Basketball Hoop Assembly

Abstract

A basketball hoop assembly and kit is described with the assembly comprising a flexible sheet which has the shape of a backboard, a hoop mount which is secured to the front face of the sheet, a hoop which is secured to the hoop mount and a net which is secured to the hoop. The basketball hoop assembly of this invention may be mounted on a wall surface by means of the adhesive backing on the sheet and may be removed therefrom without leaving marks on the wall or residue thereon.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a basketball hoop assembly and more particularly to a basketball hoop assembly kit which includes a storage tube into which the components of the basketball hoop assembly of this invention are placed for shipment, transport, or storage. Components of the assembly may be removed from the storage tube so that the backboard thereof may be adhesively secured to a wall with hoop or rim then being secured to the backboard by means of a semi-adhesive.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] The term "basketball hoop" generally means a backboard having a rim or hoop secured to the lower central portion thereof with the hoop having a net extending downwardly therefrom. The backboards come in various sizes and shapes with most collegiate and professional backboards being rectangular in configuration.

[0005] Many types of miniature or mini basketball hoops have been previously provided to enable the same to be mounted within a home or office. Some of the prior art miniature basketball hoops are simply comprised of a rim or hoop which has an inverted U-shaped bracket secured thereto which is placed over the top of a door. In other prior art miniature basketball hoops, a backboard is also included with the U-shaped hangar bracket so that the backboard and hoop creates a more realistic basketball hoop. Even though most of the hangar brackets are lined with a cushion material to prevent damage to the door upon which they are placed, damage sometimes still occurs to the door.

[0006] In other prior art miniature basketball hoop devices, a backboard with a hoop or rim attached thereto is nailed or screwed to a wall which detracts from the portability of the device and which also causes damage to the wall.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A basketball hoop assembly kit is disclosed which comprises an elongated hollow storage or shipping tube having closed ends with at least one of the ends being able to be opened to permit the contents of the tube to be removed therefrom. A thin flexible sheet which is rolled into a tubular form is positioned in the tube. The flexible sheet has a front side and a back side and the sheet, when unrolled, has the appearance of a basketball backboard. The back side of the sheet has a pressure sensitive removable or semi-adhesive material thereon. The adhesive material is covered with a peelable member for storage and/or shipment. The adhesive material enables the sheet to be selectively removable secured to a wall and to be removed therefrom without leaving any marks or adhesive residue thereon.

[0008] A hoop mount is also removably contained within the storage tube. The hoop mount is adapted to be secured to the front side of the sheet when the sheet is secured to the wall. An elongated flexible tubular member having opposite ends, is also positioned in the storage tube. The flexible tubular member, upon being removed from the storage tube, is connectable to the hoop mount to form a basketball hoop or rim.

[0009] In the preferred embodiment, the opposite ends of the flexible tubular member are secured to the hoop mount which is adhesively secured to the sheet member. A hoop net is removably positioned in the storage tube for attachment to the hoop. In the preferred embodiment, the hoop mount is capable of being deformed so as to be fitted within the storage tube. In the preferred embodiment, the sheet has a width of approximately 30'' and a height of approximately 24'' and the hoop has a diameter of approximately 9''. Also in the preferred embodiment, the front side of the sheet has conventional backboard markings thereon.

[0010] The sheet, hoop mount, hoop and net may be packaged in other forms than the storage tube but the storage tube provides a convenient means of shipping, transporting, storing and carrying the components of the basketball hoop assembly.

[0011] It is therefore a principal object of the invention to provide a basketball hoop assembly which may be selectively removably secured to a wall and which may be removed therefrom without leaving any marks on the wall or leaving adhesive residue on the wall.

[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a basketball hoop assembly which is light-weight for handling and shipping.

[0013] Still another object of the invention is to provide a basketball hoop assembly which is comprised of a flexible sheet which forms the backboard of the basketball hoop assembly, a hoop mount which is adhesively secured to the front side of the sheet, a hoop which is secured to the hoop mount and a net which is secured to the hoop.

[0014] A further object of the invention is to provide a basketball hoop assembly which does not damage the supporting surface upon which the hoop assembly is mounted.

[0015] Still another object of the invention is to provide a basketball hoop assembly which is smaller than regulation size so as to be able to be used in a home or office.

[0016] Yet another object of the invention is to provide a basketball hoop assembly of the type described which is realistic in appearance thereby providing more enjoyment to persons using the hoop assembly.

[0017] These and other objects will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] FIG. 1 is a partial exploded perspective view of the basketball hoop assembly of this invention:

[0019] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded perspective view of the hoop mount and hoop;

[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the assembled hoop assembly; and

[0021] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the basketball hoop assembly of this invention in kit form.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] The basketball hoop assembly of this invention is referred to generally by the reference numeral 10 and includes a flexible, rectangular sheet 12 which serves as a backboard, a hoop mount 14, hoop 16 and net 18.

[0023] The flexible sheet 12 is comprised of a thin vinyl material which is preferably rectangular in shape and which preferably has a width of 30'' and a height of 24''. For purposes of description, sheet 12 will be described as having a back side 20 and a front side 22. The back side 20 has a pressure sensitive removable adhesive or semi-adhesive material 24 thereon. In the preferred embodiment, the adhesive covers the entire back side 20 of the sheet 12 but it is possible that the back side of the sheet 12 could have spaced-apart adhesive members thereon. A peelable backing sheet 26 is adhered to the adhesive 24 and is able to be peeled from the adhesive on the back side 20 of sheet 12 by grasping one corner thereof and pulling the same away from the adhesive. The front side 22 of the sheet 12 has conventional backboard markings 28 thereon and may have team names, logos, etc. imprinted thereon if so desired. As will be described hereinafter, the sheet 12 may be rolled upon itself to form a tube shape.

[0024] Hoop mount 14 preferably includes a base portion 30 having a front side 32 and a back side 34. The back side 34 of base portion 30 has a peel and stick adhesive backing referred to generally by the reference numeral 36. Preferably molded with the plastic base portion 30 is a forwardly presented tubular portion 38 which preferably has a rectangular or square bore 40 extending therein from one end to the other.

[0025] Hoop 16 is comprised of an elongated tubular member 42 comprised of a flexible plastic material and which has a round cross-section for its entire length except for the ends 44 and 46 thereof which have a rectangular or square cross-section. Tubular member 42 is sufficiently flexible so as to be bent into a ring-shape so that its ends 44 and 46 may be inserted into the ends of the bore 40 thereby providing a rigid connection between the hoop mount 14 and the hoop 16. Net 18 may be attached to the hoop 16 by any conventional method.

[0026] The basketball hoop assembly 10 of this invention is assembled as will now be described. First, the peelable backing sheet 26 is removed from the back side of the sheet 12 and the sheet 12 is removably secured to a wall or wall surface at the desired location. The removable sheet on the peel and stick adhesive backing 36 on the hoop mount 14 is then removed and the hoop mount 14 is adhered to the front side 22 of sheet 12 at the proper location which will normally be outlined to ensure that the hoop mount 14 will be properly positioned. The tubular member 42 is bent upon itself as previously described with the ends 44 and 46 being inserted into the opposite ends of the bore 40 in tube 38 after the net 18 has been attached thereto.

[0027] If it is desired to remove the basketball hoop assembly 10 from the wall, it is recommended that the hoop 16 and net 18 be removed from the hoop mount 14 and then the hoop mount 14 removed from the sheet 12, although hoop mount 14 may be left on the sheet 12 if so desired. The sheet 22 is then peeled from the wall with the adhesive 24 leaving no marks on the wall and leaving no residue on the wall. The peelable backing sheet 26 will then be positioned on the adhesive 24 if the basketball hoop assembly 10 is to be used again which will be the normal case.

[0028] For shipment, or carrying purposes, it is recommended that the basketball hoop assembly 10 be shipped in an elongated tube 48 with the ends thereof adapted to be closed. The sheet 12 is rolled upon itself to form a tubular shape and is placed inside the tube 48. The elongated tubular member 42 will also be inserted into the tube 48 as will the mount 14 and the net 18. The shipping tube 48 with the components of the basketball hoop assembly 10 therein provides a novel basketball hoop assembly kit 50 which is easily shipped, carried, stored, etc. Although it is preferred that the kit be in the elongated tubular form such as the tube 48, the kit could be packaged in other forms but it is recommended that the sheet 12 not be folded since the folding may cause creases therein.

[0029] Thus it can be seen the novel basketball hoop assembly 10 and a kit 50 have been provided which enables a basketball hoop to be placed on a wall or the like and removed therefrom without leaving any marks or residue on the wall. The basketball hoop assembly 10 of this invention is aesthetically pleasing and presents a realistic basketball hoop assembly.

[0030] It is contemplated that the backboard could be comprised of a cardboard like material although it is preferred that the vinyl sheet 12 be utilized. If sheet 12 is replaced with a cardboard member, it would have the adhesive secured to its rearward side which would be covered with a peelable sheet. The cardboard sheet would not normally be capable of being rolled into tubular form.

[0031] It can therefore be seen that the invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.

Claims

1. A miniature basketball hoop assembly kit, comprising: an elongated hollow storage tube having closed ends with at least one of said ends being able to be opened to permit the contents of said tube to be removed therefrom; a thin flexible sheet rolled into a tubular form positioned in said tube; said thin flexible sheet having a front side and a back side; said sheet, when unrolled, having the appearance of a basketball backboard; said back side of said sheet having a pressure sensitive removable adhesive material thereon; said adhesive material being covered by a peelable member; said adhesive material enabling said sheet to be selectively removably secured to a wall and to be removed therefrom without leaving any marks or adhesive residue thereon; a hoop mount removably positioned in said tube; said hoop mount adapted to be secured to said front side of said sheet when said sheet is secured to the wall; an elongated flexible tubular member, having opposite ends, positioned in said storage tube; said flexible tubular member, upon being removed from said storage tube, being connectable to said hoop mount to form a basketball hoop.

2. The kit of claim 1 wherein said opposite ends of said flexible tubular member are secured to said hoop mount.

3. The kit of claim 1 wherein a hoop net is removably positioned in said storage tube for attachment to said hoop.

4. The kit of claim 1 wherein said hoop mount is secured to said sheet member ay an adhesive material.

5. The kit of claim 1 wherein said hoop mount is capable of being deformed so as to be received within said storage tube.

6. The kit of claim 1 wherein said sheet has a width of approximately 30 inches and a height of approximately 24 inches.

7. The kit of claim 6 wherein said flexible tubular member, when secured to said hoop mount, defines a hoop having a diameter of approximately 9 inches.

8. The kit of claim 1 wherein said front side of said sheet has conventional backboard markings thereon.

9. The kit of claim 1 wherein said sheet is comprised of a plastic material.

10. A reduced-size basketball hoop assembly comprising: a thin flexible, plastic sheet having a front side and a back side; said sheet front side having the appearance of a basketball backboard; said back side of said sheet having a pressure sensitive removable adhesive material thereon; said adhesive material being covered by a peelable member for shipping purposes; said adhesive material enabling said sheet to be selectively removably secured to a wall and to be removed therefrom without leaving any marks or adhesive residue thereon; a hoop mount adhesively secured to said front side of said sheet; an elongated, flexible tubular member having opposite ends; said opposite ends of said flexible tubular member being secured to said hoop mount thereby forming a ring-shaped basketball hoop.

11. The assembly of claim 10 wherein a hoop net is attached to said hoop.

12. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said front side of said sheet has conventional backboard markings thereon.

13. The assembly of claim 10 wherein said hoop mount includes a horizontally disposed bore having opposite ends and wherein said ends of said tubular member is inserted into said bore.

14. The assembly of claim 13 wherein said bore has a rectangular cross-section and wherein said ends of said tubular member have a rectangular cross-section.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. (canceled)

20. The assembly of claim 21 wherein said bore has a rectangular cross-section and wherein said ends of said tubular member have a rectangular cross-section.

21. A reduced-size basketball hoop assembly comprising: a sheet having a front side and a back side; said sheet front side having the appearance of a basketball backboard; at least a portion of said back side of said sheet having a pressure sensitive removable adhesive material thereon; said adhesive material being covered by a peelable member for shipping purposes; said adhesive material enabling said sheet to be selectively removably secured to a wall and to be removed therefrom without leaving any marks or adhesive residue thereon; a basketball hoop secured to said front side of said sheet; said hoop mounting including a horizontally disposed bore having opposite ends; and said ends of said tubular member being inserted into said bore.