| Basketball goal return net and mounting system -> Monitor Keywords |
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Basketball goal return net and mounting systemRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Playing Field Or Court Game; Game Element Or Accessory Therefor Other Than Projector Or Projectile, Per Se, Practice Or Training Device, Having Projectile Return Means, Return Chute, With Or For Basketball-type GoalBasketball goal return net and mounting system description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070042842, Basketball goal return net and mounting system. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/709,295, filed Aug. 18, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present system relates to basketball return nets, and in particular a basketball goal return net and method of mounting. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A training aid for certain basketball goals is a net to catch and return or urge a basketball towards a user. Such nets typically are located below a basketball goal hoop, and may be slanted forward. An improved system and method for attaching a basketball goal return net to a basketball goal system is desired. SUMMARY [0004] One embodiment of the present invention includes a basketball goal return net and a mounting system for mounting the basketball return net to a basketball goal assembly. The mounting system may be used with various styles and sizes of basketball goal assemblies. The mounting system secures a net to a basketball goal assembly. The system suspends the net and may also inhibit side-to-side or lateral movement. In certain embodiments, an elongate member passes through a sleeve of the return net, the sleeve being formed at the top of the return net. The mounting system includes one or more straps extending from the net and attachable to a hoop mount. The straps can be attached adjacent ends of the elongate member to the outer surface of the sleeve or directly to the elongate member. The straps are preferably attached at a middle portion or opposing end to the hoop mount. The net serves to capture and/or return a basketball to a thrower. [0005] Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein. Each embodiment described herein is not intended to address every object described herein, and each embodiment does not include each feature described. Some or all of these features may be present in the corresponding independent or dependent claims, but should not be construed to be a limitation unless expressly recited in a particular claim. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a basketball goal assembly, along with a basketball goal return net and mounting system, according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0007] FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the basketball goal return net and mounting system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded front view of the basketball goal return net mounting system according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1. [0009] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting system according to an alternate embodiment. [0010] FIG. 5 is a perspective of an alternate embodiment of a basketball goal return net and mounting system. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0011] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. [0012] One embodiment of the present invention includes a basketball goal return net and a mounting system for mounting the basketball return net to a basketball goal assembly. The mounting system may be used with various styles and sizes of basketball goal assemblies. The mounting system secures a net to a basketball goal assembly. The system suspends the net and may also inhibit side-to-side or lateral movement. In certain embodiments, an elongate member passes through a sleeve of the return net, the sleeve being formed at the top of the return net. The mounting system includes one or more straps extending from the net and attachable to a hoop mount. The straps can be attached adjacent the ends of the elongate member to the outer surface of the sleeve or directly to the elongate member. The straps are preferably attached at a middle portion or at an opposing end to the hoop mount, for example with a hook and loop fastener system. The net serves to capture and/or return a basketball to a thrower. [0013] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a basketball goal return net mounting system 10. System 10 connects a flexible return net 12 to a conventional basketball goal assembly, such as basketball goal assembly 14. The basketball goal assembly may be fixed or portable. The assembly generally includes a conventional vertical support element such as a round or square pole, and a backboard assembly including a backboard and a hoop in front of the pole. The backboard assembly can be fixedly or adjustably mounted to the vertical support element using various means known to those skilled in the art. The backboard assembly can alternately be suspended from a wall or ceiling. [0014] Basketball goal assembly 14 includes a conventional backboard assembly 15. In one embodiment, backboard assembly 15 includes a backboard 16 with a surrounding frame 17. Basketball goal assembly 14 preferably includes a basketball goal hoop 19 mounted to the front face of a backboard assembly 15 via a bracket or hoop mount 20. Hoop bracket 20 may allow the hoop to pivot during use, for example with a biased pivot hinge. A scoring net is typically suspended from the hoop. [0015] For convenience, directional references to front refer to the side of the backboard upon which the hoop is mounted and forward is the direction extending towards the playing area. Rear refers to the side or face of the backboard opposite the hoop and rearward is a direction extending behind the backboard, opposite to forward. Inward refers to directions from the respective side edges towards the center of the backboard, and outward extends from the center towards and beyond the edges. [0016] In a preferred embodiment, system 10 attaches net 12 to hoop bracket 20 of backboard assembly 15. Referring to FIGS. 1-2, system 10 includes an elongate member, such as a bar 18, to carry net 12. The elongate member may be solid or hollow. As illustrated, in certain embodiments bar 18 is a pole, extending substantially horizontally along a sleeve 40 formed in an upper end of the net from one side or edge to another. The length of the elongate member is preferably equal to or less than the width of the backboard assembly; however, a length greater than the width is an alternative. [0017] The elongate member, such as bar 18, preferably has a length equal to or slightly longer than the width of the upper end of net 12. In an alternative embodiment, the net may be compressed or gathered so that the effective width of the upper end of the net is equal to or less than the length of the elongate member. [0018] An upper end of the net 12 defines a sleeve 40. The sleeve closure can be fixed, such as by sewing. Alternatively, the sleeve on the upper end can be defined using various closure or surrounding methods as would occur to one skilled in the art, examples include a zipper, snaps, straps, laces or Velcro.RTM. hook and loop fasteners. In the illustrated embodiment, the bar passes through the sleeve to carry the net. The sleeve can be held from sliding relative to the bar by a snug size causing a friction fit, end caps or retaining pieces which secure the sleeve in place by passing through or around the sleeve and/or bar. The retaining pieces can be a temporary or permanent limiting member such as a cotter pin, a clip, a bolt, a screw, a peg, a clamp or a plastic piece such as a zip tie. In an alternate embodiment, the retaining member is a biased button or stud which resiliently extends from the elongate member's interior to engage the sleeve. [0019] FIG. 2 illustrates system 10 with basketball hoop 19 not shown for clarity. System 10 includes a mounting base 25 secured on hoop bracket 20. If hoop mount 20 includes a pivot for the hoop, preferably the mounting base is mounted on the pivoting piece or allows or compensates for any pivoting movement. In certain preferred embodiments, base 25 is a piece from a hook and loop fastener, such as a Velcro.RTM. brand fastener. Continue reading about Basketball goal return net and mounting system... Full patent description for Basketball goal return net and mounting system Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Basketball goal return net and mounting system patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Basketball goal return net and mounting system or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ball return system Next Patent Application: Portable basketball system Industry Class: Games using tangible projectile ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Basketball goal return net and mounting system patent info. 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