Collapsible support unit for basketball basket

• US 5,692,976 A
• Filed: 11/05/1996
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yu, Wan-Sheng
• Original Assignee: Yu, Wan-Sheng
• Inventors: Yu, Wan-Sheng
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/743,246
• Time in Patent Office: 392 Days
• Field of Search: 473/433, 473/481, 273/397, D21/201
• US Class Current: 473/433
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball

Abstract

A collapsible support unit for basketball basket which allows the ball to return to the player after a shot is made at the basket so that the player needs not to run about in order to take back the ball after making a shot. It also allows the ball to be confined so that the ball would not do damage to anything or hurt anybody nearby. The collapsible support unit includes a backboard mounted with a basket and a main upright frame for supporting said backboard. A plurality of auxiliary upright frames are arranged in a row with said main upright frame and are collapsible to the upright frame by means of a plurality of extendable linkage units coupled therebetween. Furthermore, an enclosure defined by a net is formed around said basket for confining the ball, and a ball rolling path defined by a flexible piece extends from the bottom of said backboard to the top of the outermost auxiliary upright frame, allowing the bounced ball to roll back to the player. The player can practice making shots continually without having to chase the ball all around the court after one shot is made. When not in use, the collapsible support unit can be collapsed for easy storage.

Claims

1. A collapsible support unit for basketball basket, comprising:

(a) a backboard mounted with a basket;

(b) a main upright frame for supporting said backboard;

(c) a plurality of auxiliary upright frames arranged in a row with said main upright frame;

(d) a plurality of extendable linkage units, each being coupled between said main and auxiliary upright frames, each extendable linkage unit including a first linkage bar and a second linkage bar which are pivotally coupled by means of a pin to each other substantially at the middle point thereof, said first linkage bar having a top end pivotally linked to a fixed position on one of said main and auxiliary upright frames and a bottom end pivotally linked to a sliding tube which sleeves one neighboring upright frame, and said second linkage bar having a top end pivotally linked to a fixed position on said one neighboring upright frame and a bottom end pivotally linked to a sliding tube which sleeves said one of said main and auxiliary upright frames;

(e) an enclosure formed around said basket; and

(f) a ball rolling path extending from the bottom of said backboard at a declined angle downward to the top of the outermost auxiliary upright frame.

2. The collapsible support unit of claim 1, wherein said basket is mounted to said backboard by means of threaded bolts and nuts.

3. The collapsible support unit of claim 1, wherein said enclosure is defined by a net attached to said main and auxiliary upright frames.

4. The collapsible support unit of claim 1, wherein said ball rolling path is a flexible piece.