System and apparatus for supporting a sports ball net

1. A system for supporting a sports ball net, the system adapted to be mounted to a first floor support sleeve and a second floor support sleeve, the system comprising:

a first support standard having a main body, a net tensioning assembly secured to the body, and an adjustable lower support assembly secured to the body for removably securing the first support standard with the first floor support sleeve;

a second support standard having a main body and an adjustable lower support assembly secured to the body for removably securing the second support standard with the second floor support sleeve;

a support line having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end being removably attached to the tensioning assembly of the first support standard and the distal end being removably attached to the second support standard, the sports ball net being suspended from the support line;

wherein the adjustable lower support assembly includes a drive member for driving a slide member, the slide member disposed within a slide member housing, and at least one expansion member operatively connected to the slide member for engaging the corresponding floor support sleeve.

2. The system for supporting a sports ball net according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second support standard include a slidably engaged line support mast disposed at an upper portion of each standard for adjusting the height of the sports ball net.

3. The system for supporting a sports ball net according to claim 2 , wherein the line support mast includes a locking member for selectively locking the support mast in one position relative to the main body.

4. The system for supporting a sports ball net according to claim 1 , wherein the tensioning assembly includes a rotatable drive member for increasing the tension on the support line, the rotatable drive member being disposed substantially internal to the main body.

5. The system for supporting a sports ball net according to claim 1 , wherein the drive member of the adjustable lower support assembly is disposed substantially internal to the corresponding main body.

6. The system for supporting a sports ball net according to claim 1 , wherein the slide member includes a tapered thrust surface.

7. A standard for supporting a sports ball net, the standard comprising:

a housing having a centerline longitudinal axis;

a net tensioning assembly disposed substantially internal to the housing, the tensioning assembly including a tensioning rod, a drive member engaged with the tensioning rod, and a handle for driving the drive member;

a bottom support portion disposed at a lower end of the housing for rigidly securing the standard to an associated playing surface;

wherein the handle of the net tensioning assembly is disposed along the centerline longitudinal axis of the housing.

8. The standard of claim 7 , wherein the standard further includes a line support mast slideably engaged with an upper portion of the housing, the support mast having a locking member for rigidly securing the support mast to the housing.

9. The standard of claim 7 , wherein the tensioning rod and the drive member are threadably engaged.

10. The standard of claim 7 , wherein the tensioning assembly is gear driven.

11. The standard of claim 7 , wherein the net tensioning assembly is disposed substantially internal to the housing of the standard.

12. The standard of claim 7 , wherein the handle of the net tensioning assembly is disposed substantially internal to the housing of the standard.

13. The standard of claim 7 , wherein the handle of the net tensioning assembly is disposed about an outer circumference of the housing of the standard.

14. The standard of claim 7 , further including at least one transport handle or strap attached to the housing.

15. A standard for supporting a sports ball net, the standard comprising:

a housing;

an adjustable floor support assembly, the assembly being disposed at a lower portion of the housing, wherein the assembly includes a drive member for driving at least one slide member, the at least one slide member disposed internally to a slide member housing, the slide member housing being secured to the housing of the standard, and at least one expansion member operatively connected to the at least one slide member, the at least one expansion member adapted to engage an inner wall of a floor support sleeve.

16. The standard of claim 15 , wherein the standard further includes a line support mast.

17. The standard of claim 16 , wherein the line support mast is slideably engaged with an upper portion of the housing, the support mast having a locking member for rigidly securing the support mast to the housing.

18. The standard of claim 15 , wherein the drive member and the at least one slide member are threadably engaged.

19. The standard of claim 15 , wherein the adjustable floor support assembly is disposed substantially internal to the housing of the standard.

20. The standard of claim 15 , wherein the adjustable floor support assembly further includes a handle operatively connected to the drive member.

21. The standard of claim 20 , wherein the handle is disposed about an outer circumference of the housing of the standard.

22. The standard of claim 15 , wherein the handle is disposed substantially internal to the housing of the standard.

23. The standard of claim 15 , wherein the at least one slide member includes at least one tapered thrust surface for operatively urging the expansion member in an outward radial direction.

24. The standard of claim 15 , further including at least one transport handle or strap attached to the housing.

25. The standard of claim 15 , wherein a cross section of the housing is at least one of elliptical, circular, rectangular, tri-lobed.