date: 2021-12-08
Publication date: 2023-06-08
Also published as: WO2023107888A1

Abstract

A basketball hoop assembly can include a rim bracket pivotally coupled with a base bracket. An arcuate slot can be defined in the rim bracket and have an upper seat and a lower seat. A biasing member may be arranged to bias the rim bracket upward. A latch member may be positionable in the lower seat of the arcuate slot to prevent upward rotation of the rim bracket. This may position the rim in a play position. The rim bracket may be rotatable downward to move the upper seat of the slot toward the latch member (e.g., which may correspond to movement toward a break-away position, such as in response to a slam-dunk). The latch member can be retractable from the slot to permit upward rotation of the rim bracket (e.g., which may correspond to the biasing member moving the rim to a stowed position).

Description

BACKGROUND

Basketball rims may be utilized in many different locations or settings to facilitate playing or practicing the game of basketball. For example, basketball rims may be installed in indoor or outdoor sports arenas, e.g., which may be suitable for professional contests or sporting events. In other contexts, basketball rims may be installed for home use or other recreational locations. In some cases, miniaturized and/or portable basketball rims may be hung on the back of swinging doors, such as in a home, office, or other indoor space. Although mounting a basketball rim assembly on a door may be a suitable approach for easily and/or temporarily supporting a basketball rim assembly at an appropriate height for use, certain difficulties may arise with door-mounted basketball rim assemblies. As one example, if a door is opened while the basketball rim assembly is still mounted on the door, the basketball rim may extend outwardly sufficiently to run into a wall behind the door or otherwise prevent the door from being fully moved open through its range of motion.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The terms “invention,” “the invention,” “this invention” and “the present invention” used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by reference to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.
Embodiments herein are directed to basketball rim assemblies with stowable rims. For example, the rim may extend forward in a play position, yet also be movable to an upwardly-extending stowed position. In the stowed position, the rim assembly may occupy less lateral space and thereby reduce an amount of obstruction that may occur when opening a door on which the rim assembly is mounted, for example. The rim may be biased toward the stowed position by a torsional spring or other biasing member. For use, the rim may be pulled down from the stowed position against the force of the biasing member and secured in the play position by a latch pin. The latch pin may ride in an arcuate slot so that the rim may be deflected downward into a breakaway position, such as in response to a slam-dunk. Pulling the latch pin forward may move the latch pin out of the slot and allow the rim to automatically flip or rotate upward from the play position to the stowed position in response to force applied by the biasing member.
In an example embodiment, a basketball hoop assembly is provided. The basketball hoop assembly can include a backboard; a base bracket coupled with or incorporated into the backboard; a rim; and a rim bracket. The rim bracket can be coupled with the rim and rotatable relative to the base bracket for moving the rim among an upwardly-extending stowed position, a forwardly-extending play position, and a downwardly-tilted break-away position. The rim bracket can include a side plate having an arcuate slot defined therein. The arcuate slot can include a lower end and an upper end. The side plate further can include an access passage extending into the arcuate slot. The basketball hoop assembly further can include a torsional spring biasing the rim bracket toward the stowed position. The basketball hoop assembly further can also include a latch pin adapted to move rearwardly through the access passage for engagement with the lower end of the arcuate slot to retain the rim in the play position. The arcuate slot can be adapted to move along the latch pin during movement of the rim from the play position to the break-away position until the upper end of the arcuate slot engages the latch pin. The latch pin can also be adapted to move forwardly through the access passage to disengage from the arcuate slot and permit rotation of the rim toward the stowed position in response to force applied by the torsional spring.
In another example embodiment, a basketball hoop assembly is provided. The basketball hoop assembly can include a base bracket, a rim bracket, a biasing member, and a latch member. The base bracket can be configured for coupling with or incorporation into a backboard. The rim bracket can be rotatable relative to the base bracket for moving a rim among a stowed position, a play position, and a break-away position. The rim bracket can include a side plate having an arcuate slot defined therein. The arcuate slot can include a lower seat and an upper seat. The side plate can further include an access passage extending into the arcuate slot. The biasing member can be arranged to bias the rim bracket toward the stowed position. The latch member can be adapted to move through the access passage and into engagement with the lower seat of the arcuate slot to retain the rim in the play position. The arcuate slot can be adapted to move along the latch member during movement of the rim from the play position to the break-away position until the upper seat of the arcuate slot engages the latch member. The latch member can be adapted to move through the access passage to disengage from the arcuate slot and permit rotation of the rim toward the stowed position in response to force applied by the biasing member.
In a further example embodiment, a basketball hoop assembly is provided. The basketball hoop assembly can include a base bracket; a rim bracket pivotally coupled with the base bracket; a slot defined in the rim bracket and having an upper seat and a lower seat; a biasing member arranged to bias the rim bracket upward; and a latch member positionable in the lower seat of the slot to prevent upward rotation of the rim bracket. The rim bracket can be rotatable downward to move the upper seat of the slot toward the latch member. The latch member can be retractable from the slot to permit upward rotation of the rim bracket.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basketball rim assembly with a stowable rim in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2 is an exploded assembly view of various components that may be utilized in the basketball rim assembly of FIG. 1 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is another exploded view, showing additional examples of details of some of the elements of FIG. 2 in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 , showing the rim in a stowed position in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 , showing the rim in a play position in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 , showing the rim in a breakaway position in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 , showing a latch in an actuated position to permit movement of the basketball rim from the play position to the stowed position in accordance with various embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject matter of embodiments of the present invention is described here with specificity to meet statutory requirements, but this description is not necessarily intended to limit the scope of the claims. The claimed subject matter may be embodied in other ways, may include different elements or steps, and may be used in conjunction with other existing or future technologies. This description should not be interpreted as implying any particular order or arrangement among or between various steps or elements except when the order of individual steps or arrangement of elements is explicitly described.
Embodiments herein are directed to basketball rim assemblies. Although discussion herein is focused primarily on basketball rim assemblies that can be hung on a rear of a door, the disclosure herein is not so limited and may be relevant or pertain to basketball rim assemblies that may be utilized or implemented in other contexts additionally or alternatively.
Generally, the basketball rim assemblies can include a rim component (sometimes alternatively called a hoop) that can be movable between different positions such as an upright stowed position, a forwardly-extending play position, and a downwardly-tilted breakaway position (such as may be reached during a slam-dunk of the basketball through the basketball rim). Compared to the play position, positioning the rim in the stowed position may allow the rim to occupy a smaller amount of adjacent space extending away from a door and/or backboard.
The rim assembly may include a torsional coil spring or other biasing mechanism that is capable of moving the rim from the play position and toward the stowed position. The spring other biasing mechanism may move the rim from the play position to the stowed position automatically, for example, upon release of a latch for retaining the rim in the play position or in another position.
In various embodiments, the rim assembly can include a latch member (e.g., a latch pin) that can ride in a slot within a bracket extending from a rear of the rim. The slot may be curved, arced, or arcuate, for example. In use, the latch member may ride in the slot and allow the slot to move along the pin as the rim moves from the play position to the breakaway position, such as in response to slam-dunk on the rim.
To allow movement to the stowed position, the latch member may be retracted out of the slot, such as by pulling the latch member forward toward a front of the rim and through a passage that provides access into and/or out of the slot. Once the slot is free from the latch member, the biasing mechanism may draw the rim upward toward the stowed position.
Once out of the slot, the latch member may ride along a rounded surface of the rim bracket. In some examples, the latch member may include a collar of material with suitable friction and/or wear properties to avoid damage from contact between moving parts and/or to assist in retaining the rim in the stowed position.
When the rim is to be moved from the stowed position to the play position, the rim can be pulled down (e.g. rotated). Moving the rim from the stowed position to the play position may align the latch member with the passage that provides access into and/or out of the slot in the rim bracket. Alignment of the latch member with the passage can allow the latch member to move through the passage and into the slot. The latch member may be attached to a coil spring or other biasing mechanism to draw and/or urge the latch member into engagement with the slot and/or to retain the latch member within the slot until actuated anew. Within the slot, the latch member may sit in a bottom end of the slot in the play position and may engage an upper end of the slot in the breakaway position, for example.
Referring now to the figures, in which like numbers refer to like elements across several drawings, FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a basketball rim assembly 101 in accordance with various embodiments. The basketball rim assembly 100 in FIG. 1 is shown in an example of a stored or stowed state. Examples of components that may be included in the basketball rim assembly 101 may be more easily seen in the exploded view of FIG. 2 .
As may be seen in FIG. 2 , the basketball rim assembly 101 can include a backboard 103 and a rim 105. Note that the net normally provided on the rim has been omitted from the drawings. The backboard 103 can include suitable hangers or other structures 104 for hanging on a door or otherwise mounting the basketball rim assembly 101 in a suitable location for use.
Suitable structure may be included to permit movement of the rim 105 relative to the backboard 103. For example, the basketball rim assembly 101 can include a rim bracket 107 and a base bracket 109. The rim bracket 107 may be integrally formed, attached, or otherwise coupled with the rim 105, for example at a rear portion of the rim 105. The rim bracket 107 can rotate relative to the base bracket 109.
The base bracket 109 can be coupled with the backboard 103. In some examples, fasteners 111 may be attached through fastener openings 113 in the base bracket 109 and corresponding fastener openings 114 in the backboard 103. Although bolts are shown for the fasteners 111 in FIG. 2 , rivets, adhesives, or any other form of fastener or fastening technique may be utilized additionally or alternatively. In some examples, the base bracket 109 may be integrally formed or otherwise incorporated into the backboard 103 instead of a separate piece that undergoes fastening for coupling.
The basketball rim assembly 101 can include suitable structure for permitting or facilitating movement and/or latching of the rim 105 in or among different states of the rim 105. The rim bracket 107 can be pivotally coupled to the base bracket 109. For example, a pivot member 115 (e.g., a pivot pin) is shown in FIG. 2 . The pivot member 115 may be sized to extend through both the rim bracket 107 and the base bracket 109 and may be cylindrical or otherwise shaped to allow rotation about its outer surface.
A rim-biasing member 117 may bias the rim 105 toward a stowed state, for example. The rim-biasing member 117 is depicted as a torsional coil spring, although any other springs or type of biasing member may be utilized additionally or alternatively.
A latch member 119 (e.g., a latch pin) may be utilized to secure the rim 105 among different positions. Suitable structures for facilitating movement of the latch member 119 may be included. For example, a latch-biasing member 121 is shown in FIG. 2 . The latch-biasing member 121 is shown as a coil spring for longitudinal expansion and/or contraction, although any other springs or type of biasing member may be utilized additionally or alternatively.
A suitable cover 123 may be included on the latch member 119. The cover 123 may include a handle 125 and/or a sleeve 127. Although the cover 123 is shown as an integral part in which both the handle 125 and the sleeve 127 are included, the handle 125 and sleeve 127 may be included as separate components or one or the other may be included or omitted. The handle 125 may correspond to a knob or other structure that may provide a suitable gripping surface for operation or actuation of the latch member 119. The sleeve 127 may provide resistance against abrasion, for example, to reduce risk of wear between contacting moving surfaces and/or to provide friction for retaining surfaces that might otherwise be prone to move out of position even when in contact with one another. The sleeve 127 may be formed of an extruded plastic (such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)) or any other suitable material.
FIG. 3 illustrates some components in greater detail and at a different orientation (e.g., with the view slightly rotated forwardly from the orientation in FIG. 2 ). The rim bracket 107 can include a main panel 129, a first side panel 131, and a second side panel 133. The first side panel 131 and the second side panel 133 can extend from the main panel 129. For example, the first side panel 131 and the second side panel 133 may extend generally perpendicular from and form a U-shape with the main panel 129. The first side panel 131 and the second side panel 133 may be formed in any suitable manner, such as by bending from a single sheet of material of the main panel 129 or by coupling multiple pieces together in any other suitable manner.
The main panel 129 can include a tongue portion 135, which may be defined in between spaces 137, e.g., on either lateral side. The spaces 137 may be sized to permit passage of other elements, such as portions of the rim-biasing member 117, for example.
The first side panel 131 and the second side panel 133 of the rim bracket 107 may include features for facilitating coupling or interacting with other elements. As one example, the first side panel 131 and the second side panel 133 in FIG. 3 may each include pivot openings 139 sized for receiving the pivot member 115 or otherwise allowing the pivot member 115 to extend therethrough.
The first side panel 131 can include a slot 141. The slot 141 may be sized for engagement with the latch member 119, for example. A side view of the slot 141 is shown in FIG. 4 , for example, and additional features of the slot 141 are described with respect to FIG. 4 below.
Referring again to FIG. 3 , the base bracket 109 can include suitable structure for coupling with and/or facilitating operation of functions of other components of the basketball rim assembly 101. The base bracket 109 can include a backplate 143, a first side plate 145, and a second side plate 147. The first side plate 145 and the second side plate 147 can extend from the backplate 143. For example, the first side plate 145 and the second side plate 147 may extend generally perpendicular from and form a U-shape with the backplate 143. The first side plate 145 and the second side plate 147 may be formed in any suitable manner, such as by bending from a single sheet of material of the backplate 143 or by coupling multiple pieces together in any other suitable manner.
The backplate 143 can include fastener openings 113, for example, which may be sized to receive the fasteners 111 for coupling the backplate 143 to the backboard 103. The backplate 143 can further include an anchor 151. The anchor 151 is depicted as a hook that is formed within a cutout in the backplate 143, although the anchor 151 may correspond to any other suitable structure for securing the latch-biasing member 121. In addition, although the anchor 151 is shown on the backplate 143, the anchor 151 may additionally or alternatively be positioned on the first side plate 145, the second side plate 147, or other suitable location in the basketball rim assembly 101.
Arms 153 may be included, such as extending from the backplate 143 (as depicted) or from the first side plate 145 and/or the second side plate 147. The arms 153 may be formed as ledges or overhangs that provide engagement services for retaining or pressing against by the rim-biasing member 117. The arms 153 may be bent extensions that bend forward and extend laterally from the backplate 143, for example. The arms 153 may be positioned adjacent notches 155, e.g., in the backplate 143 or other origin of the arms 153. The notches 155 may be suitably sized to allow bending for forming the arms 153 from a single piece of material from which the backplate 143 or other portion of the base bracket 109 is formed. The notches 155 may be suitably sized for receiving or engaging other elements, such as portions of the rim-biasing member 117, for example.
The first side plate 145 and/or the second side plate 147 can include suitable coupling features and/or guiding features. For example, the first side plate 145 and the second side plate 147 can include pivot openings 157. In use, when the rim bracket 107 and the base bracket 109 are assembled, the pivot openings 157 in the base bracket 109 may be aligned with the pivot openings 139 in the rim bracket 107 to allow insertion of the pivot member 115 so that the rim bracket 107 and the base bracket 109 are pivotally coupled.
The first side plate 145 and the second side plate 147 can include suitable features for interacting with the latch member 119. For example, the second side plate 147 can include a latch mount 159 and the first side plate 145 can include a latch guide track 161 (e.g., which may correspond to a through-hole or a recess). In operation, the latch member 119 can be received or mounted in the latch mount 159. The latch mount 159 may correspond to structure of a ball joint or hinge and/or correspond to an opening, recess, or other feature in which the latch member 119 can be received and move among various angles extending away from the latch mount 159. For example, the latch member 119 may be pivotable relative to the latch mount 159.
Opposite the latch mount 159, the latch guide track 161 may correspond to an elongate opening in which the latch member 119 can travel. For example, the latch guide track 161 may act as a guide or track for the latch member 119. In use, the latch guide track may constrain the latch member 119 to move or translate in a single axial direction back and forth, for example.
The rim-biasing member 117 can correspond to a torsional spring. The rim-biasing member 117 may include two coil portions 163 (e.g., corresponding to a double-coil spring), two extending rods 165, and a tab portion 167. The coil portions 163 may be formed in turns around or about a central longitudinal axis. The coil portions 163 further may be sized in diameter for receiving the pivot member 115 along the central longitudinal axis of the coil portions 163 and/or such that the coils can be received on or about the pivot member 115. The rods 165 may extend from the coil portions 163, for example, perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis of the coil portions 163.
The tab portion 167 may extend away (e.g., upward) from the central longitudinal axis of the coil portions 163. The tab portion 167 may extend along a path that travels upward, laterally over, and back down to bridge between the coil portions 163. The sub-portion that extends laterally over may be substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the coil portion 163. The tab portion 167 in use may be arranged to bear against the main panel 129 of the rim bracket 107, e.g., against and/or above the tongue portion 135.
The rods 165 in an at-rest state may extend generally transverse or perpendicular to the tab portion 167. The rods 165 may bear against suitable features of the basketball rim assembly 101. For example, the rods 165 may bear against the arms 153 and/or be received on an underside of the arms 153 when installed. The rods 165 may extend into the notches 155 in some arrangements.
Turning to FIG. 4 , a side view is shown. FIG. 4 shows an example of the rim 105 in a stowed position. The rim 105 may be held in the stowed position shown in FIG. 4 by the rim-biasing member 117. In FIG. 4 , the tab portion 167 of the rim-biasing member 117 is engaged against the rim bracket 107, while the rod 165 of the rim-biasing member 117 is engaged against the base bracket 109 (e.g., against arms 153). The rim-biasing member 117 may resist movement of the tab portion 167 away from the rod 165 (e.g., resisting any counter-clockwise movement from the position shown in FIG. 4 ). Thus, the rim-biasing member 117 may provide sufficient force to maintain the rim 105 in the stowed position shown in FIG. 4 in the absence of application of any other contrary force sufficient to overcome the biasing force provided by the rim-biasing member 117.
In FIG. the base bracket 109 is shown in dashed lines to represent viewing as transparent so that other elements and their relative positioning are more easily visible. The base bracket 109 may be arranged so that the latch guide track 161 is aligned for receiving and guiding the latch member 119. For example, the latch member 119 may extend into and/or through the latch guide track 161. The latch guide track 161 may constrain the travel of the latch member 119 to travel along a single axis (e.g., along a forward-backward direction).
In FIG. 4 , examples of various features of the first side panel 131 are depicted. The slot 141 can be arcuate. The slot 141 can include a lower seat 169 and an upper seat 171. For example, the lower seat 169 may correspond to a lower end of the slot 141, and/or the upper seat 171 may correspond to an upper end of the slot 141.
An access passage 173 may be formed in the first side panel 131 and provide a path into the slot 141 from an exterior of the first side panel 131. The access passage 173 may be sized to permit movement of the latch member 119 into and/or out of the slot 141, e.g., such as described in greater detail by way of example below.
The first side panel 131 can include a camming surface 175 (e.g., a rounded lobe or surface). The camming surface 175 may provide a service against which the latch member 119 may travel during movement of the rim 105 between the stowed position and the play position, for example. The latch member 119 may be drawn into contact against the camming surface 175. For example, the latch-biasing member 121 may be coupled at the anchor 151 and also at the latch member 119 to provide such biasing or drawing action.
In FIG. 4 , a portion of the latch member 119 is visible in contact with the camming surface 175 while another portion (e.g., the handle 125) is shown extending beyond the camming surface 175. Such an orientation may be a result of the latch member 119 being angled relative to the latch mount 159 (e.g., not aligned with the axis defined by the latch mount 159). The handle 125 may be positioned external to the base bracket 109, for example, extending away from a center of the base bracket 109. The portion of the latch member 119 that is in contact with the camming surface 175 may correspond to the sleeve 127 (FIG. 2 ), e.g., which may provide suitable friction or other resistance for facilitating retention of the rim 105 in the stowed position shown in FIG. 4 and/or which may reduce abrasive wear that may otherwise risk damage to the latch member 119 and/or the rim bracket 107 during movement relative to the stowed position shown in FIG. 4 .
In operation, rotating from the stowed position (e.g., from the position shown in FIG. 4 ) may correspond to rotating the rim 105 downward. Downwardly rotating the rim 105 may cause the camming surface 175 to travel along the latch member 119 and move the access passage 173 toward the latch member 119.
FIG. 5 shows an example of the rim 105 in a play position. The rim 105 may reach the play position in FIG. 5 by being rotated downwardly from the stowed position shown in FIG. 4 . For example, the rim bracket 107 may rotate around the pivot member 115 and/or against a biasing force provided by the rim-biasing member 117. As may be seen in FIG. 5 , when the access passage 173 is aligned with the latch member 119, the latch member 119 can be drawn in through the access passage 173 and into the slot 141, such as into engagement with the lower seat 169.
The latch member 119 can be engaged with the lower seat 169 to retain the rim 105 in the play position. For example, placement of the latch member 119 in the lower seat 169 may obstruct upward movement and prevent the rim 105 from being rotated upward back toward the stowed position under the action or force provided by the rim-biasing member 117.
FIG. 6 shows an example of the rim 105 in a breakaway position. The rim 105 may be moved (e.g., from the play position in FIG. 5 ) into the breakaway position shown in FIG. 6 in response to a slam-dunk. For example, the rim bracket 107 may rotate around the pivot member 115 and/or against a biasing force provided by the rim-biasing member 117.
Rotating the rim bracket 107 about the pivot member 115 toward the breakaway position shown in FIG. 6 can allow the slot 141 to travel along the latch member 119. Travel of the slot 141 along the latch member 119 may bring the latch member 119 into engagement with the upper seat 171 (e.g., as an upper limit for an amount that the rim 105 can pivot downwardly during a slam-dunk or other movements toward the breakaway position).
The latch member 119 may travel along the arcuate surface of the slot 141. The latch member 119 may be retained in engagement with the arcuate surface of the slot 141 by action of the latch-biasing member 121, for example.
Upon completion of a slam-dunk or other release of the rim 105 from the breakaway position shown in FIG. 6 , force supplied by the rim-biasing member 117 can act on the rim 105. Force from the rim-biasing member 117 can bias the rim 105 and cause movement upward from the breakaway position shown in FIG. 6 , and back toward the play position (e.g., FIG. 5 or FIG. 7 ).
FIG. 7 shows the play position with the latch member 119 in an actuated position to permit stowing movement of the rim 105. The rim 105 is shown in FIG. 7 in a play position similar to FIG. 5 . For example, the rim 105 may reach the play position shown in FIG. 7 by returning from the breakaway position of FIG. 6 . From the play position (e.g., FIG. 7 ), the latch member 119 may be actuated to allow the rim 105 to be returned to the stowed position (e.g., FIG. 4 ). For example, as may be best seen in FIG. 7 , the latch member 119 may be moved forward and along latch guide track 161, such as illustrated by arrow 177. Movement of the latch member 119 may be in response to a user grasping the handle 125 (e.g., FIGS. 2 and 4 ) or other portion of the latch member 119, for example, and manually moving latch member 119 forwardly along latch guide track 161.
Such movement of the latch member 119 may cause the latch member 119 to move out of engagement with the lower seat 169, through the access passage 173, and out of a path of rotation of the first side panel 131 of the rim bracket 107. When the slot 141 in the first side panel 131 is free of the latch member 119, the rim bracket 107 may rotate upward (e.g., as illustrated by arrow 179). The upward rotation may occur in response to force from the rim-biasing member 117. Generally, the rim 105 may automatically return to the stowed position (FIG. 4 ) from the play position (FIG. 7 ) in response to actuating the latch member 119 and by movement caused by the rim-biasing member 117.
During upward rotation (e.g., as illustrated by arrow 179), the first side panel 131 may travel adjacent the latch member 119 in the actuated position shown in FIG. 7 . For example, the camming surface 175 may travel along and/or in contact with the latch member 119. Engagement of the latch member 119 against the camming surface 175 may enhance and/or provide resistance for retaining the rim 105 in the stowed position such as shown in FIG. 4 (e.g., to supplement a holding force provided by the rim-biasing member 117 for retaining the rim 105 in the stowed state). The sleeve 127 (FIG. 2 ) may be arranged along the latch member 119 so as to provide suitable surface characteristics in a region of the latch member 119 that comes into contact with the camming surface 175 in use.
Different arrangements of the components depicted in the drawings or described above, as well as components and steps not shown or described are possible. Similarly, some features and sub-combinations are useful and may be employed without reference to other features and sub-combinations. Embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative and not restrictive purposes, and alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this patent. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above or depicted in the drawings, and various embodiments and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the claims below.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A basketball hoop assembly, comprising:

a backboard;

a base bracket coupled with or incorporated into the backboard;

a rim;

a rim bracket coupled with the rim and rotatable relative to the base bracket for moving the rim among an upwardly-extending stowed position, a forwardly-extending play position, and a downwardly-tilted break-away position, wherein the rim bracket comprises a side plate having an arcuate slot defined therein, wherein the arcuate slot comprises a lower end and an upper end, and wherein the side plate further comprises an access passage extending into the arcuate slot;

a torsional spring biasing the rim bracket toward the stowed position; and

a latch pin adapted to move rearwardly through the access passage for engagement with the lower end of the arcuate slot to retain the rim in the play position, the arcuate slot adapted to move along the latch pin during movement of the rim from the play position to the break-away position until the upper end of the arcuate slot engages the latch pin, the latch pin adapted to move forwardly through the access passage to disengage from the arcuate slot and permit rotation of the rim toward the stowed position in response to force applied by the torsional spring.

2. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 1, wherein the base bracket comprises a latch guide track adapted to limit the latch pin to movement forwardly and rearwardly along a single axis.

3. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 2, wherein the base bracket comprises:

a first side plate in which the latch guide track is arranged; and

a second side plate comprising a latch mount in which the latch pin is received and adapted to assume different angled orientations relative to the latch mount.

4. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 1, further comprising a latch-biasing member biasing the latch pin rearwardly.

5. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 1, wherein the torsional spring comprises:

a tab portion arranged to bear against the rim bracket; and

at least one rod arranged to bear against the base bracket.

6. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 5, wherein the base bracket comprises at least one arm defining an underside along which the at least one rod is arranged to bear.

7. A basketball hoop assembly, comprising:

a base bracket configured for coupling with or incorporation into a backboard;

a rim bracket rotatable relative to the base bracket for moving a rim among a stowed position, a play position, and a break-away position, wherein the rim bracket comprises a side plate having an arcuate slot defined therein, wherein the arcuate slot comprises a lower seat and an upper seat, and wherein the side plate further comprises an access passage extending into the arcuate slot;

a biasing member arranged to bias the rim bracket toward the stowed position; and

a latch member adapted to move through the access passage and into engagement with the lower seat of the arcuate slot to retain the rim in the play position, the arcuate slot adapted to move along the latch member during movement of the rim from the play position to the break-away position until the upper seat of the arcuate slot engages the latch member, the latch member adapted to move through the access passage to disengage from the arcuate slot and permit rotation of the rim toward the stowed position in response to force applied by the biasing member.

8. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 7, further comprising a backboard supporting the base bracket.

9. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 7, wherein the base bracket comprises a guide track in which the latch member is received.

10. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 7, further comprising a latch-biasing member biasing the latch member toward the base bracket.

11. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 7, wherein the base bracket comprises:

a main plate;

a first side plate extending from the main plate; and

a second side plate extending from the main plate.

12. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 11, wherein the latch member is received in the first side plate and the second side plate.

13. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 11, wherein the first side plate comprises a latch guide track in which one side of the latch member is adapted to translate; and

wherein the second side plate comprises a latch mount in which a second side of the latch member is adapted to pivot.

14. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 7, wherein the rim bracket comprises a camming surface arranged for contact with the latch member during rotation of the rim between the stowed position and the play position.

15. A basketball hoop assembly, comprising:

a base bracket;

a rim bracket pivotally coupled with the base bracket;

a slot defined in the rim bracket and having an upper seat and a lower seat;

a biasing member arranged to bias the rim bracket upward; and

a latch member positionable in the lower seat of the slot to prevent upward rotation of the rim bracket, wherein the rim bracket is rotatable downward to move the upper seat of the slot toward the latch member, and wherein the latch member is retractable from the slot to permit upward rotation of the rim bracket.

16. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 15, further comprising a backboard supporting the base bracket.

17. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 15, wherein the slot is arcuate.

18. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 15, further comprising a latch-biasing member biasing the latch member toward the base bracket.

19. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 15, further comprising a pivot pin extending through the base bracket and the rim bracket so that the rim bracket is pivotally coupled with the base bracket.

20. The basketball hoop assembly of claim 19, wherein the biasing member is arranged about the pivot pin.