Patents by Inventor Charles W. Lees

Charles W. Lees has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Smooth basketball
    Patent number: 6142897
    Abstract: A basketball includes an inflatable bladder and a cover that surrounds the bladder. An outer surface of the basketball is substantially smooth, devoid of any seams, lines, stitching, raised or indented surface indicia, corrugation, stippling, or other surface irregularities, besides an air intake and release valve, discernable through the feel. The size and weight of the basketball may meet the specifications of at least one of the NBA, NCAA, WNBA or Youth Basketball.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: HoopMaster, Inc.
    Inventor: Charles W. Lees
  • Basketball retrieval device
    Patent number: 6056652
    Abstract: Basketball retrieval devices are provided. The devices have use and storage positions, whereby the devices include collapsible walls that permit the devices to be collapsed into a compact storage position and opened into a use position for permitting a player to practice foul-throw shooting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: HoopMaster, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Lees, Jeffrey Sparr, Stephen Lane, Dan McGrail, Justin Sirotin, Aidan Petrie