Sports targeting system
The multidimensional interchangeable modular ball game apparatus/sports targeting system is used for building game playing skills, such as hand-to-eye and foot-to-eye coordination. The apparatus can be used for throwing, kicking or hitting any type of sports ball or projectile and can help with practicing all types of sports, as well as with early childhood development and rehabilitation. The apparatus includes a base with a stem extending from the base. Multiple stems and/or bases may be joined for use with hoops and targets of various sizes, shapes and colors, made of open or closed nets, hard or soft backboard(s). Arms of different lengths are supported on the stem. The arms may also be placed at different heights on the stem.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a ball game apparatus. More particularly, the present invention relates to an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus that has a variety of hoops, goals and targets.
2. Description of the Related Art
There are literally a limitless number of ball-based games that have been developed in the marketplace. These games utilize a wide variety of balls, shapes, hoops, backboards, goals, etc. with a variety of features such as bells, flashing lights or movement of the goals. Many of these game apparatus are reflected in the related art. Pertinent samples of such related art are cited and identified in the accompanying IDS. However, none of the cited and identified related art, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe a sports targeting system as will subsequently be described and claimed in the instant invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention is an improvement of Applicant's invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,310 B2 issued on Mar. 14, 2006. As in the patented invention, the present invention is an interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus used for developing game-playing skills, such as hand-to-eye and foot-to-eye coordination. The apparatus can be used as a goal, bounce back or target for throwing, kicking or hitting any type of sports ball or projectile and can help with practicing all types of sports, as well as with rehabilitation and early childhood development. The apparatus includes a base with a stem channel or post extending from the base. Arms or rails of different lengths are removably supported by the stem channel and may be placed at different selected heights. Hoops, targets, goals, bounce backs (hard and soft), etc. of varying sizes and colors can be attached to the arms and/or to the top of the stem. Targets of varying sizes can be superimposed on top of others to provide varying degrees of difficulty or accuracy. The targets can be flat, concave or convex so to vary the return angle of the ball. The arms on the apparatus may be tilted so that the hoops can be positioned in any manner suitable for the user. The apparatus may be portable or permanently attached to a floor, ceiling or wall(s) of a structure, cemented or placed into a sleeve in the ground.
Accordingly, the invention presents a game targeting apparatus that is easily adjustable and is adaptable for use with goals, hoops and targets of different shapes and sizes. The invention includes a plurality of structural elements that are joined in adjustable fashion, similar to an erector set. The system also includes hinges, pivots, wheels and similar structure to allow for movement and angular adjustment of the targets. Movement of larger targets can be assisted with manual or adjustable ratchets or by a wheeled-type carriage that travels vertically on a tracked stem or horizontally on a tracked channel or rail. The invention provides for improved elements and arrangements thereof for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes.
A clear understanding of the present invention will become readily apparent upon review of the following specification and drawings.
Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTSAttention is first directed to
The stem 30 can be fabricated from either round, railing, channel, strut or square tubing. The stem 30 may be furnished in an assortment of selected heights, such as four, six, or eight feet. The stem 30 may support at least one hoop 12a directly mounted thereon in any convenient manner. Other hoops, goals or targets 12b, 12c, 12d and 12e are supported from a plurality of arms 32. As illustrated, arms 32 are adjustably mounted on stem 30. Arms 32 are adjustable to various lengths. Arms 32 can also be fabricated from either round railing, channel, strut or square tubing.
Attention is now directed to
The embodiment of
As best seen in
The embodiment of
In
Essentially, all parts in the above-described embodiments are interchangeable much like a giant erector set and can include wheels, carriages, arms stems, railings, etc of various sizes and configurations. This arrangement allows a user to design and build a customized targeting system that is limited only by the user's imagination.
It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.
Claims
1. An interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus, comprising:
- a base;
- a vertical stem extending upward from the base, said stem including a plurality of vertically spaced holes;
- a removable, horizontally oriented channel member removably attached to said vertical stem, said channel member having a length;
- plural openings spaced along the length of said channel member:
- a first arm having a first end and a second end,
- apparatus for removably attaching said first end of said first arm to said removable, horizontally oriented channel member; and
- a first sports target member attached to said second end of said first arm.
2. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said vertical stem includes vertically telescoping sections.
3. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, further including a removable sleeve encompassing said stem and wherein said removable, horizontally oriented channel member is attached to said sleeve.
4. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said apparatus for removably attaching said first end of said first arm to said removable, horizontally oriented channel member includes a hinge connection.
5. (canceled)
6. The interchangeable, modular ball game apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said first arm has a track therein and including a wheeled device supported on said track for movement thereon.
7-11. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 10, 2007
Publication Date: Oct 16, 2008
Inventor: Marian G. Rowan (Houston, TX)
Application Number: 11/783,594
International Classification: A63B 63/00 (20060101);