Basketball Return Chute Backboard Mounting Hinge
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing basketball practice setups face challenges in efficiently retrieving the ball after a shot, as prior ball return chutes are difficult to install and attach to basket assemblies, compromising their structural integrity and stability.
Innovation Solution
A ball return chute assembly attached to a backboard rather than the basket assembly, featuring a hinge mechanism and backboard attachment device for easy installation and enhanced durability, with optional sensors for scoring and a rim hook for storage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a ball return chute is attached to a hoop or basket assembly, then ball return function is achieved, but installation becomes difficult and structural integrity degrades
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ball return chute attachment from the basket assembly and relocates it to the backboard structure. The chute is now mounted independently on the backboard using dedicated attachment brackets, separating the ball return function from the basket assembly and eliminating the structural integrity issue while maintaining ease of installation through the same backboard mounting process.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball return system is segmented into independent components: the chute itself, the backboard attachment brackets, and the basket assembly. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the chute for ball return function, the brackets for secure mounting, and the basket assembly for structural integrity without compromise.
2Reliability
If a ball return chute is attached to a hoop or basket assembly, then ball return function is achieved, but stability of the chute deteriorates over repeated usage
Solution Approach 1:
By extracting the chute attachment from the basket assembly and mounting it directly to the backboard, the chute gains superior stability. The backboard provides a rigid, fixed mounting surface that does not degrade with repeated ball impacts, ensuring long-term durability and consistent chute positioning throughout the product lifecycle.
3Productivity
If ball must be manually retrieved after each shot, then practice sessions can be completed, but time is lost and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The ball return system provides self-service functionality by automatically returning balls to players after shots. The chute passively directs balls back onto the court without requiring manual retrieval, enabling continuous practice and eliminating downtime between shots, thereby significantly improving practice efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The ball return chute enables continuous practice by eliminating the interruption of manual ball retrieval. Players can maintain a continuous shooting rhythm as balls are automatically returned, keeping the useful action of shooting uninterrupted and maximizing practice productivity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates efficient ball retrieval, improves installation ease, and enhances the durability of the chute and goal assembly, allowing for more effective and enjoyable practice sessions.
Implementation Method 1
The chute assembly (4) includes a hinge mechanism that attaches the chute assembly to the backboard (1)
Implementation Method 2
The chute assembly (4) includes a sloping chute (42) that returns the ball to a player
Data Source
AI summary
A basketball return chute assembly includes a chute and a backboard attachment device. The chute is adapted to receive a ball from a basketball basket assembly attached to a backboard and direct the received ball back to a game player. The backboard attachment device is connected to the chute and is adapted to attach to the backboard, to place the chute beneath the basket assembly, and to cause the chute to direct the received ball in a direction away from the backboard. The backboard attachment device is connected to the chute via a hinge. The chute includes a slide with a knuckle at one end and the backboard attachment device includes a plate with another knuckle at one end. The slide is one leaf of the hinge, and the plate is the other leaf of the hinge. The hinge is held together using a pin inserted through the knuckles.