Abstract:
A basketball return net assembly that allows the net to be positioned to return the basketball in a set direction. The assembly may attach to a basketball backboard and can be adjusted to point the net in different directions.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to a backstop to be used with a basketball backboard. A net helps keep the ball near the user and helps return the basketball back toward the user.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     This invention provides a basketball return net that allows adjustment of the net. The shape and direction of the rebounding net can be altered be pivoting wings on lateral sides of the basketball backboard. This allows the user or shooter to make shots in different areas of the court, not just the free throw line.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0003]      FIG. 1  is a picture of a front view of a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0004]      FIG. 2  is a picture of a side view of first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0005]      FIG. 3  is a picture of a front view of a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0006]      FIG. 4  is a picture of a front view of a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0007]      FIG. 5  is a picture of an angled view of a first embodiment of the invention.  
         [0008]      FIG. 6  is a sketch of a front view of the apparatus components that attach to the backboard to support the net.  
         [0009]      FIG. 7  is a sketch of a back view of the apparatus components that attach to the backboard to support the net.  
         [0010]      FIG. 8  is a drawing of a back view of the apparatus components that attach to the backboard to support the net.  
         [0011]      FIG. 9  is a drawing of a partial view of the apparatus component connections that enable apparatus to adjust to various size backboards as well as enabling the pivoting of the support wings.  
         [0012]      FIG. 10  is a drawing of a front view of the apparatus components, with both support wings angled forward at a 90 degree angle, that attach to the backboard to support the net.  
         [0013]      FIG. 11  is a drawing of a back view of the apparatus components, with both support wings compactly slid in against the middle channel, that attach to the backboard.  
         [0014]      FIG. 12  is a picture of a back view of the apparatus components, with both support wings compactly slid in against the middle channel, that attach to the backboard.  
         [0015]      FIG. 13  is a picture of a front view of the apparatus components, with both support wings compactly slid in against the middle channel, that attach to the backboard.  
         [0016]      FIG. 14  is a picture of the components of a portable base with an insert that can be used in conjunction with weights to support the extension pole standards that support the net.  
         [0017]      FIG. 15  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the invention for a rectangular backboard.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0018]     This invention provides a portable backstop primarily designed to be used as a backstop/rebounder of both made and missed basketball shots taken by a basketball shooter and to return the basketball to or near the location of the shooter or shooters on the basketball court.  
         [0019]     The invention uses the most efficient method available for providing a large backstop/rebounder/screen that is capable of catching and returning most shots of a basketball shooter from any shooting angle (either to the right or to the left side of the front of the backboard or directly in front of the backboard&#39;s basket) of the front side of a basketball backboard and hoop.  
         [0020]     The invention is an apparatus designed to attach to the top portion of a basketball backboard, and facilitates the supporting of a net, screen, divider or barricade which can surround the basketball backboard including the extended area on both the left and right side of the front of the backboard as well as below the backboard downward, forward and extending to the ground or a piece of equipment sitting on the ground.  
         [0021]     The apparatus consists of a middle channel section that attaches to the top part of the backboard, two adjustable extension channel sections that attach to the middle section and enable the apparatus to work with any width backboard, two support wings that attach to the extension channel sections using a method that allows the two support wings to rotate forward and backwards from the extension channel, two brackets that attach to the extension channel sections and that secure the two support wings so they can pivot and slide into place, a net, screen, divider or barricade with two sleeves that are supported by sliding the sleeves over the two support wings, and weights or bases and extension pole standards that can be used to secure the net towards the ground.  
         [0022]     In some instances the two adjustable extension channel sections can be replaced by a longer middle channel section whereby the two outside ends of the middle channel are used to attach the two brackets and pivoting support wings to the middle channel in place of the adjustable extension channel sections.  
         [0023]     The support wings, when not supporting the net, have a slot down the middle of them to allow them to slide inwardly to compactly store against the middle channel and the two extension channels. This allows for compact storing of the apparatus whether on the top part of the backboard or when being stored somewhere while not in use.  
         [0024]     The outside wings rotate forward and backward, and support the hanging weight of the net, screen, divider or barricade. The net, screen, divider or barricade attaches to the outside support wings and can form a portable wall parallel to the backboard or by rotating the outside support wings forward can form a right angle or two right angles to the backboard providing a wall (on the front side of the backboard) on either side or both sides of the basketball hoop. The bottom portion of the net, screen, divider or barricade can be rotated in conjunction with the outside wings in a fashion to facilitate a basketball rebounding return that returns the basketball to any side of the area in front of the basket.  
         [0025]     An alternative method of using the invention is to incorporate the invention/apparatus as part of the design of a basketball backboard. To do this, a part of the basketball board can be designed to take the place of the middle channel section and the two adjustable extension channel sections of the invention/apparatus with the two outside support wings directly attaching to the alternatively designed backboard. The outside support wings, which can be rotated forward and backward) attach directly to the backboard instead of the adjustable extension channel sections (which are eliminated by the alternative design) of the apparatus. The other components of the invention/apparatus (net, screen, divider, or barricade, and weights or pieces of equipment) all facilitate the same basketball backstop/rebounder functions as the attachable apparatus as previously discussed.  
       REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE FIGURES  
       [0026]     The following is a numbered list of parts that can be associated with the numbers listed in the Figures:  
         [0027]     1 Middle Channel 
        a. Clamp bolts to secure middle channel to backboard.        
 
         [0029]     2 Adjustable Extension Channel 
        a. Bolts and nuts to attach adjustable extension channel        
 
         [0031]     3 Bracket to secure support wing with slot 
        a. Bolts and nuts to attach bracket to adjustable extension channel     b. Clamp bolt to screw into bracket and insert into support wing with slot        
 
         [0034]     4 Support wing with slot  
         [0035]     5 Net 
        a. Sleeve of net        
 
         [0037]     6 Extension pole standards  
         [0038]     7 Base 
        a. Rope/strap to move base        
 
         [0040]     8 Collapsible base 
        a. Collapsible base tube insert     b. Rope/strap to move base        
 
         [0043]     9 Basketball backboard  
         [0044]     10 Basketball rim  
         [0045]     11 Weights to secure net to the ground or surface  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0046]      FIG. 1  shows the apparatus attached to a fan shaped backboard and the two support wings rotated slightly forward with the net fully pulled forward and supported by the two extension pole standards and two weighted plastic bases.  
         [0047]      FIG. 2  shows the apparatus attached to a fan shaped backboard and one support wing rotated almost to a 90 degree angle to the middle section of the apparatus and the backboard and the other support wing almost parallel with the backboard. The net is at a slight angle to the side of the backboard and is supported by the two extension pole standards and the two weighted plastic bases.  
         [0048]      FIG. 3  shows the apparatus attached to a fan shaped backboard and the two support wings parallel to the backboard with the net hanging down to the ground behind the backboard.  
         [0049]      FIG. 4  shows the apparatus attached to a rectangular backboard and the two support wings rotated slightly forward with the net sloping forward with a basketball rolling down the net.  
         [0050]      FIG. 5  shows the plastic bases and extension pole standards supporting the net away from the backboard being moved by pulling their attached ropes.  
         [0051]      FIG. 6  shows a front view of the apparatus, mechanical portion of the invention, which attaches to the backboard. The drawings are of a 32 inch long middle channel with an inside channel width of 2⅝ inches to fit over most backboards. On each end of the middle channel are two holes each on the front and back which when matched up with the holes on the adjustable extension channel allow for the use of bolts and nuts to secure the two outside adjustable extension channels to the middle channel. The adjustable extension channels are 24 inches long and have an inside channel wide enough to slide over the outside of the middle channel. There are two sets of two holes on the front and two holes on the back of the adjustable extension channels that when matched up with the middle channel allow a total width of the combined three pieces (Middle Channel plus two outside Adjustable Extension Channels) from 48 inches to 72 inches. The bracket to secure wing with slot matches up with one hole on the front and one hole on the back of the furthest outside part of the Adjustable Extension Channels. A clamp bolt through the top middle of the bracket is used to screw into a slot that is on the top side of the support wing with slot for each of the two support wings on both sides of the apparatus. This allows apparatus to pivot (rotate) from parallel to the middle channel and two adjustable extension channels to a ninety degree angle on either side. The slot in the support wing allows the support wing to slide inwardly parallel and on top of the middle channel and two adjustable extension channels.  
         [0052]      FIG. 7  shows a back view of the apparatus, mechanical portion of the invention, which attaches to the backboard. In addition to the parts described for  FIG. 6 , there are three clamp bolts that are used to secure the middle channel to the back board. The middle clamp bolt matches up with a tapped hole which is centered on the middle channel between one and two inches from the top of the middle channel. The other two clamp bolts are used for one of each set of two tapped holes, on both sides of the back, provided on the bottom outside back of the middle channel. Which ever of these two outside tapped holes provides the most support should be the ones used. All other components of this drawing are the same as discussed for  FIG. 6 .  
         [0053]      FIG. 8  shows a back view of the apparatus, mechanical portion of the invention, which attaches to the backboard. The support wing, to the right, has been rotated to a ninety degree angle of the middle channel and two adjustable extension channels. The support wing, to the left, has been slid out parallel to the middle channel and two adjustable extension channels.  
         [0054]      FIG. 9  shows a close up front view of ones side of the apparatus, mechanical portion of the invention, which attaches to the backboard. The support wing with slot has been rotated to a ninety degree angle of the middle channel and two adjustable extension channels. Each support wing with slot fits under the bracket and on top of one of the adjustable extension channels and uses a clamp bolt screwed into the middle of the slot to allow it to pivot (rotate) and slide into its various positions.  
         [0055]      FIG. 10  shows a front view of an alternate version of the apparatus, mechanical portion of the invention, which attaches to the backboard. This version only uses a middle channel without any adjustable extension channels. A different bracket is used to secure the support wings with slots.  
         [0056]      FIG. 11  shows a back view of an alternate version of the apparatus, mechanical portion of the invention, which attaches to the backboard. This shows the two support wings with slots both slid into and on top of the middle channel. The three clamp bolts, that attached the apparatus to the backboard, are not shown with this drawing.  
         [0057]      FIG. 12  shows a back view of the alternate version of the apparatus attached to the top of a backboard. The two support wings with slots are slid into and on top of the middle channel.  
         [0058]      FIG. 13  shows a front view of the alternate version of the apparatus attached to the top of a backboard. The two support wings with slots are slid into and on top of the middle channel.  
         [0059]      FIG. 14  shows a top view of a collapsible base with a tube insert that is used to support the extension pole standard. The drawing shows two 8 inch by 16 inch collapsible bases that are flat on the bottom and top except for the inside the dotted area where a 4 inch slot is located and a half collar that is of a size that allows the tube portion of the collapsible tube insert to fit inside it. The 4 inch square base of the collapsible base tube insert fits in the slot of one side of the collapsible base and then the other side of the collapsible base slides over the other side. The 2 holes on opposite sides of the tube insert match up with the 2 holes on the plastic base collar which rises above the flat portion of the two sides of the collapsible bases to surround the tube insert. A bolt and nut through these 4 matched up holes locks the tube insert into the plastic base. Each outside corner of the collapsible base nearest the side with the 4 inch by 4 inch slot has a hole all the way through the plastic so a rope or strap to bind the two matching sides together. Also, 1 side of these combined collapsible bases can be used to attach a rope or strap to pull bases into position. This collapsible base with tube insert combined with any type of weight such as a vinyl, nylon or plastic bag with sand which sits on top of the flat portion of the bases can be used to support the extension pole standards that support the net away from the backboard and near to the ground or basketball court surface.  
         [0060]      FIG. 15  shows a top view of a rectangular backboard with the bracket to secure the support wings as part of both sides of the top outside edges of the backboard. The two support wings with slots can be bolted to the backboard so they can pivot (rotate) from parallel to the backboard to a ninety degree angle to the backboard on both sides of the backboard. The two support wings with slots can also slide inward and lay on top of the backboard. The net, sleeves of net, and two support wings with slots, have the same function as described in all prior drawings.  FIG. 15  also shows an alternate method of anchoring the net opposite the backboard. The weights pin the net to the ground or other surface opposite the end supported above the backboard.  
         [0061]     It will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art, that the present invention is susceptible to broad utility and application in changing light bulbs. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention, other than those described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the invention.  
         [0062]     While the foregoing description illustrates and describes exemplary embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the construction and design disclosed herein. The invention can be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the true invention.