Basketball Hoop Supported Exercises Apparatus

Abstract

An exercise apparatus for releasable attachment to basketball goal includes a central portion, a pair of side portions extending outwardly from opposed sides of the central portion, and a bar removably attached to the side portions opposite the central portion. Additionally, a basketball goal includes a support, a goal including a support section attached to the support and a rim disposed on the support section opposite the support, and an exercise apparatus engaged with the goal, the exercise apparatus having a central portion, a pair of side portions extending outwardly from opposed sides of the central portion and a bar removably attached to the side portions opposite the central portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63 / 416,415, entitled Basketball Hoop Supported Exercise Apparatus, filed on Nov. 5, 2024, the entirety of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to exercise devices and more specifically to an exercise device that is releasably attached to and supported by a basketball hoop.BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0003] Basketball hoop or goal structures are often located on or adjacent homes households for exercise and entertainment purposes. The basketball hoop or goal structure can take various forms or configurations. In each form, the basketball hoop or goal employs a rim forming the goal through which the basketball is shot during gameplay. The hoop can be attached directly to a supporting structure or can be engaged with a backboard. When employed with a backboard, the rim is secured to the backboard utilizing a suitable structure, with the backboard separately secured to the supporting structure. The supporting structure can be a freestanding support post or stanchion, or a structure, such as a portion of a wall of a house, such as a wall located above a garage door for the house.

[0004] While useful for playing the game of basketball as a form of exercise or entertainment, the basketball hoop structure is limited in its use for any alternative exercise or gameplay due to the specific structure of the basketball hoop.

[0005] Therefore, it is desirable to develop an exercise apparatus that can be utilized in conjunction with an existing conventional basketball hoop or goal structure to allow the structure to be utilized for a number of different forms of exercise in addition to playing the game of basketball and without having to modify the structure of the existing basketball hoop or goal for use with the exercise apparatus and without interference from existing parts of the basketball goal with the use of the exercise apparatus.SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0006] The present disclosure provides an exercise apparatus that is readily engageable with an existing basketball goal structure to enable the basketball goal structure to be employed in performing a variety of forms of exercise using the basketball goal structure and exercise apparatus.

[0007] According to one embodiment of the disclosure, the exercise apparatus is configured for releasable attachment to basketball goal and includes a body formed with a central portion, a pair of side portions extending outwardly from the central portion, and a bar removably attached to the side portions opposite the central portion.

[0008] According to another embodiment of the disclosure, a basketball goal includes a support, a goal including a support section attached to the support and a rim disposed on the support section opposite the support, and an exercise apparatus engaged with the goal, the exercise apparatus having a body formed with a central portion, a pair of side portions extending outwardly from the central portion and a bar removably attached to the side portions opposite the central portion.

[0009] According to still a further aspect of the disclosure, the body of the exercise apparatus includes at least one tab formed on the body to engage and displace a net on the basketball goal during use of the exercise apparatus.

[0010] Other aspects, features and advantages of the invention will be made apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawing figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The drawings illustrate the best mode of practicing the present disclosure.

[0012] In the drawings:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of an exercise apparatus constructed according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure engaged with a basketball goal structure.

[0014] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 in a first exercise configuration.

[0015] FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 in use in the first exercise configuration.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1 in a second exercise configuration.

[0017] FIG. 5 is a front isometric view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the exercise apparatus of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 7 is a front isometric view of a second embodiment of an exercise apparatus constructed according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of a third embodiment of an exercise apparatus constructed according to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0021] With respect to the drawing figures in which like reference numerals designate like parts throughout the disclosure, an exemplary embodiment of an exerciser apparatus is illustrated at 10 in FIGS. 1-7.

[0022] Referring now to FIGS. 1-3, the exercise apparatus 10 is disposed on a basketball goal 12, which in the illustrated exemplary embodiment is formed with a support 16, a backboard 18 attached to the support 16, and a goal 20 attached to the backboard 18. The goal 20 includes a support section 22 disposed on and / or attached to the backboard 18 and a generally circular rim 24 disposed on the support section 22 opposite the backboard 18. In other alternative embodiments, the support 16 can be upwardly or downwardly extending, or the backboard 18 can be secured to a structure other than the support 16, such as a wall (not shown) of a building.

[0023] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the exercise apparatus 10 is disposed on and engaged with the support section 22 between the backboard 18 and the rim 24. The exercise apparatus 10 includes a body 26 formed from a generally rigid material, such as a metal, hard plastic or wood, among others, and includes a central portion 28 and a pair of side portions 30 disposed on opposed sides of the central portion 28. To engage the exercise apparatus 10 with the support section 22, the central portion 28 is positioned in a generally horizontal position over a top of the support section 22, with each side portion 30 extending generally vertically downwardly from the central portion 28 to either side of the support section 22 between the backboard 18 and the rim 24. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the side portions 30 approximates the distance between the backboard 18 and the rim 24 such that a mechanical engagement or lock is created by the backboard 18 and rim 24 on opposed edges 31,33 of the side portions 30 to prevent the movement and / or rotation of the exercise apparatus 10 relative to the backboard 18 and rim 24. Further, in another exemplary embodiment, the space 35 defined between the central portion 28 and the side portions 30 is configured to approximate the width of the support section 22 to minimize any lateral movement of the body 26 relative to the support section 22.

[0024] In one additional exemplary embodiment, the central portion 28 can include one or more attachment members 32 (FIG. 5) formed with or attached to the central portion 28 and located within the space 35 defined between the side portions 30. In another exemplary embodiment the attachment members 32 can be positioned on the side portions 30 in addition to or to the exclusion of the attachment members 32 on the central portion 28 and can engage at least one of the support section 22, the backboard 18 and / or the rim 24. The attachment members 32 can engage the support section 22 to hold the central portion 28 in position on the support section 22. The attachment members 32 can take various forms, such as an adhesive, a mechanical fastener such as a spring-biased clip (not shown) in which a structure is releasably engaged, a suction cup, or other suitable device. However, in one particular exemplary embodiment, as the support section 22 of the goal 20 is often formed from a metal, the attachment members 32 can be formed as magnets attached to or formed with the central portion 28 and / or the side portions 30 to function to hold the body 26 in the desired position on the support section 22. Further, the attractive force generated by the magnetic attachment members 32 can be overcome by manual means in order to disengage the attachment members 32 and body 26 from the support section 22 and remove the exercise apparatus 10 from the support section 22.

[0025] Looking now at FIGS. 1-3 and 6-7, opposite the central portion 28, the side portions 30 each include a mounting aperture 34. The mounting apertures 34 are aligned with one another and can be formed as a bore 36 extending through the side portion 30. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the mounting aperture 34 can be formed as an angled notch 38 extending downwardly into one edge 31,33 of the side portion 30 and extending into the side and a pivoting lock member 39 attached adjacent the open end the notch 38. In either configuration, the mounting apertures 34 removably receive a bar 40 therein. The bar 40 can have any desired configuration and / or shape or number of components and has at least two sections 42 corresponding to the shape / cross-section of the mounting apertures 34 to frictionally engage the bar 40 within the mounting apertures 34. Further, in embodiments where the bar 40 extends between the side portions 30 when disposed within the mounting apertures 34, the positioning of the bar 40 within and between the mounting apertures 34 creates an enclosure around the central section 22 formed from the central portion 28, the side portions 30, and the bar 40 to assist in retaining the exercise apparatus 10 on the goal 20.

[0026] In another exemplary embodiment of the body 26, the cross-section of the apertures 34 and / or notches 38 can be formed to be complementary to the cross-section of the bar 40 engaged within the apertures 34 or notches 38, such as using non-circular cross-sections. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, a central section 54 of the bar 40 has a generally square cross-section, which can slide into a notch 38 also having a generally square cross-section. In this configuration, the bar 40 is prevented from any unwanted rotation within the apertures 34 or notches 38 by the engagement of the central section 54 of the bar with the complementary and non-circular apertures 34 or notches 38 in the side portions 30 of the body 26. In addition, the bar 40 can include one or more flanges 55 located on the central section 54 of the bar 40 and adapted to be positioned in engagement with the side portions 30 within and / or opposite the space 35. The flanges 55 have a cross-sectional shape larger than the central section 54 of the bar 40 and the apertures 34 or notches 38 and function as a stop to prevent the lateral or horizontal sliding of the bar 40 relative to the apertures 34 or notches 38. The flanges 55 can be affixed to the bar 40, such as to the central section 54, or can be engaged with the bar 40 after placement of the bar 40 within the apertures 34 or notches 38. In addition, the flanges 55 can be employed using only one flange 55 positioned in engagement with the adjacent side portions 30, or with a pair of flanges 55 defining a channel therebetween in which the adjacent side portion 30 is positioned when the bar 40 is secured in the apertures 34 or notches 38.

[0027] The bar 40 can include various exercise attachments 44 which can be optionally releasably secured to or formed directly on opposed ends of the bar 40, which in the illustrated exemplary embodiment of FIGS. 2 and 3 are formed as angled handles 46. The handles are disposed on the bar 40 to each side of the side portions 30 to prevent the side portions 30 and the hoop 20 from interfering with the ability to grasp the handles 46 during exercise movements. In addition, the length of the side portions 30 extending from the central portion 28 is sufficient to position the bar 40 at a height above the ground on which the support 16 is disposed to enable an individual to readily grasp the handles 46 and / or the bar 40 and the perform a variety of exercises thereon, including pull ups, as shown in FIG. 3.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 4, in an alternative embodiment, the bar 40 can function as an anchor point or support for a number of different exercise attachments 44, e.g., pieces of exercise equipment, including various straps and elastic bands 48, with or without handles 50. To secure the bands 48 to the bar 40, the bands 48 and / or clips 52 with which the bands 48 are optionally secured, are engaged with / or around the bar 40 between the side portions 30, such that the side portions 30 function as a stop against the bands 48 or clips 52 from sliding off of and becoming disengaged from the bar 40. The bands 48 can be engaged with the bar 40 as it is extended between the side portions 30 through the mounting apertures 34, or can be engaged with other securing members (not shown) that can be attached to the bar 40, such as carabiners 52, other clamps, hooks or other similar structures.

[0029] Further, the position of the central portion 28 over the support section 22 creates a small profile for the exercise apparatus 10 when disposed on the basketball goal 12, such that the basketball goal 12 can be used with minimal interference from the exercise apparatus 10 attached thereto. However, the exercise apparatus 10 is designed to quickly and easily mounted to and removed from the basketball goal 12.

[0030] Further, referring again to FIG. 8, in order to enable the exercise apparatus 10 to be used on the basketball goal 22 without interference from a net 56 engaged with and around the periphery of the rim 22, the body 26 can include a tab 58 formed thereon. The tab 58 can be attached to or formed integrally with the body 26 to extend outwardly from the body 26 opposite the space 35 between the central portion 28 and the side portions 30. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 8, the tab 58 is formed as a projection 60 separated from a side portion 30 and extending outwardly from the side portion 30. The net 56 can be engaged with the tab 58 to hold the net 56 in a position away from and above the bar 40, such that the net 56 does not hang down over or otherwise interfere with the exposure of the bar 40 for use with the exercise apparatus 10.

[0031] In an exemplary alternative embodiment, the body 26 can include attachment members 32 on the central portion 28 opposite the side portions 30 and / or on the ends of the side portions 30 opposite the central portion 28. These attachment members 32 can serve to engage and hold the body 26 on the support 16 at a position below the backboard 18, such as in a storage location. In particular, the attachment members 32 on the central section 28 opposite the side portions 30 and / or on the ends of the side portions 30 opposite the central portion 28 can be formed as magnets that releasably engage the support 16 formed of a metal at a position below the backboard 18 and goal 20. In this manner, the body 26 of the exercise apparatus 10 can be displaced from the support section 22 of the goal 20 and placed against the support 16 in a position that retains the body 26 in a non-use position in close proximity to the support section 22 but does not interfere with the use of the basketball goal 12 to play a game of basketball therewith.

[0032] Further in still another exemplary embodiment, multiple exercise apparatuses 10, such as multiple bodies 26, can be employed together for certain types of exercises and can be positioned in storage locations on the support 16 in the above-described manner.

[0033] Other alternative embodiments of the present disclosure are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter regarded as the invention.

Claims

1. An exercise apparatus for releasable attachment to basketball goal, the exercise apparatus comprising:a. a body comprising:i. a central portion; andii. a pair of side portions extending outwardly from the central portion; andb. a bar removably attached to the side portions opposite the central portion.

2. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, wherein the pair of side portions each include an aperture in which the bar is removably received.

3. The exercise apparatus of claim 2, wherein the aperture comprises:a. a notch extending into the side section from one side of the side portion; andb. a releasable lock member secured to the side portion adjacent the notch.

4. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the notch and the bar are formed with complementary non-circular cross-sections.

5. The exercise apparatus of claim 3, wherein the bar includes a number of flanges secured to the bar and engageable with the side portions.

6. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one attachment member located on the central portion between the side portions.

7. The exercise apparatus of claim 6, wherein the at least one attachment member is a magnetic attachment member.

8. The exercise apparatus of claim 1, further comprising at least one exercise attachment releasably secured to the bar.

9. A basketball goal comprising:a. a support;b. a goal including a support section attached to the support and a rim disposed on the support section opposite the support; andc. an exercise apparatus engaged with the goal, the exercise apparatus comprising:i. a body formed of:

1. a central portion; and2. a pair of side portions extending outwardly from opposed ends of the central portion; andii. a bar removably attached to the side portions opposite the central portion.

10. The basketball goal of claim 9, wherein the central portion of the body is disposed horizontally over the support section of the goal.

11. The basketball goal of claim 10, wherein the central portion includes a number of attachment members thereon, and wherein the attachment members are releasably secured to the support section.

12. The basketball goal of claim 9, wherein the pair of side portions each include an aperture in which the bar is removably received.

13. The basketball goal of claim 12, wherein the aperture comprises:a. a notch extending into the side portion from one side of the side portion; andb. a lock member secured to the side portion adjacent the notch.

14. The basketball goal of claim 13, wherein the notch and the bar are formed with complementary non-circular cross-sections.

15. The basketball goal of claim 13, wherein the bar includes a number of flanges secured to the bar and engageable with the side portions.

16. The basketball goal of claim 9, further comprising at least one exercise attachment releasably secured to the bar.

17. The basketball goal of claim 9, further comprising a tab disposed on a side portion and extending outwardly from a space defined between the central portion and the side portions.

18. A method for releasably securing an exercise apparatus to a basketball goal, the method comprising the steps of:a. providing the exercise apparatus of claim 1;b. placing the central portion over a support section of the basketball goal; andc. engaging a bar between the side portions below the support section.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the central portion includes an attachment member thereon, and wherein the step of placing the central portion over the support section comprises engaging the attachment member to the support section.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the attachment member is a magnetic attachment member.

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