Inflatable hoop/basket/goal

• US 6,629,899 B2
• Filed: 01/19/2002
• Issued: 10/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2001
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Philip G. Chauvet, Rod L. Blair
• Original Assignee: Philip G. Chauvet, Rod L. Blair
• Inventors: Chauvet, Philip G., Blair, Rod L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sewell, Paul T.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US10/053,988
• Publication Number:
  US 20020098922A1
• Time in Patent Office: 626 Days
• Field of Search: 473/485, 473/472, 473/479, 473/415, 473/466, 473/476, 441/40, 273/458
• US Class Current: 473/472
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/62 Inflatable
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/08 with substantially horizontal opening for ball, e.g. for basketball A63B57/40, A63B63/06 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A free standing, upright sports goal structure (10) having a plurality of inflatable bladders to form the framework (19) of a standing goal structure, together with an outer casing (25) of non-elastic material which encloses the inflatable framework (19) and serves to form a strong rigid goal structure (10) which is useful in a plurality of sports, yet which can quickly and easily be erected or collapsed for convenient transportation and storage.

Claims

1. A sports goal comprising:

an inflatable goal structure comprising an annular member having a central opening to allow passage therethrough of a ball, and a plurality of leg members supporting said annular member in a horizontal position;

wherein said goal structure comprises a plurality of tubes formed of non-elastic material with valve means for facilitating inflation and deflation of said structure;

wherein said goal is approximately eight feet tall.

2. The sports goal of claim 1 wherein:

said goal is capable of standing on water.

3. The sports goal of claim 1, further comprising:

a net encircling the interior of said annular member and extending downwardly therefrom.

4. The sports goal of claim 1 further comprising:

ballast means attached to said leg members to aid in maintaining said goal in an upright position.

5. The sports goal of claim 4 further comprising:

said ballast member comprises a bag filled with material at least as heavy as water.

6. The sports goal of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurally of flaps projecting from said leg members to receive means for anchoring said goal in a desired position.

7. The sports goal of claim 1 further comprising four leg members.

8. The sports goal of claim 1 further comprising an inflatable bladder.

9. A sports goal comprising:

an inflatable goal structure comprising an annular member having a central opening to allow passage therethrough of a ball, and a plurality of leg members supporting said annular member in a horizontal position;

wherein said goal structure comprises a plurality of tubes formed of non-elastic material with valve means for facilitating inflation and deflation of said structure;

wherein said goal is approximately six feet tall.

10. The sports goal of claim 9 wherein:

said goal is capable of standing on water.

11. The sports goal of claim 9 further comprising:

a net encircleing the interior of said annular member and extending downwardly therefrom.

12. The sports goal of claim 9 further comprising:

ballast means attached to said leg members to aid in maintaining said goal in an upright position.

13. The sports goal of claim 12 further comprising:

said ballast member comprises a bag filled with material at least as heavy as water.

14. The sports goal of claim 9 further comprising:

a plurally of flaps projecting from said leg members to receive means for anchoring said goal in a desired position.

15. The sports goal of claim 9 further comprising four leg members.

16. The sports goal of claim 9 further comprising an inflatable bladder.