Programmable basketball shot setup and return device

• US 8,123,634 B1
• Filed: 03/08/2007
• Issued: 02/28/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tony Lesean Lovett
• Original Assignee: Tony Lesean Lovett
• Inventors: Lovett, Tony L
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Gene
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHAMBERS, MICHAEL S
• Application Number:
  US11/683,570
• Time in Patent Office: 1,818 Days
• Field of Search: 473/433, 473/431, 473/432, 473/434, 473/436, 473/447, 124/26, 124/78, D21/704, 273/317.3
• US Class Current: 473/433
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/025 on rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/02 for picking-up or collecting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/406 with rotating discs, wheels or pulleys gripping and propelling the balls or bodies by friction

Abstract

An automatic or manually operated basketball return unit with remote control device that is placed under a basketball hoop having a hopper at its top distal end that funnels down to a return tube allowing basketballs to engage a motorized return mechanism which expels the basketball out a return chute and too the user. The return unit comprises a support housing with rotating compression wheels, each having a motor which ejects the ball out an aperture. The unit rotates 180 degrees manually or automatically.

Claims

1. A programmable basketball return unit comprising:

a) a hopper located under a backboard for receiving a shot basketball;

b) a ball return mechanism including compression wheels for delivering said basketball back to a user, said compression wheels being oppositely facing on a horizontal plane supported by a support bracket;

c) a vertical return tube having a return channel communicating between said hopper and said ball return mechanism;

d) a stationary base for supporting said ball return mechanism, vertical return tube and hopper;

e) a motor mounted in said base for selectively rotating said ball return mechanism and vertical return tube on said base within a reciprocating 180 degree arc to deliver basketballs to a plurality of locations;

f) an actuator for varying the pitch of the support bracket for changing the angle and distance of an ejected basketball;

g) a receiver in said base for receiving wireless control signals; and

h) a remote control unit carried by said user for sending control signals to said receiver for controlling parameters of said basketball return unit, said remote control unit including a timer for determining a rate of ball ejection from said return chute, an automatic mode in which said return tube is rotating back and forth within a range of a 180 degree arc as the balls are being delivered, and a manual mode of operation wherein said return tube is not rotating and the balls are delivered to only one location and wherein a said return channel descends through said return tube and terminates at a return chute that turns toward a side of said return tube and provides a point of egress therefrom wherein said compression wheels are disposed within said return chute and wherein said means ball return mechanism comprises;

a) said compression wheels comprising a pair of opposing wheels; and

b) a motor for each compression wheel that serve rotate said wheels in opposite directions in a manner facilitating the surface of each wheel facing the other to spin towards the point of egress of said return chute.

2. The programmable basketball return unit recited in claim 1, wherein said compression wheel motors are mounted in said support bracket.

3. The programmable basketball return unit recited in claim 2, wherein said return channel can store a plurality of balls at a given time.

4. The programmable basketball return unit recited in claim 3, wherein said base member further includes a plurality of wheels with wheel locks that are engaged and disengaged via a pivotable actuator.