U.S. patent application number 14/158961 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-23 for trampoline basketball goal.
The applicant listed for this patent is Samuel Chen. Invention is credited to Samuel Chen.
Application Number | 20150202481 14/158961 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53540046 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150202481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Samuel |
July 23, 2015 |
Trampoline Basketball Goal
Abstract
The trampoline basketball goal includes a frame, a bed and
springs connecting the bed to the frame. The trampoline enclosure
includes enclosure poles holding an enclosure net. The enclosure
poles have an upper end and a lower end. The enclosure poles
comprise a first enclosure pole, a second enclosure pole, and a
third enclosure pole. The first enclosure pole, the second
enclosure pole, and the third enclosure pole are placed around a
periphery of the trampoline bed. The first trampoline pole is
adjacent to the second trampoline pole, and the second trampoline
pole is adjacent to the third trampoline pole. A basketball
backboard is suspended between the first and third enclosure
poles.
Inventors: |
Chen; Samuel; (Shanghai,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chen; Samuel |
Shanghai |
|
CN |
|
|
Family ID: |
53540046 |
Appl. No.: |
14/158961 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
482/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 71/021 20130101;
A63B 2225/62 20130101; A63B 2071/0625 20130101; A63B 5/11 20130101;
A63B 63/083 20130101; A63B 71/0622 20130101; A63B 2209/08 20130101;
A63B 2210/50 20130101; A63B 2225/74 20200801; A63B 2067/005
20130101; A63B 2209/10 20130101; A63B 71/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 5/11 20060101
A63B005/11; A63B 63/08 20060101 A63B063/08 |
Claims
1. A trampoline basketball goal comprising: a. a trampoline
comprising a frame, a bed and springs connecting the bed to the
frame; b. a trampoline enclosure including enclosure poles holding
an enclosure net, wherein the enclosure poles have an upper end and
a lower end, wherein the enclosure poles comprise a first enclosure
pole, a second enclosure pole, and a third enclosure pole, wherein
the first enclosure pole, the second enclosure pole, and the third
enclosure pole are placed around a periphery of the trampoline bed,
wherein the first trampoline pole is adjacent to the second
trampoline pole, and wherein the second trampoline pole is adjacent
to the third trampoline pole; c. a basketball backboard; d. a
basketball hoop extending from the basketball backboard; and e. a
plurality of cables connecting the basketball backboard to the
upper end of the enclosure poles, wherein the plurality of cables
includes a first cable and a second cable, wherein the first cable
connects the basketball backboard to the first enclosure pole, and
wherein the second cable connects the basketball backboard to the
third enclosure pole, wherein the basketball backboard is suspended
over the bed by the plurality of cables.
2. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein the first
cable and the second cable are made from one continuous cable that
passes from a right side connection on the first enclosure pole to
a left side connection on the third enclosure pole.
3. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein a basketball
hoop connector connects the basketball hoop to the basketball
backboard in a breakaway configuration.
4. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein the
basketball backboard is inflatable.
5. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein the enclosure
net is made of enclosure netting suspended from an upper enclosure
ring.
6. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein a first
grommet is attached to a right upper corner of the basketball
backboard, and wherein a second grommet is attached to a left upper
corner of the basketball backboard, wherein the first grommet forms
a first corner connection, and wherein the second grommet forms a
second corner connection, wherein the first cable connects to the
first corner connection and wherein the second cable connects to
the second corner connection.
7. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of cables further includes: a third upper cable connecting between
the second trampoline pole and the basketball backboard.
8. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein the plurality
of cables are elastic and configured in tension.
9. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 1, wherein the first
cable and the second cable are made from one continuous cable that
passes from a right side connection on the first enclosure pole to
a left side connection on the third enclosure pole.
10. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 8, wherein a basketball
hoop connector connects the basketball hoop to the basketball
backboard in a breakaway configuration.
11. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 8, wherein the
basketball backboard is inflatable.
12. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 8, wherein the
enclosure net is made of enclosure netting suspended from an upper
enclosure ring.
13. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 8, wherein a first
grommet is attached to a right upper corner of the basketball
backboard, and wherein a second grommet is attached to a left upper
corner of the basketball backboard, wherein the first grommet forms
a first corner connection, and wherein the second grommet forms a
second corner connection, wherein the first cable connects to the
first corner connection and wherein the second cable connects to
the second corner connection.
14. The trampoline basketball goal of claim 8, wherein the
plurality of cables further includes: a third upper cable
connecting between the second trampoline pole and the basketball
backboard.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is in the field of trampoline
basketball goals.
DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART
[0002] A variety of trampoline games have been played on
trampolines, such as basketball. Publicover describes a trampoline
game accessory in United States publication 20050043122 published
Feb. 24, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. The trampoline game includes a variety of electronic
buttons located above a trampoline bed. Publicover in United States
publication 20100190608 of Jul. 29 2000 and describes a trampoline
game system with additional optional accessories including
variations of tag, hopscotch, volleyball, basketball and other
modifications of traditional games which may include scoring a goal
with a ball. Colling in U.S. Pat. No. 7,481,740 issued Jan. 27,
2009 includes a soccer goal fitted on a portion of a trampoline
enclosure net. Other devices such as Chen in U.S. Pat. No.
6,918,846 provides for an inflatable basketball structure which can
also be used for enclosing a trampoline structure. Traditionally, a
trampoline structure consists of a bottom frame for support and a
base bed to jump on. However, even though trampolines may be
structurally sound and sturdily built, trampoline use has an
inherent risk of injury. Thus, inventions through the years have
sought to reduce that risk such as the following. Mark Publicover,
U.S. Pat. No. 6,261,207, issued Jul. 17, 2001, entitled Trampoline
or the Like with Enclosure, which is disclosed herein by
reference.
[0003] Different inventors have created a variety of different
trampoline basketball systems for enabling shorter people to have
unique interactions with a basketball goal such as Edward Cole, in
U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,557, issued on Nov. 10, 1998, entitled
Trampoline Basketball Game, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference. Cole describes a trampoline basketball game
structure, which comprises of an elevated horizontal rebound
surface, two opposing and facing basketball hoops, and a resilient
barrier separating the horizontal rebound surface into two playing
areas. Score may also be kept on a board placed on beams near the
middle of the structure. Additionally, Devin Ronan, in U.S. Pat.
No. 8,328,695, issued Dec. 11, 2012, entitled Trampoline and Cage
Ball Game Device, also discloses a novel game, the disclosure of
which is incorporated herein by reference. Ronan describes a
trampoline and cage ball game device, where a single continuous
open ended sheet of flexile material, folded and reinforced at four
corners, thus creating four defined wall panels and forming an
enclosed cage structure.
[0004] Trampoline basketball structures can also be inflatable as
described by Samuel Chen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,918,846, issued on Jul.
19, 2005, entitled Inflatable Basketball Structure, the disclosure
of which is incorporated herein by reference. The structure when
used in conjunction with a trampoline allows users to perform
vertically challenging feats, such as slam-dunking. George Nissen,
also describes a ballgame in U.S. Pat. No. 6,135,922, issued Jul.
19, 2005, entitled Trampoline Attachment, the disclosure of which
is incorporated herein by reference. Nissen teaches about an
attachment system for use with a circular trampoline, where a basic
trampoline is improved upon to include four arch-shaped backstop
frames, an apex and two ends, which are attached to the base frame.
The center has two arched frames, and a hollow cylindrical
structure suspended to the center frames where a projectile may
pass through.
[0005] Mark Publicover, in U.S. Pat. No. 7,429,227, issued Sep. 30,
2008, entitled Basketball Hoop and Backboard for a Trampoline,
provides a basketball game, the disclosure of which is incorporated
herein by reference. Publicover shows a padded basketball hoop
flexibly mounted to a backboard. When used with a trampoline, the
advantage of this attachment is its shock absorption ability. The
flex preserves the integrity of the basketball hoop, since users
may bump against the structure while they are going up, potentially
breaking the hoop if it were too rigid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The trampoline basketball goal includes a frame, a bed and
springs connecting the bed to the frame. The trampoline enclosure
includes enclosure poles holding an enclosure net. The enclosure
poles have an upper end and a lower end. The enclosure poles
comprise a first enclosure pole, a second enclosure pole, and a
third enclosure pole. The first enclosure pole, the second
enclosure pole, and the third enclosure pole are placed around a
periphery of the trampoline bed. The first trampoline pole is
adjacent to the second trampoline pole, and the second trampoline
pole is adjacent to the third trampoline pole. A basketball
backboard is suspended between the first and third enclosure poles.
A basketball hoop extends from the basketball backboard. A
plurality of cables connect the basketball backboard to the upper
end of the enclosure poles. The plurality of cables includes a
first cable and a second cable. The first cable connects the
basketball backboard to the first enclosure pole, and the second
cable connects the basketball backboard to the third enclosure
pole. The basketball backboard is suspended over the bed by the
plurality of cables.
[0007] The first cable and the second cable can be continuous. The
basketball hoop connector connects the basketball hoop to the
basketball backboard in a breakaway configuration. The basketball
backboard is inflatable. The enclosure net is made of enclosure
netting suspended from an upper enclosure ring. A first grommet is
attached to a right upper corner of the basketball backboard, and a
second grommet is attached to a left upper corner of the basketball
backboard. The first grommet forms a first corner connection, and
the second grommet forms a second corner connection. The first
cable connects to the first corner connection and the second cable
connects to the second corner connection. The third upper cable
connects between the second trampoline pole and the basketball
backboard.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view diagram of the present
invention.
[0009] The following callout list of elements can be a useful guide
in referencing the callout numbers of the drawings.
[0010] 21 First Upper Cable
[0011] 22 Second Upper Cable
[0012] 23 Third Upper Cable
[0013] 24 Upper Enclosure Ring
[0014] 25 Enclosure Pole Caps
[0015] 26 Trampoline Bed
[0016] 31 Basketball Backboard
[0017] 32 Basketball Hoop
[0018] 33 Basketball Hoop Connector
[0019] 34 Enclosure Pole
[0020] 35 Trampoline Frame
[0021] 36 Enclosure Netting
[0022] 37 Frame Footing
[0023] 38 Enclosure Pole Connector
[0024] 39 Trampoline Pad
[0025] 41 First Corner Connection
[0026] 42 Second Corner Connection
[0027] 43 First Grommet
[0028] 44 Second Grommet
[0029] 51 First Enclosure Pole
[0030] 52 Second Enclosure Pole
[0031] 53 Third Enclosure Pole
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0032] In a trampoline, a basketball goal can be mounted over the
jumping area. A number of different cables can be attached to the
basketball goal to connect the basketball goal to the enclosure
poles of the trampoline. The cables can be bungee, elastic cords,
rope and any other cords of similar construction. A basketball
backboard 31 and a basketball hoop 32 can be mounted in a suspended
position by connecting to cables. A first cable 21 and a second
cable 22 connect upper corners of a basketball backboard 31 to top
portions of enclosure poles 34. The first cable and the second
cable can be tied to the enclosure pole connector caps 25.
Optionally, the enclosure pole connector caps may have a separate
opening for receiving the first cable and the second cable
connections. The cables can be tied to the enclosure pole connector
caps 25 by a slip knot such that excessive force on the basketball
goal will cause the cables to detach safely in the unlikely event
of the entanglement. Alternatively, the connector caps can have a
breakaway portion for allowing breakaway a case of user
entanglement in the cables.
[0033] The trampoline has enclosure poles 34 connected to the
trampoline frame 35 by enclosure pole connectors 38, which can be
screws or bolts. Enclosure netting 36 is suspended from an upper
enclosure ring 24, and can have a sleeve for receiving portions of
the upper enclosure ring 24. The upper enclosure ring can be made
of fiberglass or metal. The enclosure netting is typically
connected to the trampoline bed to hold a single user jumping on
the trampoline bed. The enclosure poles can be about six to eight
feet tall. Frame footings 37 can be assembled to the trampoline
frame 35 to provide a support for the trampoline frame above a
surface of the ground. Enclosure pole connector caps 25 can be
mounted to the tops of the enclosure poles 34 and have grooved hook
receivers for receiving the upper enclosure ring 24.
[0034] A third upper cable 23 can be connected between a rear
portion of the basketball goal and a connector cap. The third upper
cable 23 can be optional for providing additional stability. The
third upper cable can loop downward and connect between the middle
portion of the enclosure pole 34 and the rear portion of the
basketball goal. The rear portion of the basketball goal can have a
loop hardware for receiving the third upper cable to pass through
it. Alternatively, the rear portion of the basketball goal can have
a connector for receiving an end of the third upper cable.
[0035] A grommet can be used on a corner of the basketball
backboard to frame an opening for forming a corner connection. More
specifically, a first grommet 43 can form a first corner connection
41 and a second grommet 44 can form a second corner connection 42.
A corner connection can be formed by forming an opening in the
basketball backboard. The basketball backboard can be made of a
fiberboard, wooden, plastic plank or can be inflatable. In the case
of an inflatable basketball backboard, a small air pump could be
used, however the basketball backboard would be better constructed
by having a small air valve, and the basketball hoop would also be
made inflatable to match the inflatable basketball backboard. On a
smaller trampoline such as a fifteen foot diameter trampoline, it
is not preferred to have a regulation sized basketball backboard,
and a smaller basketball goal is preferred for smaller
trampolines.
[0036] The basketball hoop connector 33 connects the basketball
hoop 32 to the basketball backboard 31. The basketball hoop
connector 33 is designed to break away in case of user entrapment
and can be formed from hook and loop tape, magnetic attachment or
can be a plastic piece such as a plastic hinge. A breakaway
configuration is preferred a plastic hinge can be made to be easily
breakable as well as capable of reassembly.
[0037] On a trampoline that has six enclosure poles 34, the
basketball goal is mounted across three enclosure poles. The
basketball goal is preferably mounted between a first enclosure
pole 51 and a third enclosure pole 53 while skipping the second
enclosure pole 52. The second enclosure pole 52 should be placed
behind the basketball goal so that the third upper cable 23 can be
attached to the second enclosure pole 52. The first cable and the
second cable can be formed of a single continuous cable that passes
from a right side connection on the first enclosure pole 51 to a
left side on the third enclosure pole 53. In addition to the
grommet connection, a sleeve can be formed along the top of the
basketball goal along the top edge or rear of the backboard for
receiving the single continuous support cable in a sheath so as to
conceal the support cable.
[0038] The basketball backboard can have a variety of electronic
enhancements commonly found in the industry for amusement
basketball games. Such enhancements may include sounds and LED
lights that activate when a goal is made, or a scorekeeping
microprocessor. The basketball backboard is positioned over the
trampoline bed. The goal is horizontally offset from the wall,
preferably by a distance of at least 12 inches. The basketball goal
can be changed or adjusted in position by having the cables
adjustable. The cables can be adapted to carry electrical current
when electronic components are included in the basketball goal. The
cables preferably provide tension support.
[0039] The embodiments of the present invention are examples of the
invention as claimed.
* * * * *