Basketball return device

• US 5,098,090 A
• Filed: 06/27/1991
• Issued: 03/24/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: L. J. Coney
• Original Assignee: L. J. Coney
• Inventors: Juhl, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US07/721,975
• Time in Patent Office: 271 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1.5 A, 273/396, 273/397
• US Class Current: 473/433
• 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

A basketball return device for improving the efficient utilization of individual shooting practice time is provided which effectively returns all successful basketball shots to the shooter at any preselected location on the basketball court. The device includes a circular ring which attaches to any standard basketball net using resilent straps, providing a non-rigid and adjustable mounting system preventing damage to the device, basketball backboard, goal, and basketball from errant shots and extended use. A basketball passing through the basketball net is directed onto a curved track which guides the basketball back to the shooter.

Claims

1. A basketball return device comprising:

a circular mounting ring having an internal diameter larger than the external diameter of a basketball;

means for attaching said mounting ring to the net of a basketball goal;

a curved track attached to said mounting ring and extending beneath said mounting ring; and

means for controlling the velocity and direction of a basketball passing through said mounting ring.

2. The basketball return device of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of attaching brackets rigidly fixed to the circumference of said mounting ring;

and wherein said means for attaching said mounting ring comprises a plurality of resilient straps attached to said brackets.

3. The basketball return device of claim 1 wherein said means for controlling the velocity and direction of a basketball passing through said mounting ring comprises an elastic cord connected between two points on the interior of said mounting ring.

4. The basketball return device of claim 3 further comprising a plurality of attaching brackets rigidly fixed to the circumference of said mounting ring;

and wherein said means for attaching said mounting ring comprises a plurality of resilient straps attached to said brackets.

5. The basketball return device of claim 1 further comprising a counterbalance attached to the mounting ring and extending is a direction opposite the direction of said curved track.

6. The basketball return device of claim 5 wherein said means for controlling the velocity and direction of a basketball passing through said mounting ring comprises an elastic cord connected between two points on the interior of said mounting ring.

7. The basketball return device of claim 6 further comprising a plurality of attaching brackets rigidly fixed to the circumference of said mounting ring;

and wherein said means for attaching said mounting ring comprises a plurality of resilient straps attached to said brackets.