What types of basketball backboard height-adjustment mechanisms are available and how do they work?

Basketball Backboard Height-Adjustment Mechanisms.

Just about any basketball player wants to be able to dunk. The thrill of flying through the air, beating your oponent to the glass, and throwing the ball down is truly exhilarating. So, to help players experience this thrill more effectively, just about every basketball hoop manufacturer has a heigh-adjustment mechanism to raise and lower the backboard height. Another great benefit for this adjustability is a lower rim height allows even young players to grow a love for the game and to begin to develop their shot. Basketball manufacturers have so many options, but where should someone start?

Common Low-End Backboard Height Adjusters

For basketball systems generally priced up to $200, the height adjustment mechanism is generally what Spalding calls a Quick Adjust, and Spalding calls an Exacta-Height. The mechanism consists of a ratcheting device positioned in the middle of the 4 mounting arms that come from the basketball hoop pole to the backboard. When pressure is applied - typically using a broom stick pole - beneath the rim, the system engages the ratcheting system the backboard goes up in 6-inch increments. When the broomstick pole is positioned in a little notch at the base of the ratchet, the tension on ratchet is released and the backboard comes back down. The design is very effective and basketball systems with this type of mechanism are very affordable. From here, basketball systems go to a handle-operated mechanism.

Common Mid-Level Basketball Backboard Height-Adjustment Mechanims

Again, Spalding and Lifetime Products are in this particular market. A handle-operated mechanism is frequently called a Speed Shift, a Glide Shift, Action Grip, or Power Lift. The focuses of this design is to eliminate any need for external tools to engage the height-adjustment mechanism. For the Speed Shift, Glide Shift, and Action Grip, the mechanism focuses on the use of counter-balance springs to raise and lower the backboard. When the handle is engaged, the user can then slide the handle up and down, or push the handle up and down. These mechanisms operate in the same 6-inch increments like the Quick Adjust and Exacta Height mechanisms, but are more robust and durable.

Common High-end Height-Adjustment Mechanisms

Lifetime, Spalding, Goalstter, Goalrilla, Mammoth Basketball, and Arena View are common names to see in the high-end of consumer basketball systems. For most of these makers - Spalding, Goalsetter, Goalrilla, and Arena View - their systems are going to use a turn-crank height adjuster. The turn crank allows for infinite height settings between a low height - 6 feet to 7.5 feet - and regulation height - 10 feet. Lifetime continues a slightly different approach to their high-end adjusters. Their adjusters stick with the handle mechanism; however, the move from a counter-spring balance design to a pneumatic-piston device. With this kind of adjuster, the rim height will range from 7.5 feet to 10 feet in infinite increments. This device is known as the Power Lift on Lifetime basketball systems and Rapid Cam on Mammoth Basketball Systems.