Abstract:
A basketball training device adapted to be detachably mounted directly on a basketball goal to provide a target at which the player aims and strikes with the basketball in order to improve the form and accuracy of the player&#39;s shooting. The device comprises a base with a plurality of projections attached to the base. The plurality of projections are adapted and configured to bend and allow the ball freely move through the goal without substantially affecting the trajectory of the ball and to substantially resume their original position after the ball has passed through the goal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/669,630, filed Apr. 8, 2005, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. 

   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not applicable 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not applicable 
   BACKGROUND 
   The present invention relates to training devices for the sport of basketball. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for training a basketball player to improve the accuracy of his shots using a training device attached to the basketball goal. 
   Various training devices have been designed in an attempt to improve the shooting accuracy basketball players. At least two types of shooting aids have been proposed. The first type of shooting aid causes the basketball to miss or deflect away from the goal thus allowing only highly accurate and desirable shots to score. The second type of shooting aid provides a visual target for the player to aim and shoot at when shooting at the goal. 
   One example of a basketball practice device which operates by deflecting shots with undesirable trajectories is U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,915 to Woodcock. This patent has as its principal object a device which will deflect shots having a flat trajectory and encourage shooters to place a higher arc or trajectory on a shot. The device has a C-ring adapted to attach to the basketball hoop with a plurality of radially, laterally extending legs which extend outwardly from the rim about four to six inches. A free-standing member is mounted on each leg which projects at least about two to four inches over the rim. The free-standing member is positioned to deflect basketball shots having undesirable trajectories. The object and purpose of the free-standing members are for the shooter to aim and shoot over the free-standing members so that the shooter develops a high arcing shot. The disadvantage of this device is that it does not provide a visual target or focus point for the player to aim at when shooting the basketball. In addition, this device does not provide positive reenforcement when the player makes a proper shot, but rather it only indicates when the player has made an improper shot having a low, flat trajectory. 
   An example of the second type of shooting aid providing a target is U.S. Pat. No. 4,244,569 to Wong which discloses a target in the form of a brightly colored ball which extends from the backboard at a position below the basketball rim or hoop to a position substantially immediately below and at the center of the basketball hoop. This apparatus has disadvantages in that the target is not easily visible in its position immediately below the rim and in the center of the hoop. 
   A different example of the second type of practice shooting aid is U.S. Pat. No. 4,506,886 to Lamb, Sr. which discloses a basketball practice apparatus which extends from the backboard at a position above the rim and positions a target ball above the rim and at the center of the hoop area. This basketball shooting apparatus has disadvantages because the holding apparatus for the target restricts use of the backboard and prevents use of the apparatus in scrimmages or games. 
   Another example of the second type of practice shooting aid is U.S. Pat. No. 5,800,290 to Barry which discloses a shooting aid which can be mounted on the rim of a basketball goal. This basketball shooting apparatus has disadvantages because it fails to provide a uniform target to a player shooting at different positions relative to the basketball goal. 
   There is a need for a basketball training device for improving shooting accuracy which uses a target positioned above the front of the basketball rim and presenting an unobscured aiming or focus point for the shooter regardless of the relative angular position of the shooter to the goal. It is an object of the basketball shooting device to teach the shooter to place his shots to increase accuracy. 
   While certain novel features of this invention shown and described below are pointed out in the annexed claims, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details specified, since a person of ordinary skill in the relevant art will understand that various omissions, modifications, substitutions and changes in the forms and details of the device illustrated and in its operation may be made without departing in any way from the spirit of the present invention. No feature of the invention is critical or essential unless it is expressly stated as being “critical” or “essential.” 
   BRIEF SUMMARY 
   The apparatus of the present invention solves the problems confronted in the art in a simple and straightforward manner. What is provided is a basketball training device which can be mounted on a rim, and used to improve the shooting accuracy of a player. In one embodiment the training device comprises a base detachably mountable on the rim of a basketball goal, and includes a plurality of spaced apart projections extending upwardly and radially inward. The projections act as targets for the shooter when shooting the basketball. In one embodiment impacted projections, when contacted by a basketball, will deflect away without substantially affecting or altering the trajectory of the basketball. The basketball deflecting one or more of projections when passing through the rim, provides the player with positive feedback and a sense of an accurate, proper shot. 
   One embodiment provides a training device attachable to a basketball rim aiding in teaching proper aiming and shooting techniques. In one embodiment a visual target is provided displaying an aiming or focus point regardless of the relative position of the player to the basketball goal. In one embodiment positive feedback is provided regarding whether a proper shot was made. In one embodiment, after consistent usage of a basketball training device, an image or illusion of a target will appear to the player without the training device actually being in place. 
   The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a preferred basketball training device; 
       FIG. 2  is sectional view of the training device of  FIG. 1  taken along the lines  2 - 2 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the training device of  FIG. 1  being placed on a basketball goal; 
       FIG. 4  is perspective view of the training device of  FIG. 1  installed on a basketball goal; 
       FIG. 5  is sectional view of the training device of  FIG. 1  taken along the lines  5 - 5 ; 
       FIG. 6  is side view of a basketball approaching a goal having a training device; 
       FIG. 7  is a side view of the basketball of  FIG. 6  passing through the goal; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a player taking a shot at the goal of  FIG. 6 ; 
       FIG. 9  is an alternative embodiment of a projection; 
       FIG. 10  is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a base having multiple positions for projections; and 
       FIG. 11  a sectional view of an alternative embodiment where the projections can be lighted; 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Detailed descriptions of one or more preferred embodiments are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in any appropriate system, structure or manner. 
   As shown in  FIG. 8 , basketball goal  100  can be mounted on backboard  110  using a conventional bracketing arrangement (not shown). Shown mounted on rim  30  of basketball goal  100  is one embodiment of basketball training device  10 . Player  135  is shown shooting basketball  140 . Player  135  is shown aiming at position  152  (of training device  10 ) through player&#39;s line of sight  136 . In this shot basketball  140  has trajectory  150  and enters rim  120  of basketball goal  100 . After this shot is made,  FIG. 6  shows basketball  140  about to enter rim  120 , and  FIG. 7  shows it passing through rim  120 . 
   One benefit of training device  10  is that player  135  sees relatively the same shooting position  152 , 152 A,  152 B, etc., regardless of his angular position on arrow  147  relative to basketball goal  100 . Shooting position  152 , 152 A, 152 B, etc. can be a point on one or more projections or can be an area on one or more projections. Depending on his relative angular position to basketball goal  100 , player  135  will see one or more shooting positions  152 , 152 A, 152 B, etc.  FIG. 2  shows shooting position  152  being an area on projection  48  extending downward from tip  48 A. When shooting basketball  140 , player  135  aims for and shoots at shooting positions  152 ,  152 A, etc. Positions  152 ,  152 A, etc. being above rim  120  give player  135  a shooting target and cause the player to aim over rim  120 , and not at it. Player  135  using training device  10  over time will develop a sense of where and how to shoot basketball  140  and greatly improve his shooting skills. It is expected that over time player  135  will be able to mentally visualize points  152 , 152 A, etc. where training device  10  is not attached to rim  120 . 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , basketball training device  10  can comprise base  30  and plurality of prongs  40 . In one embodiment projections  42 , 44 , 46 , 48 , 50 , 52 , 54 , 56 , 58 , 60 , and  62  are included. Plurality of projections  40  can be attached to base  30  through a plurality of plurality of spaced apart openings  70  located around base  30 . Base  30  preferably includes a c-section (see  FIG. 10 ) cross section allowing base  30  to removably snap on rim  120 . It is preferred that base  30  be adapted and configured to be removably attached to most basketball rims including both older styles and new styles (having an extra piece of rounded edging on the underside of the rim). Preferably, base  30  is a material having the requisite strength and durability withstanding impact loads such as by being hit by basketball  140 , and will not be damages by such impact loads. A suitable material is injection molded plastic, rubber, metals such as aluminum, steel, etc. machined or molded to fit a rim  120 , other configurations allowing attachment to goals  100 . 
   In one embodiment, base  30  includes a plurality of projections  40  extending upwardly and radially inward from base  30 . The tips  40 A of plurality of projections  40  can form targets for player  135 . Plurality of projections  40  can be made of any material which has the requisite strength and durability characteristics such that they will flex and not be damaged when struck by basketball  140 . For example, plurality of projections can be formed from polymers, nylons (e.g., nylon 6 or nylon 16), plastics, urethanes, rubber, coiled metal springs, fiber optical material, or a combination of these materials. Plurality of projections  40  can be of any resilient flexible material such that they will withstand impact loads of basketballs by deflecting or flexing when basketball  140  strikes or impacts. Preferably, the impacted plurality of projections  40  will bend or deflect out of the path basketball  140  without substantially altering ball&#39;s trajectory  150  (see  FIGS. 6 through 8 ). Also preferably, the impacted plurality of projections  40  return to their original position after basketball  140  passes through rim  120 . Accordingly, after the shot player  135  will see the same target position  152 , 152 A, 152 B, etc. for the next shot. 
   The tips  40 A of plurality of projections  40  may be any suitable shape, but preferably are distinctly colored to be visible. Alternatively, the lengths of plurality of projections can be multi-colored (see  FIG. 9 ) setting up zones of areas for proper shots. 
   Plurality of projections  40  can be attached to base  30  by any suitable means such a plurality of openings  70  in which projections  40  frictionally fit. For example, the ends of projections (e.g.  44 B) can be enlarged with respect to the openings (e.g.,  74 ) through which through which the projections are placed (see  FIG. 5 ). Alternatively, projections  40  and base  30  can be molded as a single piece, however, this suffers from the inability to replace individual damages projections (e.g., projection  42 ). Alternatively projections  40  can be connected using adhesives or bonding (glue, welding, etc.) or fasteners (e.g., screws, rivets, pin fasteners or any like fastening devices). 
   As shown in  FIG. 2 , preferably, projections  40  will be between 2 and 9 inches; more preferably between 4 and 7 inches, more preferably between 5 and 7 inches, and most preferably 7 inches. Preferably projections  40  will have an angle  32  from the horizontal  31  of between 15 and 75 degrees, more preferably between 20 and 70 degrees, more preferably between 25 and 65 degrees, more preferably between 30 and 60 degrees, more preferably between 35 and 55 degrees, more preferably between 40 and 50 degrees, and most preferably 45 degrees. 
     FIG. 9  shows another embodiment wherein one or more of the plurality of projections  40  are multi-colored. Here, projection  300  is shown having colored portions  310 , 320 , 330 . These colored portions can be set to create colored zones for player  135 . For example, a brightly colored zone can be included closest to tips farthest away from base  30 . In another embodiment the main focus of the color can be at the area of each projection  40  closes to base  30 . In this embodiment the colors would become less bright as one gets farther away from base  30 . Having the main focus closest to base  30  allows player  135  to see above base  30  (and rim  120 ) and shoot or aim for this target. As an example area  310  can be red, area  320  yellow, and area  330  orange—where area  310  is located closest to base  30 . 
     FIG. 10  shows another embodiment wherein base  30  includes base  30  includes a plurality of openings  72 ,  72 ′,  72 ″ wherein a projection  42  can be placed at respective angles  344 , 342 , 340 . In this embodiment player  135  has the option of changing the angle of plurality of projections  40  to assist in him making the best shot. For example, if player  135  is shooting low, then he can increase the relative angle of plurality of projections (e.g., from angle  340  to angle  342 ). In another embodiment, player  135  can increase the longitudinal length of plurality of projections  40 . 
     FIG. 11  shows another embodiment where one or more of the plurality of projections  40  can be lighted. In this embodiment base  30  can comprise a plurality of light sources  200  located adjacent plurality of projections  40  to be lighted. Projection  42  shows emitted light  220 . Light sources  200  can be conventionally available L.E.D. lights or other light sources which are small enough to fit inside base  30 . Light source  200  is shown having power source  210 , which can be an electrical wire connected to an electrical power source  210 , such as a battery or other power source. Preferably, the plurality of light sources  200  are connected in parallel so that if one light burns out the remainder of lights will still work. Also preferably, backing  230  is used to protect plurality of light sources  200  from damage by rim  120 . Furthermore, flashing lights can be used. This embodiment can be combined with the embodiment of  FIG. 9  where a zone of optically lit portion is included in plurality of projections  40 . For example, third portion  330  of one or more projections  300  can be set to allow light to be emitted while the remainder of projections  300  do not emit light. Accordingly, a lighted zone above rim  120  would be seen by player  135 . Lighted projections also allow player  135  to play at night without external illumination. 
   The following is a list of reference numerals: 
   
     
       
             
           
             
             
           
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
             
               LIST FOR REFERENCE NUMERALS 
             
           
        
         
             
               (Reference No.) 
               (Description) 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
         
             
               10 
               training device 
             
             
               30 
               base 
             
             
               40 
               plurality of projections 
             
             
               41 
               angle 
             
             
               42 
               projection 
             
             
               44 
               projection 
             
             
               46 
               projection 
             
             
               48 
               projection 
             
             
               50 
               projection 
             
             
               52 
               projection 
             
             
               54 
               projection 
             
             
               56 
               projection 
             
             
               58 
               projection 
             
             
               60 
               projection 
             
             
               62 
               projection 
             
             
               70 
               plurality of openings 
             
             
               72 
               opening 
             
             
               74 
               opening 
             
             
               76 
               opening 
             
             
               78 
               opening 
             
             
               80 
               opening 
             
             
               82 
               opening 
             
             
               84 
               opening 
             
             
               86 
               opening 
             
             
               88 
               opening 
             
             
               90 
               opening 
             
             
               92 
               opening 
             
             
               100 
               basketball goal 
             
             
               110 
               backboard 
             
             
               120 
               rim 
             
             
               130 
               net 
             
             
               135 
               player 
             
             
               136 
               line of sight 
             
             
               140 
               basketball 
             
             
               145 
               arrow 
             
             
               146 
               arrow 
             
             
               147 
               arrow 
             
             
               150 
               trajectory 
             
             
               152 
               point 
             
             
               200 
               light source 
             
             
               210 
               power source 
             
             
               220 
               emitted light 
             
             
               230 
               backing 
             
             
               300 
               projection 
             
             
               310 
               first portion 
             
             
               320 
               second portion 
             
             
               330 
               third portion 
             
             
               340 
               angle 
             
             
               342 
               angle 
             
             
               344 
               angle 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise. 
   It will be understood that each of the elements described above, or two or more together may also find a useful application in other types of methods differing from the type described above. Without further analysis, the foregoing will so fully reveal the gist of the present invention that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily adapt it for various applications without omitting features that, from the standpoint of prior art, fairly constitute essential characteristics of the generic or specific aspects of this invention set forth in the appended claims. The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.