Basketball Net with Net-like Components of Different Colors

Abstract

A basketball net includes a plurality of net-like units arranged in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion, each net-like unit including a plurality of top first loops for fastening at a basket rim, a plurality of second loops at a bottom, and a first connecting cord extending from one end of the first loops, and a knot assembly including a plurality of first knots for tying the first connecting cord of one net-like unit and the cord of an adjacent one of the net-like units, and a plurality of second knots for tying the first connecting cord of one net-like unit and the cord thereof. The net-like units are of different colors. In another embodiment, each net-like unit further includes spikes formed at bottom of each second loop. Roots of the adjacent spikes are tied by a third knot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 11/797,768, filed May 7, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The invention relates to basketball nets and more particularly to such a basketball net having a plurality of net-like units of different colors so as to improve shooting percentage and achieve other purposes including making a game more interesting.

2. Description of Related Art

Basketball is a very popular sport in the world. Typically, a net is attached a rim. Purposes of a basketball net comprise catching and slowing down the path of a ball so that the ball may fall out in close proximity to the basket and indicating to the player(s) if the ball went through the rim at all.

A conventional basketball net is made of nylon cord woven or tied into a conical net-like structure. Further, it is conventional for a basketball net to have a single color (e.g., white). This may be less attractive to players. It is known that each of the backboard, the rim, and the net can increase a certain degree of shooting percentage. It is understood that a colorful object can attract people. Hence, the need for a colorful basketball net exists.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore one object of the invention to provide a basketball net having a plurality of net-like units of different colors by being configured in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion so as to improve shooting percentage and make a basketball game more interesting.

To achieve the above and other objects, the invention provides a basketball net comprising a first, a second, and a third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) formed of cord, the first, second, and third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) being arranged in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion, each of the first, the second, and third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) including a net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) having a plurality of top first loops (14, 14B, 14C) for fastening at a basket rim (50), a first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) extending from one end of the first loop (14, 14B, or 14C), a second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) extending from one end of the net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C), and a knot assembly (13) including a plurality of first knots (20) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and a cord of the adjacent net-like unit (10B, 10C, or 10) together, a plurality of second knots (30) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and a cord of the net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) together, and a plurality of third knots (40) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and the second connecting cord (18B, 18C, or 18) together, wherein each first knot (20) is formed by passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first inner face of a cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form a first bending (21), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) and a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (22), passing and turning the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) upward through a first outer face thereof to form a second intersection (23), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face thereof and a second outer face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) and then turning downward a second inner face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form a second bending (24), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner face thereof and a passage (230) between the first intersection (22) and the second intersection (23) by passing a second outer face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a third intersection (25), and drawing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C); wherein the second knot (30) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face thereof to form a first bending (31), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face thereof to form a second bending (32), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first inner face thereof and turning upward a third outer face thereof to form a third bending (33), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) upward through an upper portion of a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (34) and a fourth bending (35) sequentially, passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) turning downward through a second inner face thereof to form a fifth bending (36), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) downward and through a first outer surface thereof and a path between the third bending (33) and the fourth bending (35) to form a second intersection (37), and drawing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C); and wherein the third knot (40) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first inner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a first bending (41), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (42), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) turning upward to form a second intersection (43), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a second bending (44), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a second inner face thereof, then turning upward and around a second outer face thereof and a third outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a third bending (45), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and turning downward to pass a third inner faces of both the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and then passing through the passage (430) between the first intersection (42) and the second intersection (43) to form a third intersection (46), and drawing first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C).

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 a top plan view of a basket incorporating the net of FIG. 1 with backboard and rim shown in phantom;

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the net of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plane view illustrating a process of forming a first knot between two adjacent transverse loops of adjacent net-like units;

FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where a process of forming a second knot between two adjacent longitudinal loops of the net-like unit is illustrated;

FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4 where a process of forming a third knot and a spike between two adjacent bottom loops of the net-like unit is illustrated;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, and 7C are enlarged views showing the first, second, and third knotting processes respectively; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a further preferred embodiment of basketball net according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 6, a basketball net 1 in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention comprises first, second, and third net-like units 10, 10B, and 10C arranged in a side-by-side parallel fashion as detailed later. These three net-like units are identical but of different colors. Thus, only the first net-like unit 10 will be described in detail below for the sake of brevity.

The first net-like unit 10 is formed from cord 11 and comprises a net-like face 12 and a knot assembly 13. The net-like face 12 comprises a plurality of upper loops 14 adapted to secure to a rim 50 of a basket by securing thereto. The rim 50 is again secured to a backboard of the basket as known in the art. The net-like face 12 further comprises a plurality of spikes 15 hung from lower ends thereof.

The knot assembly 13 comprises a plurality of first knots 20, a plurality of second knots 30, and a plurality of spike knots 16 (i.e., third knots 40) each for tying two branches of two adjacent spikes 15. A first connecting cord 17 is extended a predetermined length from one end of the upper loops 14. The connecting cord 17 is adapted to tie the first net-like unit 10 and the adjacent second net-like units 10B or the second net-like units 10B and the adjacent third net-like units 10C. Also, a second connecting cord 18 is extended a predetermined length from one end of the cord of the net-like face 12. The second connecting cord 18 has its end formed as the spikes 15.

The first, second, and third net-like units 10, 10B, and 10C are tied in a side-by-side parallel fashion. As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, and 6, the first knot 20 is adapted to tie the first connecting cord 17 and a net-like face 12B of the adjacent second net-like unit 10B. The second knot 30 is adapted to tie the first connecting cord 17 and the net-like face 12 of the same net-like unit (e.g., the first net-like unit 10). The third knot 40 is adapted to tie the first connecting cord 17 and a second connecting cord 18B of the adjacent second net-like unit 10B.

Referring to FIG. 7A in conjunction with FIG. 4, a first knotting process is described in detail below. The first connecting cord 17 is about parallel with the cord 11B of the upper loops 14B of the adjacent net-like face 12B. A free end of the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of the cord 11B to form a first bending 21. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the cord 11B and an inner face of first connecting cord 17 to form a first intersection 22. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face thereof to a form second intersection 23. The first connecting cord 17 then passes an outer face of the cord 11B and an inner face of the cord 11B to form a second bending 24. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face thereof and a passage 230 between the first intersection 22 and the second intersection 23 by passing an outer face of the first connecting cord 17 to form a third intersection 25. Thereafter, it is possible of tightening the first knot 20 by drawing the first connecting cord 17. The free end of the first connecting cord 17 and the cord 11 of the same net-like face 12 are tied by the second knot 30 as detailed below.

Referring to FIG. 7B in conjunction with FIG. 5, a second knotting process is described in detail below. A free end of the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the cord 12 to form a first bending 31. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the cord 12 to form a second bending 32. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of the cord 12 and an outer face of the cord 12 to form a third bending 33. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of the first connecting cord 17 to form a first intersection 34 and a fourth bending 35 sequentially. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of the cord 12 to form a fifth bending 36. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer surface thereof and a path between the third bending 33 and the fourth bending 35 to form a second intersection 37. Thereafter, it is possible of tightening the second knot 30 by drawing the first connecting cord 17. The free end of the first connecting cord 17 and the cord 11B of the adjacent net-like face 12B are tied by the first knot 20. Next, the third knot 40 formed at the second connecting cord 18B of the adjacent net-like face 12B as detailed below. In such a manner, a woven fabric structure can be formed.

Referring to FIG. 7C in conjunction with FIG. 6, a third knotting process is described in detail below. The first connecting cord 17 is about parallel with the second connecting cord 18B of the adjacent net-like face 12B. A free end of the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord 18B to form a first bending 41. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the second connecting cord 18B and an inner face of the first connecting cord 17 to form a first intersection 42. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an outer face of the first connecting cord 17 to form a second intersection 43. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of the second connecting cord 18B and an outer face of the second connecting cord 18B to form a second bending 44. Next, the first connecting cord 17 passes an inner face of the second connecting cord 18B and an inner face thereof, then turning upward an outer face thereof, and an outer face of the second connecting cord 18B to form a third bending 45. Next, the first connecting cord 17 turns down to pass both inner face of the first connecting cord 17 and the second connecting cord 18B and then passes through the passage 430 between the first intersection 42 and the second intersection 43 to form a third intersection 46. Thereafter, it is possible of tightening the third knot 40 by drawing first connecting cord 17. The bottom loops 15A are formed at free ends of the first connecting cord 17 (see FIG. 8).

In such a manner, the second net-like unit 10B and the third net-like unit 10C are tied and the first net-like unit 10 and the third net-like unit 10C are tied together in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion. As a result, a complete basketball net is formed.

In one embodiment, the first, second, and third net-like units 10, 10B, and 10C are of different colors each other. That is, a basketball net having the above net-like units has a plurality of colors. Preferably, a central portion of the net is white and side portions are red and blue respectively. It is envisaged by the invention that net-like units of different colors can improve shooting percentage and make a game more interesting.

In another embodiment, the total number of the net-like units is not three. For example, there are at least two net-like units of different colors.

Referring to FIG. 8, a basketball net in accordance with a further preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in which the spikes 15 are replaced by bottom loops 15A of the net.

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 first, a second, and a third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) formed of cord, the first, second, and third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) being arranged in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion, each of the second, and third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) including a net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) having a plurality of top first loops (14, 14B, 14C) for fastening at a basket rim (50), a first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) extending from one end of the first loop (14, 14B, or 14C), a second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) extending from one end of the net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C), and a knot assembly (13) including a plurality of first knots (20) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and a cord of the adjacent net-like unit (10B, 10C, or 10) together, a plurality of second knots (30) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and a cord of the net-like face (12, 12B, or 12C) together, and a plurality of third knots (40) for tying the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and the second connecting cord (18B, 18C, or 18) together,

wherein each first knot (20) is formed by passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first inner face of a cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form a first bending (21), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) and a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (22), passing and turning the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) upward through a first outer face thereof to form a second intersection (23), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face thereof and a second outer face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) and then turning downward a second inner face of the cord (11, 11B, or 11C) to form a second bending (24), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner face thereof and a passage (230) between the first intersection (22) and the second intersection (23) by passing a second outer face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a third intersection (25), and drawing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C);

wherein the second knot (30) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face thereof to form a first bending (31), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face thereof to form a second bending (32), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first inner face thereof and turning upward a third outer face thereof to form a third bending (33), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) upward through an upper portion of a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (34) and a fourth bending (35) sequentially, passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) turning downward through a second inner face thereof to form a fifth bending (36), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) downward and through a first outer surface thereof and a path between the third bending (33) and the fourth bending (35) to form a second intersection (37), and drawing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C); and

wherein the third knot (40) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first inner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a first bending (41), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) to form a first intersection (42), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a first outer face of the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) turning upward to form a second intersection (43), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a second bending (44), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) through a second inner face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and a second inner face thereof, then turning upward and around a second outer face thereof and a third outer face of the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) to form a third bending (45), further passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and turning downward to pass a third inner faces of both the first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C) and the second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) and then passing through the passage (430) between the first intersection (42) and the second intersection (43) to form a third intersection (46), and drawing first connecting cord (17, 17B, or 17C);

whereby a configuration of the basketball net is made by the side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion of the first, second and third net-like units (10, 10B, 10C).

2. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein a free end of the each second connecting cord (18, 18B, or 18C) is formed as a spikes (15, 15B, 15C).

3. The basketball net of claim 1, wherein the net-like units (10, 10B, 10C) are of different colors.

4. The basketball net of claim 3, wherein the first net-like unit (10) is blue, the second net-like unit (10B) is white, and the third net-like unit (10C) is red.

5. The basketball net of claim 1, further comprising a bottom loop (15A) formed at free ends of the first connecting cords (17, 17B, or 17C).

6. A basketball net comprising a first and a second net-like units (10, 10B) formed of cord, the first and second net-like units (10, 10B) being arranged in a side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion, each of the first and second net-like units (10, 10B) having a plurality of top first loops (14, 14B) for fastening at a basket rim (50), a first connecting cord (17 or 17B) extending from one end of the first loops (14 or 14B), a second connecting cord (18 or 18B) extending from one end of a net-like face (12 or 12B), and a knot assembly (13) including a plurality of first knots (20) for tying the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and a cord of the adjacent net-like unit (10 or 10B) together, and a plurality of second knots (30) for tying the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and a cord of the net-like face (12 or 12B) together, and a plurality of third knots (40) for tying the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) together,

wherein the first knot (20) is formed by passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first inner face of a cord (11 or 11B) to form a first bending (21), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first outer face of the cord (11 or 11B) and a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) to form a first intersection (22), passing and turning the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) upward through a first outer face thereof to form a second intersection (23), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second outer face thereof and a second outer face of the cord (11 or 11B) and turning downward a second inner face of the cord (11 or 11B) to form a second bending (24), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second inner face thereof and a passage (230) between the first intersection (22) and the second intersection (23) by passing a second outer face of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) to form a third intersection (25), and drawing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B);

wherein the second knot (30) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first outer face thereof to form a first bending (31), further passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second outer face thereof to form a second bending (32), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first inner face thereof and turning upward a third outer face thereof to form a third bending (33), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) upward through an upper portion of a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) to form a first intersection (34) and a fourth bending (35) sequentially, passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) turning downward through a second inner face thereof to form a fifth bending (36), passing the first connecting cord (17, 17B) downward and through a first outer surface thereof and a path between the third bending (33) and the fourth bending (35) to form a second intersection (37), and drawing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B); and

wherein the third knot (40) is formed by passing a free end of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first inner face of a lower portion of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) to form a first bending (41), further passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first outer face of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) and a first inner face of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) to form a first intersection (42), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a first outer face of the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) turning upward to form a second intersection (43), further passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second outer face of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) to form a second bending (44), passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) through a second inner face of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) and a second inner face thereof, turning upward and around a second outer face thereof and a third outer face of the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) to form a third bending (45), further passing the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and turning downward to pass a third inner faces of both the first connecting cord (17 or 17B) and the second connecting cord (18 or 18B) and passing through the passage (430) between the first intersection (42) and the second intersection (43) to form a third intersection (46), and drawing first connecting cord (17 or 17B);

whereby a configuration of the basketball net is made by the side-by-side parallel and vertical fashion of the first and second net-like units (10, 10B).

7. The basketball net of claim 6, further comprising a bottom loop (15A) formed at free ends of the first connecting cords (17, 17B).

8. The basketball net of claim 6, wherein an end of the second connecting cord (18, 18B) is formed as a spikes (15, 15B).

9. The basketball net of claim 6, wherein the net-like units (10, 10B) are of different colors.