U.S. patent application number 09/778273 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-08 for system for, and method of, indicating to a child the accuracy of shooting a basketball to make a basket.
Invention is credited to Fetterleigh, Dale Michael, Gottlieb-Myers, Karen.
Application Number | 20020107092 09/778273 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25112803 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020107092 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Gottlieb-Myers, Karen ; et
al. |
August 8, 2002 |
System for, and method of, indicating to a child the accuracy of
shooting a basketball to make a basket
Abstract
In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a backboard, a rim
on the backboard and a net extending from the rim are provided for
a child shooting a basketball. A first sensor on the backboard
produces a first signal when the basketball hits the backboard. A
second sensor disposed relative to the rim produces a second signal
when the basketball hits the rim. A third sensor disposed relative
to the net produces a third signal when the basketball passes
through the net. The first, second and third sensors may
respectively include first, second and third switches which
respectively close when the basketball hits the backboard, when the
basketball hits the rim and when the basketball passes through the
net and which respectively cause the first, second and third
signals to be produced when they close. The first, second and third
signals may be processed as by a microprocessor to provide an
indication of the path of movement of the basketball relative to
the backboard, the rim and the net. The processing of the first
signal relative to the second and third signals may be delayed to
coordinate the operation of the microprocessor in indicating the
path of movement of the basketball relative to the backboard, the
rim and the net. Similarly, the processing of the second signal may
be delayed relative to the processing of the third signal. The path
of movement of the basketball may be indicated on a sensory basis
such as orally and in a manner to offer encouragement to the
child.
Inventors: |
Gottlieb-Myers, Karen; (Los
Angeles, CA) ; Fetterleigh, Dale Michael; (San
Bernardino, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ELLSWORTH R. ROSTON, ESQ.
FULWIDER PATTON LEE & UTECHT, LLP
TENTH FLOOR
6060 CENTER DRIVE
LOS ANGELES
CA
90045
US
|
Family ID: |
25112803 |
Appl. No.: |
09/778273 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/479 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2208/12 20130101;
A63B 69/0071 20130101; A63B 2024/0037 20130101; A63B 2071/0627
20130101; A63B 24/0021 20130101; A63B 63/00 20130101; A63B 63/083
20130101; A63B 2071/0625 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/479 |
International
Class: |
A63B 063/08 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. In combination for use with a basketball when shot by a player,
a basketball backboard, a rim supported by the backboard, a net
supported by the rim, a first member disposed on the backboard and
responsive to the impingement of the basketball against the
backboard for producing a first indication, a second member
disposed relative to the rim and responsive to the impingement of
the basketball on the rim for producing a second indication, a
third member responsive to the passage of the basketball through
the net for producing a third indication, and a microprocessor
responsive to the production of individual ones and combinations of
the first, second and third indications for indicating whether the
basketball has impinged upon individual ones of the backboard and
the rim and has passed through the net.
2. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, a sensory recorder
responsive to the indications from the individual ones of the
first, second and third sensors and responsive to the operation of
the microprocessor for indicating whether the basketball has passed
through the net and, if so, whether the basketball has impinged
upon individual ones of the backboard and the rim before passing
through the net.
3. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, a voice recorder
responsive to the production of individual ones of the first,
second and third signals and responsive to the operation of the
microprocessor for indicating orally whether the basketball has
passed through the net and, if not, whether the basketball has
impinged upon individual ones of the backboard and the rim.
4. In a combination as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first,
second and third members respectively include first, second and
third switches.
5. In a combination as set forth in claim 2, delays respectively
associated with the first and second members in introducing the
signals from the first and second members to the recorder.
6. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, sensory apparatus
responsive to the indications from individual ones of the first,
second and third members and to the operation of the microprocessor
for indicating when the basketball has impinged upon the backboard
and the rim but has not passed through the net.
7. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, sensory apparatus
responsive to the indications from individual ones of the first,
second and third members and to the operation of the microprocessor
for indicating when the basketball has impinged upon an individual
one of the backboard and the rim but not the other one of the
backboard and the rim and has not passed through the net.
8. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, sensory apparatus
responsive to the indications from individual ones of the first,
second and third members and to the operation of the microprocessor
for indicating when the basketball has passed through the net
without impinging upon the backboard and the rim.
9. In a combination as set forth to claim 1, sensory apparatus
responsive to the indications from the first, second and third
members and to the operation of the microprocessor for indicating
when the basketball has impinged upon an individual one of the
backboard and the rim.
10. In a combination as set forth in claim 1, sensory apparatus
responsive to the indications from the individual ones of the
first, second and third members and to the operation of the
microprocessor for indicating when the basketball has impinged upon
the backboard and then the rim and has passed through the net.
11. In combination for use with a basketball when shot by a player,
a backboard, a rim supported by the backboard, a net extending
downwardly from the rim, a first sensor for providing a first
signal when the basketball shot by the player hits the backboard, a
second sensor for providing a second signal when the basketball
shot by the player hits the rim, a third sensor for providing a
third signal when the basketball shot by the player passes through
the net, and a processor responsive to individual ones of the
first, second and third signals and to combinations of the first,
second and third signals for indicating the path of movement of the
basketball relative to the backboard, the rim and the net.
12. In a combination as set forth in claim 11, including, sensory
apparatus responsive to the indications from the processor for
providing a sensory report of the path of movement of the
basketball relative to the backboard, the rim and the net.
13. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein delays are
provided in the responses of the processor to the signals from the
individual ones of the first and second sensors relative to the
response of the processor to the signal from the third sensor.
14. In a combination as recited in claim 12 wherein the sensory
apparatus constitutes a voice recorder for providing an audible
report of the path of movement of the basketball relative to the
backboard, the rim and the net and wherein delays are provided in
the response of the processor to the signals from the individual
ones of the first and second sensors relative to the response of
the processor to the signal from the third sensor.
15. In a combination as set forth in claim 14 wherein the first
sensor includes a first switch disposed relative to the backboard
to provide the first signal when the basketball impinges on the
backboard and wherein the second sensor includes a second switch
disposed relative to the rim to provide the second signal when the
basketball impinges on the rim and wherein the third sensor
includes a third switch disposed relative to the net to provide the
third signal when the basketball passes through the net.
16. In a combination as set forth in claim 15 wherein the processor
is responsive to individual ones of the first, second and third
signals for indicating the impingement of the basketball against
individual ones of the backboard and the rim and the subsequent
movement of the basketball relative to the net.
17. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the processor
is responsive to individual ones of the first, second and third
signals to indicate whether the basketball has impinged upon
individual ones of the backboard and the rim and has passed through
the net.
18. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the processor
is responsive to individual ones of the first, second and third
signals for indicating when the basketball has impinged upon
individual ones of the backboard and the rim and has not passed
through the net.
19. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the processor
is responsive to the production of the third signal without the
previous production of individual ones of the first and second
signals for indicating when the basketball has passed through the
net without having previously impinged upon the backboard or the
rim.
20. In a combination as set forth in claim 11 wherein the processor
is responsive to the production of the third signal without the
previous production of individual ones of the first and second
signals for indicating when the basketball has passed through the
net without having previously impinged upon the backboard or the
rim and wherein the processor is responsive to individual ones of
the first, second and third signals to indicate whether the
basketball has impinged upon individual ones of the backboard and
the rim and has passed through the net and wherein the processor is
responsive to individual ones of the first, second and third
signals for indicating when the basketball has impinged upon
individual ones of the backboard and the rim and has not passed
through the net and wherein the processor is responsive to the
production of the third signal without the previous production of
individual ones of the first and second signals for indicating when
the basketball has passed through the net without impinging upon
the backboard or the rim and wherein the processor is responsive to
the individual ones of the first, second and third signals for
indicating when the basketball has impinged upon the backboard and
the rim and then has passed through the net.
21. In combination for use with a basketball shot by a player, a
backboard, a first sensor disposed relative to the backboard for
providing a response when the basketball shot by the player hits
the backboard, a rim disposed on the backboard, a second sensor
disposed relative to the rim for providing a response when the
basketball shot by the player hits the rim, a net extending from
the rim, a third sensor disposed relative to the net for providing
a response when the basketball shot by the player passes through
the net, and a processor operative in accordance with the responses
of the first, second and third sensors for indicating whether or
not the basketball has impinged upon the backboard and whether or
not the basketball has impinged upon the rim and whether or not the
basketball has passed through the net.
22. In a combination as set forth in claim 21, sensory apparatus
responsive to the indications of the processor for providing a
sensory indication of the path of movement of the basketball
relative to the backboard, the rim and the net.
23. In a combination as set forth in claim 21, the processor being
operative in accordance with the responses of the first, second and
third sensors for indicating the movement through the net of the
basketball shot by the player and for indicating the path of
movement of the basketball relative to individual ones of the
backboard and the rim before the basketball passes through the
net.
24. In a combination as set forth in claim 21, the processor being
operative in accordance with the responses of the first, second and
third sensors for indicating the failure of the basketball to pass
through the net and for indicating the path of the basketball
relative to individual ones of the backboard and the rim before the
basketball fails to pass through the net.
25. In a combination as set forth in claim 21, sensory apparatus
responsive to the indications of the processor for providing a
sensory indication of a failure of the basketball to pass through
the net and of the path of movement of the basketball relative to
individual ones of the backboard and the rim before the basketball
fails to pass through the net, the sensory apparatus being
responsive to the indications of the processor for providing a
sensory indication of a passage of the basketball through the net
and of the path of movement of the basketball relative to
individual ones of the backboard and the rim before the basketball
passes through the net.
26. In a method of indicating the flight path of a basketball when
the basketball is shot by a player, the steps of: providing a
basketball backboard and a rim supported by the backboard and a net
supported by the rim, providing a first signal when the basketball
hits the backboard, providing a second signal when the basketball
hits the rim, providing a third signal when the basketball passes
through the net, and processing the production, or the lack of
production, of respective ones of the first, second and third
signals to indicate the flight path of the basketball relative to
the backboard, the rim and the net after the basketball has been
shot by the player.
27. In a method as set forth im claim 26, the step of: providing a
sensory indication of the path of the basketball relative to
individual ones of the backboard, the rim and the net after the
basketball has been shot by the player.
28. In a method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the processing of
the first and second signals is delayed to coordinate the
processing of the first and second signals with the processing of
the third signal to indicate the movement of the basketball
relative to individual ones of the backboard, the rim and the net
after the basketball has been shot by the player.
29. In a method as set forth in claim 26, the step of: providing a
sensory indication of the movement of the basketball through the
net and the path of movement of the basketball relative to
individual ones of the backboard and the net before the movement of
the basketball through the net.
30. In a method as set forth in claim 26, including the step of:
providing a sensory indication of the movement of the basketball
relative to individual ones of the backboard and the rim without
passing through the net.
31. In a method as set forth in claim 29 wherein the processing of
the first and second signals is delayed to coordinate the
processing of the first and second signals with the processing of
the third signal to indicate the movement of the basketball
relative to individual ones of the backboard, the rim and the net
after the basketball has been shot by the player and wherein the
sensory indication is audible.
32. In a method as set forth in claim 30 wherein the processing of
the first and second signals is delayed to coordinate the
processing of the first and second signals with the processing of
the third signal to indicate the movement of the basketball
relative to individual ones of the backboard, the rim and the net
after the basketball has been shot by the player and wherein the
sensory indication is audible.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a system for, and method of,
indicating to a player (e.g. a child) the accuracy of shooting a
basketball in an attempt to have the basketball pass through a net
supported by a rim on a backboard.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The game of basketball has grown in popularity throughout
the years in the United States and in much of the world. It may be
the most popular sport now in the United States for both men and
women. It is almost certainly the most popular sport during the
winter months since it may be an indoor sport. Its popularity is
enhanced because it requires no equipment other than a basketball
which is relatively inexpensive. Furthermore, the uniforms for the
players are relatively inexpensive.
[0003] Children start to play basketball at a relatively early age.
For example, children as young as four (4) years old will attempt
to dribble and shoot a basket. When they play basketball, they
respond well to encouragement. However, they often play by
themselves. No one has apparently provided previously a basketball
assembly or system for children where the assembly or system
provides a sensory indication (preferably oral) of the flight path
of the basketball, when shot by children, relative to a backboard,
a rim supported by the backboard and a net extending from the
rim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a backboard, a
rim on the backboard and a net extending from the rim are provided
for a child shooting a basketball. A first sensor on the backboard
produces a first signal when the basketball hits the backboard. A
second sensor disposed relative to the rim produces a second signal
when the basketball hits the rim. A third sensor disposed relative
to the net produces a third signal when the basketball passes
through the net.
[0005] The first, second and third sensors may respectively include
first, second and third switches which respectively close when the
basketball hits the backboard, when the basketball hits the rim and
when the basketball passes through the net and which respectively
cause the first, second and third signals to be produced when they
close. The first, second and third signals may be processed as by a
microprocessor to provide an indication of the path of movement of
the basketball relative to the backboard, the rim and the net.
[0006] The processing of the first signal relative to the second
and third signals may be delayed to coordinate the operation of the
microprocessor in indicating the path of movement of the basketball
relative to the backboard, the rim and the net. Similarly, the
processing of the second signal may be delayed relative to the
processing of the third signal. The path of movement of the
basketball may be indicated on a sensory basis such as orally and
in a manner to offer encouragement to the child.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] In the drawings:
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a backboard, a rim supported
by the backboard, a net supported by, and extending from, the rim
and sensors, associated with the backboard, the rim and the net for
indicating the movements of a basketball shot by a child
player;
[0009] FIG. 1A is an enlarged fragmentary plan view which is taken
substantially on the rotary line designated as 1A in FIG. 1 and
which shows in additional detail the construction and operation of
the sensor associated with the backboard;
[0010] FIG. 1B is an enlarged fragmentary plan view which is taken
substantially on the rotary line designated as 1B in FIG. 1 and
which shows in additional detail the construction and operation of
the sensor associated with the rim;
[0011] FIG. 1C is an enlarged fragmentary plan view which is taken
substantially on the rotary line designated as 1C in FIG. 1 and
which shows in additional detail the construction and operation of
the sensor associated with the net;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a flow chart indicating the sensory response of a
preferred embodiment of this invention to various paths of movement
of a basketball relative to the rim and the net after the
basketball shot by the child impinges against the backboard;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart indicating the sensory response of
the preferred embodiment of the invention to various paths of
movement of the basketball relative to the rim and the net after
the basketball shot by the child fails to hit the backboard but
hits the rim; and
[0014] FIG. 4 is a flow chart indicating the sensory response of
the preferred embodiment of the invention to the movement of the
basketball through the net without hitting the backboard or the
rim.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a basketball
assembly generically indicated at 10 (FIG. 1) is provided. The
basketball assembly 10 includes a backboard 12 which may be
disposed on a stanchion 14. A rim 16 is supported by the backboard
12. A net 18 extends from the rim 16. The stanchion 14, the
backboard 12, the rim 16 and the net 18 may be constructed in a
conventional manner. However, the stanchion 14, the backboard 12,
the rim 16 and the net 18b may be constructed in a reduced size so
as to be adaptable for play by a young child preferably in the age
group of approximately 4 to 9.
[0016] A sensor generally indicated at 20 is associated with the
backboard 12. The sensor 20 may include a switch 22 which is
normally open but which is closed when a basketball 24 shot by a
player (e.g. a child) impinges upon or hits the backboard. The
switch 22 is shown in FIG. 1A as sensing light when the two (2)
terminals in the switch become aligned as a result of an impact of
the basketball 24 against the backboard 12. The light-sensing
characteristics of the switch 22 are only illustrative and a number
of other types of switches including mechanical, electrical and
semiconductor may also be used.
[0017] A sensor generally indicated at 26 in FIG. 1B is associated
with the rim 16. The sensor 26 may include a switch 28 which is
normally open but which is closed when the basketball 24 shot by
the child impinges upon or hits the rim 16 and causes this rim to
deflect downwardly from the backboard as a fulcrum. The switch 28
is shown in FIG. 1B as sensing light when the two (2) terminals
become aligned as a result of an impact of the basketball 24
against the rim 16. The light-sensing characteristics of the switch
28 are only illustrative and a number of other types of switches
including mechanical, electrical and semiconductor may also be
used.
[0018] A sensor generally indicated at 30 is associated with the
net 18. The sensor 30 may include a switch 32 (FIG. 1C) which is
normally open but which is closed when the basketball shot by the
child passes through the net 18. The switch 32 may be disposed at a
position on the net to close when the basketball has passed fully
into the net 18 without any prospect that the basketball will pop
upwardly out of the net. For example, the switch 32 may be light
sensitive and may be responsive to an interruption in the passage
of light from the backboard 12 through the net 18 between terminals
on the opposite sides of the net when the basketball 24 passes
through the net. This is shown illustratively in FIG. 1C. The
light-sensing characteristics of the switch 32 are only
illustrative and a number of other types of switches including
mechanical, electrical and semiconductor may also be used.
[0019] FIG. 2 constitutes a flow chart generally indicated at 34.
The operation of the flow chart 34 may be under the direction of a
microprocessor 33. Broken lines 31 encompass the flow chart 80, and
a line 37 extends from the microprocessor to the broken lines, to
show that the microprocessor controls the operation of the flow
chart. As a first step in the flow chart 34, a determination is
made as at 35 whether the basketball 24 shot by the child, has
impinged upon the backboard 12. An indication is provided at 36
when the basketball 24 strikes or hits the backboard 12. A delay is
then provided as at 38 to provide time for the basketball 24 to
bounce from the backboard 12 to the rim 14 on the net 18. When the
basketball 24 does not hit the rim after the delay 38, a signal
provided as at 40. A further delay may be provided as at 42 to
allow time for the basketball 24 to pass through the net 18. An
indication may be provided at 43 that the basketball 24 hit the
backboard 12 but not the rim 14 and that the ball did not pass
through the net. This indication may be sensory. Preferably the
indication may be made orally as by a recorder 44, which receives a
signal on a line 45 from the block 43 to provide the oral
indication.
[0020] When the basketball hits the rim 14, a signal is provided as
at 48. Upon the production of the signal at 48, the oral indication
as at 42 is prevented from occurring. This is indicated at 50. This
prevention is provided by introducing a signal as at 51 to the
block 43 to neutralize the operation of the block. The production
of the signal as at 48 to indicate the striking of the rim 14 by
the basketball 24 may be delayed as at 52 to provide an opportunity
for the basketball 24 to pass through the net 18.
[0021] At the end of the delay 52, a determination is made as to
whether the basketball 24 has passed through the net 18. This is
indicated at 53. If the basketball 24 has not passed through the
net 18, an indication may be provided as at 54 that the basketball
has hit the backboard 12 and the rim 16 but has not passed through
the net 18. This indication may be provided orally by the recorder
44 by the passage of a signal through a line 55 from the block 54
to the recorder 44. A delay may be provided as at 56, before the
provision of the indication 54, to make certain that the basketball
has not passed through the net 18.
[0022] It is possible for the basketball 24 to hit the backboard 12
and then pass through the net 18 without hitting the rim 16. The
line 40 provides an indication that the basketball 24 has not hit
the rim 18. A determination is then made as at 60 to whether the
basketball 24 has passed from the backboard 12 through the net 18
without hitting the rim. If the answer is yes, an indication is
provided at 62 that the ball has passed through the net 18 from the
backboard 12 without hitting the rim 16. This indication is
introduced to the recorder 44, as at 63, to obtain an oral
indication from the recorder that the basketball 24 has hit the
backboard 12 and has passed through the net 18 without passing
through the rim. A delay may be provided as at 64 to provide the
basketball 24 with an adequate time to pass through the net 18 from
the backboard 12 without hitting the rim 16.
[0023] The basketball 24 may hit the backboard 12 and then the rim
and subsequently pass through the net 24. When this occurs, a
signal is produced on a line 68. This signal causes an indication
to be provided as at 70 that the basketball 24 has hit the
backboard 12 and the rim 16 and has then passed through the net 18.
This indication is introduced as at 71 to the recorder 44 to obtain
an oral indication by the recorder that the basketball has hit the
backboard 12 and the rim 14 and has passed through the net 18. The
signal on the line 68 also produces a signal which is introduced as
at 72 to a block 74 to prevent a sensory indication from being
provided that the basketball 24 has hit the backboard 12 and the
rim 16 but has not passed through the net 18. The sensory
indication from the block 74 is introduced at 76 to the block 54 to
neutralize the operation of the block 54 and prevent the block from
indicating that the basketball 24 has hit the backboard 12 and the
rim 14 but has not passed through the net 18.
[0024] FIG. 3 provides a flow chart, generally indicated at 80,
which is operative under the control of the microprocessor 33. The
control by the microprocessor 33 is indicated by broken lines 81
extending around the flow chart 80 and by a bus 83 extending from
the microprocessor to the flow chart. The flow chart 80 is
operative under the control of the microprocessor 33 when the
basketball 24 impinges upon the rim 16 as indicated at 82 in FIG.
3. When this occurs, a determination is made as at 84 as to whether
the basketball has previously hit the backboard 12. If the answer
is no, a signal is produced as at 85. A delay may then be provided
as at 86 to provide time for the basketball 24 to pass through the
net 18. A determination is then made as at 87 as to whether the
basketball 24 has passed through the net 24.
[0025] When the basketball 24 does not pass through the net 18, a
signal is produced as at 88. This causes an indication to be
produced as at 89 in FIG. 3 that the basketball 24 has hit the rim
but has not passed through the net 18. A delay may be provided as
at 90 to allow time for the basketball 24 to pass from the rim 18
to and through the net 24. When the indication is provided as at 89
that the basketball 24 has hit the rim 14 but has not passed
through the net 18, a signal is introduced on a line 91 to the
recorder 44 to obtain an oral indication to this effect from the
recorder.
[0026] When the basketball 24 passes through the net 18 after
hitting the rim 16 but not the backboard 12, a signal is produced
as indicated at 92. This signal causes an indication 94 to be
produced that the basketball 24 has hit the rim 16 but not the
backboard 12 and that the basketball has passed through the net 18.
This indication may be introduced through a line 95 to the recorder
44 to obtain an oral indication from the recorder that the
basketball 24 has hit the rim 16 but not the backboard 12 and has
passed through the net 18. The indication 94 also prevents an
indication from being produced that the basketball 24 has hit the
rim 16 but not the backboard 12 and that the basketball has not
passed through the net 18. This is indicated at the block 96. The
indication in the block 96 is introduced as at 98 to the block 89
to neutralize the block 89 and prevent the block 89 from indicating
that the basketball 24 has hit the rim 18 but not the backboard 12
and has not passed through the net 24.
[0027] FIG. 4 provides a flow chart, generally indicated at 100, to
indicate when the basketball 24 fails to hit the backboard 12 or
the rim 16, but has passed through the net 18. The flow chart 100
is operative under the control of the microprocessor 33. This is
indicated by broken lines 101 around the flow chart shown in FIG. 4
and by a bus 103 extending in FIG. 4 from the microprocessor to the
broken lines. In FIG. 4, an indication is provided as at 102 when
the basketball passes through the net 24. When this occurs,
determinations are made as to whether the basketball 24 has
previously hit the backboard 12 or the rim 18. The failure of the
basketball 24 to previously hit the backboard 12 is indicated at
104 in FIG. 5. The failure of the basketball 24 to previously hit
the rim 16 is indicated at 106 in FIG. 4.
[0028] Under such circumstances, an indication is provided as at
108 that the basketball 24 has passed through the net 24 without
striking the backboard 12 or the rim 18. This indication may be
introduced as at 110 to the recorder 44 to obtain an oral
indication by the recorder that the basketball has passed through
the net without hitting the backboard 12 or the rim 16. This
indication may also be provided to blocks in FIGS. 2 and 3 to
prevent any indications that the basketball 24 has hit the
backboard 12 or the rim 16. This is indicated at 112 in FIG. 4.
[0029] Since the system described above and shown in the drawings
is primarily intended for use by young children in the age of
approximately 4 to 9, the oral indications provided by the recorder
44 are intended to be encouraging to the child. For example, when
the basketball 24 hits the backboard 12 and the rim 16 but does not
pass through the net 18, the recorder 44 may provide an oral
indication that the shot was a good shot and that the child almost
made a basket. As another example, when the basketball passes
through the net 24 without hitting the backboard 12 or the rim 18,
the recorder 44 may provide an indication in an excited voice that
the child has made a great shot.
[0030] Although this invention has been disclosed and illustrated
with reference to particular preferred embodiments, the principles
involved are susceptible for use in numerous other embodiments
which will be apparent to persons of ordinary skill in the art. The
invention is, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the
scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *