Hoop Assembly
A hoop assembly is provided. The hoop assembly is formed as a basketball hoop or similar having a plurality of items such as food, toys, treats, and the like attached the hoop and extending into an inside area defined by the hoop. The plurality of items are removably connected to the hoop such that, when a ball like a basketball is shot through the hoop or otherwise impacts the hoop, one or more of the plurality of items can be disconnected and fall from the hoop to the ground, allowing the player and nearby people to gather the items.
The present disclosure relates generally to a hoop device and assembly and games to play using it. More particularly the present disclosure relates to a hoop assembly having items such as treats, toys, or the like secured to the hoop and facing inward into the hoop. Upon contact, these treats, toys, or the like may be released from the hoop.
Description of Related ArtPiñatas are common and popular party games where players are blindfolded and try to swing a stick at the piñata which is filled with candy, treats, toys, or other desirable items. These games are satisfactory, but have not been improved on or modified in many many years.
Therefore, what is needed is a system which can incorporate the concept of dropping or dispersing candy, treats, toys, or other desirable items in a new manner to create an enjoyable and unique game.
SUMMARYThe subject matter of this application may involve, in some cases, interrelated products, alternative solutions to a particular problem, and/or a plurality of different uses of a single system or article.
In one aspect, a hoop assembly is provided. The hoop assembly is formed of a basketball hoop defining an inside of the hoop. A plurality of items are connected to the hoop and extend into the area defined by the inside of the hoop. In operation, upon a passing of a ball through the hoop, one of the plurality of items may be disconnected by a force applied to it by the ball, causing the item to fall from the hoop. The item or items can then be gathered by the shooter of the ball, or by other players nearby.
In another aspect, a sleeve for connection to a basketball hoop to form a hoop assembly is provided. The sleeve is formed as a full or partial circular shape, which can be connected to a basketball hoop, for example over a top of or around the outside of the basketball hoop. A plurality of items are connected to the sleeve and extend into an area defined by an inside of the sleeve. In operation, upon a passing of a ball through the inside of the sleeve (which is also the inside of the hoop), one of the plurality of items may be disconnected by a force applied to it by the ball, causing the item to fall from the hoop. The item or items can then be gathered by the shooter of the ball, or by other players nearby.
In yet another aspect, a method of use of a hoop assembly is provided. The method involves attaching a plurality of items to an inside of a hoop, forming a hoop assembly. A ball may be shot through the hoop. As the ball passes through the inside of the hoop it may contact at least one of the plurality of items, and this contact force may cause the item(s) to be disconnected from the hoop, causing it to fall to the ground. In another embodiment, an item or items may even be disconnected by a direct hit of the ball on the edge or side of the hoop, causing the hoop to shake and potentially disconnecting one or more items. The item or items can then be gathered by the shooter of the ball, or by other players nearby.
The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of presently preferred embodiments of the invention and does not represent the only forms in which the present disclosure may be constructed and/or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the invention in connection with the illustrated embodiments.
Generally, the present disclosure concerns a system for positioning items such as candy, other packaged food, toys, treats or the like on or adjacent to the inside perimeter of a basketball or similar hoop. The items are removable upon the application of a force, such as that of the basketball going through the hoop and contacting the items or by a ball hitting and rattling the hoop. As such, the system allows players to shoot a ball through the hoop to disconnect the items. The items may then fall, allowing them to be picked up by other participants, similar to how candy falls from a piñata. In some commercial embodiments, the invention may be presented as a kit or package containing the required items, including at least one of a hoop or rim, items, connectors, and/or a ball. In other embodiments, the invention may include various implementations and operations, such as the assembly in place on a basketball hoop, connectable to a basketball hoop, connectable to another surface or area to form the hoop assembly, and the like, without straying from the scope of this invention.
In system may secure items including, but not limited to candy, other packaged food, toys, and treats, in packages or not, hereinafter referred to as “items.” These items may be secured to the hoop in any manner so that they are held in position against gravity, but upon a sufficient impact like that of the impact of a ball, they will be released. Examples of ways that the item can be connected to the hoop include, but are not limited to, adhesives, clips, clamps, ties, and snaps.
The hoop of the assembly may be any circular or semicircular hoop. The hoop may be the basketball hoop itself, or may be a sleeve connectable to an existing basketball hoop. In varying embodiments, the hoop assembly may be implemented as a connector system for use with existing hoops and items. Or, the hoop assembly may be implemented as a stand along hoop with items pre-secured thereto, which can then be mounted as desired. In other embodiments, the hoop assembly may have the items pre-secured, and the hoop can be connectable to an existing basketball hoop. Of course, other implementations and variations may also be employed without straying from the scope of this invention.
Turning now to
While several variations of the present disclosure have been illustrated by way of example in preferred or particular embodiments, it is apparent that further embodiments could be developed within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, or the inventive concept thereof. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, and are inclusive, but not limited to the following appended claims as set forth.
Claims
1. A system comprising:
- a basketball hoop defining an inside of the hoop;
- a sleeve having a partial circular shape, the sleeve connectable to the basketball hoop; and
- a plurality of items connected to the sleeve and extending into an area defined by the inside of the hoop, wherein each of the plurality of items is connected to the sleeve by a connector having a flexible strap attached to the hoop and a clamp attached to the item and to the flexible strap;
- wherein upon a passing of a ball through the hoop, one of the plurality of items is disconnected by a force applied to it by the ball, causing the item to fall from the hoop;
- wherein the plurality of items comprise a plurality of packaged foods.
2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a base connected to the hoop, the base having a flat surface to connect the hoop to a surface.
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of items is connected to the hoop by an adhesive.
6. (canceled)
7. The system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of items is connected to the hoop by a connector having a clip connected to the hoop and connected to a flexible strap, and a clamp attached to the item and to the flexible strap.
8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a net.
9. The system of claim 1 wherein the hoop is positioned over a pool, and wherein the plurality of items are a plurality of pool toys.
10. A sleeve for connection to a basketball hoop to form a hoop assembly comprising:
- a sleeve having a partial circular shape, the sleeve connectable to a basketball hoop;
- an item connected to the sleeve and extending into an area defined by an inside of the sleeve;
- wherein upon a passing of a ball through the basketball hoop, the item may be disconnect by a force applied to it by the ball, causing the item to fall from the sleeve.
11. The sleeve for connection to a basketball hoop to form a hoop assembly of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of items, wherein the plurality of items are food items.
12. The sleeve for connection to a basketball hoop to form a hoop assembly of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of items, wherein each of the plurality of items is connected to the sleeve by an adhesive.
13. The sleeve for connection to a basketball hoop to form a hoop assembly of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of items, wherein each of the plurality of items is connected to the sleeve by a connector having a flexible strap attached to the sleeve, and a clamp attached to the item and to the flexible strap.
14. The sleeve for connection to a basketball hoop to form a hoop assembly of claim 10 wherein the sleeve defines a downward facing channel sized to receive the basketball hoop.
15. The sleeve for connection to a basketball hoop to form a hoop assembly of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of hooks extending from the sleeve, each of the plurality of hooks engagable with the hoop.
16. A kit for forming a hoop assembly using a basketball hoop comprising the sleeve of claim 10, and a ball.
17. The kit of claim 16 wherein the plurality of items is a plurality of food items.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 22, 2021
Publication Date: Jul 28, 2022
Inventor: Jeffrey Zahradnik (Greenfield, MA)
Application Number: 17/155,542