Water Basketball and Volleyball Game Apparatus

Abstract

A water basketball and volleyball apparatus can be used with a swimming pool, and includes a hoop for water basketball and a net for water volleyball. The apparatus has two pillars, a primary and secondary pillar, positionable directly across the swimming pool. The primary pillar has a base and an upwardly extending vertical post. The vertical post has inner and outer pipes for selectively adjusting the height of the basketball hoop. A horizontal post is coupled ninety degrees with the vertical post. A distal end of the horizontal post has a bracket coupled to a backboard which carries the hoop. The primary pillar has two screws for anchoring one end of the net. The secondary pillar has a base and an upwardly extending vertical post having two screws for anchoring the opposing end of the net.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/468,840, which was filed on Mar. 29, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to sport equipment and, more particularly, to water sport equipment.

2. Description of the Related Art

Many homes in the United States include a swimming pool. Sporting equipment is often used with a swimming pool to play games. Examples of sporting equipment is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,307,887, 5,037,093 and 6,209,147.

Basketball and volleyball are two sports widely recognized and-often played recreationally. While both sports were initially designed to play on a court, over time, the games of basketball and volleyball have transcended into water sports for recreational game play, such as in a swimming pool.

Unfortunately, as fun as these two games are to play in the swimming pool, the equipment for both water basketball (a basketball goal with a hoop) and water volleyball (a post and net system) has generally been flimsy. In most instances, the basketball goal is too light and too easy to overturn. Likewise, volleyball nets are too light and anchored to insecurely such that during the course of a volleyball game, the net often requires re-setting.

While these devices of the aforementioned patents fulfill their respective, particular objective requirements, they do not describe a water basketball and volleyball apparatus for outfitting any swimming pool with a safe, stable, adjustable goal for water basketball and a net for water volleyball.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to sporting equipment which can be used to play basketball and volleyball with a swimming pool. The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention will be best understood from the following description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like elements are depicted by like reference numerals. The drawings are briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the water basketball and volleyball apparatus of the present invention in use for game play in a swimming pool having two support pillars having vertical and horizontal posts, a basketball goal, and a net.

FIG. 2a is a diagrammatic perspective view of a locking system of the horizontal post of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a bracket assembly coupled to the horizontal post of FIG. 2a.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the basketball goal coupled to the horizontal post of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a back view of the basketball goal of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein a bracket is supporting the backboard of the basketball goal.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a bracket of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5b is a perspective view of another bracket of FIG. 4.

FIG. 5c is a perspective view of a bracket assembly of FIG. 4, which includes the brackets of FIGS. 5a and 5b coupled together.

FIG. 6 is top plan view of the basketball goal of the apparatus of the present invention, wherein a ball bearing rotates the goal 180 degrees around the horizontal post.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the volleyball net.

FIGS. 8a and 8b are side views of an alternate use of the apparatus of the present invention wherein a game of basketball is playable on land.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention seeks to resolve the foregoing issues by providing a complete apparatus designed to outfit any swimming pool with a safe, stable, adjustable hoop for water basketball and net for water volleyball. The present invention is suitable for consumers with swimming pools, schools and universities with swimming pools, water parks, resorts and hotels, parks and recreation programs, fitness facilities military bases, fitness camps and retreats, and physical therapy facilities. The present invention is distributable through sporting good stores, swimming pool equipment suppliers, department stores, outdoor recreation suppliers, government purchasing agencies, military base exchange malls, mail order and catalog shopping services, internet sites, television infomercials, and exporters.

The water basketball and volleyball apparatus is specially designed to outfit any swimming pool with a hoop for water basketball and a net for water volleyball. The apparatus has two pillars, a primary and secondary pillar, positionable directly across a swimming pool. The primary pillar has a base and an upwardly extending vertical post. The vertical post has inner and outer pipes for selectively adjusting the height of the basketball hoop. A horizontal post couples ninety degrees with the vertical post. A distal end of the horizontal post has a ball bearing coupled to a bracket. A backboard having an integrally coupled basketball hoop is coupled to the horizontal post by the bracket. The primary pillar has two screws for anchoring one end of the net. The secondary pillar has a base and an upwardly extending vertical post having two screws for anchoring the opposing end of the net.

FIG. 1 illustrates a water basketball and volleyball apparatus 10 of the present invention, in use for game play while in a swimming pool 50. The apparatus 10 is specially designed to outfit any swimming pool with a safe, stable, adjustable basketball hoop for water basketball and net for water volleyball. In its broadest context, the apparatus 10 has a plurality of pillars 12 which secure a basketball goal 14 and volleyball net 21 in position for use while in the swimming pool 50. In this embodiment, basketball goal 14 includes a backboard 16 which carries a basketball hoop 18. Basketball hoop 18 carries a basketball net 20.

In one embodiment, two pillars 12, including a primary pillar 12A and a secondary pillar 12B, are positionable adjacent the swimming pool 50. Each pillar 12 is positionable on each side of a pool deck 51 of the swimming pool 50 such that a court for game play is defined within the swimming pool 50. The primary pillar 12A supports the basketball goal 14 over the swimming pool 50 and secures one end of the volleyball net 21. The secondary pillar 12B, positioned opposite the primary pillar 12A on the other side of the swimming pool 50, secures the opposing end of the volleyball net 21. Thus, when the pillars 12 are positioned, the basketball goal 14 is directly above the swimming pool 50 and mimics height and positioning of a basketball hoop on a basketball court.

Similarly, when both pillars 12 are positioned for use, the volleyball net 21 hangs across the pool mimicking the height and positioning of a net on a volleyball court. The primary pillar 12A has a base 22 for supporting the basketball goal 14. The base 22 is substantially rectangular having two sides 24, including a first and second side 24A, 24B. In one embodiment, the base 22 is made of durable plastic and filled with sand or water for increased stability. The base 22 is approximately two feet (2′) in width and three feet (3′) in length. The base 22 tapers in height from the first side 24A to the second side 24B such that the first side 24A is approximately seven inches (7″) in height and the second side 24B is approximately four inches (4″) in height. The first side 24A is positioned nearest the edge of the swimming pool. This unique positioning and design prevents the base 22 from tipping during play when the basketball goal is repeatedly hit with balls. Preferably, the first side 24A has a bottom edge 26 having a pair of casters 27 for easily moving and repositioning the apparatus 10 adjacent the swimming pool.

A vertical post 28 couples to the base 22 and extends upwardly therefrom. The vertical post 28 has two pipes 30, including an outer pipe 30A and an inner pipe 30B, which are telescopically coupled together. The outer pipe 30A integrally couples with the base 22 and is positionable approximately two feet (2′) from the first side 24A and centrally within the base 22. This positioning 10 of the outer pipe 30A further prevents the primary pillar 12A from tipping over during game play. The inner pipe 30B fits within the outer pipe 30A. The inner pipe 30B has a plurality of knobs (not shown) outwardly extending therefrom. The outer pipe 30A has a plurality of holes (not shown) at different heights for accepting the knobs of the inner pipe 30B therein. As such, the knobs of the inner pipe 30B are fitted into the holes of the outer pipe 30B such that the inner pipe 30B is adjustable in height from the outer pipe 30B. This allows the basketball goal 14 to vertically adjust above the water level of the swimming pool based on the height and age of the players. The vertical post 28 has at least two set-screws 31 having plastic handles which provide anchoring points for at least one end of the volleyball net 21.

The vertical post 28 couples to a horizontal post 32. The horizontal post 32 is positionable at a 90 degree angle from the vertical post 28 and supports the basketball goal 14 above the swimming pool. A shock absorber 35 stabilizes the horizontal post 32 to the vertical post 28 to further stabilize the basketball goal 14. The shock absorber 35 can be of many different types, such as a piston and cylinder. In this embodiment shock absorber 35 is coupled to vertical post 28 and horizontal post 32 by couplers 80 and 81, respectively. The horizontal post 32 has three pipes 34a, 34b and 34c telescopically coupled together such that the horizontal post 32 extends partially or fully over the swimming pool as desired and is suitable for accommodating a variety of different swimming pool configurations.

FIG. 2a illustrates a bracket assembly 36 for use securing the three telescoping pipes 34 of the horizontal post 32 at any desired length. As shown in FIG. 2b, one embodiment of bracket assembly 36 includes opposed brackets 100 and 102 which are coupled to horizontal post 32. Opposed brackets 100 and 102 includes openings 105 and 106, respectively, for receiving a fastener 107, wherein fastener 107 fastens to horizontal post 34 and allows it to rotate downwardly and upwardly.

FIG. 3 illustrates a bracket 36 coupled to the distal end of the horizontal post 32. A bracket assembly 38 couples to the horizontal post 32 and basketball goal 14. The bracket 33 supports and secures the basketball goal 14 above the swimming pool 50. As discussed in more detail below, bracket assembly 38 includes brackets 39 and 46 coupled together.

FIG. 4 illustrates a back view of the bracket assembly 38. The bracket assembly 38 has four outwardly extending braces 40, which are connected to bracket 39. The braces 40 couple to the backboard 16 of the basketball goal 14. The backboard 16 is substantially rectangular and approximately thirty four inches (34″) in width and twenty five and one-half inches (25.5″) in height. In one embodiment, the backboard 16 is made from PLEXIGLASS. The basketball hoop 18 integrally couples to the front of the backboard 16. The basketball hoop 18 has a rim 37 that is approximately sixteen inches (16″) in diameter. Based on the selected height of the inner pipe 30B within the outer pipe 30A of the vertical post 28, the basketball hoop 18 is adjustable above the water level of the swimming pool to accommodate the height and ages of the players.

FIG. 5a is a perspective view of bracket 46 of FIG. 4, and FIG. 5b is a perspective view of bracket 39 of FIG. 4. FIG. 5c is a perspective view of bracket assembly 38 of FIG. 4, which includes the brackets 39 and 46 of FIGS. 5a and 5b, respectively, coupled together. In this embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5a, bracket 46 includes opposed plates 60A and 60B spaced apart from each other by a spacer plate 61. Spacer plate 61 is coupled to horizontal post 32. Plates 60A and 60B are spaced apart from each other to form a bracket channel 62 therebetween. In this embodiment, plate 60A includes openings 63, 64, 65 and 66. A pivot pin (not shown) extends through opening 63, as will be discussed in more detail below. A locking pin (not shown) is capable of extending through any of openings 64, 65 and 66 to lock basketball goal 14 in place, as will be discussed in more detail below.

In this embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 5b, bracket 39 includes a horizontal plate 72 and vertical plate 71 coupled together. Horizontal plate 72 is sized so it is capable of extending through bracket channel 62. Horizontal plate 72 includes an opening 73 which is aligned with opening 62 of bracket 46 so that the pivot pin can extend through openings 62 and 73. In this way, brackets 46 and 39 are capable of rotating relative to each other, as indicated by an indication arrow 15 in FIG. 5c. Horizontal plate 72 includes openings 74, 75 and 76 which can be aligned with any of openings 64, 65 and 66 of bracket 46. Bracket 39 can be rotated relative to bracket 46 so that openings 74, 75 and 76 can be aligned with openings 64, 65 and 66 of bracket 46 so that the locking pin can extend through them. In this way, basketball goal 13 can be locked in place at a desired angle. In this embodiment, vertical plate 71 includes openings 80, 81, 82 and 83 which are coupled to bracket 40. In this way, basketball goal 14 is coupled to bracket 39.

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the bracket assembly 38 which rotates along the ball bearing 39 up to 180 degrees, as indicated by rotation arrow 15. This rotation allows the backboard 16 to position in a plurality of different and convenient angles depending on the size and shape of the swimming pool and the defined court within the swimming pool.

FIG. 7 illustrates a front view of the apparatus 10 illustrating the volleyball net 21 in position for a game of volleyball. The secondary pillar 12B secures one end of the volleyball net 21 across the swimming pool from the primary pillar 12A. Similar to the primary pillar 12A, the second pillar 12B has a base 40 which is substantially rectangular and approximately two feet (2′) in width and three feet (3′) in length. The base 40 of the secondary pillar 12B is uniform in height measuring approximately four inches (4″). The base 40 of the secondary pillar 12B is preferably made from durable plastic and filled with sand or water to increase stability. The secondary pillar 12B has a vertical post 42 centrally positioned within the base 40. The vertical post 42 has two set-screws with plastic handles which provide anchoring points for one end of the volleyball net 21, wherein one anchoring point is denoted as anchoring point 90. In one embodiment, the volleyball net 21 is approximately sixteen feet (16′) in length and suitable for accommodating a variety of swimming pools. The volleyball net 21, once positioned, serves two purposes. First, while playing the game of volleyball, the volleyball net 21 is a standard volleyball net. Second, while playing the game of basketball, the volleyball net 21 is a backstop for preventing the ball from traveling outside the defined swimming court. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, horizontal post 32 has two pipes 34a and 34b telescopically coupled together.

FIGS. 8a and 8b illustrate an alternate use of the apparatus 10 wherein the primary post 50 is utilized for playing a game of basketball on land. The basketball goal 52 is rotated on the same axis as the horizontal post 54 for positioning similar to standard basketball hoops on a standard court. It should be noted that, in this embodiment, shock absorber 35 is repeatably moveable between extended (FIG. 8a) and retracted (FIG. 8b) conditions. Diagonal brace 25 is repeatably moveable between extended and retracted conditions to reduce the likelihood that base 22 will tip in response to a downward force applied to basketball hoop 18.

In conclusion, herein is presented a water basketball and volleyball apparatus. The invention is illustrated by example in the drawing figures, and throughout the written description. It should be understood that numerous variations, modification and alternate embodiments are possible, while adhering to the inventive concept. It is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction and the combination and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Such variations and equivalent changes are contemplated as being a part of the present invention. Moreover, the invention as disclosed herein may be suitably practiced in the absence of the specific elements which are disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a basketball apparatus which includes a first base; a primary pillar extending upwardly from the first base; a horizontal post extending horizontally from the primary pillar; and a basketball goal coupled to the horizontal post; and

a volleyball apparatus which includes a net coupled to the primary pillar; and a second base with a secondary pillar extending upwardly therefrom, the net being coupled to the secondary pillar.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the horizontal post includes three telescopically connected post portions.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary pillar includes two telescopically connected post portions.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the primary pillar and horizontal post are connected together with a ball bearing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein further including a ball bearing which couples the basketball goal to the horizontal post.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the ball bearing allows the basketball goal to rotate relative to the horizontal post.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further including a diagonal brace coupled between the primary pillar and horizontal post, the diagonal brace allowing the horizontal post to rotate relative to the primary pillar in response to a force applied to the basketball goal.