Abstract:
A basketball training aid kit, including a support base having a flat bottom portion and a central annulus for receiving a pole portion—the pole including an inner pole, an outer pole surrounding the inner pole, and a gas spring disposed inside and connectable to the inner pole and the outer pole—and a goal portion including a generally hollow cylindrical member defining an endless sidewall and an open end for receiving the inner pole, a plurality of support members extending from the endless sidewall, a plurality of goal portion apertures formed through the endless sidewall, and a netted hoop operationally connectable to the plurality of support members. A plurality of fasteners attach the pole portion to the bottom portion and the goal portion. The gas spring urges the goal portion upwards. Other implementations include height adjusters, fastening pole segments, couplers, padded skirts, and/or ball returns.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of, and claims priority to, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/242,267, filed on Apr. 1, 2014. The disclosure of the foregoing application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The game of basketball has not fundamentally changed since its invention by Dr. James Naismith in 1891. Although the peach basket basketball goals of Dr. Naismith&#39;s day have given way to basketball goals incorporating engineered breakaway rims and materials engineered backboards, the objective of the game has remained fundamentally the same. Points are still awarded for shooting a basketball through the basketball goal or hoop. 
         [0003]    It is axiomatic that a player using proper basketball shooting technique will successfully shoot a basketball through the basketball goal more frequently than will a player using inferior or poor technique. It is common knowledge that a basketball approaching the basket at a low or flat trajectory is less likely to successfully pass through the hoop than does a basketball approaching the basketball goal at a higher or more lofted trajectory. Thus, one component of proper basketball shooting technique is the ability to impart a properly lofted trajectory on the thrown basketball. 
         [0004]    Several attempts have been made to develop a basketball training device which, through repetitive use, will assist a player in developing the muscle memory required to impart the desirable lofted trajectory on his or her basketball shots. Such devices include a second hoop positioned between the shooter and the basketball goal hoop, in an attempt to break the shot down into component parts. However, this device suffers from the drawback of redirecting the player&#39;s attention away from the goal, reinforcing bad form insofar as the player is trained to look elsewhere from where he is shooting. 
         [0005]    Another basketball training device comprises a circular or elliptical member that is mounted to or above the basketball goal. The plane including the circular or elliptical member forms an acute angle with respect to the plane including the basketball goal. The object this device is to shoot the basketball such that it passes first through the acutely angled circular or elliptical member, and then through the horizontally oriented basketball goal. The acutely angled circular or elliptical member is positioned along the shooter&#39;s desired trajectory. Through repetitive use, such a basketball training device will assist a basketball shooter in developing the muscle memory required to impart the desirable lofted trajectory on his or her basketball shots. However, these kinds of devices possess the disadvantages that they must be positioned directly between the shooter and the basketball goal during use, so it must be repositioned each time the shooter wishes to change positions on the basketball court from which he or she is practicing. 
         [0006]    Another basketball training device involves the use of a barrier over which a basketball shot must be lofted in order to pass through the basketball goal. Devices of this type typically include circular or a semi-circular member connectible to a backboard and having a radial dimension larger than the basketball goal. The plane including the semi-circular member is typically parallel to the plane including the basketball goal. While helpful, these types of devices inherently include the backboard, and thus encourage shots that bank the basketball off the backboard and into the goal. Also, the efficacy of such training devices is limited to players positioned more or less directly in front of the backboard. Still further, such devices require a backboard already present, such as in a gym or at a park. 
         [0007]    Thus, there remains a need for an improved basketball shot training device that may be used in more universal locations and that is not limited to the requirement of a backboard. The present novel technology addresses this need. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  shows a first perspective view of a goal assembly according to one embodiment of the basketball training aid of the present novel technology. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is an enlarged partial perspective view of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0010]      FIG. 1C  is a top plan view of  FIG. 1C . 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of  FIG. 1A  as attached to a pole. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a partial perspective view of a base portion according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1  as attached to a pole. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a return member according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cover member according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the kit members according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1A . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an alternative pole implementation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0017]      FIG. 7B  is a cutaway view of the alternative pole implementation of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the kit members according to the embodiment of  FIG. 7A . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a second alternative pole implementation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the kit members according to the embodiment of  FIG. 9 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0021]    For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the novel technology, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the novel technology is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the novel technology as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the novel technology relates. 
         [0022]      FIGS. 1-6  relate to a first embodiment of the present novel technology, a basketball shot training system  10  including a base portion  15 , a goal portion  20 , an optional pole portion  23 , a ball return guide portion  25 , and an optional base guard portion  30 . 
         [0023]    The base portion  15  (also referred to as a circular support base portion and the like) is typically a circular or oval member having a generally flat bottom portion  35  (also referred to as a flat bottom member, bottom member, and the like) covered by a generally convex or raised top portion  40  (also referred to as top member). An aperture  45  is formed in the top portion for receiving an elongated member. The aperture  45  is typically located near the center or middle of the top portion  40 . Typically, an annulus or hollow cylindrical tube  50  extends from the aperture  45  for securely receiving and supporting an elongated member, such as a pole (also referred to as an elongated pole member, elongated pole, extendable pole, pole portion, and the like). An annular adapter insert or ring  55  may be provided to reduce the effective inner diameter of the cylindrical tube  50  or aperture  45 , wherein the ring  55  has an outer diameter sized to fit within the tube  50  or aperture  45  with a smaller inner diameter. The cylindrical tube  50  typically includes one or more apertures  65  formed therethrough for receiving locking members  60  that may be inserted to hold an elongated member extending through the aperture  45  and/or tube  50  in place. Typically, the apertures  65  and locking members  60  are matably threaded. In some embodiments, one or more wheels  70  may be operationally connected to the top portion  40  and angled such that the wheels engage the ground when the top portion  40  is tilted toward the wheels  70 . 
         [0024]    The base portion  15  is typically made of a structural material, such as aluminum, steel, composite material, or plastic. The bottom portion  35  typically includes a resilient or pliable layer  73 , such as a rubber pad or footing. The bottom portion  35  typically is sized to cover sufficient surface area to stabilize the system when in use (i.e., against the impact of basketballs thrown at the rim  100 ), more typically at least about 0.6 square meters, and still more typically at least about 0.75 square meters. The base portion  15  is typically generally circular or oval, but may take other convenient shapes. 
         [0025]    The goal portion  20  further includes a generally hollow cylindrical portion  80  having an open proximal end  81  and a distal end  83  with an endless sidewall  84  extending therebetween and one or more (typically threaded) apertures  85  formed through the sidewall  84 . One or more (typically matably threaded) locking members  90  extend through respective apertures  85  to engage an elongated member, such as a pole, extending into the cylindrical portion  80  through the proximal end  81 . A plurality of support members or struts  95  extend from the sidewall  84  past the distal end and engage an annular ring portion  100 . The support members  95  are typically connected at equidistant points around the cylinder portion  80  and ring portion  100 . A net  105  is connected to the ring portion  100  to define a basketball goal or hoop. Typically, a cap portion  110  (also referred to as a cap, a capped distal end, a capped end, and the like) engages the distal end  83  to provide an additional barrier through to prevent further travel of an inserted pole or elongated member. The goal portion (excepting the net portion  105 ) is typically formed from one or more structural materials, such as steel, aluminum, composite materials, (fiber reinforced) graphite composite, cermets, or the like. 
         [0026]    The system further includes an elongated member or pole  23  having a proximal end  115  for engaging the base portion  15  and a distal end  120  for engaging the goal portion  20 . Typically, the pole portion  23  is cylindrical and more typically the pole portion  23  is hollow with a plurality of apertures  125  formed therethrough. In some embodiments, the pole portion includes a top portion  130  and a bottom portion  135  wherein one portion  130 ,  135  is hollow with an inner diameter slightly larger than the outer diameter of the other portion  135 ,  130 , such that one portion  135 ,  130  may slide into the other portion  130 ,  135 . The pole member is typically formed of a structural material, such as aluminum or steel. 
         [0027]    Some embodiments of the system  10  include a ball return or guide portion  25  having a proximal end  150 , a distal end  160  and a curved trough body member  165  extending therebetween. The proximal end  150  includes connecting members  170  for engaging the ring  100 . The guide portion  25  is typically formed of a lightweight, semi-flexible material such as plastic, composite material, or the like. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, a padded base guard  30  (also referred to as skirt portion, slitted skirt portion, and the like) is included. The base guard  30  is typically a layer  180  of soft, resilient padding material sized and shaped to cover the base portion  15 . Typically, the padding layer  180  is several inches thick and more typically includes a radial slit  185  extending from its outer perimeter  187  to a central aperture  190 . The central aperture  190  is typically sized to allow passage of the pole  23  therethrough. Optionally, a generally rectangular elongated padding portion  195  may be provided to encircle the base portion  15 , wherein the elongated portion  195  typically includes connectors  200 , such as hook and loop portions, for forming the elongated rectangular portion  195  into a ring or loop as well as for connecting the elongated rectangular portion  195  to the padding layer  180 . 
         [0029]    In operation, the pole member  23  is inserted into the aperture  45 , typically through annulus  50 , and locking members  60  are (typically threadedly) inserted through apertures  65  to secure pole member  23  to base portion  15 . Goal portion  20  is connected to pole member  23  by inserting distal end  120  into proximal end  81  and securing the pole member  23  in place by inserting locking members  90  through apertures  85  to engage pole member  23 . Return portion  25  may be operationally connected to goal portion  20  by engaging connectors  170  to annular ring  100 , and extending the curved trough portion  165  over cap  110  and/or distal end  83  and away from the net  105 . Base guard portion  30  may be engaged over base portion  15  by moving pole member  23  through slit  185  until pole member  23  extends through central hole  190  and padded cover portion  180  generally overlaps top portion  40 . Generally rectangular member may be extended around base portion  15  and fastened together and/or to padded cover portion  180  via connection members  200 . 
         [0030]    In one embodiment, base portion  15  and goal portion  20  are provided together as a kit. The kit typically includes guard portion  30 , and may also include the return portion  25  and/or pole portion  23 . 
         [0031]      FIGS. 7A-7B  depict another embodiment of basketball shot training system  10 .  FIG. 7A  is a perspective view of an alternative pole implementation of the embodiment of  FIG. 1 .  FIG. 7B  is a cutaway view of the alternative pole implementation of  FIG. 7A . 
         [0032]    The  FIG. 7A  embodiment of basketball shot training system  10  typically may include base portion  15 , goal portion  20 , extending pole portion  123 , cylindrical portion  80 , goal member apertures  85 , locking member  90 , support member  95 , support member  100 , inner pole member apertures  125 , outer pole member  205 , inner pole member  210 , outer pole member apertures  215 , height adjustment member  220 , pole outer locking member  225 , torsion reduction member  230 , gas spring  233  further including gas spring outer member  235 , gas spring inner member  240 , gas spring-outer wall interface  245 , and gas spring-inner wall interface  250 . These elements cooperate generally as described above, with differences discussed below. 
         [0033]    Typically, base portion  15  operationally connects to extendable pole portion  123 , which in turn operationally connects to goal portion  20 . Such connections may be made, for example, by interference fit, threads, nipple connections, dowels, and/or the like. Pole portion  123  typically may include outer pole member  205  and which surrounds the exterior or inner pole member  210 . The distance to which inner pole member  210  extends beyond outer pole member  205  typically may be controlled by operating height adjustment member  220 , which typically may be a locking mechanism or fastener member (more typically a spring-actuated, rod locking mechanism) that passes through fastening apertures (specifically outer pole member apertures  215  and into inner pole member apertures  125 ) to restrict vertical movement of inner pole member  210 . Additionally, pole outer locking member  225  typically may thread through outer pole member apertures  215  to interfere with inner pole member  210  such that inner pole member  210  may maintain a desired stability. 
         [0034]    Inner pole member  210  typically may insert into cylinder portion  80 . Cylinder portion  80  and goal portion  20  typically may be secured to inner pole member  210  by goal locking member  90 , which typically may thread through goal apertures  85  to interfere with inner pole member  210  such that goal portion  20  may maintain a desired stability on inner pole member  210 . Torsion reduction member  230  typically may be a locking mechanism (more typically a spring-actuated, rod locking mechanism) that passes through goal apertures  85  and into inner pole member apertures  125  to restrict torsional movement of cylinder portion  80  and goal portion  20 . 
         [0035]    Additionally, inner pole member  210  typically may be urged away from base portion  15  and beyond outer pole member  205  by gas spring  233  (or other suitable hydraulic, pneumatic, and/or like energy storage mechanism), typically including gas spring outer member  235 , spring inner member  240 , gas spring-outer wall interface  245 , and gas spring-inner wall interface  250 . Typically, the gas spring outer member  235  may connect to outer pole member  205  via gas spring-outer wall interface  245 , and gas spring inner member  240  may connect to inner pole member  210  via gas spring-inner wall interface  250 . Gas spring-outer wall interface  245  and gas spring-inner wall interface  250  typically may be threading, interference, and the like. Raising and lowering inner pole member  210  by gas spring  233  when height adjustment member  220  is retracted and pole outer locking member  225  do not interfere with inner pole member  210 . 
         [0036]    Typically, system  10  may be assembled by a user by threading (or otherwise connecting) gas spring  233  to opposing ends of the extendable pole portion  123 . For example, this may be accomplished by connecting gas spring outer member  235  into outer pole member  205  at gas spring-outer wall interface  245  (which typically may be formed into outer pole member  205 &#39;s wall) and then threading (or otherwise connecting) gas spring inner member  240  into inner pole member  210  at gas spring-outer wall interface  250  (which typically may be formed into inner pole member  210 &#39;s wall). In this fashion, gas spring outer member  235  and gas spring inner member  240  typically reside completely or nearly completely within outer pole member  205  and inner pole member  210 . Goal portion  20  typically may then be placed atop inner pole member  210  by inserting inner pole member  210  into cylinder portion  80 . Locking member  90  and torsion reduction member  230  may then typically be engaged to interfere with inner pole member  210  through goal apertures  85 . Inner pole member  210  typically may extend upwards due to the contained gas spring  233 , but may then be compressed back down, typically using body weight or a user&#39;s pulling force or either goal portion  20  or inner pole member  210 . Desired height of goal portion  20  and rim  100  may be set by engaging height adjustment member  220  and pole outer locking member  225  to interfere with inner pole member  210  through outer pole member apertures  215  and inner pole member apertures  125 . Typically, goal locking member  90 , height adjustment member  220 , pole outer locking member  225 , and/or torsion reduction member  230  do not directly contact or interfere with gas spring outer member  235  and/or gas spring inner member  240  to prevent marring of a gas spring surface. 
         [0037]    In some implementations, gas spring  233  may not automatically urge goal portion  20  away from base portion  15 . For example, gas spring  233  may be configured to maintain a neutral vertical position based on the load of goal portion  20  and inner pole member  210  by providing a counterbalancing upward force. In other implementations, gas spring  233  may provide a negative upward force, such that the goal portion  20  and inner pole member  210  slowly descend after goal portion  20  is raised. 
         [0038]    In some other implementations, outer pole member  205  and inner pole member  210  may be circular, while in other implementations, outer pole member  205  and inner pole member  210  may be ovoid, square, triangular, and the like. Such a configuration may reduce the likelihood of a rotational event (i.e., where parts of system  10  rotate or pivot) when a ball strikes goal portion  20  or support members  95  when torsion reduction member  230  is not used. Such configurations may also be used to improve reflection capabilities, modify mass profiles, and/or the like. 
         [0039]    In other implementations, base portion  15  may be constructed using a high-density plate (or pancake) design (as depicted in  FIGS. 9-10 ). Such material may be for example, but not limited to, steel, iron, lead, aluminum, silicon, concrete, high density plastics and/or polymers, and the like. In some implementations, the plate may be a weight-lifting plate, such as one or more forty-five pound weight plates. Such a design may allow for simpler assembly and more stable operation with a lower center of mass. 
         [0040]    Additionally, in some implementations, the high-density plate or standard base portion  15  may be configured with a nipple and/or sleeve connection. In this configuration, outer pole member  205  may fit into the sleeve or interface with the nipple (e.g., via threading, dowel, interference fit, maze grooves, and/or the like) to connect extendable pole portion  123  to base portion  15 . 
         [0041]    In another embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 8 , base portion  15 , goal portion  20 , and extendable pole portion  123  are provided together as a kit. The kit typically may also include guard portion  30  and/or return portion  25 . 
         [0042]    In yet another implementation, as depicted in  FIG. 9 , system  10  may be constructed typically to include struts  95 , rim portion  100 , flat base portion  300 , segmented pole portion  305 , fastening hoop portion  310 , flat base member  315 , flat base sleeve  320 , outer fastening interface  325 , inner fastening interface  330 , primary pole segment  335 , pole coupling member  340 , extension pole segment  345 , and/or fastening cylinder wall  350 . Flat base portion  300  typically may include flat base member  315 , flat base sleeve  320 , and/or outer fastening interface  325 . Segmented pole portion  305  typically may include outer fastening interface  325 , inner fastening interface  330 , primary pole segment  335 , pole coupling member  340 , and/or extension pole segment  345 . Fastening hoop portion  310  typically may include struts  95 , rim portion  100 , outer fastening interface  325 , and/or fastening cylinder wall  350 . Typically, flat base portion  300  may connect to segmented pole portion  305 , and segmented pole portion  305  typically may then connect to fastening hoop portion  310 . 
         [0043]    When system  10  is assembled in this embodiment, flat base member  315  typically may rest on a flat surface (e.g., the ground, a driveway, a basketball court, and/or the like). Flat base sleeve  320  typically may be connected to flat base member  315  in a permanent (e.g., welded, soldered, and/or the like), semipermanent (e.g., crimped, threadlocked, and/or the like), temporary (e.g. threaded, coupled, interference fit, and/or the like), and/or a combination of the above fashions. Outer fastening interface  325  typically may be formed into flat base sleeve  320  and configured to receive inner fastening interface  330 . Typically, such connection may be made by threading and/or coupling inner fastening interface  330  to outer fastening interface  325 , but the connection may be made using any other interface mechanism. For example, outer fastening interface  325  and/or inner fastening interface  230  may include threads, couplers, adhesives, maze-like slotting/channels, magnets, and/or the like (and/or combinations thereof). In some further implementations, outer fastening interface  325  and/or inner fastening interface  230  may be configured to quickly disconnect. For example, outer fastening interface  325  and/or inner fastening interface  230  may include quick-pull pins, levered straps, and/or the like. 
         [0044]    Further, segmented pole portion  305  typically may include inner fastening interface  330  at both ends of primary pole segment  335 . Segmented pole portion  305  typically may attach to flat base portion  300  by connecting (e.g., adhering, threading, affixing, coupling, mating, and/or the like) one end of primary pole segment  335  having inner fastening interface  330  to outer fastening interface  325  of flat base sleeve  320 . Pole coupling member  340  typically may also be formed with outer fastening interface  325  to receive the inner fastening interface  330  formed at the opposite end of primary pole segment  335 . Extension pole segment  345  typically may also include inner fastening interface  330  at both ends of extension pole segment  345 , one end connecting to outer fastening interface  325  of pole coupling member  340  opposite from primary pole segment  335 . 
         [0045]    Additionally fastening hoop portion  310  typically may attach to extension pole segment  345  via fastening cylinder wall  350 , and fastening cylinder wall  350  may typically be formed with outer fastening interface  325 . Outer fastening interface  325  typically may receive extension pole segment  345 &#39;s end opposite the pole coupling member  340 . Struts  95  typically may extend from fastening cylinder wall  350  in an outward and/or upward manner. Rim portion  100  typically may then be connected to struts  95  as described above. 
         [0046]    Once assembled, flat base portion  300  typically maintains system  10  in an upright and stable manner, while segmented pole portion  305  and connected fastening hoop portion  310  extend vertically therefrom. Height adjustment typically may be accomplished by using varied sizes of extension pole segments  345 . For example, primary pole segment  335 , once attached to flat base portion  300  and pole coupling member  340 , may extend to a height of six feet. A user may then attach a one-foot, two-foot, and/or three-foot extension pole segment  345  and fastening hoop portion  310  to result in rim portion  100  at a height of eight, nine, or ten feet, respectively. In another implementation, primary pole segment  335  may be three feet in length and extension pole segment  335  may be provided in lengths of one-half, one, two, and/or three feet to be used by shorter and/or younger individuals. The length, size, shape, and/or like attributes of flat base portion  300 , segmented pole portion  305 , and/or fastening hoop portion  310  structures may, of course, be modified for different scenarios, environments, and/or audiences. 
         [0047]    In some implementations, the orientation and/or position of primary pole segment  335  and/or extension pole segment  345  may be reversed. For example, extension pole segment  345  may be connected to flat base sleeve  320  and pole coupling member  340 , while primary pole segment  335  in turn connects to pole coupling member  340  and fastening cylinder wall  350 . 
         [0048]    Further, in some implementations, the orientation and/or position of outer fastening interface  325  and/or inner fastening interface  330  may be reversed. For example, flat base sleeve  320 , pole coupling member  340 , and/or fastening cylinder wall  350  may include inner fastening interface  330 , while primary pole segment  335  and/or extension pole segment  345  may include outer fastening interface  325 . 
         [0049]    In some implementations, attachment via inner fastening interface  330  and outer fastening interface  325  may reduce and/or eliminate rotation and/or shifting of system  10  components (e.g., flat base sleeve  320 , fastening cylinder wall  350 , struts  95 , rim portion  100 , and/or the like). For example, when struck by a ball, strut  95  may transfer rotational force exerted by the ball upon the strut  95  through fastening hoop portion  310 , segmented pole portion  305 , and flat base portion  300 , thus resisting fastening hoop portion  310  from spinning and/or vibrating. 
         [0050]    In a further embodiment, depicted in  FIG. 10 , flat base portion  300 , segmented pole portion  305 , and/or fastening hoop portion  310  may be provided together as a kit. In some implementations, the kit typically may also include guard portion  30  and/or return portion  25 . In some implementations, the kit may include one or more primary pole segments  335  of varying lengths (e.g., three feet, five feet, seven feet, and/or the like) and/or one or more extension pole segments  345  of varying lengths (e.g., one foot, two feet, three feet, and/or the like). 
         [0051]    While the present novel technology has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. It is understood that the embodiments have been shown and described in the foregoing specification in satisfaction of the best mode and enablement requirements. It is understood that one of ordinary skill in the art could readily make a nigh-infinite number of insubstantial changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments and that it would be impractical to attempt to describe all such embodiment variations in the present specification. Accordingly, it is understood that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the present novel technology are desired to be protected.