Abstract:
A basketball practice system for providing a portable assembly positionable between the shooter and the basketball hoop for teaching proper arcing when shooting a basketball. The basketball practice system includes a base assembly, a support assembly, and a frame assembly having an opening positionable at a predetermined height between a shooter and a basketball hoop given a pre-determined shooting distance between the shooter and the basketball hoop.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to basketball training systems and more particularly pertains to a new basketball practice system for providing a portable assembly positionable between the shooter and the basketball hoop for teaching proper arcing when shooting a basketball. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     The use of basketball training systems is known in the prior art. More specifically, basketball training systems heretofore devised and utilized are known to consist basically of familiar, expected and obvious structural configurations, notwithstanding the myriad of designs encompassed by the crowded prior art which have been developed for the fulfillment of countless objectives and requirements. 
     Known prior art includes U.S. Pat. No. 5,813,926; U.S. Pat. No. 4,079,939; U.S. Pat. No. 4,828,270; U.S. Pat. No. 5,558,323; U.S. Pat. No. 2,039,794; U.S. Pat. No. 5,738,600; U.S. Pat. No. 5,665,016; U.S. Pat. No. 5,642,879; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,599,016. 
     While these devices fulfill their respective, particular objectives and requirements, the aforementioned patents do not disclose a new basketball practice system. The inventive device includes a base assembly, a support assembly, and a frame assembly having an opening positionable at a predetermined height between a shooter and a basketball hoop given a pre-determined shooting distance between the shooter and the basketball hoop. 
     In these respects, the basketball practice system according to the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art, and in so doing provides an apparatus primarily developed for the purpose of providing a portable assembly positionable between the shooter and the basketball hoop for teaching proper arcing when shooting a basketball. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of basketball training systems now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a new basketball practice system construction wherein the same can be utilized for providing a portable assembly positionable between the shooter and the basketball hoop for teaching proper arcing when shooting a basketball. 
     The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new basketball practice system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the basketball training systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new basketball practice system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art basketball training systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     To attain this, the present invention generally comprises a base assembly, a support assembly, and a frame assembly having an opening positionable at a predetermined height between a shooter and a basketball hoop given a pre-determined shooting distance between the shooter and the basketball hoop. 
     There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. 
     In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
     Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. The abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting as to the scope of the invention in any way. 
     It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new basketball practice system apparatus and method which has many of the advantages of the basketball training systems mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a new basketball practice system which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by any of the prior art basketball training systems, either alone or in any combination thereof. 
     It is another object of the present invention to provide a new basketball practice system that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed. 
     It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new basketball practice system that is of a durable and reliable construction. 
     An even further object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system which is susceptible of a low cost of manufacture with regard to both materials and labor, and which accordingly is then susceptible of low prices of sale to the consuming public, thereby making such basketball practice system economically available to the buying public. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system which provides in the apparatuses and methods of the prior art some of the advantages thereof, while simultaneously overcoming some of the disadvantages normally associated therewith. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system for providing a portable assembly positionable between the shooter and the basketball hoop for teaching proper arcing when shooting a basketball. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system which includes a base assembly, a support assembly, and a frame assembly having an opening positionable at a predetermined height between a shooter&#39;s release point and a basketball hoop given a pre-determined shooting distance between the shooter and the basketball hoop. 
     Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system that teaches a proper shooting arc by requiring a shooter to repeatedly shoot a basketball through an opening positioned at a pre-determined position between the shooter and a basketball hoop to produce an optimum approach angle for the basketball as it approaches the basketball hoop. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system that provides a lightweight collapsible assembly that may be carried in a storage bag. 
     Yet still another object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system that is easily transported to various positions on a basketball court to facilitate practicing shooting from various positions around a basketball hoop. 
     It is still even another object of the present invention to provide a new basketball practice system that is easily adapted for use with a counter system for tallying successful attempts to shoot a basketball towards a basketball hoop using an optimum arc. 
     It is even yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new basketball practice system having a frame assembly forming an opening wherein the frame assembly is usable with a contact sensor system for providing an indication of what part of the frame assembly is contacted by an errant shot to assist in correcting and perfecting development of an optimum arc when shooting a basketball. 
     Even still another object of the present invention is to provide an opening having an adjustable size for altering a level of difficulty for shooting the basketball through the opening. 
     These together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a new basketball practice system according to the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the base assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5 is a front view of the frame assembly and support assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternate base assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7 is a rear view of the alternate base assembly of the present invention. 
     FIG. 8 is a partial cut-away view of the support assembly. 
     FIG. 9 is a front view of the upper portion of an embodiment of the support assembly. 
     FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the sleeve member of the frame assembly. 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 10 thereof, a new basketball practice system embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference numeral  70  will be described. 
     As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 10, the basketball practice system  10  generally comprises a base assembly  20 , a support assembly  30  extending from the base assembly  20 , and a frame assembly  40  coupled to an upper end  32  of the support assembly. The frame assembly  40  forms an opening  42 . The base assembly  20  and the support assembly  30  are positionable such that the frame assembly  40  is designed for being easily positioned between a shooter and a basketball hoop  2  such that a basketball  4  shot towards the basketball hoop  2  passes through the opening  42  at a top of an arc of a path of travel of the basketball  4 . Thus the basketball  4  approaches the basketball hoop  2  at a desired downward angle for facilitating passing of the basketball  4  through the basketball hoop  2 . 
     The support assembly  30  is telescopically adjustable for adjusting the height of the opening  42  relative to a ground surface supporting the base assembly  30 . 
     In an embodiment, the support assembly includes a biasing member  16  such as a spring coaxially arranged for holding an upper end of the support assembly in an upright position for permitting bending of an upper portion  34  of the support assembly when the frame assembly  40  is struck by the basketball  4 . Thus, the upper portion  34  of the support assembly  30  is designed for bending to prevent tipping over of the base assembly  20  when the basketball  4  strikes the frame assembly  40 . 
     In an embodiment, the frame assembly  40  further includes a lower member  43 , an upper member  44 , a pair of sleeve members  45  and  46 , and a pair of side members  47  and  48 . 
     An upper end of each of the side members  47  and  48  is coupled to an associated end of the upper member  44 . Each of the sleeve members  45  and  46  is coupled to an associated end of the lower member  43 . A lower end of each of the side members  47  and  48  is insertable through an associated one of the sleeve members  45  and  46 . A pair of locking means  49  such as a cotter pin or a thumbscrew are provided. Each locking means  49  is designed for selectively holding an associated one of the side members  47  and  48  in a static position relative to the associated one of the sleeve members  45  and  46 . Thus, a distance between the upper member  44  and the lower member  43  is adjustable for selectively altering a level of difficulty for shooting the basketball  4  through the opening  42 . The side members  47  and  48  may also include frame indicia  69  for facilitating positioning of the side members such that the upper member  44  is level and for facilitating consistent setting of a desired level of difficulty. 
     An upper end of the support assembly  30  is coupled to the lower member  43  of the frame assembly  40  at a position offset from a center of the lower member  43 . Thus the support assembly  30  is positioned offset from a line of sight between the shooter and the basketball hoop  2  for facilitating clear viewing of the basketball hoop  2  by the shooter when the basketball shooting training system  10  is positioned between the shooter and the basketball hoop  2 . 
     In an embodiment, the lower member  43 , upper member  44 , and the side members  47  and  48  of the frame assembly  40  are removably couplable to each other. Thus, the frame assembly  40  may be taken apart for facilitating storage of the frame assembly  40 . 
     The support assembly  30  includes a first member  36  that has a plurality of aligned aperture pairs  37  extending through the first member  36 . The aperture pairs  37  extend along a length of the first member  36 . The support assembly  30  also includes a second member  38  that includes a pair of aligned holes  39  alignable with a selectable one of the aperture pairs  37 . A pin  66  is insertable through the aligned holes  39  and the selectable one of the aperture pairs  37 . Thus, the first member  36  is held in a static position relative to the second member  38  when the pin  66  is inserted through the aligned holes  39  and the selectable one of the aperture pairs  37 . The support assembly  30  also includes indicia  72  positioned proximate the aligned holes  39  for facilitating adjustment of the support assembly  30  to a proper height based on the distance between the shooter and the basketball hoop  2 . 
     A support angle member  68  is couplable to the frame assembly  40  and the support assembly  30  such that the support angle member  68  extends between the frame assembly  40  and the support assembly  30  to provide support to the lower member  43  with minimal interference with the line of sight between the shooter and the basketball hoop  2 . 
     In an embodiment, the support assembly  30  includes a plurality of coaxially positioned nested pipe members  31  which may include the first member  36  and the second member  38  as previously described. An innermost one of the pipe members  52  is couplable to the frame assembly  40  and an outermost one of the pipe members  54  is couplable to the base assembly  20 . This facilitates maintaining a center of gravity of the support assembly  30  below a medial point of the extended support assembly  30  to prevent tipping of the training assembly  10  during use. 
     In an embodiment, the base assembly  20  has a hollow interior  24 , a fill opening  26  and a drain opening  28 . Thus, the hollow interior  24  may be filled with a weighting material such as sand or water for facilitating stable positioning of the base assembly  20 . 
     The base assembly  20  may also include a plurality of wheels  29  for facilitating movement of the base assembly when filled. The wheels may be positioned such that they contact the ground only upon tipping of the base assembly  20 . Thus, the assembly  10  is easily moved but stable when not tipped. 
     In an alternate embodiment of the base assembly  20 , the base assembly  20  includes an elongated central member  56 , an upper collar  58  coupled to the central member  56 , a plurality of leg members  60 , a lower collar member  62 , and a plurality of leg support struts  64 . Each leg member  60  has an upper portion pivotally coupled to the upper collar  58 . The lower collar member  62  is slidably coupled to the central member  56 . Each of the leg support struts  64  is pivotally coupled to extend between the lower collar member  62  and an associated one of the leg members  60  for permitting sliding of the lower collar member  62  on the central member  56 . Thus, the leg members  60  are adjustable between an open position and a storage position. The number of leg members  60  provided is variable depending on desired characteristics with three providing minimum stability and lightest carrying weight for greater portability, five providing maximum stability and minimal tipping of the device during use. 
     In use, the training assembly is placed between a shooter and a basketball hoop. The opening in the frame is positioned by extending the support assembly. The frame is ultimately positioned such that the opening is at the peak of an arc extending between the shooter at the height of the shooter&#39;s hand and the height of the basketball hoop. The proper arc is further determined by an angle of entry into the basketball hoop by the basketball that maximizes the area of basketball hoop the basketball can pass through. Thus, the likelihood that the basketball will successfully pass through the basketball hoop is enhanced. For optimum results, the assembly would be adjusted for various positions around the basketball court and the shooter would practice repetitions of shooting through the opening. 
     It is further contemplated that the above invention may incorporate as yet unspecified counter systems for facilitating record keeping of successful and unsuccessful shooting attempts. Such an as yet undetermined system may include sensors for detecting and relaying an indication of portions of the device struck by an errant shot for purposes of analyzing shot faults. 
     As to a further discussion of the manner of usage and operation of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided. 
     With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
     Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.