Interchangeable modular ball game apparatus

• US 7,011,310 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2004
• Issued: 03/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marian G. Rowan
• Original Assignee: Marian G. Rowan
• Inventors: Rowan, Marian G.
• Primary Examiner(s): Graham, Mark S.
• Application Number:
  US11/005,404
• Publication Number:
  US 20050134001A1
• Time in Patent Office: 462 Days
• Field of Search: 273398-402, 273/407, 473/476, 473/478, 473/473
• US Class Current: 273/398
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/004 Goals of the type used for football, handball, hockey or the like

Abstract

The multidimensional interchangeable modular ball game apparatus is used for building game playing skills, such as hand-to-eye and foot-to-eye coordination. The apparatus can be used for throwing, kicking or hitting any type of sports ball and can help with practicing all types of sports, as well as with early childhood development and rehabilitation. The apparatus includes a base with a stem extending from the base. Arms of different lengths are supported by the stem and may also be placed at different heights. Different geometrically shaped hoops and targets of varying sizes and colors can be made with an open or closed net. Another embodiment includes a horizontal beam stand with hoops attached to the stand.

Claims

1. An interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus, comprising:

a base;

a vertical stem extending upward from the base, said stem including a plurality of vertically spaced holes;

a first arm having a first end and a second end,

said first end of said first arm including means attaching said first arm to said stem, and said second end of said first arm having a transverse opening extending therethrough;

a first hoop attached to said first arm;

said first hoop having a rim, a net attached to the rim, and a pin attached to said rim, said pin extending outwardly from said rim;

wherein said first hoop is attached to the second end of said first arm by said pin, which is rotatably secured in the transverse opening of the second end of said first arm;

a second arm having a first end and a second end;

said first end of said second arm including means attaching the second arm to said stem;

a second hoop attached to said second arm;

said second hoop having a rim, a net attached to the rim, and at least one mounting sleeve attached to the rim;

wherein said second hoop is attached to said second arm by said at least one mounting sleeve, which is slidably engaged over said second arm.

2. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means attaching said first arm to said stem comprises a tubular sleeve attached to said first end of said first arm, said tubular sleeve slidably engaging said stem, said tubular sleeve further including an adjustment pin for engaging one of said plurality of spaced holes in said stem;

wherein the height of said first arm and said first hoop is adjusted by sliding said tubular sleeve to a desired location along said stem and inserting said adjustment pin in one of said vertically spaced holes.

3. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means attaching said second arm to said stem comprises a tubular sleeve attached to said first end of said second arm, said tubular sleeve slidably engaging said stem, said tubular sleeve further including an adjustment pin for engaging one of said plurality of spaced holes in said stem;

wherein the height of said second arm and said second hoop is adjusted by sliding said tubular sleeve to a desired location along said stem and inserting said adjustment pin in one of said vertically spaced holes.

4. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means attaching said first arm to said stem includes an attachment bracket comprising a plate having a series of radially spaced apertures, said plate being mounted on the first end of said first arm;

and

a pair of screws attached to said stem for engaging said radially spaced apertures;

wherein the angle of said first arm and said first hoop may be adjusted by the engagement of various pairs of said radially spaced apertures with said pair of screws.

5. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 2, wherein said means for attaching said second arm to said stem includes an attachment bracket comprising a plate having a series of radially spaced apertures, said plate being mounted on the first end of said second arm;

and

a pair of screws attached to said stem for engaging said radially spaced apertures;

wherein the angle of said second arm and said second hoop may be adjusted by the engagement of various pairs of said radially spaced apertures with said pair of screws.

6. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein the base has a plurality of anchoring holes defined therein.

7. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a vertical stem extension slidably mounted onto said stem.

8. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of rings fastened to said vertical stem extension.

9. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 7, further comprising an additional hoop, said additional hoop having a tubular mount attached thereto, and extending downward therefrom,

said tubular mount configured to telescopically engage the upper end of said vertical stem.

10. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connector having a middle bar and a pair of side members extending to either side of the middle bar, the middle bar being configured to telescope into said stem, and each of the side members being configured to telescope into an end of said first or second arm.

11. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 1, wherein said apparatus further includes at least third and fourth arms, each of said at least third and fourth arms having a first end and a second end, each of said at least third and fourth arms having attachment means located at said first end for attaching the arm to said vertical stem;

at least third and fourth hoops of different geometric shapes, each hoop of the at least third and fourth hoops having a rim and a net attached to said rim, each hoop of said at least third and fourth hoops being attached to one of said at least third and fourth arms;

wherein the attachment means of said at least third and fourth arms are interchangeably and adjustably attached to the vertical stem, thereby providing a modular apparatus that is interchangeable into different configurations.

12. A kit for the assembly of an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus, said kit comprising:

(a) abase;

(b) a stem, said stem being attachable to said base in a vertical orientation;

(c) a set of arms, each of the arms of the set of arms including attachment means at one end for attachment to said stem, and a transverse opening extending through the other end of each arm;

(d) a first set of hoops of various geometric shapes, each of said first set hoops including a rim, a net attached to said rim and a pin attached to and extending outwardly from said rim, said pin for rotatably securing a hoop of the first set of hoops to a transverse opening of an arm; and

(e) a second set of hoops of various geometric shapes, each of said second set of hoops including a rim, a net attached to the rim and at least one mounting sleeve attached to the rim, said at least one mounting sleeve for sliding over an arm.

13. The kit for the assembly of an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 12, wherein said kit further comprises:

at least one vertical stem extension slidably mountable onto said vertical stem, said at least one vertical stem extension including a series of securing means thereon.

14. The kit for the assembly of an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 13, wherein said kit further comprises:

at least one additional hoop having a rim and a net attached to said rim;

said additional hoop having a tubular mount attached thereto and extending downward therefrom, said tubular mount configured to telescopically engage the upper end of said stem.

15. The kit for the assembly of an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus of claim 12, wherein said kit further comprises:

at least one connector having a middle bar and a pair of side members extending to either side of the middle bar, the middle bar being configured to telescope into said stem, and each of the side members being configured to telescope into an end of an arm.