Systems and Methods for Basketball Shot Entertainment and Training

Abstract

Embodiments may include methods and systems for a rotating multi-basketball shooting game. It may include a rim mounting hub attached to a vertical shaft; at least three differently sized basketball rims radially attached to said rim mounting hub providing a basketball hoop configuration; a stepper motor configured to rotate said vertical shaft along with said attached rim mounting hub attached to said three differently sized basketball rims; a backboard located in front of said vertical shaft and said rim mounting hub; and perhaps even an opening in said backboard configured to allow passage of each of said three differently sized basketball rims through said opening while said vertical shaft, said rim mounting hub and said three differently sized basketball rims are rotated.

Description

This is a U.S. nonprovisional patent application claiming the benefit of and priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/413,104 filed Oct. 4, 2022, hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Shooting basketballs into a basketball hoop can be a lot of fun and is a needed skill to play the game. It is desirable to provide systems and methods that can be used in training how to shoot accurate basketballs into a hoop and perhaps even used for entertainment games. It is desirable to use different sized basketball rims in shooting practice or other use in a game. In the past, in order to achieve this, one would have to manually remove a rim and add a new rim to a basketball hoop arrangement. In other past attempts, a three-sided basketball hoop arrangement has been utilized such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 10,918,922 to Brey et al., hereby incorporated by reference herein. However, the Brey structure utilizes three backboards, is on a stand, uses rims of the same size, and cannot be rotated. Here, a user has to move around the three-sided hoop arrangement.

Another attempt is shown in KR20180002965U, hereby incorporated by reference herein. Here moving basketball hoops rotate under a backboard. This reference does not use different sized rims, is on a stand, is below a backboard, and is unstable.

Therefore, it is desirable to improve the past attempts in providing a rotatable, stable, and multi-sized rim basketball shooting game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present application includes a variety of aspects, which may be selected in different combinations based upon the particular application or needs to be addressed. In various embodiments, the application may include mechanisms that can allow a rapid accurate positioning and even repositioning of multiple size basketball rims perhaps to aid in basketball shot training, entertainment, and the like.

In some embodiments, an object of this application may provide multiple shaped rims and sizes that can be cycled through for a user.

Another object of this application may include a motorized basketball hoop system.

In yet another object, embodiments may provide a rotating basketball hoop assembly.

It is an object of this application to provide a stable and similar type experience to a traditional basketball hoop in various embodiments.

Naturally, further objects, goals and embodiments of the application are disclosed throughout other areas of the specification, claims, and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a non-limiting example of a perspective view of a shooting hub stack assembly in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 is a non-limiting example of a shooting hub stack assembly with stabilizers in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a non-limiting example of a generalized view of a backboard with a rotating shooting hub with different sized basketball rims in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4 is a non-limiting example of a backboard with an opening in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a non-limiting example a perspective view of a shooting hub with mounting plates in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 6 is a non-limiting example of a shooting hub with different sized basketball rims in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 7 is a non-limiting example of a three-sided basketball hoop configuration in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 8 is a non-limiting example of a four-sided basketball hoop configuration in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a non-limiting example of a rotating shooting hub with different sized basketballs rims in and out of a backboard in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a non-limiting example of a basketball rim in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 11 is a non-limiting example of a control diagram for a shooting game in accordance with some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTIONS

It should be understood that embodiments include a variety of aspects, which may be combined in different ways. The following descriptions are provided to list elements and describe some of the embodiments of the application. These elements are listed with initial embodiments; however, it should be understood that they may be combined in any manner and in any number to create additional embodiments. The variously described examples and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the embodiments of the application to only the explicitly described systems, techniques, and applications. The specific embodiment or embodiments shown are examples only. The specification should be understood and is intended as supporting broad claims as well as each embodiment, and even claims where other embodiments may be excluded. Importantly, disclosure of merely exemplary embodiments is not meant to limit the breadth of other more encompassing claims that may be made where such may be only one of several methods or embodiments which could be employed in a broader claim or the like. Further, this description should be understood to support and encompass descriptions and claims of all the various embodiments, systems, techniques, methods, devices, and applications with any number of the disclosed elements, with each element alone, and also with any and all various permutations and combinations of all elements in this or any subsequent application.

By forcing a basketball shooter to attain higher levels of accuracy, the utilization of different size basketball rims can be a useful tool in basketball shot training. Embodiments may include two, three, four or more rotating basketball rims perhaps where each rim can be a different size. Attachment of the basketball rims to a mounting plate may be by nuts and bolts perhaps through common holes in a plate on the basketball rim and a mounting plate. Mounting plates can be arranged around a vertical shaft which may be attached to a stepper motor. This assembly can be mounted to a backboard perhaps with an opening in the backboard which can allow rims to rotate through unimpeded. Instructions and power may be provided to a stepper motor which may rotate a shaft and any plates and basketball rims attached thereto. Rotation may provide a desired size rim into a shooting position that can resemble a traditional relationship between basketball rim and backboard. Due to a motorized nature of a setup, different size rims can be rapidly deployed perhaps into desired shooting position with miniscule downtime (compared to traditional rim size changeouts). This can enable different training and contest regimes.

There are many advantages to the embodiments described therein including: it may not require a user to manually attach or detach preferred diameter rims; a system may easily be a component in computer software driven training regimes or game models; a selection of three, four, or more different size or shape rims can be cycled through at will perhaps without manually unbolting rims; a multitude of different size or shape rims can be manually added or removed to a three rim, a four rim, or more configuration available on mounting plates; utilization of a stepper motor as a core component can increase accuracy of angular placement of desired diameter rims; anchoring on three or even four axes of a hub stack assembly within a framework of the backboard can increase absolute stability and create stable positioning and rotational planes in relation to the actual backboard; elimination of a need for belts and pulleys in rotating the rim; and the like. Utilization of a three, four, or more dimensional configuration can allow wide, as well as deep, ground to backboard support, enabling different high stability ground to backboard support configurations. This can increase the overall stability of the structure and decrease undesirable motions from ball impact upon rims and backboard. Embodiments discussed herein can be an important component in developing a large variety of basketball shooting game models. A backboard can be conducive to adding a protective cover, reducing interior contents exposure to weather or tampering with, and the like. Any number of different rims sizes or mounting plates can be used and all are included in this disclosure.

Embodiments may provide a basketball shooting game comprising a rim mounting hub attached to a vertical shaft; three differently sized basketball rims radially attached to said rim mounting hub providing a three-sided basketball hoop configuration; a stepper motor configured to rotate said vertical shaft along with said attached rim mounting hub attached to said three differently sized basketball rims; a backboard located in front of said vertical shaft and said rim mounting hub; and perhaps even an opening in said backboard configured to allow passage of each of said three differently sized rims through said opening while said vertical shaft, said rim mounting hub and said three differently sized basketball rims are rotated.

Other embodiments may provide a method for playing a basketball game comprising the steps of providing a three-sided basketball hoop configuration comprising a rim mounting hub attached to a vertical shaft; three differently sized basketball rims radially attached to said rim mounting hub; and perhaps even a stepper motor configured to rotate said vertical shaft along with said attached rim mounting hub attached to said three differently sized basketball rims; providing a backboard located in front of said vertical shaft and said rim mounting hub; providing an opening in said backboard; placing a first sized basketball rim of said three differently sized basketball rims through said opening of said backboard and into a shooting position; shooting at least one basketball at said first sized basketball rim; automatically rotating said vertical hub to move said first sized basketball rim out of said opening in said backboard and moving a second sized basketball rim through said opening in said backboard and into said shooting position; shooting said at least one basketball at said second sized basketball rim; automatically rotating said vertical hub to move said second sized basketball rim out of said opening in said backboard and moving either said first sized or a third sized basketball rim through said opening in said backboard and into said shooting position; and perhaps even shooting said basketball at said first sized or said third sized basketball rim.

As may be understood in FIGS. 1 and 2, a basketball shooting game (1) may include a rim mounting hub (2) attached to a vertical shaft (3). At least three basketball rims (4) may be radially attached to the rim mounting hub (2) perhaps to provide a three-sided basketball hoop configuration (6). The basketball rims may each be differently sized. A rim mounting hub may provide a place for attachment of various basketball rims in a radial fashion so that when rotated, the rim mounting hub may rotate between the different basketball rims to a shooting position for a user to shoot basketballs. Radially may provide that the basketball rims can be attached in a radial fashion so that when attached to a vertical shaft the basketball rims extend outward from the shaft. The various basketball rims may be located equidistant (8) from each other as may be understood from FIG. 7. In some embodiments, three basketball rims may be radially mounted to a hub, in others, two, four or more basketball rims may be mounted. A rim mounting hub (2) may be attached to a vertical shaft (3) which may be controlled by a stepper motor (13) configured to rotate the vertical shaft (3) along with the attached rim mounting hub and various attached basketball rims. In embodiments a vertical shaft, rim mounting hub, and attached basketball rims may be rotated at an adjustable speed. A net (99) may be attached to each of the basketball rims such as shown in FIG. 10.

As may be understood in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8, embodiments may provide a backboard perhaps with an opening (91) in a backboard (90). An opening may be near centered upon a general area where a basketball rim could normally be attached to a backboard, may be near a bottom quartile of a backboard, or the like. In some embodiments, a backboard may be located in front (7) of a vertical shaft (3) and in front of a rim mounting hub (2). An opening (91) in the backboard (90) may be of a size configured to allow passage of the various mounted basketball rims (4) attached to the rim mounting hub while the rims are rotated in and out (30) of the opening as may be understood in FIG. 9. A net attached to a basketball rim may slide through an opening of a backboard and hang down from the rim after the rim has gone through the opening. An opening (91) can be of sufficient width such as to allow the free rotation of a shaft (19), a shooting hub (22), and perhaps even the attached basketball rims (41a, 41b & 41c). An opening (91) can be of sufficient vertical distance as to allow rotation of a basketball hub. An opening may be of a size that restricts a basketball (92) from going through the opening. In some embodiments, a vertical dimension of gap (91) can be narrow enough so that a standard size basketball (92) cannot pass through.

As a stepper motor may rotate a vertical shaft (3), the rim mounting hub (2) and attached basketball rims (4) can be rotated in and out of the opening in the backboard. A first sized basketball rim (41a) may be placed in an opening of a backboard and perhaps in a shooting position (24). A shooting position may be where a basketball rim is in a location similar to a normal basketball hoop where the rim is facing outward from a backboard. In embodiments, a shooting position (24) may be when a mounting plate (21a) is parallel to a backboard. In such position, a user may shoot at least one basketball (92) at the first sized basketball rim. Then, a vertical shaft (along with a hub and rims) may be automatically rotated to move a first sized basketball rim (41a) out of an opening in a backboard and to move a second sized basketball rim (41b) through the opening and into a shooting position. A user may then shoot at least one basketball at the second sized basketball rim. Perhaps next, a vertical hub may be automatically rotated to move the second sized basketball rim out of the opening in the backboard and to moving either a first sized or perhaps a third sized basketball rim (41c) through an opening and into a shooting position where a user may shoot at least one basketball at the rim. This may continue in any rotation or combination. In embodiments, four differently sized basketball rims may be attached to a shooting hub perhaps provided a four-sided basketball hoop configuration (10) as shown in FIG. 8.

Mounting plates (21a, 21b, 21c) may be attached to a rim mounting hub where each basketball rim can be mounted to the hub via the mounting plates such as shown in FIG. 6. Mounting plates may be bonded together about a shaft or may be attached to a shaft. A shooting hub (22) which may include about three mounting plates (21a, 21b, 21c) perhaps arrayed in an equidistant manner in a generally triangular orientation around a central vertical shaft. As such, a three-sided basketball hoop configuration (6) may be a triangular configuration (25) as shown in FIG. 7. In embodiments, where four basketball rims may be utilized, a four-sided basketball configuration (10) may be a square configuration (29) as shown in FIG. 8.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show a non-limiting example of a rim mounting hub (2) and associated basketball rims (41a, 41b, 41c) relative to attachment positions on corresponding mounting plates (21a, 21b, 21c). Mounting holes (37a) may be in each mounting plate which may correspond with mounting holes (37b) in a basketball rim mounting plate. In some embodiments, a basketball hoop configuration may be adjustable in height (14) perhaps to lower or raise the height of the basketball rims.

FIGS. 1 and 2 provide a non-limiting example of a hub assembly stack (100) which may include a top mounting plate (11), bottom mounting plate (31), a stepper motor (13), power and even control leads (12) to a stepper motor, a vertical shaft (3) which may include a output shaft (15) from a stepper motor, a coupling mechanism (17), and a shaft (19) connected to a shooting hub (22). A shooting hub (22) may be a rim mounting hub (2) where various basketball rims (4) may be attached. This may be combined with anchorages, shafts, bearings, support rods, and the like. A coupling mechanism may be a shaft coupling which may transfer mechanical movement from a shaft (15) to a shaft (19).

In embodiments, restriction of movement of a basketball hoop configuration, perhaps even a hub stack assembly (100) may be desired with respect to a backboard. A basketball hoop configuration stabilizer (33) may be used which can restrict movement of the basketball hoop configuration. A stabilizer (33) may be at attachment of at least part of a basketball hoop configuration to a stable support such as part of a backboard assembly. For example, a mounting plate (11) may be attached to a backboard assembly, a support beam (27) may be attached, any combination thereof, or the like.

In embodiments, a top mounting plate (11) may be firmly attached to part of a backboard and even a backboard frame and perhaps even a bottom mounting plate (31) may be firmly attached to part of a backboard or backboard frame. These attachment points may force rotational movement of a stepper motor (13) which can be transferred to an output shaft (19). These attachment points can prevent y-axis movement of a shooting hub (22) or hub stack assembly (100) and can limit movement in the x and z axis.

A terminus of a lateral support beam (28) can be attached to one side of a backboard (90). The remaining terminus of support (28) can be attached to bearing (26). This can prevent undesired movement along the x-axis of a shooting hub (22). One terminus of lateral support beam (27) can be attached to a rear of back-board (90). A remaining terminus of support (27) can be attached to a bearing (26). This can prevent an undesired movement along the z-axis of a shooting hub (22) or a hub stack assembly (100). A shaft (19) may continue downward vertical and may terminate in thrust bearing (42). A thrust bearing (29) can be attached to a mounting plate (31). A bottom mounting plate (31) can be attached in firm manner to backboard (90) to provide attachment of a hub assembly stack (100) to a backboard. This may eliminate a need for a separate mounting stand reaching down to the ground level. It can also makes it easier for a horizontal plane of the rotating rim to maintain a consistent relationship with the top and bottom opening (91) in backboard (90).

A bearing (26) may provide lateral support for the x- and z-axis. A bearing may be on a stepper motor output shaft immediately above a coupling mechanism. Lateral support beams (27, 28) along the x- and z-axis to the backboard can be useful for the plane of travel of the rotating hub (22) and attached rims (41a, 41b, and 41c) perhaps to stay stable and maintain consistent alignment with the opening (91) in backboard (90). A lateral support beam (27) may be a z-axis support and a lateral support beam (28) may be an x-axis support. A beam may be a rod, tubing, bar, or the like.

A backboard (90) may have a three-dimensional nature that can be different than traditional backboards. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a depth along a z-axis (45) may allow attachment of lateral supports (28) which may increase a rotational consistency and even stability of a hub assembly stack (100) and or rim mounting hub (2). Additionally, a wider z-axis can allow for increased stability with ground to backboard support poles which can exploiting the extra dimension provided by the z-axis. The x-axis (44) and y-axis (43) are also shown in FIG. 4. Any type of anchoring of the hub to a backboard may be used including but not limited to 2 axes, 3 axes, and even 4 axes anchoring.

In FIGS. 7 and 8, a front of a backboard (90) may be placed in front of a shooting hub (22) and vertical shaft. Here, rims (41c in FIGS. 7 and 41b in FIG. 8) may be placed in a shooting position. A shooting hub (22) with its attached rims can be mounted within an opening of the backboard to allow the hub and even attached rims to spin without obstruction. A basketball (92) is displayed in FIG. 9 perhaps to highlight that its diameter may be greater than a vertical component of an opening (91) so that it cannot pass through the gap. A clearance (32a, 32b) may be provided between the vertical edges of an opening (91) between part of a backboard and an outside edge of the basketball rims.

In some embodiments, four basketball rims may be utilized in a rotating fashion. The rims may be different sizes that can fit a basketball, they may all be a different size from each other or some may be the same. A square shooting hub may be utilized with each of the four basket ball rims mounted to each side of the square. A backboard may be used which may have an opening to allow the rotating rims to move through the opening. A typical backboard distance from a rim is about 6 inches. The mounting plate can be behind the backboard and at a distance that allows the rotation without hitting the backboard. A horizontal plate attached to a rim may need to be deep enough so that there is a same distance between the backboard and rim. A plate may need additional distance in order for the side profiles of the largest rim to remain behind the backboard as to not create a protruding obstruction.

FIG. 10 provides a non-limiting example of a basketball rim size. A rim (4) may be a standard size, a slightly smaller rim, and a smallest rim. Any rim size (46) may be used perhaps so that a standard size basketball (or a size of basketball used in the game) can fit through including larger than a standard rim or even a unique shape such as oblong, oval, square, or the like. In embodiments, the different sized basketball rims may be at least about 8.5 inches in dimeter. A basketball rim may be about 14 inches and may be used for precise accuracy, may be about 15 inches and may be used for increased accuracy, may be about 18 inches or the like.

In some embodiments, a basketball hoop configuration may include a stand or may be stand-less. In other embodiments, the technology discussed herein may be paired with an auto-rebounder such as in U.S. Pat. No. 6,458,049, hereby incorporated by reference herein, or the like.

FIG. 11 provides a non-limiting example of a control and shot tracking diagram for a basketball shooting game. Control signals may be originated from any type of source (47), including but not limited to a current shooter (48), other participant (49) or even a third party observer, computer software (50) such as game engine software (50) which may be remote or even on-site, or the like. In embodiments, a user may be identified by a user ID, facial recognition, or other type of authentication, or the like. A control signal may include a desired position of a basketball rim or combination of rotations of basketball rims and even timing or the like. A control signal (51) may be sent from the source (47) to a microcontroller (95) which may then send control signals (52) to a stepper motor controller (96). A power source (97) may provide electrical power (98) to a stepper motor controller (96). A stepper motor controller (96) may provide electrical power (54) and perhaps even control signals (53) to a stepper motor (55) which may then provide a mechanical linkage (56) to provide a rotational component (57) of a shooting hub and its attached basketball rims. A microcontroller (95) may include a shot tracker (35). A shot tracker (35) may be provided to track a user's shots such as shots made and shots missed, the parts of the rim that were hit in each shot, a distance of a shot, and the like. A shot tracker may include a sensor or sensors connected to a computer and sensed with a computer program. A shot tracker (35) may provide an output (36) reporting the user's tracked shots. Such output (36) can be provided to the user to evaluate the score, consistency, and the like.

Such sources and controllers can provide a desired angular position in which a basketball rim may be placed facing forward through a backboard. A rim mounting plate may be attached to the hub mounting plate can be largely flush with the front of the backboard (90) and can be parallel to the backboard (90) in a shooting position. In some embodiments, individual components may be consolidated onto one component.

A stepper motor can divide a full rotation into a number of equal steps perhaps utilizing a step angle and gearbox ratio. In some embodiments, an encoder (34) may be used perhaps to provide a closed loop system. This may provide significantly improved velocity smoothness, reduced overall current consumption, higher torque at lower velocities, and the like. A stepper motors may use a phase technology with 200 full steps per revolution which may be about 1.8 degrees per full step. In some embodiments, a stepper motor may stop at about every 50 steps in a four-sided basketball hoop configuration or even at about every 66 steps in a three-sided basketball hoop configuration.

Two, three, four or more mounting plates may be mounted upon shaft in different embodiments. It is understood that control and power signals perhaps to final destination of a stepper motor (13) may be in differently wired and wireless configurations. Multiple individual components in FIG. 11 may be consolidated or even eliminated as technology allows. It is understood all individual shot data may be stored remotely and even utilized in game engines and training regime software. The utility of this application may include both training and even entertainment perhaps that can be magnified if it is paired with any number of current or future basketball autorebounders.

A software app may be used with an apparatus or methods under any of the various embodiments discussed herein. A game engine or even a user may use an app which may control, monitor, change, input, or the like to a basketball shot entertainment or training equipment or the like. In embodiments, an encoder (34) may be provided and may be responsive with a stepper motor. Embodiments of the application may include blockchain gaming and even generation of or utilization of coins, cryptocurrency, or the like perhaps with basketball shot entertainment or training systems and methods.

As can be easily understood from the foregoing, the basic concepts of the various embodiments of the present invention(s) may be embodied in a variety of ways. It involves both basketball hoop techniques as well as devices to accomplish the appropriate basketball hoop. In this application, the basketball hoop techniques are disclosed as part of the results shown to be achieved by the various devices described and as steps which are inherent to utilization. They are simply the natural result of utilizing the devices as intended and described. In addition, while some devices are disclosed, it should be understood that these not only accomplish certain methods but also can be varied in a number of ways. Importantly, as to all of the foregoing, all of these facets should be understood to be encompassed by this disclosure.

The discussion included in this application is intended to serve as a basic description. The reader should be aware that the specific discussion may not explicitly describe all embodiments possible; many alternatives are implicit. It also may not fully explain the generic nature of the various embodiments of the invention(s) and may not explicitly show how each feature or element can actually be representative of a broader function or of a great variety of alternative or equivalent elements. As one example, terms of degree, terms of approximation, and/or relative terms may be used. These may include terms such as the words: substantially, about, only, and the like. These words and types of words are to be understood in a dictionary sense as terms that encompass an ample or considerable amount, quantity, size, etc. as well as terms that encompass largely but not wholly that which is specified. Further, for this application if or when used, terms of degree, terms of approximation, and/or relative terms should be understood as also encompassing more precise and even quantitative values that include various levels of precision and the possibility of claims that address a number of quantitative options and alternatives. For example, to the extent ultimately used, the existence or non-existence of a substance or condition in a particular input, output, or at a particular stage can be specified as substantially only x or substantially free of x, as a value of about x, or such other similar language. Using percentage values as one example, these types of terms should be understood as encompassing the options of percentage values that include 99.5%, 99%, 97%, 95%, 92% or even 90% of the specified value or relative condition; correspondingly for values at the other end of the spectrum (e.g., substantially free of x, these should be understood as encompassing the options of percentage values that include not more than 0.5%, 1%, 3%, 5%, 8% or even 10% of the specified value or relative condition, all whether by volume or by weight as either may be specified). In context, these should be understood by a person of ordinary skill as being disclosed and included whether in an absolute value sense or in valuing one set of or substance as compared to the value of a second set of or substance. Again, these are implicitly included in this disclosure and should (and, it is believed, would) be understood to a person of ordinary skill in this field. Where the application is described in device-oriented terminology, each element of the device implicitly performs a function. Apparatus claims may not only be included for the device described, but also method or process claims may be included to address the functions of the embodiments and that each element performs. Neither the description nor the terminology is intended to limit the scope of the claims that will be included in any subsequent patent application.

It should also be understood that a variety of changes may be made without departing from the essence of the various embodiments of the invention(s). Such changes are also implicitly included in the description. They still fall within the scope of the various embodiments of the invention(s). A broad disclosure encompassing the explicit embodiment(s) shown, the great variety of implicit alternative embodiments, and the broad methods or processes and the like are encompassed by this disclosure and may be relied upon when drafting the claims for any subsequent patent application. It should be understood that such language changes and broader or more detailed claiming may be accomplished at a later date (such as by any required deadline) or in the event the applicant subsequently seeks a patent filing based on this filing. With this understanding, the reader should be aware that this disclosure is to be understood to support any subsequently filed patent application that may seek examination of as broad a base of claims as deemed within the applicant's right and may be designed to yield a patent covering numerous aspects of embodiments of the invention(s) both independently and as an overall system.

Further, each of the various elements of the embodiments of the invention(s) and claims may also be achieved in a variety of manners. Additionally, when used or implied, an element is to be understood as encompassing individual as well as plural structures that may or may not be physically connected. This disclosure should be understood to encompass each such variation, be it a variation of an embodiment of any apparatus embodiment, a method or process embodiment, or even merely a variation of any element of these. Particularly, it should be understood that as the disclosure relates to elements of the various embodiments of the invention(s), the words for each element may be expressed by equivalent apparatus terms or method terms—even if only the function or result is the same. Such equivalent, broader, or even more generic terms should be considered to be encompassed in the description of each element or action. Such terms can be substituted where desired to make explicit the implicitly broad coverage to which embodiments of the invention(s) is entitled. As but one example, it should be understood that all actions may be expressed as a means for taking that action or as an element which causes that action. Similarly, each physical element disclosed should be understood to encompass a disclosure of the action which that physical element facilitates. Regarding this last aspect, as but one example, the disclosure of a “shooting hub” should be understood to encompass disclosure of the act of “shooting”—whether explicitly discussed or not—and, conversely, were there effectively disclosure of the act of “shooting”, such a disclosure should be understood to encompass disclosure of a “shooter” and even a “means for shooting.” Such changes and alternative terms are to be understood to be explicitly included in the description. Further, each such means (whether explicitly so described or not) should be understood as encompassing all elements that can perform the given function, and all descriptions of elements that perform a described function should be understood as a non-limiting example of means for performing that function. As other non-limiting examples, it should be understood that claim elements can also be expressed as any of: components, programming, subroutines, logic, or elements that are configured to, or configured and arranged to, provide or even achieve a particular result, use, purpose, situation, function, or operation, or as components that are capable of achieving a particular activity, result, use, purpose, situation, function, or operation. All should be understood as within the scope of this disclosure and written description.

Any priority case(s) claimed by this application is hereby appended and hereby incorporated by reference. In addition, as to each term used it should be understood that unless its utilization in this application is inconsistent with a broadly supporting interpretation, common dictionary definitions should be understood as incorporated for each term and all definitions, alternative terms, and synonyms such as contained in the Random House Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, second edition are hereby incorporated by reference. Finally, all references listed in the list of References are hereby incorporated by reference, however, as to each of the above, to the extent that such information or statements incorporated by reference might be considered inconsistent with the patenting of the various embodiments of invention(s) such statements are expressly not to be considered as made by the applicant(s).

Thus, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make claims to embodiments including at least: i) each of the shooting devices as herein disclosed and described, ii) the related methods disclosed and described, iii) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these devices and methods, iv) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, v) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, vi) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, vii) the applications enhanced by the various systems or components disclosed, viii) the resulting products produced by such processes, methods, systems or components, ix) each system, method, and element shown or described as now applied to any specific field or devices mentioned, x) methods and apparatuses substantially as described hereinbefore and with reference to any of the accompanying examples, xi) an apparatus for performing the methods described herein comprising means for performing the steps, xii) the various combinations and permutations of each of the elements disclosed, xiii) each potentially dependent claim or concept as a dependency on each and every one of the independent claims or concepts presented, and xiv) all inventions described herein.

In addition and as to computer aspects and each aspect amenable to programming or other electronic automation, it should be understood that in characterizing these and all other aspects of the various embodiments of the invention(s)—whether characterized as a device, a capability, an element, or otherwise, because all of these can be implemented via software, hardware, or even firmware structures as set up for a general purpose computer, a programmed chip or chipset, an ASIC, application specific controller, subroutine, logic, or other known programmable or circuit specific structure—it should be understood that all such aspects are at least defined by structures including, as person of ordinary skill in the art would well recognize: hardware circuitry, firmware, programmed application specific components, and even a general purpose computer programmed to accomplish the identified aspect. For such items implemented by programmable features, the applicant(s) should be understood to have support to claim and make a statement of invention to at least: xv) processes performed with the aid of or on a computer, machine, or computing machine as described throughout the above discussion, xvi) a programmable apparatus as described throughout the above discussion, xvii) a computer readable memory encoded with data to direct a computer comprising means or elements which function as described throughout the above discussion, xviii) a computer, machine, or computing machine configured as herein disclosed and described, xix) individual or combined subroutines, processor logic, and/or programs as herein disclosed and described, xx) a carrier medium carrying computer readable code for control of a computer to carry out separately each and every individual and combined method described herein or in any claim, xxi) a computer program to perform separately each and every individual and combined method disclosed, xxii) a computer program containing all and each combination of means for performing each and every individual and combined step disclosed, xxiii) a storage medium storing each computer program disclosed, xxiv) a signal carrying a computer program disclosed, xxv) a processor executing instructions that act to achieve the steps and activities detailed, xxvi) circuitry configurations (including configurations of transistors, gates, and the like) that act to sequence and/or cause actions as detailed, xxvii) computer readable medium(s) storing instructions to execute the steps and cause activities detailed, xxviii) the related methods disclosed and described, xxix) similar, equivalent, and even implicit variations of each of these systems and methods, xxx) those alternative designs which accomplish each of the functions shown as are disclosed and described, xxxi) those alternative designs and methods which accomplish each of the functions shown as are implicit to accomplish that which is disclosed and described, xxxii) each feature, component, and step shown as separate and independent inventions, and xxxiii) the various combinations of each of the above and of any aspect, all without limiting other aspects in addition.

With regard to claims whether now or later presented for examination, it should be understood that for practical reasons and so as to avoid great expansion of the examination burden, the applicant may at any time present only initial claims or perhaps only initial claims with only initial dependencies. The office and any third persons interested in potential scope of this or subsequent applications should understand that broader claims may be presented at a later date in this case, in a case claiming the benefit of this case, or in any continuation in spite of any preliminary amendments, other amendments, claim language, or arguments presented, thus throughout the pendency of any case there is no intention to disclaim or surrender any potential subject matter. It should be understood that if or when broader claims are presented, such may require that any relevant prior art that may have been considered at any prior time may need to be re-visited since it is possible that to the extent any amendments, claim language, or arguments presented in this or any subsequent application are considered as made to avoid such prior art, such reasons may be eliminated by later presented claims or the like. Both the examiner and any person otherwise interested in existing or later potential coverage, or considering if there has at any time been any possibility of an indication of disclaimer or surrender of potential coverage, should be aware that no such surrender or disclaimer is ever intended or ever exists in this or any subsequent application. Limitations such as arose in Hakim v. Cannon Avent Group, PLC, 479 F.3d 1313 (Fed. Cir 2007), or the like are expressly not intended in this or any subsequent related matter. In addition, support should be understood to exist to the degree required under new matter laws—including but not limited to European Patent Convention Article 123(2) and United States Patent Law 35 USC 132 or other such laws—to permit the addition of any of the various dependencies or other elements presented under one independent claim or concept as dependencies or elements under any other independent claim or concept. In drafting any claims at any time whether in this application or in any subsequent application, it should also be understood that the applicant has intended to capture as full and broad a scope of coverage as legally available. To the extent that insubstantial substitutes are made, to the extent that the applicant did not in fact draft any claim so as to literally encompass any particular embodiment, and to the extent otherwise applicable, the applicant should not be understood to have in any way intended to or actually relinquished such coverage as the applicant simply may not have been able to anticipate all eventualities; one skilled in the art, should not be reasonably expected to have drafted a claim that would have literally encompassed such alternative embodiments.

Further, if or when used, the use of the transitional phrases “comprising”, “including”, “containing”, “characterized by” and “having” are used to maintain the “open-end” claims herein, according to traditional claim interpretation including that discussed in MPEP § 2111.03. Thus, unless the context requires otherwise, it should be understood that the terms “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, “include” or variations such as “includes” or “including”, “contain” or variations such as “contains” and “containing”, “characterized by” or variations such as “characterizing by”, “have” or variations such as “has” or “having”, are intended to imply the inclusion of a stated element or step or group of elements or steps but not the exclusion of any other element or step or group of elements or steps. Such terms should be interpreted in their most expansive form so as to afford the applicant the broadest coverage legally permissible. The use of the phrase, “or any other claim” is used to provide support for any claim to be dependent on any other claim, such as another dependent claim, another independent claim, a previously listed claim, a subsequently listed claim, and the like. As one clarifying example, if a claim were dependent “on claim 9 or any other claim” or the like, it could be re-drafted as dependent on claim 1, claim 8, or even claim 11 (if such were to exist) if desired and still fall with the disclosure. It should be understood that this phrase also provides support for any combination of elements in the claims and even incorporates any desired proper antecedent basis for certain claim combinations such as with combinations of method, apparatus, process, and the like claims.

Finally, any claims set forth at any time are hereby incorporated by reference as part of this description of the various embodiments of the application, and the applicant expressly reserves the right to use all of or a portion of such incorporated content of such claims as additional description to support any of or all of the claims or any element or component thereof, and the applicant further expressly reserves the right to move any portion of or all of the incorporated content of such claims or any element or component thereof from the description into the claims or vice-versa as necessary to define the matter for which protection is sought by this application or by any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof, or to obtain any benefit of, reduction in fees pursuant to, or to comply with the patent laws, rules, or regulations of any country or treaty, and such content incorporated by reference shall survive during the entire pendency of this application including any subsequent continuation, division, or continuation-in-part application thereof or any reissue or extension thereon.

Claims

1. A basketball shooting game comprising:

a rim mounting hub attached to a vertical shaft;

three differently sized basketball rims radially attached to said rim mounting hub providing a three-sided basketball hoop configuration;

a stepper motor configured to rotate said vertical shaft along with said attached rim mounting hub attached to said three differently sized basketball rims;

a backboard located in front of said vertical shaft and said rim mounting hub; and

an opening in said backboard configured to allow passage of each of said three differently sized basketball rims through said opening while said vertical shaft, said rim mounting hub and said three differently sized basketball rims are rotated.

2. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 wherein said three differently sized basketball rims are at least 8.5 inches in diameter.

3. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 wherein said three differently sized basketball rims radially attached to said rim mounting hub comprises three differently sized basketball rims attached equidistant around said rim mounting hub.

4. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 wherein said three differently sized basketball rims comprises four differently sized basketball rims and wherein said three-sided basketball hoop configuration comprises a four-sided basketball hoop configuration.

5. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 and further comprising an adjustable height of said three-sided basketball hoop configuration and said backboard.

6. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 and further comprising a mounting plate attached to said rim mounting hub for each of said three differently sized basketball rims.

7. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 6 wherein said mounting plate is configured to be parallel with said backboard when in a shooting position.

8. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 wherein said when said three-sided basketball hoop configuration comprises a triangular configuration.

9. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 4 wherein said four-sided basketball hoop configuration comprises a square configuration.

10. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 wherein said stepper motor is configured to rotate each of the three differently sized rims in and out of the backboard.

11. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 wherein said opening in said backboard is of a size that restricts a basketball from going through said opening.

12. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 and further comprising a basketball hoop configuration stabilizer configured to restrict movement of said three-sided basketball hoop configuration with respect to said backboard.

13. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 12 wherein said stabilizer comprises an element chosen from: at least one mounting plate; at least one support beam;

and any combination thereof.

14. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 wherein said three-sided basketball hoop configuration is attached to said backboard.

15. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 14 wherein said three-sided basketball hoop configuration comprises a stand-less three-sided basketball hoop configuration.

16. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 and further comprising an encoder responsive with said stepper motor.

17. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 16 and further comprising an adjustable speed of said rotation of said vertical shaft, rim mounting hub, and said three differently sized basketball rims.

18. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 1 and further comprising a shot tracker configured to track a user's shots.

19. The basketball shooting game as described in claim 18 and further comprising an output from said shot tracker reporting said user's shots.

20. A method for playing a basketball game comprising the steps of:

providing a three-sided basketball hoop configuration comprising a rim mounting hub attached to a vertical shaft; three differently sized basketball rims radially attached to said rim mounting hub; and a stepper motor configured to rotate said vertical shaft along with said attached rim mounting hub attached to said three differently sized basketball rims;

providing a backboard located in front of said vertical shaft and said rim mounting hub;

providing an opening in said backboard;

placing a first sized basketball rim of said three differently sized basketball rims through said opening of said backboard and into a shooting position;

shooting at least one basketball at said first sized basketball rim;

automatically rotating said vertical shaft to move said first sized basketball rim out of said opening in said backboard and moving a second sized basketball rim through said opening in said backboard and into said shooting position;

shooting said at least one basketball at said second sized basketball rim;

automatically rotating said vertical shaft to move said second sized basketball rim out of said opening in said backboard and moving either said first sized or a third sized basketball rim through said opening in said backboard and into said shooting position; and

shooting said at least one basketball at said first sized or said third sized basketball rim.

21-39. (canceled)