Basketball net and method of manufacturing same

Abstract

A basketball net includes a longitudinal strap assembly and an annular strap assembly each has a plurality of straps releasably or permanently secured together. Additionally, at least one of logo(s) and visual or audible scoring indication can be printed or mounted thereon. A hoop together with the mounted basketball net aims to bring advertisement effect or be more interesting when playing a ball game. A method of manufacturing the basketball net is also disclosed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to basketball net structure and more particularly to a basketball net with at least one of logo(s) and visual or audible scoring indication being printed or mounted thereon so as to bring advertisement effect or be more interesting when playing a ball game, and method of manufacturing same.

2. Description of Related Art

Conventionally, a basketball net is formed of string sewn at spaced points to provide an annular net structure. Typically, when a ball drops through the net the radial deflection of the net material produces a distinctive snapping noise that provides an audible indication that a goal has been scored.

But this is unsatisfactory for the purpose for which the invention is concerned for the following reasons: It is too dull. Moreover, no advertisements are on the net. Thus, the need for improvement still exists.

The pertinent prior art of which this inventor is aware are U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,735,760 and 6,746,349.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a basketball net basketball net having at least one of logo(s) and visual or audible scoring indication being printed or mounted thereon so as to bring advertisement effect or be more interesting when playing a ball game, and method of manufacturing same.

In one aspect of the invention there is provided a basketball net comprising a longitudinal strap assembly including a plurality of first straps having a plurality of joining faces; a plurality of attaching members each disposed at a top end of the first strap and adapted to secure to one of a plurality of brackets on the underside of a hoop; and an annular strap assembly including a plurality of horizontal second straps; wherein the second straps are permanently or releasably secured to the joining faces of the first straps to form an annular net structure.

In another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a basketball net comprising the steps of preparing a longitudinal strap assembly including a plurality of first straps having a plurality of joining faces, and an annular strap assembly including a plurality of horizontal second straps; and securing the longitudinal strap assembly and the annular strap assembly together at spaced joints of the longitudinal and the annual strap assemblies to form an annular net structure.

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of basketball net according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the longitudinal strap assembly;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the longitudinal strap assembly;

FIG. 4 is a detailed view of the area in circle A in FIG. 3 where a first configuration of attaching longitudinal strap assembly and annular strap assembly together is illustrated;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where a second configuration of attaching longitudinal strap assembly and annular strap assembly together is illustrated;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where a third configuration of attaching longitudinal strap assembly and annular strap assembly together is illustrated;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the basketball net of the invention mounted to the underside of the hoop with logos “NBA.COM” being printed on the straps;

FIG. 7A is a perspective view showing the longitudinal strap assembly of the invention being secured to the underside of the hoop by means of a hook;

FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the longitudinal strap assembly of the invention to be secured to the underside of the hoop by means of a bolt and nut combination;

FIG. 7C is a perspective view of the longitudinal strap assembly of FIG. 7B being secured to the hoop;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the basketball net with a plurality of indication elements are mounted at joints of the longitudinal strap assembly and the annular strap assembly;

FIG. 9 is a circuit diagram of the indication elements and associated electrical components when the indication elements are implemented as lights;

FIG. 10 is a circuit diagram of the indication elements and associated electrical components when the indication elements are implemented as buzzers;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of basketball net according to the invention mounted at the underside of the hoop;

FIG. 12 is a view similar to FIG. 11 where a large logo is mounted on the net; and

FIG. 13 is a flowchart depicting a process for manufacturing basketball net according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, a basketball net in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a longitudinal strap assembly 10 and an annular strap assembly 20. Each component is discussed in detail below.

The longitudinal strap assembly 10 comprises a plurality of elongated straps 11 arranged longitudinally in equally spaced configuration. Each of a plurality of rings (e.g., D-rings) 12 is provided at a top end of the strap 11. The ring 12 is adapted to secure to one of a plurality of wire brackets 31 formed on the underside of a hoop 30 (see FIG. 7). The strap 11 has a plurality of joining faces (e.g., first, second, and third joining faces 111, 112, 113) in which the third joining face 113 is at the bottom of the strap 11. The annular strap assembly 20 comprises a plurality of straps 21, 22, 23 arranged annually in equally spaced configuration in which the diameter of the upper strap 21 is larger than that of the intermediate strap 22 and the diameter of the intermediate strap 22 is larger than that of the lower strap 23, i.e., tapered toward the bottom.

In assembly, the upper straps 21 are secured to the first joining faces 111, the intermediate straps 22 are secured to the second joining faces 112, and the lower straps 23 are secured to the third joining faces 113 respectively as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 4, a first configuration of attaching the straps 11 of the longitudinal strap assembly 10 and the straps 21, 22, 23 of the annular strap assembly 20 together is illustrated. As shown, the first joining face 111 is about to secure to a corresponding joining face 211 of the upper strap 21 by a hook and loop fastener (i.e., Velcro fastener) 111 A, the second joining face 112 is about to secure to a corresponding joining face 221 of the intermediate strap 22 by a hook and loop fastener, and the third joining face 113 is secured to a corresponding joining face 231 of the lower strap 23 by a hook and loop fastener respectively.

Referring to FIG. 5, a second configuration of attaching the straps 11 of the longitudinal strap assembly 10 and the straps 21, 22, 23 of the annular strap assembly 20 together is illustrated. As shown, the first joining face 111 is about to secure to a corresponding joining face 211 of the upper strap 21 by fastening a rivet 115 through a hole 114 on the first joining face 111 into a hole 212 on the corresponding joining face 211, the second joining face 112 is about to secure to a corresponding joining face 221 of the intermediate strap 22 by fastening another rivet 115 through the second joining face 112 into a hole 222 on the corresponding joining face 221, and the third joining face 113 is secured to a corresponding joining face 231 of the lower strap 23 by still another rivet (not numbered) respectively.

Referring to FIG. 6, a third configuration of attaching the straps 11 of the longitudinal strap assembly 10 and the straps 21, 22, 23 of the annular strap assembly 20 together is illustrated. As shown, for example, the first joining face 111 is secured to a corresponding joining face 211 by stitches 116.

Referring to FIG. 7, the rings 12 are made of plastics or metal and are secured to the wire brackets 31 on the underside of the hoop 30. Also, a plurality of logos (e.g., “NBA.COM”s) 40 are printed on selected portions of the straps 11, 21 and 22 as advertisements.

Referring to FIG. 7A, the ring 12 is replaced by a hook 12 having an upper C-shaped member 121 secured to the wire bracket 31 and a lower triangular member 122 secured to the strap 11 by stitching.

Referring to FIGS. 7B and 7C; the ring 12 is eliminated and the upper end 12A of the strap 11 is doubled back with the hoop 30 being looped around. Further, the upper end 12A of the strap 11 is fixedly joined together by driving a bolt 122A through two opposite holes 120A, 121A on the upper end 12A of the strap 11 to be secured by a nut 123A.

Referring to FIG. 8, a plurality of indication elements 50 are mounted at joints of the straps 11 of the longitudinal strap assembly and the straps 21, 22, 23 of the annular strap assembly. The indication element 50 comprises a switch 51 on the back of the joint. The switches 51 are mechanical switches, sensor activated switches, or equivalent switching means.

Referring to FIG. 9, the indication elements 50 are implemented as lights 50 and are electrically connected to a controller 52, a power source (e.g., battery) 53, and switches 51 to construct a circuit. The power source 53 is enabled prior to playing. When a basketball falls through the net the switches 51 are activated (i.e., closed immediately) to turn on the lights 50 and deactivated (i.e., open immediately) thereafter to turn off the lights 50 (i.e., auto-reset) so as to provide a visual indication that a goal has been scored. This has the flashing effect.

Referring to FIG. 10, the indication elements 50 are implemented as buzzers 50A and are electrically connected to a controller 52A, a power source (e.g., battery) 53, and switches 51 to construct a circuit. The power source 53 is enabled prior to playing. When a basketball falls through the net the switches 51 are activated (i.e., closed immediately) to activate the buzzers 51A and deactivated (i.e., open immediately) thereafter to deactivate the buzzers 51A (i.e., auto-reset) so as to provide an audible indication that a goal has been scored.

Referring to FIG. 11, a second preferred embodiment of basketball net according to the invention is shown. The basketball net is mounted at the underside of a hoop 30. The basketball net comprises a longitudinal strap assembly 10 including a plurality of elongated straps arranged longitudinally in equally spaced configuration, and a annular strap assembly 30 including a plurality of straps 24, 25, 26, 27, and 28 arranged annually in equally spaced configuration in which the diameter of the upper strap 24 is larger than that of the upper intermediate strap 25, the diameter of the upper intermediate strap 25 is larger than that of the central intermediate strap 26, the diameter of the central intermediate strap 26 is larger than that of the lower intermediate strap 27, and the diameter of the lower intermediate strap 27 is larger than that of the lower strap 28, i.e., tapered toward the bottom.

Referring to FIG. 12, a large logo (e.g., “NBA.COM”) 41 is mounted on the net as advertisement. The logo 41 may be secured to the net by means of a permanent method (e.g., by threaded fasteners or stitching) or a nonpermanent method (e.g., Velcro fastener).

Referring to FIG. 13, a flowchart depicting a process for manufacturing basketball net according to the invention is illustrated.

In step S1, a longitudinal strap assembly 10 and an annular strap assembly 20 are prepared and each comprises a plurality of straps (e.g., straps 11, 21).

In step S2, the longitudinal strap assembly 10 and the annular strap assembly 20 are secured together at spaced joints in a manner discussed above to provide an annular net structure.

In step S3, a plurality of indication elements 50 are mounted on the net.

In step S4, a large logo 41 is permanently or releasably mounted on the net as advertisement.

Note that the logos 40 are printed in advance when preparing the longitudinal strap assembly 10 and the annular strap assembly 20. Further, the steps S1 and S2 can be performed in a single injection molding so as to simplify the manufacturing processes. Furthermore, the steps S3 and S4 are optional and thus they can be omitted.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments, numerous modifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention set forth in the claims.

Claims

1. A basketball net comprising:

a longitudinal strap assembly including a plurality of first straps having a plurality of joining faces;

a plurality of attaching members each disposed at a top end of the first strap and adapted to secure to one of a plurality of brackets on the underside of a hoop; and

an annular strap assembly including a plurality of horizontal second straps;

wherein the second straps are permanently or releasably secured to the joining faces of the first straps to form an annular net structure.

2. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein the lowest second strap is disposed at the bottom ends of the first straps.

3. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein the second straps are tapered downward.

4. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein the first straps are arranged in equally spaced configuration, and the second straps are arranged in equally spaced configuration.

5. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein the second straps are secured to the joining faces of the first straps by means of hook and loop fasteners, stitching, or rivets.

6. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein the attaching members are formed integrally with the first straps.

7. The basketball net of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of first logos printed on predetermined portions of at least one the first straps and the second straps.

8. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein a second logo permanently or releasably secured to a predetermined area on the net structure.

9. The basketball net of claim 8, wherein the second logo is secured to the predetermined area by means of one or more hook and loop fasteners or stitching.

10. The basketball net of claim 1, further comprising an electrical circuit including a plurality of indication elements mounted at joints of the first straps and the second straps, a controller, a battery power source, and a plurality of switches each electrically connected to the indication element.

11. The basketball net of claim 10, wherein the indication elements are lights.

12. The basketball net of claim 10, wherein the indication elements are buzzers.

13. The basketball net of claim 10, wherein the switches are mechanical switches or sensor activated switches.

14. A method of manufacturing a basketball net comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing a longitudinal strap assembly including a plurality of first straps having a plurality of joining faces, and an annular strap assembly including a plurality of horizontal second straps; and

(b) securing the longitudinal strap assembly and the annular strap assembly together at spaced joints of the longitudinal and the annual strap assemblies to form an annular net structure.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step (c-i) of mounting an electrical circuit including a plurality of indication elements on the joints of the net structure after step (b), and wherein the indication elements are lights or buzzers.

16. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of printing a plurality of first logos on predetermined portions of at least one the first straps and the second straps before step (a).

17. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step (c-ii) of permanently or releasably securing a second logo to a predetermined area on the net structure after step (b).

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the second logo is secured to the predetermined area by means of one or more hook and loop fasteners or stitching.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising the step of forming a plurality of attaching members each at a top end of the first strap before step (a), and wherein each of the attaching members is adapted to secure to one of a plurality of brackets on the underside of a hoop.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein steps (a) and (b) are performed in an injection molding.