Games using tangible projectile – Playing field or court game; game element or accessory... – Goal or target structure for projectile; element thereof
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-24
2001-11-06
Chapman, Jeanette (Department: 3711)
Games using tangible projectile
Playing field or court game; game element or accessory...
Goal or target structure for projectile; element thereof
C473S486000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06312350
ABSTRACT:
The invention relates to a system for detachably retaining a net on a basketball goal rim and, more particularly, to a system for detachably retaining a net on a basketball goal rim whereby the net may be detached from the rim upon application of a predetermined force.
Basketball goal nets are typically retained on the rim of a goal by attaching looped end portions of the net to hooked portions welded to the rim of the goal. By passing the looped portions of the net over the welded rams on the rim, the net is substantially rigidly or non-detachably retained on the rim during use of the goal, for example during a game of basketball.
Under certain circumstances it is desirable to permit the net to detach from the rim of the goal whereby a force in excess of that applied during normal play will not be conveyed through or resisted by the connection point between the net and the rim. In other words, in many instances it is desirable for the net to be capable of separating from the rim, such as when a player engages and produces a pulling force on the net, while also ensuring that the net remains engaged with the rim during the normal course of play.
In one known net attachment system, plastic ties are used to wrap around the rim and looped end portions of the net whereby the net is retained on the rim of the goal. The ends of each of the plastic ties are connected to each other and will separate from each other when a large force is applied to the net, thereby permitting the net to separate from the rim of the goal. However, such a system does not position the attachment points for the net at predetermined locations such that a uniform positioning of the attachment points along the rim is not assured. Further, when the net becomes detached from the rim the connecting ties will be freed from both the net and the rim such that they may be lost, thereby hindering reattachment of the net to the rim.
Accordingly, there is a need for a basketball goal net attachment system whereby the net may be attached to predetermined locations along the rim of a basketball goal, and which further ensures that the components of the attachment system remain associated with the system during detachment of the net from the rim. There is also a need to make such a breakaway net attachment system simple for a consumer to use and easy to manufacture.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the invention, a system is provided for holding a net on a basketball goal rim wherein the system generally includes a clip which is attachable to the rim, the clip including a retainer portion for retaining a portion of the net on the rim. In addition, the clip is formed with a release mechanism for releasing the net from the rim in response to the application of a predetermined force on the net. In one aspect of the invention, the retainer portion comprises elongated finger members for retaining the member on the clip. The finger members may be in the form of hook shaped elements located along alternating sides of the clip in facing relationship to each other whereby the net is retained in the clip. Alternatively, the retainer portion may comprise opposing finger members wherein one finger member includes a hook end and the opposing finger member includes a detent end for engaging the hook end whereby a passage is defined for retaining the net in engagement with the clip.
Upon application of a predetermined force, the finger members will flex and separate to permit the portion of the net engaged within the passage formed between the fingers to pass out of the passage, resulting in separation of the net from the rim.
In a further aspect of the invention, the rim is provided with studs rigidly attached at regular intervals along a lower portion of the rim. The studs include an enlarged head portion for engaging within an aperture formed in a base portion of the clip. The aperture may be in the form of either an elongated slot for sliding the clip into place on the stud, or in the form of a circular aperture configured to permit the clip to be pushed toward the rim causing the head of the stud to pass through the aperture.
The base of the clip is generally designed to ensure that the clip remains engaged with the rim during separation of the net from the above-described finger members. In this manner, reattachment of the net to the rim is facilitated in that the clip is retained with the system.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the retainer portion of the system comprises means defining an aperture for receiving a doubled-over looped portion of the net. The net is retained on the clip by causing the doubled-over looped end of the net to pass through the aperture and extend around the clip. In addition, the clip includes an aperture for receiving a stud rigidly mounted to the rim of the basketball goal wherein the stud includes an enlarged head. The means defining the aperture for receiving the stud is sufficiently resilient to permit the aperture to expand for permitting the clip to disengage from the rim upon application of a predetermined force. The clip is designed to remain engaged with the net such that the net may be readily reattached to the rim.
In above described embodiments of the invention, the clips are detachably connected to rim by the engagement of an aperture formed in the clip with a stud rigidly attached to the rim. According to another aspect of the invention, the clips may be detachably connected to the rim by the engagement of a projection extending from the clip with an aperture in the rim, which is preferably formed as a hollow goal ring with the apertures being punched or otherwise formed therein. This type of a clip attachment facilitates the use of detachment systems where the clip remains on the rim when releasing the net and where the clip and net together separate from the rim to detach the net from the rim. It also permits the use of net clips and rims that are particularly simple to make and use.
In a further embodiment of the invention the rim is provided with conventional circumferentially spaced rams extending from the lower surface of the rim to which the net clip is configured to attach. In this embodiment the net clip is configured to disengage from the rim when a sufficient force is applied to the net.
Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a net retention system for a basketball goal whereby the net is detachably retained on the rim of the goal.
It is a further object of the invention to provide such a net retention system including a clip for retaining a portion of the net on the rim.
It is yet a further object of the invention to provide such a system wherein the clip is attachable to the rim of a basketball goal and wherein the net is disengageable from the clip in response to a predetermined force applied to the net.
It is another object of the invention to provide a net retention system including a clip wherein the clip is detachable from the rim of a basketball goal upon application of a predetermined force.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide a net retention system that is easy to manufacture and simple for a consumer to use.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a net retention system that is suitable for use with conventional basketball rims.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.
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Bell Michael J.
Chambers M.
Chapman Jeanette
Howrey Simon Arnold & White
Huffy Corporation
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