Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-10-10
2004-06-08
Vidovich, Gregory (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S431000, C473S447000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06746348
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to a backstop net assembly for use in combination with a basketball hoop assembly. More particularly, the present invention relates to a backstop net assembly for collecting and gathering errant basketball shots entering spatial regions adjacent to a backboard of a basketball hoop assembly for easy retrieval purposes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A player engaging in the sport of basketball typically shoots, throws or propels a basketball with general projectile motion toward a basketball hoop assembly from an infinite number of possible locations around a basketball hoop assembly. Each shot, having general projectile motion, has a certain vertical component of motion, a certain horizontal component of motion, and often a certain lateral component of motion, and is typically aimed at either a horizontally-oriented, targeted rim of the basketball hoop assembly or a vertically-oriented backboard of a basketball hoop assembly, which backboard is adjacent or behind the rim for banking shots into the rim. A skilled player often can often shoot the basketball in such a manner so as to consistently hit the target, or propel the basketball so that it enters the targeted rim at some point along its trajectory. Should the shot basketball hit its target or enter the targeted rim, the player has achieved a basket and the basketball is typically directed via a basketball net of the basketball hoop assembly in a general downward motion for retrieval either by the player who shot the basketball or by other basketball players for re-executing the described procedure.
It is noted that basketball players often shoot, propel or throw basketball shots in a general projectile motion toward basketball hoop assemblies from an extreme anterior viewpoint thus visualizing a typical vertically-oriented backboard having either an arcuate or straight superior backboard border and straight lateral backboard borders are readily viewable. Further, it is noted that during play, a basketball player will frequently shoot a basketball in such a manner that the basketball will miss its targeted rim or targeted backboard and enter the open regions adjacent to the backboard borders. Such errant basketball shots thus often become cumbersome and time-consuming to retrieve. Further, it is noted that basketball hoop assemblies are often set up on playgrounds or in areas where errant shots can cause damage to various valuables located in or around the open regions surrounding a basketball hoop assembly. In light of the deleterious or burdensome effects of frequently experienced errant basketball shots, a number of apparatuses and devices have been developed in an effort to help collect, catch, and often return basketball shots, errant or otherwise, to the basketball player. In this regard, the prior art teaches a variety of basketball collection and/or retrieval apparatuses and devices, some of which are described hereinafter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,762,319 ('319 Patent), which issued to Krumholz, discloses a Convertible Sports Stand Construction. The Convertible Sports Stand Construction comprises a frame which has spaced-apart support members adapted to reset upon a supporting surface, a net extending between the support members, and a backboard carrying a basketball goal hoop supported between the support members above the net. The backboard may be adjustably rotated horizontally between a vertical position and a horizontal position, whereby the basketball goal hoop can be positioned to extend horizontally or vertically.
It will thus be seen that the '319 Patent does not teach the use of a backstop net assembly in combination with a basketball hoop assembly, which backstop net assembly comprises a multi-socketed mounting block attachable to the basketball hoop assembly, a plurality of net extension rods removably insertable in the mounting block, and a basketball-gathering net attachable to the net extension rods for catching, collecting and gathering errant basketball shots for easy retrieval by basketball players or for preventing basketball landings in regions adjacent to the basketball hoop assembly. It will be further seen that the '319 Patent does not teach a backstop net assembly kit for outfitting existent basketball hoop assemblies so that basketball players may selectively outfit basketball hoop assemblies for catching, collecting and/or gathering errant basketball shots for easier basketball retrieval. Further, it is noted that the '319 Patent does not teach a backstop net assembly, which is sized and shaped to be concentrical with the superior border and lateral borders of a typical vertically-oriented backboard.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,016,875 ('875 Patent), which issued to Joseph, discloses a Portable Basketball Retrieval Apparatus. The Portable Basketball Retrieval Apparatus comprises a vertically-extensible and collapsible support frame, support arms pivotally connected to the support frame, and netting material attached to the support arms for retrieving and collecting shot basketballs and a chute permanently secured to the netting material for directing retrieved basketballs therethrough to a guideway. The apparatus is adapted for use with a post-mounted or wall-mounted backboard or alternatively, with a backboard member, which is removably secured to the top of the support frame in a position substantially the same vertical plane as the support frame.
It will thus be seen that the '875 Patent does not teach the use of a backstop net assembly in combination with a basketball hoop assembly, which backstop net assembly comprises a multi-socketed mounting block attachable to the basketball hoop assembly, a plurality of net extension rods removably insertable in the mounting block, and a basketball-gathering net attachable to the net extension rods for catching, collecting and gathering errant basketball shots for easy retrieval by basketball players or for preventing basketball landings in regions adjacent to the basketball hoop assembly. It will be further seen that the '875 Patent does not teach a backstop net assembly kit for outfitting existent basketball hoop assemblies so that basketball players may selectively outfit basketball hoop assemblies for catching, collecting and/or gathering errant basketball shots for easier basketball retrieval.
Further, it is noted that the '875 Patent does not teach a backstop net assembly, which is sized and shaped to be concentrical with the superior border and lateral borders of a typical vertically-oriented backboard.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,129,648 ('648 Patent), which issued to Sweeney et al., discloses a Basketball Throw Shot Practice Arrangement and Method. The Basketball Throw Shot Practice Arrangement and Method comprises a net supported by a longitudinally extending main support with lateral support arms engaging an upper edge of the net to position the net adjacent a basketball hoop on a backboard. The main support abuts the playing surface at its lower end and the hoop and backboard adjacent its upper end. Support members of substantially less longitudinal extent than the main support engage the lower edge of the net and rest on the playing surface to position the net to form a trough that is inclined downwardly and forwardly from the upper net edge to the lower net edge to guide a basketball from the hoop or backboard toward the lower edge of the net for retrieval.
It will thus be seen that the '648 Patent does not teach the use of a backstop net assembly in combination with a basketball hoop assembly, which backstop net assembly comprises a multi-socketed mounting block attachable to the basketball hoop assembly, a plurality of net extension rods removably insertable in the mounting block, and a basketball-gathering net attachable to the net extension rods for catching, collecting and gathering errant basketball shots for easy retrieval by basketball players or for preventing basketball landings in regions adjacent to the baske
Barnes Richard J.
Fieberg James P.
Chambers M.
Meroni & Meroni P.C.
Meroni, Jr. Charles F.
Scott Christopher J.
Vidovich Gregory
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