Back to results
US 4,786,052 AGranted
Basketball return
OwnerKurt E. Zingerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A basketball return for deflecting a basketball, which has passed through a basketball hoop, in a direction away from a hoop mounting backboard including a mounting portion which is sandwiched between a basketball hoop mounting bracket and the backboard and a downwardly inclined, forwardly extending portion having a terminal end which is disposed forwardly of the vertical hoop axis and rearwardly of the forward end of the hoop.
Claims2
A basketball return for a basketball goal assembly including a backboard, a forwardly extending annular hoop having a basketball receiving opening through which a basketball can pass in a vertical path;
- and bracket means for mounting said hoop on said backboard, said return comprising:
- a downwardly extending, forwardly inclined basketball deflector adapted to be disposed below and in vertical alignment with said hoop opening;
- and
- mount means, integral with said deflector, mounting said deflector in such position as to be engaged by a basketball vertically passing through the hoop so as to forwardly deflect the basketball from a vertical path;
- said mount means comprising an upper rearwardly disposed flat plate, having a plurality of bolt receiving openings extending therethrough, receivable between said bracket means and said backboard;
- said plurality of openings include at least one upwardly opening, open ended slot.
3 more elements
In combination:
- a generally planar, vertical backboard;
- a forwardly extending, generally horizontal, annular hoop having a basketball receiving opening, having a vertical axis, through which a basketball can pass in a vertical path;
- bracket means for mounting said hoop on said backboard;
- a ball deflector including
- an upper, rearward mounting portion, sandwiched between said mounting bracket and said backboard, and
- a downwardly extending, forwardly inclined portion, integral with said mounting portion, disposed below and in vertical alignment with said hoop opening so as to be engaged by a basketball so as to forwardly deflect said basketball from a vertical path of travel;
- said downwardly extending forwardly inclined portion including a terminal and disposed forwardly of the vertical axis of said hoop and rearwardly of the forwardmost portion of said hoop.
4 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.