Abstract:
The present invention relates to a basketball net for a breakaway net attachment system that detachably mounts a basketball net to the rim of a basketball goal. The attachment system may include clasps located in the attachment loops of the basketball net. The clasps may release in response to an application of a predetermined force applied to the basketball net. Once released, the attachment loops may disengage form the basketball rim, effectively allowing the basketball net to breakaway from the basketball rim.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The invention relates to a system for detachably retaining a net on a basketball goal rim and, more particularly, to a basketball net clip for detachably retaining a net on a basketball goal rim whereby the net may be released from the rim upon application of a predetermined force. 
   Basketball goal nets are typically retained on the rim of a goal by attaching looped end portions of the net to hooked portions, known as rams, welded to the rim of the goal. By passing the looped portions of the net over the rams, the net is retained on the rim during use of the goal, for example during a game of basketball. 
   Under certain circumstances it is desirable to permit the net to detach from the rim of the goal whereby a force, in excess of what may be applied during normal play, will not be conveyed through or resisted by the connection point between the net and the rim. For example, when a player engages and produces a pulling force on the net, it is desirable for the net to be capable of separating from the rim rather than tearing the net or damaging the rim and/or the associated support apparatus. However, during the normal course of play, the net should remain engaged with the rim. 
   In one known net attachment system, net clips are used to secure a conventional net to a rim. Unfortunately, the net clip systems required a special rim fabricated to accept the net clips. The net clips connect to specially formed holes in the underside of the rim and also connect to the loops of a conventional net. As a result however, the attachment of the net is difficult and time consuming to assemble. Further, the system requires the use of loose clips or pieces that are separate from the net and the rim and may be freed during release. Consequently, the loose clips are easily lost or misplaced during release and/or assembly. 
   In another known net attachment system, plastic ties are used with a conventional rim. The plastic ties wrap around the rams of the rim and the looped end portions of the net whereby the net is retained on the rim of the goal. The ends of each of the plastic ties are connected to each other and will separate from each other when a large force is applied to the net, thereby permitting the net to separate from the rim of the goal. 
   Although the plastic ties may be used with a conventional rim, the plastic ties still present difficulties for assembly and reattachment. When the net is released from the rim, the connecting ties are freed from both the net and the rim such that they may be lost. As with other systems, if the connecting ties are misplaced during assembly or lost during release, the proper attachment or the reattachment of the net to the rim may be hindered or made impossible. 
   Accordingly, there is a need for a basketball goal net attachment system whereby the net may be attached to the rim of an existing basketball goal in a typical manner, and which further ensures that the components of the attachment system remain associated with the system during detachment of the net from the rim. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to one embodiment, the present invention may include a releasable basketball net for use with a basketball goal rim. The releasable basketball net may included a net body portion defining an opening through which a basketball passes during play and a plurality of loop portions joined to the body portion. The loop portions may be configured to connect to the basketball rim such that the body portion is suspended below the basketball rim and the opening is substantially co-aligned with the basketball rim. Each loop portion may have a first segment, a second segment and a means for releasing the first segment from the second segment. The releasing means may also include a clasp or coupler releasably connecting the first segment to the second segment. The releasable basketball net may also be configured to release from the basketball rim in response to an application of a predetermined force. 
   According to another embodiment, the present invention may include a method of detachably retaining a basketball net on a basketball goal rim. The method may include forming the basketball net having a net body portion and a plurality of loop portions with each loop portions including a first segment and a second segment and including a plurality of releasing means detachably connecting the first segment to the second segment of each of the plurality of loop portions. The method may also include installing the basketball net such that the plurality of loop portions connect to the basketball rim and suspend the body portion below the basketball rim and releasing at least one of the plurality of loop portions from the rim, such that the releasing means releases the first segment from the second segment, in response to an application of a predetermined force on the net. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed the same will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, in a non-limiting fashion, the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention, and in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the Figures, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a basketball goal incorporating a breakaway net attachment system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of an attachment loop of a net breakaway net attachment system according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a side view of the attachment loop of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the attachment loop of  FIG. 2  according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of the attachment loop of  FIG. 2  during release of the breakaway net attachment system according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a front view of the attachment loop of  FIG. 2  releasing from the basketball rim according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The present disclosure will now be described more fully with reference the to the figures in which various embodiments of the present invention are shown. The subject matter of this disclosure may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , one embodiment of the present invention is shown as a breakaway net attachment system  5  that releasably attaches and orients a basketball net  14  in a manner consistent with the conventional basketball goal system. The basketball goal includes a backboard  10 , which supports a basketball goal rim  12  and conventional rams  16 , used to attach basketball nets. The breakaway net attachment system includes a body portion  15  and a plurality of attachment loops  22 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the plurality of attachment loops  22  releasably suspends the net  14  under the rams  16 . Each attachment loop  22  includes a net releasing means  20 , which is releasable in response to a separating force. One of attachment loops  22  is shown detached from rim  12  with the releasing means  20  separated. It should be noted that the net attachment system does not include any loose or separate parts that may be lost or misplaced during attachment to or release from the rim. 
     FIGS. 2 and 3  illustrate front view and a side view respectively of a single ram  16  on the rim  12  and a single attachment loop  22  of the net  14 . The ram  16  includes a length of metal with a tubular cross-section and two ends and is typically welded to rim  12  at attachment points  17 . A traditional ram  16  is typically bent or formed such that the metal of ram  16  forms a cylindrical shape as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
   The attachment loop  22  shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  engages the ram  16  by passing through the opening formed in the ram  16 . In hanging a basketball net, the loops  22  of the basketball net are typically fed over the cylindrical shaped portion of the ram  16  such that the loop  22  passes through the center opening as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The net attachment system of the present invention may be hung in this conventional manner does not require the releasing means  20  to be separated. However, separating the releasing means  20  and passing one end through the ram  16  as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  may be done to assist in hanging the net  14 . 
   It should also be noted that in the absence of rams  16  on the rim  12 , the releasing means  20  may also be used to attach the net  14  to rims that do not use rams. The attachment loops  22  may be secured directly to the rim  12  by separating the releasing means  20  and passing the loop  22  over the rim  12 . 
   One embodiment of the releasing means  20  is shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4  and includes connectors  21 A and  21 B. The connectors  21 A and  21 B are fastened together and function, along with the loop  22 , to support the body portion  15  of the net below the rim  12 . A first segment  22 A of the loop  22  is attached to the connector  21 A and a second segment  22 B of the loop  22  is attached to the connector  21 B. When connected, releasing means  20  acts as part of the loop  22  such that the net  14  functions as a conventional net  14 . 
   Referring to  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , one embodiment of the releasing means  20  is depicted as a type of clip connector.  FIG. 2  provides a front view of the releasing means  20  in a fastened configuration and  FIG. 3  provides a side view of the releasing means in a fastened configuration.  FIG. 4  includes a perspective view of the fastened releasing means  20  and the associated loop  22 . The connector  21 A includes a socket portion having two protruding arm sections  23 A and  23 B which define a cylindrical recess. The ball portion of the connector  21 B comprises a cylindrical shape  24  with a substantially circular cross-section. 
   In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4 , the cylindrical shape  24  is receivable between the protruding arms  23 A and  23 B. The cylindrical shape  24  may be coupled with the protruding arm sections  23 A and  23 B by forcing the cylindrical shape  24  between the arm sections  23 A and  23 B, such that the arm section flex around the cylindrical shape  24 . As would be obvious to one of ordinary skill, the cylindrical shape  24  may also slide between the arm sections  23 A and  23 B from one end without forcing the arm sections to deform. Under a predetermined separating force, for example, the weight of an individual hanging on the net causing the connector  21 A to pull away from connector  21 B, the socket portion of connector  21 A may flex or deform. Upon reaching the predetermined force, the protruding arm sections  23 A and  23 B may sufficiently flex, such that the cylindrical shape  24  of connector  21 B is released from the protruding arm sections  23 A and  23 B, thereby releasing any support the loop  22  provides to the net  14 . 
   The releasing means  20  may be configured to remain fastened under the weight of the net and under ordinary playing conditions. However, the releasing means  20  may be configured to separate upon an application of the predetermined separating force, for example the weight of a basketball player accidentally entangled in the net or intentionally hanging from the net. 
   Although  FIGS. 2 ,  3 , and  4  show the releasing means  20  located on the loop  22  and on the right side of the ram  16 , it should be obvious to one of ordinary skill that the releasing means may be located anywhere within the load path of the loop  22 . For example, the releasing means  20  may be located on the loop  22  on the opposite side of the ram  16  or located in the ram  16  without deviating from the true scope and spirit of the present invention. 
     FIG. 5  shows the releasing means  20  separating under a force “F” applied to the segment  22 A and the segment  22 B such that the connectors  21 A and  21 B separate in the direction of the arrows labeled “A” and “B” respectively. In this manner, the loop  22  may be separated into its segments  22 A and  22 B and, by doing so, may no long support any weight. Further, by releasing at a the predetermined separating force, the releasing means  20  guarantees that, prior to separation, no forces above the level of the predetermined separating force are transmitted to the rim  16 . 
   By separating at the predetermined separation force, the rim  12  and the backboard  10  may be spared from damage or fatigue resulting from heavy loads and high stresses transferred through the net. Further, the separation of the releasing means  20  also preserves the life of the net  14  by releasing before stretching and/or breakage of the net occurs under heavy loads. 
     FIG. 6  shows how the net  14  and the loops  22  may disengage from the rams  16 . The dotted line shown in  FIG. 6  indicates the path that the segment  22 A follows after separation of the releasing means  20 . The segment  22 A and the connector  21 A are pulled through the cylindrical opening (shown in  FIG. 3 ) in the ram  16  in the direction of the curved arrow. In the case of a player grabbing the net during play, every releasing means  20  may not necessarily release before the player lets go of the net, resulting in a partial separation of the net from the rim. In such a case, the net may be reattached by simply reconnecting the released loops on the net. 
   However, in the case of a player being accidentally stuck in the net or intentionally holding onto the net, all of the loops  22  may eventually release from the rim to prevent harm to the player and damage to the rim and supporting structure. After each connector  21 A passes through the associated rams  16 , the net  14  may be completely released from the rim  12 . It should be understood that the connector  21 A or  21 B must be sized and shaped to pass through the ram  16  during release. 
   It should be obvious to one of ordinary skill that the releasing means  20  are integral with the net  14  and do not consist of loose or separate pieces. As such, the possibility of losing pieces may be eliminated or minimized, allowing the net attachment system of the present invention to be reattached properly in a time efficient manner. 
   Preferably, the net  14  may be reused after a partial or full release of the net by refastening the releasing means  20  and hanging the net  14  as described above. Alternatively, however, the releasing means  20  may be configured as a single use mechanism. In such a configuration, the net may function as a conventional net but may release under emergency circumstances and heavy loads to protect the players from physical injuries and the rim and supporting structure from damage. 
   The releasing means  20  as shown in  FIGS. 2-6 , may be formed from a commercially available polypropylene or other plastics known to those in the art for fabricating couplers and connectors. Of course, other materials may be used instead of polypropylene or other plastics and different properties may be designed for without departing from the principles of the invention, as will be readily apparent to the skilled artisan. 
   Additional embodiments of the releasing means  20  may include other types of couplers, connectors, or attachment methods as would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art. The releasing means may also include such attachment means as adhesives and hook and loop fasteners. 
   It is contemplated that the net  14  may include embodiments for single-use releasable nets. For example, the connectors described above may be designed as single or minimal repeated-use mechanisms that destructively release upon separation. Furthermore, the net  14  may include a weakened portion of the loop  22  as the releasing means  20 , which may support the net during ordinary play conditions but will destructively release the net  14  upon an application of a predetermined force. The weakened portion of the loop  22  may replace the reusable connectors as a releasing means  20  or be used in addition as an additional safety measure to protect player and equipment from high loads being applied to the rim and the backboard. 
   It is also contemplated that existing basketball nets may be modified to include the net attachment system of the present invention by cutting each attachment loop into two segments and placing a releasing means between the two segments as shown on net  14 . Upon completion, the modified net would be attached to the rim and function as described above. 
   From the above description, it should be apparent that the breakaway net attachment system of the invention is adapted to retain the net on a basketball goal rim in a manner which ensures that the net remains in place during normal play and which permits the net to be detached from the rim in response to the application of a predetermined force. In addition, it should be noted that the present system is particularly designed to permit a loop  22  to become detached upon the application of a force in the range of 25-50 lbs. to a single releasing means  20 . Further, the system may be adapted to release the net from a basketball goal rim when a force of 140 lbs. is applied to the net. 
   While the forms of apparatus and processes herein described constitute embodiments of this invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise forms, and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.