MULTI-SHOOTER BASKETBALL REBOUNDING DEVICE AND SYSTEM

Abstract

Multi-shooter basketball rebounding devices and systems are provided herein. An example freestanding basketball rebounding apparatus can include an upper frame assembly configured to rebound shot basketballs to an orifice. The upper frame assembly can include upper frame arms and a collapsible-extensible netting configured to couple to the upper frame arms to form an upwardly and downwardly opened funnel shaped enclosure that directs the shot basketballs to the orifice. The apparatus can also include a bottom support frame assembly configured to collect the shot basketballs from the orifice. The bottom support frame assembly can include a ball catch basket configured to receive and hold multiple basketballs and bottom frame legs configured to be adjustable to adjust a height of one or more components of the apparatus. The apparatus can further include a connecting component configured to connect components of the upper frame assembly to the bottom support frame assembly.

Claims

1. A freestanding basketball rebounding apparatus comprising: an upper frame assembly configured to rebound shot basketballs to an orifice, the upper frame assembly comprising: a plurality of upper frame arms; and a collapsible-extensible netting configured to couple to the plurality of upper frame arms to form an upwardly and downwardly opened funnel shaped enclosure that directs the shot basketballs to the orifice; a bottom support frame assembly configured to collect the shot basketballs from the orifice, the bottom support frame assembly comprising: a ball catch basket configured to receive and hold multiple basketballs; and a plurality of bottom frame legs configured to be adjustable to adjust a height of one or more components of the apparatus; and a connecting component configured to connect one or more components of the upper frame assembly to the bottom support frame assembly.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting component comprises a vertical support component having one end configured to couple to the upper frame assembly and the other end configured to couple to the bottom support frame assembly.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connecting component comprises a flat support portion having the orifice and a vertical support portion configured to couple to the bottom support frame assembly.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the upper frame arms are retractable and extendable to adjust the height of the collapsible-extensible netting relative to a basketball hoop.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein each of the plurality of upper frame arms comprises a plurality of subarms, wherein at least one of the plurality of subarms is tilted relative to other sub arms.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of the upper frame arms extend to a height above a rim of a basketball hoop.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of the upper frame arms is a single piece.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the upper frame assembly further comprises a support frame having a plurality of protrusion portions configured to couple to each of the plurality of upper frame arms and a flat support portion having the orifice.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the upper frame assembly further comprises a vertical support portion configured to couple to the connecting component.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom frame assembly further comprises a plurality of depression portions configured to couple to each of the plurality of upper frame arms.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the ball catch basket extends below the orifice and is supported by and is detachably coupled to the plurality of bottom frame legs.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of bottom frame legs are adjustable to a predetermined height suitable for multiple shooters having at least one wheelchair seated shooter and at least one shooter on foot, allowing the multiple shooters manually retrieve basketballs at the same time.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the collapsible-extensible netting attached to the plurality of the upper frame arms extends to a height of between about 15 to about 21 inches above a rim of a basketball hoop and extends outward to a distance about 40 to 60 inches from a center point of the rim.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a digital scoreboard detachably connected to the connecting component, providing situational awareness to multiple shooters.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more components of the apparatus are detachable and are easily disassembled for compact transportation.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein one or more components of the apparatus are positioned forward of a backboard.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one or more retractable shot locators to facilitate accurate and consistent marking of specified shooting locations.

18. A freestanding basketball rebounding apparatus comprising: an upper frame assembly configured to rebound shot basketballs to an orifice, the upper frame assembly comprising: a plurality of upper frame arms; a collapsible-extensible netting configured to be coupled to the plurality of upper frame arms to form an upwardly and downwardly opened funnel shaped enclosure that directs the shot basketballs to the orifice; and a support frame having a plurality of protrusion portions configured to couple to each of the plurality of upper frame arms and a flat support portion having the orifice; a bottom support frame assembly configured to collect the shot basketballs from the orifice, the bottom support frame assembly comprising: a ball catch basket configured to receive and hold multiple basketballs; and a plurality of bottom frame legs configured to be adjustable to adjust a height of one or more components of the apparatus; and a connecting stanchion configured to connect the upper frame assembly to the bottom support frame assembly.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein support frame further comprises a vertical support portion configured to couple to the connecting stanchion.

20. A freestanding basketball rebounding apparatus comprising: an upper frame assembly configured to rebound shot basketballs to an orifice, the upper frame assembly comprising: a plurality of upper frame arms; and a collapsible-extensible netting configured to be coupled to the plurality of upper frame arms to form an upwardly and downwardly opened funnel shaped enclosure that directs the shot basketballs to the orifice; a bottom support frame assembly configured to collect the shot basketballs from the orifice, the bottom support frame assembly comprising: a ball catch basket configured to receive and hold multiple basketballs; a plurality of bottom frame legs configured to be adjustable to adjust a height of one or more components of the apparatus; and a plurality of depression portions configured to couple to the plurality of upper frame arms; and a connecting component having the orifice and configured to couple to at least the bottom support frame assembly.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosure, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the disclosure, there is shown in the drawings an embodiment of a freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus. It should be understood, however, that the disclosure is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

[0006] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus aligned with the basketball structure in accordance with some embodiments.

[0007] FIG. 2 is a rear view of a connecting stanchion attached to an example upper frame and an example bottom support frame in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus aligned with a basketball backboard and rim in accordance with some embodiments.

[0009] FIG. 4 illustrates an example use of a freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus by multi-shooters in accordance with some embodiments.

[0010] FIG. 5 illustrates another example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

[0011] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate example assembly steps of an example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus in accordance with some embodiments.

[0012] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus placed for functional use with a basketball backboard in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. Unless specifically set forth herein, the terms a, an and the are not limited to one element, but instead should be read as meaning at least one. The terminology includes the words noted above, derivatives thereof and words similar import.

[0014] It also should be understood that the terms about, approximately, generally, substantially and like terms, used herein when referring to a dimension or characteristic of a component of the present disclosure, indicate that the described dimension/characteristic is not a strict boundary or parameter and does not exclude minor variations therefrom that are functionally similar. At a minimum, such references that include a numerical parameter would include variations that, using mathematical and industrial principles accepted in the art (e.g., rounding, measurement or other systematic errors, manufacturing tolerances, etc.), would not vary the least significant digit.

[0015] The present disclosure provides multi-shooter basketball rebounding devices and systems. Basketball rebounding devices can reduce time spent rebounding basketball shots. These devices generally include collapsible-extensible netting and a frame. The frame is secured to a backboard, mounted to a stanchion, or placed on a basketball court below a hoop. The collapsible-extensible netting is stretched between the frame to surround a basketball rim and capture basketballs from made and missed shots. Some devices can further direct the shot basketball(s) to a collection point or to a shooter.

[0016] The multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus taught herein can provide much-needed improvement with its ability to rebound made or missed shots from multiple basketball shooters at the same time. It provides an improved shooter-trainer interface by allowing multiple shooters, including and not limited to those that are wheelchair seated to retrieve basketballs quickly and easily from the ball catch at the same time. The ability to manually retrieve multiple basketballs from the device catch is an advantage necessary to facilitate dynamic/high-repetition basketball shooting drills, including shooter vs. shooter drills that simulate a shooter's shot under competitive pressure, various passing frames and ball rotations, and human tempo movements not obtainable using existing rebounding devices.

[0017] In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus, aligned with a basketball hoop or goal to capture made and missed basketballs. The freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus taught herein uniquely facilitates competitive shooting/training games. One such game, multiple shooters are needed to retrieve their basketball from a rebounder at the same time allowing a shooter to pass the basketball to their teammate who is waiting at the next designated shot location. The freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus taught herein allows multiple shooters to physically approach the device at the same time and retrieve basketballs simultaneously, a necessary function not currently available using existing rebounding devices. The freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus taught herein also allows for wheelchair seated shooters to retrieve their rebounded basketball with no greater effort than shooters on foot. In some embodiments, the freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus taught herein can be used with a basketball hoop and backboard mounted to a vertical post or ceiling mount system. The freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus taught herein can provide an angular adjustment to convert a rebounding net assembly to a defensive barrier for basketball and automatic basketball collection allowing multiple shooters to physically approach the device at the same time and retrieve basketballs simultaneously.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of an example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus 100 (also referred to as apparatus 100) aligned with a basketball structure in accordance with some embodiments. The apparatus 100 can include an upper frame assembly 106, a bottom support frame assembly 110, a connecting component 108, and a digital scoreboard 116. In some embodiments, some or all of the components taught herein can be separate pieces and can be assembled to form the apparatus 100 and disassembled into separate pieces for carrying, compact transportation, and/or space-limited storage. In some embodiments, some or all of the components of the apparatus 100 can be positioned forward of a backboard 150 and cannot extend around or over the backboard, as further described with respect to FIG. 3. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 can include fewer or more components. For example, the digital scoreboard 116 can be excluded. As another example, the apparatus 100 can include one or more retractable shot locators that facilitate accurate and consistent marking of specified shooting locations used in both training drills and competitive shooting game, lighting systems to facilitates multi-shooters for shooting.

[0019] The upper frame assembly 106 can be configured to define an orifice 120 through which shot basketballs can descend. The upper frame assembly 106 can include a plurality of upper frame arms 112, a support frame 160, a collapsible-extensible netting 102, and an orifice 120.

[0020] The upper frame arms 112 can be detachably connected-extendible arms, which are light and easy to carry. The upper frame arms 112 can be retractable and extendable to adjust the height of the collapsible-extensible netting 102 with respect to the rim of the basketball hoop 152 (as illustrated in FIG. 3). For example, the apparatus 100 can include 4 upper frame arms 112, each arm having subarms 112a and 112b. The subarms 112a and 112b can be separate pieces that can be connected to form a single arm and detached into separate piece. Each subarm can be extendible and/or retractable. In some embodiments, the subarms 112a and 112b can be a single piece (as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6D). For example, one of the subarms 112a and 112b can be retracted into the other one to shorten the length of that arm for easy carry and can be protracted from that subarm to lengthen the length of that arm. The upper frame arms 112 can extend to a height above a rim of a basketball hoop 152 (as illustrated in FIG. 3). The angles of the top subarms 112a can be adjusted to a predetermined angle such that the top subarms 112a can be oblique relative to the subarms 112b (e.g., relative to a vertical direction). In some embodiments, each arm can include more than two subarms (as illustrated in FIGS. 6B-6D).

[0021] The support frame 160 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the upper frame arms 112. The support frame 160 can be also coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the collapsible-extensible netting 102 such that the shot basketballs can pass though the orifice 120. The support frame 160 can include protrusion portions 162, each coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to each upper frame arm, a flat support portion 164 having the orifice 120 and receiving the protrusion portions 162, a vertical support portion 166 coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the connecting component 108, as further illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In some embodiments, the support frame 160 can be excluded from the upper frame assembly 106 and can be part of the connecting component 108, as illustrated in FIGS. 5-7.

[0022] The collapsible-extensible netting 102 can rebound shot basketballs back to the orifice 120. The collapsible-extensible netting 102 can be flexible. The collapsible-extensible netting 102 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the upper frame arms 112 to form an upwardly and downwardly opened funnel shaped enclosure that can direct the shot basketballs to the orifice 120.

[0023] The orifice 120 can allow the shot basketballs passing through to descend to the bottom support frame assembly 110.

[0024] The bottom support frame assembly 110 can be configured to receive the shot basketballs and support the upper frame assembly 106, the connecting component 108, and/or a digital scoreboard 116. The bottom support frame assembly 110 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the connecting component 108. The bottom support frame assembly 110 can include a ball catch basket 104 and a plurality of bottom frame legs 114, and a flat support frame 118.

[0025] The ball catch basket 104 can be configured to receive and hold multiple basketballs at the same time. The ball catch basket 104 can extend generally below the orifice 120. The ball catch basket 104 can be solely supported by and detachably connected to the bottom frame legs 114. The ball catch basket 104 can be open from the top and have a distance (e.g., about 32 inches) from the basketball court surface, allowing multiple shooters including those wheelchair seated to manually retrieve basketballs at the same time.

[0026] The bottom frame legs 114 can be detachably connected tubular legs, each having adjustable leveling feet. The length of each of the bottom frame legs 114 can be adjustable to adjust the height of the apparatus 100, the height of the ball catch basket 104, and/or the height of other components of the apparatus 100 to satisfy different needs (e.g., shooters on foot, wheelchair seated shooters, or the like). For example, the bottom frame legs 114 can be retractable and extendable to adjust the height.

[0027] The flat support frame 118 can receive the bottom frame legs 114 and the connecting component 108.

[0028] The connecting component 108 can be a detachable support frame component (e.g., connecting stanchion illustrated in FIG. 2) that can stabilize the apparatus 100 and connect the upper frame assembly 106 and the bottom support frame assembly 110 to establish a freestanding functionality of the apparatus 100. For example, the top portion of the connecting component 108 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the upper frame arms 112. The bottom portion of the connecting component 108 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the bottom support frame assembly 110.

[0029] The digital scoreboard 116 can be detachably connected to the connecting component 108, providing situational awareness to multiple shooters. In some embodiments, the digital scoreboard 116 can present scores of one or more teams. For example, players from multiple teams can shoot the same basket. The digital scoreboard 116 can present scores for each team.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a rear view of an example connecting component 108 attached to an example upper frame assembly 106 and an example bottom support frame assembly 110 in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated, an end portion of the connecting component 108 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the vertical support portion 166 of the support frame 160 of the upper frame assembly 106. The other end portion of the connecting component 108 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the flat support frame 118 of the bottom frame assembly 110.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus 100 aligned with a basketball backboard 150 and rim of a basketball hoop 152 in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated, the digital scoreboard 116 can be detached from the apparatus 100. All portions of the apparatus 100 can be positioned forward of the backboard 150 and do not extend around or over the backboard 150 thereon.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates an example use of a freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus 100 by multi-shooters having significant height difference in accordance with some embodiments. A shooter 200 on foot and a wheelchair seated shooter 202 can shoot the same basket for training and/or competition. The heights of the bottom frame legs 114 can be adjusted to meet needs from both shooters 200 and 202. The digital scoreboard 116 can present scores for each shooter. It should be understood that the apparatus 100 can be used for different teams with or without significant height difference (e.g., shooters having various age groups, such as adults, teenagers, kids, shoots on foot, wheelchair seated shoots, or the like) for training and competition.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates another example freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus 100 in accordance with some embodiments. The apparatus 100 can include an upper frame assembly 106, a bottom support frame assembly 110 having depression portions 310 to receive the upper frame arms 112, and a connecting component 108. The connecting component 108 can include a flat support portion 300 having the orifice 120 and a vertical support portion 302 to be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the bottom support frame assembly 110. Compared with the apparatus 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, the upper frame assembly 106 does not include the support frame 160 to support the upper frame arms 112. Instead, the upper frame arms 112 can be coupled to the bottom support frame assembly 110.

[0034] FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate example assembly steps of the freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus 100 in accordance with some embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 6A, the upper frame arms 112 can be coupled (e.g., attached, connected, or mounted) to the bottom support frame assembly 110 via the depression portions 310. As illustrated in FIG. 6B, the upper frame arms 112 can be extendable to a predetermined height. As illustrated in FIG. 6C, the top subarms 112a can be tilted relative to the subarms 112b (e.g., tilted relative to a vertical line) to couple to the collapsible-extensible netting 102.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the freestanding multi-shooter basketball rebounding apparatus 100 placed for functional use with a basketball backboard 150. All portions of the apparatus 100 can be positioned forward of the backboard 150 and do not extend around or over the backboard 150. In some embodiments, the apparatus 100 can include a retractable shot locator 400 (measuring line) that facilitates accurate and consistent marking of specified shooting locations used in both training drills and competitive shooting games. It should be understood that the apparatus 100 can include multiple retractable shot locator 400 coupled to other components of the apparatus 100 (e.g., the connecting component 108).

[0036] Having thus described the system and device in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit or scope thereof. It will be understood that the embodiments of the present disclosure described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art can make any variations and modification without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. All such variations and modifications, including those discussed above, are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.