Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Practice or training device
Reexamination Certificate
2002-09-10
2004-08-10
Garbe, Stephen P. (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Practice or training device
C473S423000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06773365
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
The present invention relates to the field of sports and athletics. More particularly, the invention relates to basketball. Basketball is usually defined as a court game between two teams of usually five players each, who score by tossing an inflated ball through a raised goal. While this definition succinctly conveys the main idea behind the game of basketball, what it leaves out is just as important as what it includes.
There are many aspects to the game of basketball, which in turn, requires that its players be multi-dimensional players. Basketball players cannot be content with simply throwing the ball into the hoop and being a good shooter. They must develop quickness, agility, concentration, and strength. In short, they must develop their skill at rebounding.
Rebounding is the act of regaining possession of the ball after it fails to go through the hoop. It often involves anticipating, jumping, grabbing, pulling down, or tipping. Practice in rebounding skills may be difficult, however, because an initial shot must be missed. Furthermore, time and energy is wasted when the ball goes in or when the ball goes astray and the player must chase it down.
These concerns translate into a need for an invention that assists basketball players with rebounding practice. Much of the prior art have either been too costly, too difficult to operate, or do not address all of these concerns.
Therefore, there is a need for a system that is designed to allow the user to simulate missed shots from different positions on the court, that allows for a rebound, and saves the player's time and energy by keeping the ball within a readily-accessible area.
SUMMARY
An object of the invention is to provide a basketball rebounding practice device that can be used by multiple players simultaneously.
Another object of the invention is to provide a basketball rebounding practice device that can adjust the heights of the basketballs that are attached to the device.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a basketball rebounding practice device that can hold basketballs at different distances from the basketball hoop.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a basketball rebounding practice device that is simple and easy to manufacture.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a basketball rebounding practice device that can be easily attached to and detached from a rim of a basketball hoop.
In order to achieve the above objects, the present invention provides a basketball rebounding practice device comprising a support member that can removably attached onto a rim of a basketball hoop, and one or more arm members attached to the support member. Each of the arm members comprises a beam having a first end attached to the support member and a second end extending beyond the circumference of the rim by a predetermined length, and a string attached to the beam and hanging off the second end of the beam. The string is capable of being attached at its hanging end to a basketball. The device may further include support bar attached to the support member. The length of the support bar is approximately same as the diameter of the rim of the basketball hoop.
Preferably, the number of arm members may be 3 or 5 depending on the practice situations.
Also, preferably, the predetermined length by which the second end of the beam extends beyond the rim is about 12 or 15 inches.
The arm member further comprises a cable winch attached to the beam for adjusting the hanging distance of the string. The cable winch has a first wall, a second wall, a winch pulley, a first wheel, and a second wheel. The winch pulley is rotationally attached between the first wall and the second wall. The first wheel is fixed to the winch pulley so that rotating the first wheel rotates the winch pulley. The second wheel is attached to winch pulley so that rotating the second wheel in one direction locks the winch pulley and rotating the second wheel in the other direction unlocks the winch pulley. The first wall and second wall are attached to the beam of the arm member.
The beam of the arm member includes a channel in which the string runs, and a stopper at the second end for preventing the string from getting out of the channel. The beam may further include an edge pulley at the second end, and the string goes over the edge pulley before it hangs off the beam.
The support member includes a base plate on which the first ends of the beams are attached. The support member also includes a ring. The ring has a semi-circular cross-section, and the beams are attached on the ring.
The support member further includes a plurality of fastening members that fasten the ring to the rim of the basketball hoop. The fastening member includes a plate having a curved portion and a flat portion, a bolt having a hook on one end, and a butterfly nut. The curved portion sits on the ring and the flat portion has a hole. The bolt passes through the hole in the plate. Fastening the butterfly nut makes the hook and the curved portion surround the ring and the rim of the basketball hoop and secures the ring to the rim.
A user can attach a basketball to the string, and throw the basketball toward the hoop, where the members would prevent the basketball from going through. The basketball would bounce off the rim, the backboard, or the support member. The user would then have the opportunity to try to rebound the ball.
The basketball rebounding practice device of the present invention is light and has simple structure. It can be manufactured at low cost. It can be readily attached to a rim of a basketball hoop. The various length of the arm(s) and adjustable length of the dangling string(s) allow the user to simulate shots from different distances from the rim, and at different heights from the ground which create varying degrees of bounce. This allows the user to practice long and short rebounds, as well as practice tipping the ball toward the hoop. If the user misses the rebound or the ball bounces wildly astray, the string keeps the ball within easy reach for another shoot-and-rebound attempt.
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patent: 2694572 (1954-11-01), Crisp
patent: 3023001 (1962-02-01), Gourdouze
patent: 3173687 (1965-03-01), Hair
patent: 3348840 (1967-10-01), Dix
patent: 3795401 (1974-03-01), Voltz et al.
patent: 4161313 (1979-07-01), Dickey
patent: 4621811 (1986-11-01), Campbell
patent: 5338026 (1994-08-01), Kregel
patent: 5503389 (1996-04-01), Campbell
patent: 5792014 (1998-08-01), Brown
patent: D429784 (2000-08-01), Brown
Chambers M.
Garbe Stephen P.
Park John K.
Park & Sutton LLP
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