BASKETBALL RETURN NET MOUNTING SYSTEM

• US 20060293126A1
• Filed: 05/03/2006
• Published: 12/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Indian Industries Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Sop Services Incorporated (Escalade Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thomas, Scott, Flowers, Scott
• Granted Patent: US 7,530,909 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/481
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention includes a mounting system for mounting a basketball return net to a basketball goal assembly. The mounting system includes an elongate member and spaced apart mounting brackets where the elongate member is mountable to span the distance between the mounting brackets. In certain embodiments, the mounting brackets define apertures sized to receive ends of the elongate member. The brackets are preferably mounted to a backboard assembly of the basketball goal assembly. Further, the elongate member passes through a sleeve of the return net, the sleeve being formed at the top of the return net. The net serves to capture and/or return a basketball to a thrower.

Claims

1. A mounting system for mounting a basketball return net to a basketball goal assembly, comprising:

a. an elongate member with opposing end portions;

b. at least a pair of mounting brackets mountable in a spaced apart arrangement to a backboard assembly of a basketball goal, wherein said elongate member is mountable to span the distance between said mounting brackets;

c. a net suspendable from said elongate member between said mounting brackets.

2. The mounting system of claim 1, wherein the backboard assembly has opposing side edges wherein said mounting brackets are mountable substantially adjacent the opposing side edges.

3. The mounting system of claim 2, wherein the backboard assembly defines a rear face, and wherein said elongate member is mountable between said mounting brackets to extend across the rear face.

4. The mounting system of claim 1, comprising at least a first retaining member selectively engageable with said elongate member to retain at least one end of said elongate member from disengaging from a first mounting bracket.

5. The mounting system of claim 4, comprising at least a second retaining member associated with said elongate member to retain the second end of said elongate member from disengaging from a second mounting bracket.

6. The mounting system of claim 5, wherein each of said mounting brackets has an inward side facing across the rear face of the backboard assembly and wherein said first and second retaining members are engagable with said elongate member on the inward sides of said mounting brackets.

7. A basketball goal assembly, comprising:

a. a backboard defining a front face, a rear face and opposing side edges defining a width;

b. a basketball hoop mounted to said front face;

c. a pair of mounting brackets mounted substantially adjacent said opposing side edges and defining a spaced apart distance;

d. an elongate member mounted to said mounting brackets and spanning said spaced apart distance; and

,

e. a net suspended from said elongate member.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein said elongate member has a length greater than said spaced apart distance.

9. The assembly of claim 8, wherein said spaced apart distance is less than the width of said backboard assembly, and wherein said elongate member length is equal to or less than the width of said backboard assembly.

10. The assembly of claim 8, wherein each said mounting bracket defines an aperture, and wherein said elongate member is mounted through said apertures.

11. The assembly of claim 10, comprising retaining means to retain said elongate member from disengaging from said mounting brackets.

12. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said retaining means is arranged between said mounting brackets.

13. The assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one retaining means defines a flange around said elongate member.

14. The assembly of claim 13, wherein said flange extends from a cap mounted to one end of said elongate member.

15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein at least one retaining means is selectively engagable with said elongate member.

16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein said retaining means comprises at least two retaining members associated with said elongate member to selectively limit movement of said elongate member with respect to said mounting brackets.

17. The assembly of claim 16, wherein said retaining members engage said elongate member between said mounting brackets.

18. A method of mounting a net to a basketball backboard, comprising the steps of:

a. providing a pair of spaced apart mounting brackets on a basketball backboard assembly, each mounting bracket defining an opening;

b. suspending a net from an elongate member having opposing ends;

c. advancing one end of said elongate member through an opening in one mounting bracket;

d. aligning said elongate member with the opening in the second mounting bracket;

e. advancing an end of said elongate member through the opening in the second mounting bracket wherein said elongate member is arranged to engage both of said mounting brackets; and

,

f. retaining said elongate member to limit its movement relative to said mounting brackets.

19. The method of claim 18, comprising capturing an end of said elongate member in an end cap having a flange portion, wherein said flange cooperates with one of said mounting brackets to limit movement of said elongate member.

20. The method of claim 18, comprising selectively engaging at least one retaining member to said elongate member to limit movement of said elongate member.

21. The method of claim 18, wherein said one end is advanced through a first one of said mounting brackets in a first outward direction and wherein the opposing end is advanced through the second one of said mounting brackets in a second outward direction.