Patent ID: 7429224
Filing Date: 2008-09-30
Classification: A63B

Abstract:
1. A basketball hoop and backboard assembly comprising: a) a vertically disposed rebounding board, b) a substantially circular hoop having an L-shaped brace plate with a portion thereof horizontally extending and another portion extending vertically, wherein the horizontally extending portion of said brace plate is disposed in the horizontal plane defined by the hoop, being rigidly connected to an arc of said hoop, c) an L-shaped receiving plate mounted to said rebounding board having a horizontal portion extending outward and a vertical portion extending downward, the vertical portion being connected to said rebounding board, d) wherein said hoop is connected to said rebounding board by via a shock absorbing connector disposed to maintain the vertical portion of said L-shaped brace in a nested orientation with respect to the vertical portion of said L-shaped receiving plate whereby the hoop responds to upward and downward vertical displacement by transferring energy to the shock absorbing connector, wherein the shock absorbing connector then urges said hoop to a substantially horizontal orientation wherein said shock absorbing member is a plurality of pairs of springs, wherein the first pair are two parallel and spaced apart springs disposed at a first height and the second pair of springs are two parallel and spaced apart springs disposed at a second height that is below the first height and wherein an elastic energy absorbing member surrounds said hoop.