U.S. patent application number 16/893970 was filed with the patent office on 2021-08-26 for portable ball game apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is Trevan Samp. Invention is credited to Trevan Samp.
Application Number | 20210260455 16/893970 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004884359 |
Filed Date | 2021-08-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20210260455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Samp; Trevan |
August 26, 2021 |
PORTABLE BALL GAME APPARATUS
Abstract
A portable ball game apparatus including a hoop and a first leg
including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to
the first segment. The first leg is removably coupled to the hoop
and the first leg extends downwardly from the hoop. A second leg
includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to
the first segment of the second leg. The second leg is removably
coupled to the hoop and the second leg extends downwardly from the
hoop. A third leg includes a first segment and a second segment
removably coupled to the first segment of the third leg. The third
leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the third leg extends
downwardly from the hoop.
Inventors: |
Samp; Trevan; (Denver,
CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Samp; Trevan |
Denver |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004884359 |
Appl. No.: |
16/893970 |
Filed: |
June 5, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62981847 |
Feb 26, 2020 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2210/50 20130101;
A63B 63/08 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/08 20060101
A63B063/08 |
Claims
1. A portable ball game apparatus comprising: a hoop; a base
including a tray, the tray having a length and a width; a first leg
including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to
the first segment, the first leg removably coupled to the base and
the hoop, the first leg extending from the base to the hoop; a
second leg including a first segment and a second segment removably
coupled to the first segment of the second leg, the second leg
removably coupled to the base and the hoop, the second leg
extending from the base to the hoop; and a third leg including a
first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first
segment of the third leg, the third leg removably coupled to the
base and the hoop, the third leg extending from the base to the
hoop, wherein the first segments and the second segments each have
a length that is less than the width of the tray.
2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lengths of the first
segments and the second segments are each at least about 80 percent
of the width of the tray.
3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the lengths of the first
segments and the second segments are equal.
4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg includes a
collar, wherein the collar removable couples the first segment of
the first leg to the second segment of the first leg.
5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tray includes a sidewall
and a bottom wall, wherein a height of the tray is measured from
the bottom wall to a top of the sidewall, and wherein the tray has
a storage volume defined by the length, the width, and the height
of the tray, and wherein the first leg, the second leg, and the
third leg are received within the storage volume in a disassembled
configuration.
6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the hoop is received within
the storage volume in a disassembled configuration.
7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the hoop is circular.
8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a net attached to
the hoop.
9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the length of the tray is
about equal to the width of the tray.
10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes a first
corner, a second corner, and a third corner, wherein the first leg
is removably coupled to the base adjacent the first corner, wherein
the second leg is removably coupled to the base adjacent the second
corner, and wherein the third leg is removably coupled to the base
adjacent the third corner.
11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the base includes a first
aperture adjacent the first corner, wherein the first leg is
received within the first aperture to removably couple the first
leg to the base, wherein the base includes a second aperture
adjacent the second corner, wherein the second leg is received
within the second aperture to removably couple the second leg to
the base, wherein the base includes a third aperture adjacent the
third corner, and wherein the third leg is received within the
third aperture to removably couple the third leg to the base.
12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first leg further
includes a third segment removable coupled to the first and the
second segments of the first leg, wherein the second leg further
includes a third segment removable coupled to the first and the
second segments of the second leg, and wherein the third leg
further includes a third segment removable coupled to the first and
the second segments of the third leg.
13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the lengths of the first
segments, the second segments, and the third segments are
equal.
14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base includes a first
aperture, a second aperture, and a third aperture, and wherein the
first leg is received within the first aperture to removably couple
the first leg to the base, wherein the second leg is received
within the second aperture to removably couple the second leg to
the base, wherein the third leg is received within the third
aperture to removably couple the third leg to the base.
15. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a first support
removably coupled to the base, the first leg extends through the
first aperture of the base and into the first support; a second
support removably coupled to the base, the second leg extends
through the second aperture of the base and into the second
support; and a third support removably coupled to the base, the
third leg extends through the third aperture of the base and into
the third support.
16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the first, second, and third
supports each include a support aperture and a first flange that
extends from the support aperture and a second flange that extends
from the support aperture.
17. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the base includes a first
recess, a second recess, and a third recess, wherein the first
support is removably coupled to the base in the first recesses,
wherein the second support is removably coupled to the base in the
second recesses, and wherein the third support is removably coupled
to the base in the third recess.
18. A portable ball game apparatus comprising: a hoop; a first leg
including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to
the first segment, the first leg removably coupled to the hoop, the
first leg extending downwardly from the hoop; a second leg
including a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to
the first segment of the second leg, the second leg removably
coupled to the hoop, the second leg extending downwardly from the
hoop; and a third leg including a first segment and a second
segment removably coupled to the first segment of the third leg,
the third leg removably coupled to the hoop, the third leg
extending downwardly from the hoop.
19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the lengths of the first
segments and the second segments are equal.
20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the first leg includes a
collar, wherein the collar removable couples the first segment of
the first leg to the second segment of the first leg.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 62/981,847, filed Feb. 26, 2020, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates a portable ball game apparatus
that is used to play a basketball-type game.
SUMMARY
[0003] In one embodiment, the invention provides, a portable ball
game apparatus including a hoop and a base including a tray, the
tray having a length and a width. The apparatus further includes a
first leg including a first segment and a second segment removably
coupled to the first segment. The first leg is removably coupled to
the base and the hoop and the first leg extends from the base to
the hoop. A second leg includes a first segment and a second
segment removably coupled to the first segment of the second leg
and the second leg is removably coupled to the base and the hoop
and the second leg extends from the base to the hoop. A third leg
includes a first segment and a second segment removably coupled to
the first segment of the third leg and the third leg is removably
coupled to the base and the hoop and the third leg extends from the
base to the hoop. The first segments and the second segments each
have a length that is less than the width of the tray.
[0004] In another embodiment, the invention provides a portable
ball game apparatus including a hoop and a first leg including a
first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first
segment. The first leg is removably coupled to the hoop and the
first leg extends downwardly from the hoop. A second leg includes a
first segment and a second segment removably coupled to the first
segment of the second leg. The second leg is removably coupled to
the hoop and the second leg extends downwardly from the hoop. A
third leg includes a first segment and a second segment removably
coupled to the first segment of the third leg. The third leg is
removably coupled to the hoop and the third leg extends downwardly
from the hoop.
[0005] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable ball game
apparatus according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a side view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a base of the apparatus of
FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 5 is an alternative perspective view of the base of
FIG. 4.
[0011] FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the apparatus of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a corner brace of the
apparatus of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 8 is an alternative perspective view of the corner
brace of FIG. 7.
[0014] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus of FIG. 1
disassembled.
[0015] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1
disassembled.
[0016] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a portable ball game apparatus 10. The
apparatus 10 includes a hoop 12, a base 14, and legs 16A-16D that
extend from the base 14 to the hoop 12. The apparatus 10 is used as
one piece of equipment in a sports game where the goal of the game
includes players passing a game piece (e.g., ball, disc, bean bag,
etc.) through the hoop 12 to score. As will be discussed in more
detail below, the apparatus 10 is easily collapsible or
disassembled and transported by the user to a new location and
easily reassembled (see FIGS. 9 and 10).
[0018] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the hoop 12 is located at an end of
the legs 16A-16D at a top of the apparatus 10. The hoop 12 is
spaced a height 18 from a ground surface 20 on which the apparatus
10 is placed. In one embodiment, the height 18 is between about 60
inches and about 80 inches and about 72 inches in one particular
embodiment. The illustrated hoop 12 includes connectors 22 and a
rim 24 that together form the hoop 12. In one embodiment, the
connectors 22 are formed from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and the rim
24 is formed from PEX (cross-linked polyethylene) tubing that
extends through the connectors 22. In other embodiments, other
suitable types of plastics may be used or other suitable materials
may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the hoop 12 is
generally in the shape of a circle. In other embodiments, the hoop
is a polygon. In such embodiments, the hoop 12 may include multiple
ridged PVC segments between the connectors 22. As illustrated in
FIG. 2, a net 26 may be attached to the hoop 12.
[0019] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the legs 16A-16D
extend from the hoop 12 to the base 14. The legs 16A-16D each
include a first segment 30, a second segment 32, and a third
segment 34. All of the segments 30, 32, 34 have the same length 38
(FIG. 2). Therefore, the segments 30, 32, 34 are interchangeable,
which provides for easier and faster assembly by the user. Collars
36 are used to couple the segments 30, 32, 34 as shown in the
figures. In one embodiment, the collars 36 are fixed to one
segment. For example, in the illustrated construction, the
apparatus 10 includes eight collars 36 and twelve segments 30, 32,
34. In such an embodiment, eight of the twelve segments 30, 32, 34
may include one of the eight collars 36 fixed (e.g., glued) to an
end of the segment 30, 32, 34 (see FIG. 10). Then, an end of a
segment not having a collar 36 is inserted or pushed into the
collar 36 to attach the segments using a friction fit. In yet other
constructions, the collars 36 may be removably coupled to the
segments 30, 32, and 34. In one embodiment, the collars 36 and the
segments 30, 32, 34 are formed from PVC and in yet other
embodiments, other suitable types of plastics can be used.
[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, the apparatus 10 includes
four legs 16A-16D. In other embodiments, the apparatus 10 may
include three legs or more than four legs. Also, in the illustrated
embodiment, the legs 16A-16D each include three segments. In other
embodiments, the legs may include two or more than three
segments.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 4, the base 14 forms a tray 40. The
tray 40 has a bottom wall 42 and a sidewall 44 that extends around
the bottom wall 42 and upwardly from the bottom wall 42. The
sidewall 44 has a height 46 measure from the bottom wall 42 to a
top 48 of the sidewall 44. A storage volume 50 is defined as the
volume between the bottom wall 42 and the top 48 of the sidewall 44
within the sidewall 44. Referring to FIG. 4, the tray 40 has a
length 58 and a width 60. In the illustrated embodiment, the length
58 is equal to the width 60. In one embodiment, the length 58 and
the width 60 are between 20 inches and 30 inches. In one
embodiment, the length 58 and the width 60 are about 24 inches.
During use of the apparatus 10, the storage volume 50 may be filled
or partially filled with sand, dirt, water, etc., to increase the
stability of the apparatus 10. Also, as discussed below, the
storage volume 50 receives the legs 16A-16D and the hoops 12 when
disassembled allowing the user to conveniently store and transport
the apparatus 10.
[0022] Referring to FIG. 10, the length 38 of the leg segments 30,
32, 34 are less than the width 60 of the tray 40. In the
illustrated embodiment, described above, one collar 36 is attached
to some of the segments 30, 32, 34. In such an embodiment, the
length 38 of the segment 30, 32, 34 plus the length of the attached
collar 36 is less than the width 60. Also, the number of segments
30, 32, 34 and the length 58 are such that all of the segments 30,
32, 34 fit within the storage volume 50 when the legs 16A-16D and
the hoop 12 are disassembled. The hoop 12 is also sized to fit
within the storage volume 50 when disassembled as shown in FIG. 9.
When the apparatus 10 is disassembled, the legs 16A-16D and the
hoop 12 all fit within the storage volume 50 of the tray 40. The
disassembled apparatus 10 shown in FIGS. 9 and 10 can then easily
be transported and/or stored in a container, bag, or the like.
[0023] Referring to FIG. 4, the illustrated base 14 is generally
square and includes corners 66A-66D. Apertures 68A-68D are located
adjacent each corner 66A-66D. The apertures 68A-68D each receive
one of the legs 16A-16D (FIG. 1) to removably couple the legs
16A-16D to the base 14. To attach one of the legs 16A-16D to the
base 14 the user inserts or pushes the leg into one of the
apertures 68A-68D. To remove the leg, the user pulls the leg out of
the aperture. In one embodiment, a friction fit and gravity hold
the legs 16A-16D in the apertures 68A-68D.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 5, a back or underside of the base 14
includes support recesses 70A-70D. Referring to FIGS. 6-8, a
support 72A-72D is received in each of the recesses 70A-70D. Each
support 72A-72D includes a support aperture 74 and flanges 76 that
extend radially out from the support aperture 74. The support
aperture 74 is aligned with the adjacent aperture 68A-68D such that
when the apparatus 10 is assembled, the legs 16A-16D extend into
the support aperture 74. This has been found to increase the
stability and strength of the base 14. Also, in one embodiment, the
supports 72A-72D are not fixed in position. Rather, the supports
72A-72D are slightly loose and have a slight ability to move within
the support recesses 70A-70D, which has also been found to increase
the strength and durability of the base 14. Although not
illustrated, in one embodiment, the underside of the base 14
includes a bottom or cover to prevent the supports 72A-72D from
dropping out of the recesses 70A-70D.
[0025] Accordingly, the invention provides, among other things the
apparatus 10 that can easily be disassembled by the user and
components stored within the tray 40 for storage and transportation
to a new location. The apparatus 10 is easily reassembled by
reassembling the legs 16A-16D and attaching the legs 16A-16D to the
base 14. The hoop 12 is then attached to the legs 16A-16D.
[0026] Although the invention has been described in detail with
reference to certain preferred embodiments, variations and
modifications exist within the scope and spirit of one or more
independent aspects of the invention as described.
* * * * *