Basketball Shooting System with Automated Ball Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional basketball practice systems are time-consuming and disrupt the flow of training due to the need for players to manually retrieve basketballs from the floor or rebounding systems.
Innovation Solution
A basketball shooting system that includes a frame, rails, a sled, a shaft, a backboard, and a basketball hoop, which can be oriented automatically based on user input to simulate different shooting locations on a basketball court, along with a chute for returning the ball to the player.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If players manually retrieve basketballs from the floor or rebounding systems, then the practice session can be completed, but the training flow is disrupted and time is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs an automated ball return mechanism that actively retrieves and returns basketballs to players without human intervention. The ball return apparatus uses conveyors or mechanical systems to automatically transport balls from the floor back to the shooting area, allowing continuous practice without players stopping to retrieve balls manually.
Solution Approach 2:
An automated ball retrieval system acts as an intermediary between the floor and the player, handling the ball transport task. This intermediary mechanism includes robotic arms, conveyors, or automated carts that pick up balls and deliver them back to the shooting position, eliminating the need for players to personally retrieve each ball.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the basketball hoop is fixed in position, then the device structure is simple, but it cannot simulate different shooting locations on a basketball court
Solution Approach 1:
The basketball hoop assembly is designed with dynamic positioning capabilities, allowing it to move along rails or tracks mounted on the frame. Motors or actuators enable the hoop to transition between multiple positions, simulating different court locations such as free-throw line, three-point line, and corner positions, thereby providing versatile training scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable hoop mechanism serves multiple functions: it positions the hoop at various distances and angles to simulate different shooting locations, adjusts height for various shot types, and potentially rotates to mimic different court orientations. This multi-functionality allows a single device to replace multiple fixed hoops positioned throughout a facility.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, systems, and program products are disclosed for a basketball shooting system. An apparatus includes a frame, at least one rail coupled to the frame, a sled movably connected to the at least one rail and configured to move along a first axis in a z-direction, a shaft connected to the sled in a perpendicular orientation relative to the at least one rail and configured to rotate at least 180 degrees about a rotational axis in a vertical plane defined by a second axis perpendicular to the first axis, a backboard connected to the sled and configured move along the shaft in the vertical plane in a y-direction, and a basketball hoop connected to the backboard.