Basketball playing and training system with ball return and made shot detection

Abstract

The present invention relates to a basketball playing and training system with ball return and made shot detection, which is intended for playing basketball and for training with ball return. It comprises a horizontal support (2) which connects the system to a basketball pole or vertical surface. A basketball backboard (1) with parallel hoops (5) and (6) on different sides of the backboard (1) is attached to the support (2). The hoop (5) is used for playing while the hoop (6) has a ball return function and is used for training. The backboard (1) is constructed from two parts, a stationary upper part (3) and a rotating lower part (4). A device (29) for rotating the lower part (4) of the backboard (1) is attached to the lower part (4) of the backboard (1). A locking mechanism (17) attached to the backboard (1) fixed the selected position of the hoops (5, 6).

Description

[0001] BASKETBALL PLAYING AND TRAINING SYSTEM WITH BALL RETURN AND MADE SHOT DETECTION

[0002] Technical field

[0003] The present invention belongs to the field of current life necessities, more precisely to the field of sports. More particularly, this invention can be classified under ball game devices with a horizontal opening for the ball. This invention can also be classified in the field of training equipment.

[0004] According to the International Patent Classification, the fields in which the present invention can be classified are: A63B 63 / 08 and A63B 69 / 00.

[0005] Technical problem

[0006] The technical problem solved by the present invention is: how to construct a system for playing basketball, which can also be used for basketball training. The technical problem that is also solved by this invention is returning the ball during basketball playing or training, together with recording shots made during the playing or training.

[0007] State of the art

[0008] A solution entitled: "Basketball Return System" is known in the state of the art. The said solution is protected by US patent number 8845460, which was published on September 30, 2014. The system according to the protected invention from the said patent includes a hoop with an assembly to direct the ball, which is placed under the basketball net and attached to the hoop by levers with hooks on top. This solution enables the ball to be delivered to the player at the desired location through use of a GPS device.

[0009] This protected solution differs from the solution according to the present invention in that the ball return device is placed on the basket mechanically and the installation and assembly of the whole system is quite complex. Therefore, once it is mounted on the basket, only the ball return system is used from then on, in contrast to the system according to the present invention, which very simply and quickly allows for a change of the playing mode, between classic basketball and basketball with ball return.

[0010] A solution entitled: "Basketball Training System" is also known in the state of the art, protected by US patent number 11491383, which was published on November 8, 2022. This solution includes a server computer and a basketball training machine. The server computer provides a graphical representation of the surface for playing basketball and ball delivery according to the user-defined position. The basketball training machine includes a large net which is placed around the basket and attached to the basketball backboard. The large net narrows at the bottom to direct the ball into a special ball return device, which is placed under the backboard.

[0011] The solution described differs from the solution according to the present invention because it is used only for training and with the use of a very complex computer system. In addition, the basketball training machine is structurally and functionally different from the solution according to the present invention.

[0012] Very similar solutions to the previously described solution are known from non-patent literature. Thus, on the website https: / / www.shoottaway.com, The Gun markets its product which returns basketballs to players. The product shown includes a large trapezoidal net around the basket, ending in a ball guide chute. A moving and revolving ball launching machine is placed under the net and the guide chute.

[0013] Almost the same solution, with some changes to the shape of the protective net, the guide chute and the ball launching machine, is presented by DR.DISH on the website https : / / www. drdishbasketball.com.

[0014] All the described solutions existing in the state of the art which return the ball to players during play are separate devices, which are not connected to the basket and can only be used for shooting practice with ball return. In addition, all the described solutions have very complex constructions of their ball return devices, which are structurally and functionally different from the solution according to the present invention. Finally, all the described solutions are devices that are fixed on the floor of the basketball court, while the solution according to the present invention is in the air (represents an integral part of the structure), so the players can move underneath it.

[0015] Summary of the invention

[0016] The basketball playing and training system with ball return and made shot detection, according to the present invention, allows players to simply and very quickly change the game mode, between standard basketball playing on a standard basketball hoop, or basketball training with ball return from a defined position and recording of achieved results. The system according to the present invention is of relatively simple construction with one basketball backboard that has two different hoops with different functions. Changing the game mode is quick and easy, simply by turning the movable part of the backboard. Rotating the movable part of the backboard switches the position of the basketball hoops.

[0017] The basketball playing and training system with ball return and made shot detection, according to the present invention, comprises a basketball backboard that is attached to a basketball pole or a firm vertical surface by means of a metal support with a quadrangular cross-section. The backboard comprises two parts, a stationary part and a movable part that rotates around a vertical axis. On the movable part of the board there are two hoops installed in parallel. One hoop is a regular basketball hoop, and the other hoop, on the back of the backboard, is a shooting hoop, used in basketball practice.

[0018] The lower movable part of the board comprises an electric motor and a motion transmitting system, which enables rotation of the lower part of the backboard.

[0019] A device for locking the lower part of the backboard is installed on the back of the backboard. When the desired game mode is selected and the corresponding hoop is placed in the playing position, that position is fixed by an electronic signal so that the basketball hoop cannot move during the game.

[0020] In addition to a ball launching device, the ball launching basketball hoop also comprises a special net which calms the ball shot into the hoop, as well as a device for directing the ball in the desired direction during training. Description of the drawings

[0021] Figure 1 shows an axonometric projection of a basketball backboard according to the present invention in the training position;

[0022] Figure 2 shows an axonometric projection of a basketball backboard according to the present invention in the classic basketball playing position;

[0023] Figure 3 shows a side view of the invention shown in Figure 1;

[0024] Figure 4 shows an axonometric projection of the intermediate position of the lower part of the backboard during rotation;

[0025] Figure 5 shows an axonometric projection of the back of the backboard;

[0026] Figure 6 shows cross-section A-A of Figure 3;

[0027] Figure 7 shows an axonometric projection of the ball return device;

[0028] Figure 8 shows a side view of the ball return device;

[0029] Figure 9 shows a top view of the training hoop net;

[0030] Figure 10 shows a side view of the training hoop net;

[0031] Figure 11 shows a cross-section of the training hoop when the launcher makes contact with the ball;

[0032] Figure 12 shows a cross-section of the training hoop while the ball is in the feeder; Figure 13 shows a cross-section of the training hoop when the ball exits the feeder.

[0033] Detailed description of the invention

[0034] The basketball playing and training system with ball return and made shot detection, according to the present invention, comprises a basketball backboard 1 attached by a metal support 2 with a quadrangular cross-section to a basketball pole or a firm vertical surface. The support 2 is long enough for the entire structure of the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 to be rotated underneath it.

[0035] The backboard 1 comprises two parts. The upper part 3 is stationary and the support 2 is connected to it. The lower part 4 of the backboard 1 is movable and rotates by 180° in the horizontal plane around a vertical axis parallel to the backboard 1. Basketball hoops 5 and 6 are positioned on the lower part 4 of the backboard 1. Hoop 5 is a classic basketball hoop, while hoop 6 is a hoop for training and ball return. The movable lower part 4 of the backboard 1 rotates, so that it has two end positions, and in each of the end positions the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 is in the same plane as the stationary upper part 3 of the backboard 1.

[0036] The lower part 4 of the backboard 1 comprises two parallel boards 7, interconnected by a metal frame 8. The frame 8 comprises four mutually parallel slats 9 for strengthening the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 and a central support 10, with a larger cross-section than the cross-section of the slats 9. On the support 10 are installed a device 29 for rotating and a mechanism 17 for locking, i.e. fixing the lower part 4 of the backboard 1.

[0037] The device 29 for rotating the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 is installed between the support 2 and the support 10. The device 29 for rotating the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 comprises a vertical shaft 11 which rotates the lower part 4 of the backboard 1. On the housing of the shaft 11 there is a bearing 12 and a toothed pulley 13. The toothed pulley 13 is connected by a toothed belt 14 to a toothed pulley 15 on a motor 16. The device 29 for rotating the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 also comprises a limit sensor 38 with the function of stopping the motor 16 when the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 reaches the end position.

[0038] When the motor 16 is activated, the rotational movement from the shaft of the motor 16 is transmitted to the pulley 15, which transmits the movement to the pulley 13 through the belt 14, and from the pulley 13 the rotational movement is transmitted to the shaft 11. The rotational movement of the shaft 11 is transmitted through the support 10 to the lower part 4 of the backboard 1, thereby switching the position of the hoops 5 and 6 and changing the game mode.

[0039] On the back of the backboard 1, on the fixed part 3, a mechanism 17 is installed for locking the movable lower part 4 of the backboard 1. The locking mechanism 17 fixes the movable lower part 4 of the backboard 1 in the selected position for playing or for training. The locking mechanism 17 comprises a plate 18 on which there are two guides 19. A carriage 20 slides along the guides 19. A motor 21 is mounted on the carriage 20, and connected to a threaded spindle 23 through a transmission 22. On one side of the threaded spindle 23 there is a nut 24 and a housing 25, which are attached to a plate 18. A part 26 on the other side of the threaded spindle 23 is unthreaded. A bearing with housing 27 is installed on the threaded spindle 23 between the threaded part and the unthreaded part 26. The motor 21, through the transmission 22, drives the rotation of the threaded spindle 23 and the carriage 20 moves translationally along the guides 19 and the part 26 of the threaded spindle 23 passes through the lock 28. The lock 28 is attached to the support 10. In this way, the position of the movable lower part 4 of the backboard 1 is fixed, fixing the position of the desired hoop 5 or hoop 6.

[0040] The training hoop 6 simultaneously represents, that is, comprises a ball return device 30. The ball return device 30 comprises a special net 31 for calming the ball, a ball feeder 32, a ball launcher 33 and a ball detector 34.

[0041] The special net 31 for calming the ball comprises a conical wire spring 35 on which balls 36 are strung. The balls 36 rotate around the wire spring 35. The net 31 is located on the basketball hoop 6. The net 31 is connected to the hoop 6 by springs with bent ends 37. Such a connection was realized to compensate for the kinetic energy of the ball 60 at its contact with the special net 31.

[0042] After the ball 60 passes through the hoop 6, the special net 31 together with the balls 36 absorbs part of the kinetic energy of the ball 60, calms it and directs it into the ball feeder 32.

[0043] The ball feeder 32 comprises a support structure 40, a motor 41 with a transmission 42 and a chute 43. The support structure 40 is box-shaped with a rectangular cross-section, as wide as the diameter of the hoop 6. Longitudinally, the support structure is shaped like the letter L with a truncated section at the right angle. The longer arm 44 of the support structure 40 is attached to the movable part 4 of the backboard 1. The motor 41 is located on the arm 44. The shaft of the motor 41 is connected to the transmission 42.

[0044] The transmission 42 comprises toothed pulleys 45 and 46, which are connected by a toothed belt 47. The toothed pulley 45 is located on the shaft of the motor 41, while the toothed pulley 46 is located at the other end of the diameter of the chute 43. The toothed belt 47 encompasses the circumference of the chute 43.

[0045] The chute 43 is in the form of a curved pipe, which rotates around an axis parallel to the stationary part 3 of the backboard 1. One end of the chute 43 is located underneath the hoop 6 and the end of the special net 31 enters the chute 43. The other end of the chute 43 is directed towards the court, in the direction for returning the ball 60 to the user. A pin 48 is attached to the lower part of the chute 43. The pin 48 enters a bearing with housing 49. The bearing with housing 49 is attached to the shorter arm 50 of the support structure 40. The rotation of the chute 43 is achieved by activating the motor 41 and the transmission 42. The chute can rotate both left and right in relation to the central axis of the backboard 1 in order to direct the chute 43 towards the position of the user.

[0046] Activation of the motor 41 can be by wire or wireless.

[0047] The launcher 33 is mounted on the chute 43. The launcher 33 comprises a lever 51 at the ends of which are wheels 52 and a motor 53. The lever 51 can rotate around its central axis. Also, the wheels 52 can rotate around their central axis as well. On the chute 43, in the section where the lever 51 and the wheel 52 of the launcher 33 are located, there is an opening 54 through which the lever 51 and the wheel 52 can pass. The lever 51 is connected at its center to the motor 53 with the transmission, which turns the lever 51.

[0048] When the ball 60 passes through the special net 31 for calming the ball and enters the chute 43, the motor 53 of the launcher 33 activates the lever 51 and the wheels 52 make contact with the ball 60 through the opening 54. The impact of the wheels 52 on the ball 60 increases the speed of the ball when exiting the chute 43.

[0049] The ball detector 34 comprises a marker 61 located in the ball 60, two readers 62 positioned at the entrance and exit of the chute 43 and an antenna 63.

[0050] The purpose of the ball detector is to detect the presence of the ball 60 in the device 30 for returning the ball 60 in order to count made shots.

[0051] When the ball 60 passes through the hoop 6 and enters the net 31 for calming the ball, the reader 62 at the entrance to the chute 43 detects the ball 60 by recognizing the marker 61 in the ball 60 and transmits the detection information through the antenna 63. The procedure is the same when the ball 60 exits the chute 43. Considering that a shot is made when the ball leaves the chute, and thus the device 30 for returning the ball 60, verification that a shot has been made takes place only when all the readers 62 detect the markers 61 in the ball 60.

[0052] Changing the game mode, i.e. rotating the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 is activated by pressing a real or virtual button, which sends a signal to rotate the lower part 4 of the backboard 1. The sent signal activates the device 29 and the motor 16 to start the rotation and then the mechanism 17 to lock the lower part 4 of the backboard 1. The signal can be by cable or contactless (IR, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth). The system according to the present invention operates in two modes. The first mode, which is also the initial state, is a classic hoop 5 for regular playing of basketball.

[0053] When a player or players want to switch to basketball with ball return, they switch to hoop 6. The ball return mode is activated by a mobile app or a button on the basket. This activation unlocks the mechanism 17 for locking the lower part 4 of the backboard. Two seconds after the mechanism 17 for locking the lower part of the backboard is unlocked, the motor 16 on the device 29 for rotating the lower part 4 of the backboard is activated. The motor 16 rotates in one direction until the limit sensor 38 is activated. Then the motor 16 stops operating and the mechanism 17 locks, fixing the position of the lower part 4 of the backboard 1.

[0054] The initial activation also activates the motor 41, which rotates the chute 43 to the desired position.

[0055] When the ball enters the chute 43, it activates the readers 62 and the motor 53 of the launcher 33 is activated at the same time, launching the ball from the hoop 6 in the direction defined by the position of the chute 43. How far from the basket the ball will fall is determined by regulating the power and speed of the motor 53 of the launcher 33. When the ball is launched and exits from the ball return system, the motor 41 is activated again to rotate the chute to a new desired position.

[0056] When the player(s) finish playing on the hoop 6 for returning the ball, the locking mechanism 17 is unlocked, the motor 16 is activated and the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 is rotated in the direction opposite to the direction at the beginning of the cycle. The motor 16 stops rotating when the limit sensor 38 is activated. Then the mechanism 17 locks the lower part 4 of the backboard 1 and the hoop 5 for regular basketball is ready to use.

[0057] The system according to the present invention can also be used without hindrance for a 3 x 3 game using hoop 5. Hoop 6 for returning the ball does not interfere with that game.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A basketball playing and training system with ball return and made shot detection comprising a horizontal support (2) which is connected to a basketball pole or a vertical base, to which a basketball backboard (1) with a hoop (5) for playing is attached, characterized in that, the backboard (1) consists of two parts, a stationary upper part (3) and a rotating lower part (4), that on the lower part (4) parallel to the hoop (5) there is a hoop (6) for returning the ball, that it comprises a device (29) for rotating and a mechanism (17) for locking the lower part (4) of the backboard (1).

2. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, the lower part (4) of the backboard (1) comprises two parallel boards (7), interconnected by a metal frame (8), wherein the frame (8) comprises four mutually parallel slats (9) and a central support (10), where a rotating device (29) and a locking mechanism (17) are mounted on the support (10).

3. The system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, the device (29) for rotating the lower part (4) of the backboard (1) comprises a vertical shaft (11), wherein on the housing of the shaft (11) there is a bearing (12) and a toothed pulley (13), where the toothed pulley (13) is connected to a toothed pulley (15) on a motor(16) by way of a toothed belt (14).

4. The system according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that, the locking mechanism(17) comprises a lock (28) mounted on a support (10) and a plate (18) on which there are two guides (19) with a sliding carriage (20), wherein a nut (24) and a housing (25) are attached to the plate (18).

5. The system according to claims 1, 2 and 4, characterized in that, the carriage (20) contains a motor (21) connected through a transmission (22) to a threaded spindle (23), wherein on one side of the threaded spindle (23) there are a nut (24) and housing (25) and on the other side a bearing with housing (27).

6. The system according to claim 1, characterized in that, the hoop (6) is a device (30) for returning the ball (60).

7. The system according to claims 1 and 6, characterized in that, the device (30) for returning the ball comprises a net (31), a ball feeder (32), a ball launcher (33) and a ball detector (34).

8. The system according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that, the net (31) comprises a conical wire spring (35) on which balls (36) are strung to rotate around it, wherein the net (31) is connected to the hoop (6) by springs with bent ends (37).

9. The system according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that, the ball feeder (32) comprises a support structure (40) in the form of an L-shaped box with a longer arm (44) and a shorter arm (50), where the longer arm (44) is attached to the lower part (4) of the backboard (1), and that it includes a chute (43).

10. The system according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that, the ball feeder (32) comprises a motor (41) connected through its shaft to a transmission (42), wherein the transmission (42) comprises toothed pulleys (45, 46) interconnected with a toothed belt (47), wherein the toothed pulley (45) is on the shaft of the motor (41), and the toothed pulley (46) is on the chute (43), where the toothed belt (47) encompasses the circumference of the chute (43).

11. The system according to claims 1 and 9, characterized in that, the chute (43) is curved, with the net (31) entering into its upper end, while attached to its lower part there is a pin (48), which enters the bearing with housing (49), wherein the bearing with housing (49) is attached to the shorter arm (50) of the support structure 40.

12. The system according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that, the launcher (33) comprises a lever (51) connected to a motor (53) with a transmission and at the ends of which there are wheels (52) and the motor (53), where both the lever (51) and the wheels 52 can rotate around their central axes.

13. The system according to claims 1, 7 and 11, characterized in that, on the chute (43) there is an opening (54) at the level of the lever (51) of the launcher (33).

14. The system according to claims 1 and 7, characterized in that, the ball detector (34) comprises a marker (61) located in the ball (60), two readers (62) that are positioned at the entrance and exit to the chute (43) and an antenna (63).

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