U.S. patent application number 12/028183 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-13 for basketball return device.
Invention is credited to Kenneth R. Snyder.
Application Number | 20090203472 12/028183 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40939385 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090203472 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Snyder; Kenneth R. |
August 13, 2009 |
BASKETBALL RETURN DEVICE
Abstract
A basketball return device (1) for securing to a basketball hoop
rim (2), said basketball return device (1) having a circular ring
(4), at least one clamp (30) secured to said circular ring (4)
wherein said at least one clamp (30) removably secures said
circular ring (4) to the basketball hoop rim (2), a directing frame
(6) for directing movement of a basketball, O-shaped members (31)
located on said directing frame (6) wherein said directing frame
(6) is rotatably secured to said circular ring (4) via said
O-shaped members (31) and at least on bracket (29) secured to said
circular ring (4) wherein said at least one bracket (29) is mounted
on the basketball hoop rim (2) when said basketball return device
(1) is secured to the basketball hoop rim (4).
Inventors: |
Snyder; Kenneth R.; (North
Fort Myers, FL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARD M. LIVINGSTON, PA
963 TRAIL TERRACE DRIVE
NAPLES
FL
34103
US
|
Family ID: |
40939385 |
Appl. No.: |
12/028183 |
Filed: |
February 8, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/433 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 63/083 20130101;
A63B 2063/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/433 |
International
Class: |
A63B 69/00 20060101
A63B069/00 |
Claims
1. A basketball return device for securing to a basketball hoop rim
having a top surface and a bottom surface, said basketball return
device comprising: a circular ring; at least one securing means
secured to said circular ring wherein said at least one securing
means removably secures said circular ring to the basketball hoop
rim; a directing frame for directing movement of a basketball; at
least one rotating means located on said directing frame wherein
said directing frame is rotatably secured to said circular ring via
said at least one rotating means; and at least on stabilizing means
secured to said circular ring wherein said at least one stabilizing
means is mounted on said basketball hoop rim when said basketball
return device is secured to said basketball hoop rim.
2. The basketball return device of claim 1 wherein: said at least
one securing means is a clamp.
3. The basketball return device of claim 2 wherein: said clamp has
a first arm and a second arm hingedly joined to each other.
4. The basketball return device of claim 3 further comprising: at
least one knob connector extending from said first arm; and at
least one knob located on said at least one knob connector.
5. The basketball return device of claim 1 wherein: said directing
frame has at least two directing rails.
6. The basketball return device of claim 2 wherein: said directing
frame has at least two directing rails.
7. The basketball return device of claim 1 wherein: said at least
one rotating means is an O-shaped member.
8. The basketball return device of claim 2 wherein: said at least
one rotating means is an O-shaped member.
9. The basketball return device of claim 5 wherein: said at least
one rotating means is an O-shaped member.
10. The basketball return device of claim 1 wherein: said at least
on stabilizing means is a bracket.
11. The basketball return device of claim 10 further comprising: a
first arm located on said bracket wherein said first arm rests on a
top surface of said basketball hoop rim when said basketball return
device is secured to said basketball hoop rim.
12. The basketball return device of claim 11 further comprising: a
second arm located on said bracket wherein said second arm rests
below a bottom surface of said basketball hoop rim.
13. The basketball return device of claim 1 further comprising: at
least one opener having at least one aperture for opening said at
least one securing means.
14. The basketball return device of claim 1 further comprising: at
least one extension secured to said directing frame.
15. The basketball return device of claim 14 wherein: said at least
one extension is removably secured to said directing frame.
16. A basketball return device for securing to a basketball hoop
rim having a top surface and a bottom surface, said basketball
return device comprising: a circular ring; at least one clamp
secured to said circular ring wherein said at least one clamp
removably secures said circular ring to the basketball hoop rim; a
directing frame for directing movement of a basketball; said
directing frame having at least two directing rails; at least
O-shaped member located on said directing frame wherein said
directing frame is rotatably secured to said circular ring via said
at least one O-shaped member; and at least on bracket secured to
said circular ring; and a first arm located on said at least one
bracket wherein said first arm rests on a top surface of said
basketball hoop rim when said basketball return device is secured
to said basketball hoop rim.
17. A basketball return device of claim 16 further comprising: a
second arm located on said bracket wherein said second arm is
located below a bottom surface of said basketball hoop rim.
18. The basketball return device of claim 16 further comprising: at
least one extension secured to said directing frame.
19. The basketball return device of claim 16 further comprising: at
least one opener having at least one aperture for opening said at
least one securing means.
20. A basketball return device for securing to a basketball hoop
rim having a top surface and a bottom surface, said basketball
return device comprising: a circular ring; at least one clamp
secured to said circular ring wherein said at least one clamp
removably secures said circular ring to the basketball hoop rim; a
directing frame for directing movement of a basketball; said
directing frame having at least two directing rails; at extension
removably secured to said directing frame; at least O-shaped member
located on said directing frame wherein said directing frame is
rotatably secured to said circular ring via said at least one
O-shaped member; and at least on bracket secured to said circular
ring; a first arm located on said at least one bracket wherein said
first arm rests on a top surface of said basketball hoop rim when
said basketball return device is secured to said basketball hoop
rim; and a second arm located on said at least one bracket wherein
said second arm is located below a bottom surface of said
basketball hoop rim.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to basketball return devices, more
particularly, a basketball return device that permits a user to
quickly and easily install and uninstall the basketball return
device on a basketball hoop rim.
[0002] Rather than chasing a basketball after practicing a free
throw, basketball return devices are commonly used to redirect the
basketball towards the shooter after each shot. Although the use of
such devices are helpful in redirecting the basketball to another
location on the basketball court, there are several drawbacks in
using basketball return devices currently on the market.
[0003] First, many basketball return devices are static, meaning
that the basketball will be automatically redirected to one
location on a basketball court, usually the free throw line,
regardless of where the shot is made. Thus, a shooter may end up
chasing after the ball anyway, even though the use of the
basketball return device is supposed to prevent him from needing to
do so.
[0004] Second, even if using a basketball return device that is
adjustable so as to redirect the basketball to a variety of
locations on the basketball court, many are difficult and
cumbersome to install on a basketball hoop and/or backboard.
[0005] Finally, many basketball return devices require the use of a
ladder in which to install and uninstall the basketball return
device. Thus, many individuals are hesitant in using such devices
as one must be very cautious in climbing the ladder while holding
such a bulky and heavy object such as a basketball return
device.
[0006] Thus, a need exists for a basketball return device that
permits a user to quickly and easily install and uninstall the
basketball return device on a basketball hoop rim.
[0007] The relevant prior art includes the following
references:
TABLE-US-00001 Patent No. (U.S. unless stated otherwise) Inventor
Issue/Publication Date 5,184,814 Manning Feb. 09, 1993 5,165,680
Cass Nov. 24, 1992 5,779,569 Townsend et al. Jul. 14, 1998
4,957,289 Kotlarz Sep. 18, 1990 5,803,837 LoFaso, Sr. Sep. 08, 1998
4,720,101 Farkas, Jr. Jan. 19, 1988 5,348,290 Matherne et al. Sep.
20, 1994 3,814,421 Spier, Jr. Jun. 04, 1974
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The primary object of the present invention is to provide a
basketball return device that permits a user to quickly and easily
install and uninstall the basketball return device on a basketball
hoop rim.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
basketball return device that returns a basketball to a location
where the basketball was originally thrown from.
[0010] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
basketball return device that is adjustable.
[0011] An even further object of the present invention is to
provide a basketball return device that is portable.
[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
basketball return device that is easy to use.
[0013] The present invention fulfills the above and other objects
by providing a basketball return device for securing to a
basketball hoop rim, said basketball return device having a
circular ring, at least one securing means secured to said circular
ring wherein said at least one securing means removably secures
said circular ring to the basketball hoop rim, a directing frame
for directing movement of a basketball, at least one rotating means
located on said directing frame wherein said directing frame is
rotatably secured to said circular ring via said at least one
rotating means and at least on stabilizing means secured to said
circular ring wherein said at least one stabilizing means is
mounted on the one basketball hoop rim when said basketball return
device is secured to the basketball hoop rim.
[0014] To install the basketball return device of the present
invention on a basketball hoop rim, a user first opens the securing
means, which is preferably a clamp, and positions the at least one
stabilizing means, which is preferably a bracket, on the basketball
hoop rim. Then, the user closes the clamp or permits the clamp to
close on its own, thereby securing the basketball return device to
the basketball hoop rim. The user may then rotate the directing
frame to a desired position, which is preferably such that the
directing frame is pointed at a basketball shooter, so a basketball
will be directed to the shooter when the basketball enters the
basketball hoop rim and basketball return device.
[0015] To uninstall the basketball return device of the present
invention, the user opens the clamp, preferably via an opener, and
lifts or raises the basketball return device such that the
stabilizing means are no longer resting on the basketball hoop rim.
In this manner, the basketball return device may be easily
installed and uninstalled without the use of a ladder.
[0016] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the
present invention should become even more readily apparent to those
skilled in the art upon a reading of the following detailed
description in conjunction with the drawings wherein there is shown
and described illustrative embodiments of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] In the following detailed description, reference will be
made to the attached drawings in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a basketball return
device of the present invention installed on a basketball hoop
rim;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a top view of the basketball return device of the
present invention;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a side view of the basketball return device of the
present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a side view of a stabilizing means of the
basketball return device of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side view of an alternate stabilizing means of
the basketball return device of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate stabilizing means of
the basketball return device of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a side view of a securing means of the basketball
return device of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a side view of an alternate securing means of the
basketball return device of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a side view of an alternate securing means of the
basketball return device of the present invention;
[0027] FIG. 10 is a top view of an extension of the basketball
return device of the present invention; and
[0028] FIG. 11 is a side view of a rotating means of the basketball
return device of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] For purposes of describing the preferred embodiment, the
terminology used in reference to the numbered components in the
drawings is as follows: [0030] 1. basketball return device,
generally [0031] 2. basketball hoop rim [0032] 3. backboard [0033]
4. circular ring [0034] 5. securing means [0035] 6. directing frame
[0036] 7. knob [0037] 8. opener [0038] 9. aperture [0039] 10.
rotating means [0040] 11. stabilizing means [0041] 12. cap [0042]
13. extension [0043] 14. directing rail [0044] 15. connecting bar
[0045] 16. arm [0046] 17. support bar [0047] 18. end bar [0048] 19.
extension end bar [0049] 20. extension head bar [0050] 21. knob
connector [0051] 22. extension support bar [0052] 23. stabilizing
means first arm [0053] 24. stabilizing means second arm [0054] 25.
stabilizing means attachment [0055] 26. securing means first arm
[0056] 27. securing means second arm [0057] 28. securing means
hinge [0058] 29. bracket [0059] 30. clamp [0060] 31. O-shaped
member [0061] 32. basketball hoop rim top surface [0062] 33.
basketball hoop rim bottom surface [0063] 34. extension arm
[0064] With reference to FIG. 1, a side perspective view of a
basketball return device of the present invention installed on a
basketball hoop rim is shown. The basketball return device,
generally 1 of the present invention is removably secured to a
basketball hoop rim 2 that is preferably secured to a backboard 3.
Although the basketball hoop rim 2 is shown having one ring, which
is commonly found on professional and amateur basketball courts, as
well as on basketball courts located on school grounds, city parks
and county parks, the basketball return device 1 may also be used
on a basketball hoop rim 2 having two rings as shown in FIGS. 6 and
9, which are used to provide additional strength so as to prevent
breakage of the basketball hoop rim 2. The basketball return device
1 includes a circular ring 4, which is preferably equal to or
greater in size than the basketball hoop rim 2, having a securing
means 5 located thereon. The securing means 5 preferably includes a
knob 7 extending a predetermined distance from the securing means
5. When the securing means 5 is secured to the basketball hoop rim
2, the circular ring 4 is located beneath the basketball hoop rim
2. At least one stabilizing means 11 is located on the circular
ring 4 to assist in stabilizing and maintaining the circular ring 4
on the basketball hoop rim 2. Rotatably connected to the circular
ring 4 is a directing frame 6 that directs movement of a basketball
that has entered through the basketball hoop rim 2 and circular
ring 4 to a predetermined location. The predetermined location is
preferably where a shooter originally throws a basketball; however,
the predetermined location may be anywhere else on a basketball
court or ground surface.
[0065] An optional opener 8 having at least one aperture 9 is
provided to permit a user to easily open the securing means 5. Once
the securing means 5 is opened, a user lifts, raises or otherwise
moves the basketball return device 1 such that the stabilizing
means 11 are no longer resting on the basketball hoop rim 2 and
lowers basketball return device 1 to remove the basketball return
device 1 of the present invention from a basketball hoop rim 2.
[0066] Next, FIG. 2 shows a top view of the basketball return
device of the present invention. Located on the directing frame 6
is at least one rotating means 10 that permits a user to rotate the
directing frame 6 on the circular ring 4. As shown in FIG. 11, the
rotating means 10 are preferably O-shaped members 31 that
circumvent the circular ring 4. However, rotating means 10 of
varying shapes and sizes may also be used.
[0067] The directing frame 6 includes at least two directing rails
14 that act as guides for directing the return of a basketball to a
predetermined location on a basketball court or ground surface. An
optional extension 13 may be secured, in a removable, collapsible,
foldable or permanent manner, to the directing frame 6, preferably
to an end bar 18 of the directing frame 6, wherein the extension 13
also includes at least two directing rails 14. The extension 13
preferably terminates at an extension end bar 19.
[0068] The directing frame 6 also preferably includes at least two
support bars 17 that connect the directing rails 14 to the rotating
means 10. In addition, the directing frame 6 also preferably
includes a connecting bar 15 that connects the directing rails 14
to one another and at least one arm 16 that connects the ends of
the connecting bar 15 to the support bars 17. The inclusion of the
connecting bar 15, arms 16 and support bars 17 are to increase the
stability and durability of the directing frame 6.
[0069] Preferably located on the stabilizing means 11 are caps 12
that are preferably made of a plastic material. The caps 12 are
used to not only protect a user from injuring him/herself from the
ends of the stabilizing means 11, but to also provide greater
resistance between the stabilizing means 11 and the basketball hoop
rim 2, thereby preventing slippage of the basketball return device
1 from a basketball hoop rim 2.
[0070] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the basketball return device of
the present invention. The basketball hoop rim 2 includes a top
surface 32 and a bottom surface 33. When the basketball return
device 1 of the present invention is installed on a basketball hoop
rim 2, the circular ring 4 is located below the basketball hoop rim
2. The securing means 5 secures the basketball return device 1 to
the basketball hoop rim 2 while the stabilizing means 11 stabilizes
the basketball return device 1 on the basketball hoop rim 2. The
stabilizing means 11 preferably includes caps 12. When the
basketball return device 1 is installed on a basketball hoop rim 2,
the stabilizing means is mounted on the basketball hoop rim 2.
[0071] An optional extension support bar 22 is located on a
foldable extension 13 wherein a cap 12 is preferably located on the
end of the extension support bar 22. The extension support bar 22
permits the extension 13 to remain in an unfolded, substantially
horizontal position in relation to a ground surface.
[0072] With reference to FIG. 4, a side view of a stabilizing means
of the basketball return device of the present invention is shown.
The stabilizing means 11 is preferably a bracket 29 having a first
arm 23 and a second arm 24 wherein each arm 23 and 24 has a cap 12
located thereon. When the basketball return device 1 having these
brackets 29 are utilized, the first arm 23 is mounted on the
basketball hoop rim top surface 32 and the second arm 24 rests
below the basketball hoop rim bottom surface 33. In this manner,
the movement of the basketball return device 1 in an upward or
downward direction is restricted.
[0073] Next, FIG. 5 shows a side view of an alternate stabilizing
means of the basketball return device of the present invention. The
stabilizing means 11 is preferably a bracket 29 having a first arm
23 wherein the first arm 23 is substantially U-shaped. In this
manner, a user simple lifts or raises the basketball return device
1 when the securing means 5 is opened to remove the basketball
return device 1 from a basketball hoop rim 2.
[0074] FIG. 6 shows a side view of an alternate stabilizing means
of the basketball return device of the present invention. The
stabilizing means 11 is preferably a bracket 29 wherein the first
arm 23 and second arm 24 wherein a predetermined amount of space is
located between the arms 23 and 24 to permit a user to use the
stabilizing means 11 on a two basketball hoop rims 2. A stabilizing
means attachment 25 is also provided to permit a user to secure the
stabilizing means 11 to the circular ring 4.
[0075] With reference to FIGS. 7-9, varying views of a securing
means of the basketball return device of the present invention are
shown. The securing means 5, which is preferably a clamp 30, is
secured to the circular ring 4 and is used to secure the circular
ring 4 to at least one basketball hoop rim 2. The clamp 30
preferably includes a first arm 26 and a second arm 27 connected
via a hinge 28 to permit a user to open the clamp 30. The clamp 30
may close automatically or, in the alternative, close manually via
the user. A knob connector 21 is preferably located between the
knob 7 and the first arm 26 to permit a user to secure the aperture
9 of the opener 8 about the knob connector 21 in order to open the
clamp 30 via the opener 8.
[0076] FIG. 10 shows a top view of an extension of the basketball
return device of the present invention. The extension 13 includes
at least two directing rails 14 for directing movement of a
basketball. Extension arms 34 extending from an extension head bar
20 are preferably provided for interlocking the extension 13 to the
directing frame 6 in a foldable manner.
[0077] Finally, FIG. 11 shows a side view of a rotating means of
the basketball return device of the present invention. The rotating
means 10 is preferably an O-shaped member 31 wherein the O-shaped
member 31 is sized and shaped to wrap around the circular ring
4.
[0078] To install the basketball return device 1 on a basketball
hoop rim 2, a user first opens the securing means 5 and positions
the at least one stabilizing means 11 on the basketball hoop rim 2.
Then, the securing means 5 is closed on/about the basketball hoop
rim 2, thereby securing the basketball return device 1 to the
basketball hoop rim 2. The user may then rotate the directing frame
6 to a desired position, which is preferably such that the
directing frame 6 is pointed at a basketball shooter, so a
basketball will be directed to the shooter when the basketball
enters the basketball hoop rim 2 and basketball return device
1.
[0079] To uninstall the basketball return device 1, the user opens
the securing means 11, preferably via an opener 8, and lifts or
raises the basketball return device 1 such that the stabilizing
means 11 are no longer resting on the basketball hoop rim 2. In
this manner, the basketball return device 1 may be easily installed
and uninstalled without the use of a ladder.
[0080] The use of the present invention permits a user to quickly
and easily install and uninstall the basketball return device on at
least one basketball hoop rim.
[0081] It is to be understood that while a preferred embodiment of
the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the
specific form or arrangement of parts herein described and shown.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
changes may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention and the invention is not be considered limited to what is
shown and described in the specification and drawings.
* * * * *