Illuminated basketball goal and basketball

• US 5,916,048 A
• Filed: 10/29/1997
• Issued: 06/29/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lucent Technologies, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Hurell, Larry, Edge, Andre L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/959,793
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 473/479, 473/481, 473/447, 473/485, 473/570
• US Class Current: 473/479
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/76 with means enabling use in the dark, other than powered illuminating means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/06 with illuminating devices ; with reflective surfaces
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 273/24 Luminescent, phosphorescent

Abstract

An illuminated basketball goal comprises a first light source carried by the perimeter of the backboard and a second light source positioned within a recess formed in the perimeter of the rim. The target square, located on the front face of the backboard is made of an electroluminescent material or a fluorescent compound which glows upon activation of the first and second light source. The net depending from the rim is made of a reflective material. The first and second light source are made of a luminous material, providing an even, indirect source of illumination. Also advanced is a basketball having a luminous coating placed within the ribs recessed below the surface of the ball. Alternatively, the ball can be formed with clear tubing which accepts a charge of a chemiluminescent fluid.

Claims

1. A basketball goal comprising:

a backboard, said backboard having a perimeter and a front surface;

a rim extending from said front surface of said backboard, said rim having a perimeter;

means for illuminating said backboard, said backboard illuminating means carried by said perimeter of said backboard;

a target square placed on said backboard, said target square being made of an electroluminescent material; and

means for illuminating said rim, said rim illuminating means carried by said perimeter of said rim.

2. The goal as recited in claim 1, wherein said rim is formed with a recess about said perimeter and said rim illuminating means is positioned within said recess.

3. The goal as recited in claim 1, further comprising a removable cover, said cover made of a transparent material, said cover positioned about said perimeter of said backboard, said cover positioned over said backboard illuminating means.

4. The goal as recited in claim 1, wherein said backboard illuminating means further comprises:

an electroluminescent material,

a conductive strip embedded in said electroluminescent material, and

a power source, said power source in electrical connection with said conductive strip so that said electroluminescent material illuminates when said power source is activated.

5. The goal as recited in claim 1, wherein said rim illuminating means further comprises:

an electroluminescent material,

a conductive strip embedded in said electroluminescent material, and

a power source, said power source in electrical connection with said conductive strip so that said electroluminescent material illuminates when said power source is activated.

6. The goal as recited in claim 1, further comprising a net depending from said rim, said net being made of a reflective material.

7. A basketball goal comprising:

a backboard, said backboard having a perimeter and a front surface;

a rim extending from said front surface of said backboard, said rim having a perimeter, said rim having a recess formed about said perimeter;

a target square positioned on said front face of said rim;

means for illuminating said backboard, said backboard illuminating means carried by said perimeter of said backboard;

means for illuminating said rim, said rim illuminating means positioned within said recess of said rim; and

said target square made of an electroluminescent material, said target square carried by said backboard.

8. The goal as recited in claim 7, further comprising a removable cover, said cover made of a transparent material, said cover positioned about said perimeter of said backboard, said cover positioned over said backboard illuminating means.

9. The goal as recited in claim 7, wherein said backboard illuminating means further comprises:

an electroluminescent material,

a conductive strip embedded in said electroluminescent material; and

a power source, said power source in electrical connection with said conductive strip so that said electroluminescent material illuminates when said power source is activated.

10. The goal as recited in claim 7, wherein said rim illuminating means further comprises:

an electroluminescent material,

a conductive strip embedded in said electroluminescent material; and

a power source, said power source in electrical connection with said conductive strip so that said electroluminescent material illuminates when said power source is activated.

11. The goal as recited in claim 7, further comprising a net depending from said rim, said net being made of a reflective material.

12. A system for playing basketball comprising:

a backboard, said backboard having a perimeter and a front surface;

a rim extending from said front surface of said backboard, said rim having a perimeter;

means for illuminating said backboard, said backboard illuminating means carried by said perimeter of said backboard;

means for illuminating said rim, said rim illuminating means carried by said perimeter of said rim;

a basketball having an exterior, said basketball having a plurality of ribs on said exterior;

a target square carried by said backboard and made of an electroluminescent material; and

means for illuminating said basketball.

13. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said basketball illuminating means further comprises:

tubing positioned in said ribs of said basketball, said tubing having a valve; and

a luminous fluid carried in said tubing.

14. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said basketball illuminating means further comprises:

a luminous coating placed in said ribs of said basketball; and

a chamber comprising

an interior dimensioned to receive said basketball,

a removable top, and

at least one light source carried by said interior of said chamber.

15. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said rim is formed with a recess about said perimeter and said rim illuminating means is positioned within said recess.

16. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said backboard illuminating means further comprises:

an electroluminescent material,

a conductive strip embedded in said electroluminescent material, and

a power source, said power source in electrical connection with said conductive strip so that said electroluminescent material illuminates when said power source is activated.

17. The system as recited in claim 12, wherein said rim illuminating means further comprises:

an electroluminescent material,

a conductive strip embedded in said electroluminescent material, and

a power source, said power source in electrical connection with said conductive strip so that said electroluminescent material illuminates when said power source is activated.

18. The system as recited in claim 12, further comprising a net depending from said rim, said net being made of a reflective material.