U.S. patent application number 12/927956 was filed with the patent office on 2011-06-02 for basketball return system.
Invention is credited to Fred Sims.
Application Number | 20110130225 12/927956 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44069315 |
Filed Date | 2011-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110130225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sims; Fred |
June 2, 2011 |
Basketball return system
Abstract
The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the Basketball
Return System employs a frame and net to catch the ball, whether
made or missed, and funnels the ball directly back to the shooter
at the free-throw line. The Basketball Return System consists of a
frame to be clamped onto the basketball goal's backboard, and a net
which hangs down from the frame and trails out toward the
free-throw line. The frame is clamped to the bottom edge of the
backboard, and extends downward slightly below the bottom of the
backboard, tapering inward from the sides. The frame also extends
upward on each side of the basket, with a forward-projecting fin or
wall on each side of the hoop, and a shelf-like crosspiece
projection above the hoop. From the bottom of the Basketball Return
System frame is hung a net, similar in weave to the basketball net,
and this net tapers inward from the frame and is laid out in a
narrowing drape toward the free-throw line. The Basketball Return
System prevents errant free-throw shots from rebounding outward
from the goal and returns both made and missed shots to the feet of
the player at the free-throw line.
Inventors: |
Sims; Fred; (Chicago,
IL) |
Family ID: |
44069315 |
Appl. No.: |
12/927956 |
Filed: |
November 30, 2010 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61283163 |
Nov 30, 2009 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/433 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2209/00 20130101;
A63B 2063/001 20130101; A63B 63/083 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/433 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/08 20060101
A63B063/08; A63B 71/00 20060101 A63B071/00 |
Claims
1. A mounted basketball return system device, comprising: a frame
of semi-rigid material the same width as the basketball backboard
and clamped onto the bottom edge of the basketball backboard and
wherein said frame extends downward below the bottom of the
backboard, and tapers inward from the sides; wherein the frame also
extends upward on each side of the basket, with a
forward-projecting fin or wall on each side of the hoop, and a
shelf-like crosspiece projection above the hoop; further comprising
a net to catch the ball, wherein the net tapers inward from the
frame and is laid out in a narrowing drape toward the free-throw
line.
2. The basketball return system device of claim 1 wherein the frame
is constructed of fiberglass.
3. The basketball return system device of claim 1 wherein the net
is similar in weave to a basketball net.
Description
CLAIM OF PRIORITY
[0001] This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e)
(1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/283,163
filed Nov. 30, 2009, of common inventorship herewith entitled,
"Basketball Return System."
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention pertains to the field of basketball
nets, and more specifically to the field of basketball return
systems.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The prior art has put forth several designs for basketball
return systems. Among these are:
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,292 to Douglas Metz describes a
basketball rebounding system for capturing a basketball which has
been shot in the general direction of a basketball hoop, and for
subsequently returning the basketball to the shooter, regardless of
the successful completion of a basket.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,374,054 to Matthew G. Suess describes a
basketball apparatus used in a seated or reclined position which
includes a backboard and hoop assembly, a catch net, a return
trough, and a trough support cushion.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,049 to James R. Bush describes a
basketball shooting practice return apparatus having retrieval net
front height adjustable from above.
[0007] None of these prior art references describe the present
invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved basketball return system device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a close-up of the front perspective view of the
device of the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the device of the
present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0011] In basketball, most points are earned by getting the ball
into the hoop, whether jump-shots, three-pointers, tip-ins, or
lay-ups taken on the fast break, in the face of the opposing team's
defenders. The sole exception to this is the free-throw, in which
the player who has been physically "fouled" by an opposing player
takes a position at the free-throw line and is allowed one or two
free chances at the basket, for one point per shot. In close games,
free-throws are very often the deciding factor. The reason is
simple. As the final seconds of the game approach, a foul can stop
the clock. By sending an opposing player to the free-throw line,
the fouling team not only minimizes the number of points he or she
can score, two at the most, but also creates an opportunity of
getting the ball back and having another chance to score. Thus,
free-throws are crucial to a team's success, and to the individual
player's development. As one might expect, basketball players spend
a lot of time practicing their free-throws, but here a problem
arises.
[0012] In professional or college basketball, coaches, team
managers, and assistants are on hand to retrieve the rebounds of
free-throws and return the ball to the player at the line. In high
school and amateur league-play, this is not the case, and the
players themselves have to break away from the free-throw line, run
after the ball, and return to the line, wasting time and energy,
and breaking their concentration, in the process.
[0013] The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the
Basketball Return System employs a frame and net to catch the ball,
whether made or missed, and funnel the ball directly back to the
shooter at the free-throw line. Manufactured by the Sporting and
Athletic Goods industry, Standard Industrial Code 3949, the
Basketball Return System consists of a frame to be clamped onto the
basketball goal's backboard, and a net which hangs down from the
frame and trails out toward the free-throw line. The frame of the
Basketball Return System is composed of semi-rigid material such as
fiberglass, and manufactured in the same width as a standard
basketball backboard. The frame is clamped to the bottom edge of
the backboard, and extends downward slightly below the bottom of
the backboard, tapering inward from the sides. The frame also
extends upward on each side of the basket, with a
forward-projecting fin or wall on each side of the hoop, and a
shelf-like crosspiece projection above the hoop. From the bottom of
the Basketball Return System frame is hung a net, similar in weave
to the basketball net, and this net tapers inward from the frame
and is laid out in a narrowing drape toward the free-throw line.
The Basketball Return System prevents errant free-throw shots from
rebounding outward from the goal and returns both made and missed
shots to the feet of the player at the free-throw line.
[0014] With the Basketball Return System in place, the player can
concentrate solely on practicing free-throw shots, not on chasing
down and returning the ball. The efficiency offered by the
Basketball Return System saves an enormous amount of time and
player-effort which is at present wasted. This applies not only to
the player at the free-throw line, but to the other players who
have to stop what they're working on in order to catch the errant
free-throw rebound and return it to the player at the line. The
Basketball Return System is automatic. Once in place on the
backboard, the System requires no further attention or maintenance.
Thus, in the typical high-school or college practice gym which may
have six basketball goals, one or more goals is equipped with the
Basketball Return System, and thereafter is reserved strictly for
free-throw practice. Each player uses the equipped goal for a
pre-set practice interval, or returns after organized practice for
a longer solitary session. Because the Basketball Return System
efficiently contains and returns both made and missed free-throws,
the player derives the maximum benefit from practice time. Durable,
sturdy, and built for dependable service, the Basketball Return
System is used not only in gymnasiums by organized teams, but also
in backyards and on playground courts, anywhere the game is played
and practiced.
[0015] A frame and net attached to a standard basketball backboard
in order to return free-throw shots back to the shooter, the
Basketball Return System proves a valuable practice and coaching
aid in developing players' skills at the free-throw line among
basketball programs at all levels, as well as among households with
kids and backyard basketball courts.
[0016] Although this invention has been described with respect to
specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and
various modifications which will become apparent to the person of
ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit
and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction
with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
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