Backstop retrieving devices and methods thereof

• US 8,460,129 B2
• Filed: 08/22/2012
• Issued: 06/11/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/11/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Brian Goldwitz, Tracy Forlini
• Original Assignee: Brian Goldwitz, Tracy Forlini
• Inventors: Goldwitz, Brian, Forlini, Tracy
• Primary Examiner(s): Aryanpour, Mitra
• Application Number:
  US13/592,249
• Publication Number:
  US 20130059681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 293 Days
• Field of Search: 473/435, 473/434, 473/422, 473/472, 473/476, 473/479, 473/446, 473/481, 473/487, 482/129
• US Class Current: 473/435
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/001 Targets or goals with ball-returning means
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2069/0008 for batting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0024 for hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 69/0071 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0036 Accessories for stowing, putting away or transporting exercise apparatus or sports equipment A63B47/00, A63B55/00, A63B60/56 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49947 by applying separate fastener

Abstract

A back stop device suitable for coupling to a backboard assembly in a sporting activity is disclosed. The device includes a central member. The central member couples to one or more clamps which couple to the backboard assembly. The central member may be coupled to a portion of one or more pivot members. One or more arm members may be coupled to a portion of each of the pivot members. The arm members may be selectively repositionable when used in conjunction with the pivot members. One or more netting members may be coupled to a portion of at least one of the central member and one or more of the arm members or a portion of the backboard assembly. The netting members may be configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of the members with weights coupled to a bottom portion of the netting members.

Claims

1. A kit that when assembled forms a backstop device configured to be coupled to a backboard, the kit comprising:

one or more clamp members;

one or more breakaway assemblies;

one or more break-away arm members;

one or more portions of a central member, configured to be pivotally adjustable along a first axis, wherein the central member is configured to be positioned above and co-planar with or behind the backboard when the kit is assembled;

one or more pivot members, configured to be pivotally adjustable along a second axis, independent of the rotation of the central member;

one or more netting members;

at least one set of fasteners; and

at least one set of assembly instructions, wherein

said kit is surrounded by at least one packaging material.

2. A basketball backboard assembly:

a basketball backboard;

a support assembly for the basketball backboard;

a central member having a first end and a second end, the central member pivotally adjustable along a first axis and positioned above and co-planar with or behind the basketball backboard;

a connector configured to couple the central member to the basketball backboard;

a first pivot member and a second pivot member, wherein the first end of the central member is coupled to the first pivot member and the second end of the central member is coupled to the second pivot member, said first and second pivot members being pivotally adjustable along a second axis, independent of the rotation of the central member;

at least one arm member pivotally coupled to a portion of the first pivot member, wherein the at least one arm member is selectively repositionable, wherein each of the first and second pivot members include an adjustable securing mechanism positioned between the central member and the at least one arm member, the adjustable securing mechanism having a plurality of preset positions to lock the position of the at least one arm member relative to the central member;

at least one netting member coupled to the at least one arm member, said netting member configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of the at least one arm member; and

a release rope coupled to the at least one arm member permitting repositioning of the at least one arm member in a direction around the second axis.

3. The backstop device of claim 2, further comprising:

a release rope coupled to the adjustable securing mechanism to unlock the adjustable securing mechanism and allow repositioning of the at least one arm member.

4. A backstop device, comprising:

a central member having a first end and a second end, the central member pivotally adjustable along a first axis and positioned above and co-planar with or behind a basketball backboard;

a connector configured to couple the central member to the basketball backboard;

a first pivot member and a second pivot member, wherein the first end of the central member is coupled to the first pivot member and the second end of the central member is coupled to the second pivot member, said first and second pivot members being pivotally adjustable along a second axis, independent of the rotation of the central member;

at least one arm member pivotally coupled to a portion of the first pivot member, wherein the at least one arm member is selectively repositionable, the at least one arm member having a break-away assembly configured to release a portion of the at least one arm member in response to a force that exceeds a predetermined amount; and

at least one netting member coupled to the at least one arm member, said netting member configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of the at least one arm member.

5. The backstop device of claim 4, wherein the break-away assembly comprises a first wall member and an opposing second wall member, each of said wall members defining a channel configured to receive the portion of said at least one arm member.

6. The backstop device of claim 5, further comprising:

a reinforcement member having a first end and a second end,

a portion of said first end coupled to a portion of said break-away assembly, and a portion of said second end of said reinforcement member coupled to a portion of said break-away assembly adjacent to said first end.