Patent · US Expired

Goal-supported basketball return device

US4896882A · kind A · utility

17Cited by
15References
25Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateDec 23, 1987
Grant dateJan 30, 1990
Priority date
Expiry dateDec 23, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63B2063/001
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An automatic basketball return device designed to allow a basketball to be returned to the player in one or two bounces. The device is portable and may be easily put in place and removed without the need for ladders or tools. The return device is designed to be supported by the rim support bracket, between the backboard and the rim, so that virtually no additional weight is carried by the rim itself. Thus, the natural springiness of the rim is retained and its normal playing characteristics are not altered. A substantially vertical kickplate at the upper end of the device serves to forwardly deflect a basketball passing through the rim in an arched trajectory. The rebound characteristics of the ball off the kickplate depend on the arched trajectory of the ball entering the rim, thereby providing feedback to the player about the type of shot he has made.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.