TWO PLAYER DOOR COURT

Abstract

A basketball return chute assembly includes a chute and a backboard attachment device. The chute is adapted to receive a ball from a basketball basket assembly attached to a backboard and direct the received ball back to a game player. The backboard attachment device is connected to the chute and is adapted to attach to the backboard, to place the chute beneath the basket assembly, and to cause the chute to direct the received ball in a direction away from the backboard. The backboard attachment device is connected to the chute via a hinge. The chute includes a slide with a knuckle at one end and the backboard attachment device includes a plate with another knuckle at one end. The slide is one leaf of the hinge, and the plate is the other leaf of the hinge. The hinge is held together using a pin inserted through the knuckles.

Claims

1. A basketball return chute assembly, comprising: a chute adapted to receive a ball from a basketball basket assembly attached to a backboard and direct the received ball; and a backboard attachment device connected to the chute and adapted to attach to the backboard, to place the chute beneath the basket assembly, and to cause the chute to direct the received ball in a direction away from the backboard.

2. The chute assembly of claim 1, wherein the chute comprises a slide and the backboard attachment device comprises a plate.

3. The chute assembly of claim 2, wherein the chute assembly further comprises a hinge pin, wherein the slide comprises a hinge chute knuckle at one end, wherein the plate comprises a hinge plate knuckle at one end, and wherein the backboard attachment device is connected to the chute by axially aligning the hinge chute knuckle and the hinge plate knuckle and inserting the hinge pin through the hinge chute knuckle and the hinge plate knuckle while they are aligned.

4. The chute assembly of claim 3, wherein the hinge chute knuckle further includes a stop that fixes the position of the chute with respect to the backboard attachment device when the plate contacts the stop.

5. The chute assembly of claim 2, wherein the plate comprises one or more holes for bolting or screwing the plate to the backboard.

6. The chute assembly of claim 2, wherein the plate comprises one or more holes to insert one or more sensors through or to enable the one or more sensors to be spaced from and detect through.

7. The chute assembly of claim 2, wherein the slide comprises one or more holes to reduce the weight or the amount of material required for the slide.

8. A basketball goal assembly, comprising: a backboard; a basket assembly attached to the backboard; and a basketball return chute assembly that includes a chute adapted to receive a ball from the basket assembly and direct the received ball and that includes a backboard attachment device connected to the chute and adapted to attach to the backboard, to place the chute beneath the basket assembly, and to cause the chute to direct the received ball in a direction away from the backboard.

9. The basketball goal assembly of claim 8, wherein the chute comprises a slide and the backboard attachment device comprises a plate.

10. The basketball goal assembly of claim 9, wherein the chute assembly further comprises a hinge pin, wherein the slide comprises a hinge chute knuckle at one end, wherein the plate comprises a hinge plate knuckle at one end, and wherein the backboard attachment device is connected to the chute by axially aligning the hinge chute knuckle and the hinge plate knuckle and inserting the hinge pin through the hinge chute knuckle and the hinge plate knuckle while they are aligned.

11. The basketball goal assembly of claim 10, wherein the hinge chute knuckle further includes a stop that fixes the position of the chute with respect to the backboard attachment device when the plate contacts the stop.

12. The basketball goal assembly of claim 8, further comprising one or more door hangers attached to the backboard for hanging the basketball goal assembly over a door.

13. The basketball goal assembly of claim 12, wherein each door hanger of the one or more door hangers includes a flange at one end of the each door hanger to guide the door hanger over the door.

14. The basketball goal assembly of claim 9, wherein a rim hook is connected to the slide for attaching an end of the slide to a rim of the basket assembly to stow the chute when not in use.

15. The basketball goal assembly of claim 14, wherein the slide further includes a clip, the rim hook includes a peg at one end, and the peg is inserted into the clip to connect the rim hook to the slide.

16. The basketball goal assembly of claim 15, wherein the slide further includes a slot for accepting the rim hook when not in use and preventing the rim hook from interfering with a ball being returned by the slide.

17. A portable two basket basketball goal assembly, comprising: a backboard; one or more door hangers attached to the backboard for hanging the basketball goal assembly over a door; two basket assemblies attached side-by-side to the backboard; and each one of the two basket assemblies including a basketball return chute assembly, wherein each basketball return chute assembly includes a chute adapted to receive a ball from an associated basket assembly of the two basket assemblies and direct the received ball, wherein each basketball return chute assembly includes a backboard attachment device connected to the chute adapted to attach to the backboard, to place the chute beneath the associated basket assembly of the two basket assemblies, and to cause the chute to direct the received ball in a direction away from the backboard.

18. The portable two basket basketball goal assembly of claim 17, wherein each of the chutes comprises a slide and the backboard attachment device comprises a plate.

19. The portable two basket basketball goal assembly of claim 18, wherein each of the chute assemblies further comprises a hinge pin, wherein the slide comprises a hinge chute knuckle at one end, wherein the plate comprises a hinge plate knuckle at one end, and wherein the backboard attachment device is connected to the chute by axially aligning the hinge chute knuckle and the hinge plate knuckle and inserting the hinge pin through the hinge chute knuckle and the hinge plate knuckle while they are aligned.

20. The portable two basket basketball goal assembly of claim 19, wherein the hinge chute knuckle further includes a stop that fixes the position of the chute with respect to the backboard attachment device when the plate contacts the stop.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The skilled artisan will understand that the drawings, described below, are for illustration purposes only. The drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a front of a ball return chute assembly adapted to be attached to a backboard rather than a basket assembly, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective and exploded view of the front of the ball return chute assembly of FIG. 1 showing components of a hinge mechanism used to connect the chute to a backboard attachment device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0028] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a back of the ball return chute assembly of FIG. 1 showing a back of a hinge chute knuckle connecting the chute to the backboard attachment device, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a side view of a left side of a basketball goal assembly that includes the ball return chute attached to a backboard, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a right side of the basketball goal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0031] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a top of the chute of FIG. 5 showing a rim hook deployed, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0032] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a top of the detached rim hook of FIG. 6, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0033] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a bottom of the ball return chute of FIG. 6 showing how the rim hook is connected to the ball return chute, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0034] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a front of a portable goal assembly for hanging over a door, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0035] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a back of the portable goal assembly of FIG. 9, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0036] Before one or more embodiments of the present teachings are described in detail, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited in their application to the details of construction, the arrangements of components, and the arrangement of steps set forth in the following detailed description or illustrated in the drawings. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

DESCRIPTION OF THE ENABLING EMBODIMENT

[0037] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general, the subject embodiments are directed to athletic equipment for sports wherein one of the primary objectives is throwing a ball through a hollow target or goal. However, the example embodiments are only provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Furthermore, one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the specific sequences in which methods are presented and performed are illustrative and it is contemplated that the sequences can be varied and remain within the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present invention.

Backboard Attached Ball Return Chute

[0038] As described above, games such as basketball entail repetitive practice in shooting the ball through the basket. A frequently occurring problem during shooting practice is that after each shot, the ball must be retrieved for the subsequent shot. The prior art has suggested apparatus for directing the return of the ball following successful shots. In each exemplary case, a chute is attached to a basket assembly or hoop.

[0039] Attaching a ball return chute to a basket assembly or hoop, however, is not easy due to the shape and varied construction of most basket assemblies. Also, most basket assemblies are not built to support and provide rigidity to an attached ball return chute.

[0040] As a result, additional apparatus and methods are needed to provide a ball return chute that is both easy to install and durable.

[0041] In some embodiments, a ball return chute assembly is adapted to be attached to a backboard rather than the basket assembly or hoop. Attaching the chute assembly to a backboard rather than the basket assembly or hoop eases installation, improves stability, and enhances the durability of the chute assembly and the entire goal assembly.

[0042] FIG. 1 is a perspective view 100 of a front of a ball return chute assembly 4. In some embodiments, the ball return chute assembly 4 may be adapted to be attached to a backboard rather than a basket assembly. The ball return chute assembly 4 includes a chute 42. The chute 42 includes sloping channel or slide 421 for catching and returning a ball to a user. In some embodiments, the slide 421 includes one or more holes 425 to reduce the weight of slide 421, the amount of material needed to construct slide 421, and prevent the slide 421 from accumulating water if used outdoors.

[0043] Ball return chute assembly 4 is adapted or constructed to be attached to a backboard rather than a basket assembly by further including a backboard attachment device 41. The backboard attachment device 41 attaches to a backboard.

[0044] The backboard attachment device 41 includes a plate 411. The plate 411 is connected to the backboard, for example, by bolting or screwing to a backboard using one or more holes 413 in the plate 411. The backboard attachment device 41 can attach to a front or back of a backboard. Thus, in some embodiments, the backboard attachment device 41 may be attached, or configured to attach, to the back of a backboard.

[0045] In some embodiments, the backboard attachment device 41 can further include one or more openings or windows 412. These openings or windows 412 can be used, for example, to enable a sensor to sense or count the number of balls received by slide 421 and perform certain actions like tallying a score.

[0046] The chute 42 may be physically connected to backboard attachment device 41 of the chute assembly 4. In some embodiments, the chute 42 is connected to the backboard attachment device 41 via a hinge mechanism that will be detailed below.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a perspective and exploded view 200 of the ball return chute assembly 4 of FIG. 1 showing components of the hinge mechanism used to connect the chute 42 to the backboard attachment device 41, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 2 shows that the chute 42 may further include a hinge chute knuckle 420 at one end of slide 421. FIG. 2 also shows that the backboard attachment device 41 further includes a hinge plate knuckle 410 at one end of the plate 411.

[0048] In order to physically connect the chute 42 and the backboard attachment device 41 of chute assembly 4 through a hinge mechanism, the hinge chute knuckle 420 and the hinge plate knuckle 410 are axially aligned. The chute assembly 4 may further include a hinge pin 43. The hinge pin 43 is inserted through the hinge chute knuckle 420 and the hinge plate knuckle 410 when they are axially aligned to hold them in place and complete assembly of the hinge mechanism.

[0049] The chute assembly 4, therefore, may essentially be a type of a hinge. The slide 421 of the chute 42 is one leaf of the hinge, and the plate 411 of the backboard attachment device 41 is the other leaf of the hinge. The hinge chute knuckle 420 of the chute 42 is one knuckle of the hinge, and the hinge plate knuckle 410 of the backboard attachment device 41 is the other knuckle of the hinge. The hinge may be held together using the hinge pin 43.

[0050] The connecting chute 42 and the backboard attachment device 41 of the chute assembly 4 providing relative hinged or pivotal movement enables the movement of chute 42 with respect to the backboard attachment device 41 during installation, transport, or storage. In some embodiments, the movement of the chute 42 with respect to the backboard attachment device 41 is not unlimited. For example, the hinge chute knuckle 420 may include a stop 4200 that fixes the chute 42 at an angle with respect to the backboard attachment device 41 during a game.

[0051] Various angles may be selected for a game, for example, between 90 and 180 degrees. These angles allow the slide 421 to catch and then direct a ball in a direction of a game player when the chute assembly 4 is in use during a game. In other words, before a game, the chute 42 is moved with respect to the backboard attachment device 41 so that the stop 4200 of the hinge chute knuckle 420 contacts the plate 411 of the backboard attachment device 41, placing the chute assembly 4 in a fixed and stable position for ball return.

[0052] FIG. 3 is a perspective view 300 of a back of the ball return chute assembly of FIG. 1 showing a back of the hinge chute knuckle connecting the chute to the backboard attachment device, in accordance with some embodiments. The chute assembly 4 may include the chute 42 and the backboard attachment device 41. The chute 42 may include the slide 421, the hinge chute knuckle 420, and the stop 4200. Thus, before a game, the chute 42 may be moved with respect to the backboard attachment device 41 so that the stop 4200 of the hinge chute knuckle 420 contacts the plate 411 of the backboard attachment device 41, placing the chute assembly 4 in a fixed and stable position for ball return.

Goal Assembly with Backboard Attached Ball Return Chute

[0053] FIG. 4 is a side view 400 of a left side of a basketball goal assembly that includes a backboard attached ball return chute, in accordance with some embodiments. The goal assembly of FIG. 4 includes a backboard 1, a basket assembly 2, and a chute assembly 4. The chute assembly 4 may be physically attached to the backboard 1 using the backboard attachment device of the chute assembly 4. The backboard attachment device of the chute assembly 4 is not visible in FIG. 4 due to the side wall of backboard 1.

[0054] The basket assembly 2 may also be physically attached to the backboard 1. The basket assembly 2 includes, for example, a rim or hoop and an attachment plate for attaching to the backboard 1.

[0055] The chute assembly 4 is positioned directly beneath the basket assembly 2 so that the chute 42 of the chute assembly 4 receives a ball from the basket assembly 2. As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the chute 42 of the chute assembly 4 is shown in a position where it returns a ball during a game.

[0056] In some embodiments, the goal assembly of FIG. 4 is portable and further includes one or more door hooks or door hangers 31 for hanging the goal assembly over a door. Each of the door hangers 31 may be attached to the top of the backboard 1 and include a flange 311. The flange 311 may help guide each of the door hangers 31 over the top of a door. In some embodiments, the goal assembly includes at least two door hangers 31 for stability.

[0057] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view 500 of a right side of the basketball goal assembly of FIG. 4, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 5 more clearly shows how the chute assembly 4 may be attached to backboard 1. For example, in some embodiments, the plate 411 of the backboard attachment device 41 is attached to the back of the backboard 1 using at least one bolts 423 and 424. In some embodiments, the bolt 423 and/or 424 may be the same bolt that is used to secure basket assembly 2 to backboard 1.

[0058] FIG. 5 also shows the door hanger 31 secured to backboard 1. For example, in some embodiments, the door hanger 31 is secured to the back of the backboard 1 using a bolt 312.

[0059] As described above, in some embodiments, the backboard attachment device 41 can include an opening or window 412. The window 412 is used to enable a sensor 12 to be inserted through or see through backboard attachment device 41 and count the number of balls received by chute 42. Note that backboard 1 also includes a hole or window for sensor 12. The sensor 12 may further including a user interface that displays the count and/or wirelessly transmits the count to an electronic device such as a portable electronic device.

[0060] In some embodiments, the chute assembly 4 further includes a rim hook 45. As shown in FIG. 5, the backboard attachment device 41 attaches one end of the chute assembly 4 to the backboard 1. The rim hook 45 may therefore be used to attach the other end of the chute assembly 4 to the basket assembly 2 when the goal assembly is being installed, transported, stored, or when the goal assembly is not being used. In other words, any time the goal assembly is not being used for a game, the rim hook 45 can be used to temporarily secure the chute 42 of the chute assembly 4 to the basket assembly 2. The chute 42 is moved with respect to backboard attachment device 41 using a hinge mechanism such as that which includes the hinge chute knuckle 420. In FIG. 5, the chute 42 is shown in a stowed position with respect to the backboard attachment device 41 that is used when the goal assembly is not being used or a game is not being played.

[0061] FIG. 6 is a perspective view 600 of a top of the chute of FIG. 5 showing the rim hook deployed, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 6 shows that the rim hook 45 of the chute 42 may be deployed from a slot 422 in the chute 42 and otherwise stored in the slot 422 when not in use. For example, during a game the rim hook 45 is placed in the slot 422 to prevent any interference with the ball return trajectory facilitated by the chute 42.

[0062] FIG. 7 is a perspective view 700 of a top of the detached rim hook of FIG. 6, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 7 shows that rim hook 45 includes peg 51 for pivotally connecting to the chute 42.

[0063] FIG. 8 a perspective view 800 of a bottom of the chute of FIG. 6 showing how the rim hook 45 is connected to the chute, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 8 shows that peg 51 of rim hook 45 is inserted into a clip 426 on the bottom of the chute 42 in order to connect the rim hook 45 to the chute 42. FIG. 8 also illustrates the bottom or backside of the slot 422. The frontside of slot 422 may thus be used to store the rim hook 45 during a game. The connection of the rim hook 45 to the chute 42 using the peg 51 and the clip 426 allows the rim hook 45 to easily be moved from a deployed position outside of slot 422 to a stored position within the slot 422.

Goal Assembly with Two Basket Assemblies and Ball Return Chutes

[0064] FIG. 9 is a perspective view 900 of a front of a portable goal assembly for hanging over a door, in accordance with some embodiments. The portable goal assembly of FIG. 9 includes a backboard 1, at least one door hanger 31 (e.g., a pair of door hangers 31), two side-by-side basket assemblies 2A and 2B, and two ball return chute assemblies 4A and 4B. The chute assemblies 4A and 4B may be physically attached to the backboard 1 using a backboard attachment device (not visible). The chute assemblies 4A and 4B can, in some embodiments, include any of the features of the chute assemblies described in reference to the other embodiments of the disclosure.

[0065] The basket assemblies 2A and 2B may also physically attached to the backboard 1. The chute assembly 4A is positioned directly beneath the basket assembly 2A so that the slide 421A of the chute 42A receives a ball from the basket assembly 2A. The slide 421A may then return the ball to a game player in a direction, for example, perpendicular to the backboard 1. Similarly, the chute assembly 4B may be positioned directly beneath the basket assembly 2B so that the slide 421B of the chute 42B receives a ball from basket assembly 2B. The slide 421B may then return the ball to a game player in a direction, for example, perpendicular to backboard 1.

[0066] The door hangers 31 may be attached to a top of the backboard 1 and allow the goal assembly to be attached to a door for a game. The door hangers 31 may be placed over the top of a door and may be configured to permit the door to close after attachment.

[0067] The backboard attachment devices of the chute assemblies 4A and 4B may each include a hole or window allowing one or more sensors 12A and 12B to sense balls received from the basket assemblies 2A and 2B. In some embodiments, the backboard 1 also includes holes or windows for the sensors 12A and 12B.

[0068] In some embodiments, the backboard 1 also includes one or more holes or windows 11 for a scoreboard. The scoreboard is, for example, in communication with the sensors 12A and 12B to tally or count a score for each of the basket assemblies 2A and 2B. The windows may be configured as digital displays and may display, for example, a digital reading of a score for each of the basket assemblies 2A and 2B separately and also a time (e.g., a countdown). Therefore, in some embodiments, there may be three windows, a first window for displaying the score of the basket assembly 2A, a second window for displaying the score of the basket assembly 2B, and a third window for displaying a time.

[0069] FIG. 10 is a perspective view 1000 of the back of the portable goal assembly of FIG. 9, in accordance with some embodiments. FIG. 10 shows that the backboard attachment device 41A of the chute assembly 4A and the backboard attachment device 41B of the chute assembly 4B are attached to the back of the backboard 1. FIG. 10 also shows that door hangers 31 are attached to the back of backboard 1. The flanges 311 of the door hangers 31 may be used to the guide door hangers 31 over the top of a door.

[0070] In some embodiments, the backboard attachment devices 41A and 41B include windows 412A and 412B, respectively. The windows 412A and 412B may each receive one or more sensors 12A and 12B or, alternatively, allow the sensors 12A and 12B to be spaced from and detect through the backboard attachment devices 41A and 41B.

[0071] In some embodiments, the backboard attachment device 41A and the chute 42A of the chute assembly 4A may be connected by a hinge mechanism created using a hinge chute knuckle 420A. Similarly, the backboard attachment device 41B and the chute 42B of the chute assembly 4B may be connected by a hinge mechanism created using hinge a chute knuckle 420B.

[0072] While the present teachings are described in conjunction with some embodiments, it is not intended that the present teachings be limited to such embodiments. On the contrary, the present teachings encompass various alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art.

[0073] Further, in describing some embodiments, the specification may have presented a method and/or process as a particular sequence of steps. However, to the extent that the method or process does not rely on the particular order of steps set forth herein, the method or process should not be limited to the particular sequence of steps described. As one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate, other sequences of steps may be possible. Therefore, the particular order of the steps set forth in the specification should not be construed as limitations on the claims. In addition, the claims directed to the method and/or process should not be limited to the performance of their steps in the order written, and one skilled in the art can readily appreciate that the sequences may be varied and still remain within the spirit and scope of the some embodiments.