# US 2022/0032152 A1 · Shot making training apparatus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2022/0032152 A1 - Document ID: US20220032152A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 17/443,958 - Filed: 2021-07-29 - Published: 2022-02-03 - Earliest claimed: 2020-07-30 - Inventors: Lenard E. Walker, JR. - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20220032152A1 ## CPC - A63B 69/0071: {for basketball} - A63B 63/083: {for basketball} - A63B 71/023: {Supports, e.g. poles} - A63B 2063/001: {Targets or goals with ball-returning means} - A63B 2071/026: {stabilised by weight} - A63B 2071/0694: {Visual indication, e.g. Indicia} - A63B 2208/12: specially adapted for children - A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport - A63B 2225/093: Height - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) ## Abstract An athletic skill training apparatus includes a generally horizontal upper ring that defines an upper opening, preferably circular and the same diameter as a traditional basketball hoop, made from a strong, lightweight material. Three lower rings are attached to the upper ring and extend downwardly and inwardly to attach to a base plate. A shock absorbing base member is elastically suspended from the lower rings and absorbs a portion of the force from a ball shot through the upper ring. The base member includes vertically spaced concentric rings of different diameters to redirect the ball out of the lower rings. The rings, the shock absorbing base member and the base plate form a goal assembly that can be positioned on a support above a playing surface. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A goal assembly comprising: an upper ring extending in a horizontal plane and having an upper opening for receiving an object from above the upper opening; three lower rings each having a lower opening for passage of the object received from the upper opening, each of the lower rings being attached to the upper ring and extending inwardly and downwardly from the upper ring; a base plate positioned below and attached to the lower rings; and a shock adsorbing base attached to and elastically supported by the lower rings, the shock absorbing base being positioned beneath the upper ring and above the base plate, wherein the shock absorbing base absorbs a portion of a force generated by the object falling from the upper opening and contacting the shock absorbing base and thereafter the shock absorbing base redirects the object through one of the lower openings. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The goal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the object is a basketball and the upper ring and the lower rings are basketball rims. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The goal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the upper ring and at least one of the lower rings are of a same diameter as a regulation basketball rim. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The goal assembly according to claim 1 wherein at least one of the lower rings is at least one of a different size and a different shape than the upper ring. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The goal assembly according to claim 1 wherein the shock absorbing base includes at least first and second rings, the first ring having a first diameter and being vertically spaced above and concentric with the second ring, and the second ring having a second diameter larger than the first diameter. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The goal assembly according to claim 5 wherein the shock absorbing base includes a third ring being vertically spaced below and concentric with the second ring, the third ring having a third diameter larger than the second diameter. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The goal assembly according to claim 6 wherein the shock absorbing base includes a plurality of connector bars each extending in a radial direction outwardly from a center point of the shock absorbing base, the connector bars being positioned underneath and attached to the first, second and third rings. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The goal assembly according to claim 7 wherein the bars terminate short of the center point in free ends that are attached to a top of a cylindrical winding drum extending downwardly below the third ring. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The goal assembly according to claim 8 including a plurality of elastic cords, each of the elastic cords wrapping around the winding drum and extending to an associated pair of the lower rings. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The goal assembly according to claim 1 including a plurality of elastic cords, each of the elastic cords extending between the shock absorbing base and an associated pair of the lower rings. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The goal assembly according to claim 10 including a plurality of tie bars, each of the tie bars being attached between the lower rings of one of the associated pairs of the lower rings, and wherein the elastic cords are each attached to an associated one of the tie bars. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The goal assembly according to claim 11 wherein each of the cords extends from the shock absorbing base under the third ring and upwardly to the associated pair of lower rings. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The goal assembly according to claim 1 including a support member adapted to attach to and support the base plate above a playing surface. ### Claim 14 A goal assembly comprising: an upper ring extending in a horizontal plane and having an upper opening for receiving an object from above the upper opening; three lower rings each having a lower opening for passage of the object received from the upper opening, each of the lower rings being attached to the upper ring and extending inwardly and downwardly from the upper ring; a base plate positioned below and attached to the lower rings; a shock adsorbing base attached to and elastically supported by the lower rings, the shock absorbing base being positioned beneath the upper ring and above the base plate, wherein the shock absorbing base absorbs a portion of a force generated by the object falling from the upper opening and contacting the shock absorbing base and thereafter the shock absorbing base redirects the object through one of the lower openings; wherein the shock absorbing base includes three concentric rings vertically spaced apart with a smallest diameter top ring being in a top position, a largest diameter bottom ring being in a bottom position and an intermediate diameter middle ring being in an intermediate position between the top ring and the bottom ring; wherein the shock absorbing base includes a plurality of connector bars each extending in a radial direction outwardly from a center point of the shock absorbing base, the connector bars being positioned underneath and attached to the top, middle and second rings, the bars terminating short of the center point in free ends that are attached to a top of a cylindrical winding drum extending downwardly below the bottom ring; a plurality of elastic cords, each of the elastic cords wrapping around the winding drum and extending to an associated pair of the lower rings; a plurality of tie bars, each of the tie bars being attached between the lower rings of one of the associated pairs of the lower rings, and wherein each of the elastic cords extends from the winding drum, under the bottom ring and upwardly to an associated one of the tie bars; and a support member adapted to attach to and support the base plate above a playing surface.