US20060290062A1

US20060290062A1 - Hand held basketball toy

Info

Publication number: US20060290062A1
Application number: US11/474,537
Authority: US
Inventors: Thomas Sorrells
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-27
Filing date: 2006-06-26
Publication date: 2006-12-28

Abstract

A portable Hand held Basketball Toy, having a detachable base and a basketball on a chain/tether and connected to the handle, is disclosed. The basketball goal is comprised of seven (7) separate parts and assembled to create one (1) unit. The sum of the parts consists of a backboard, a one piece handle, a net, a tether, a basketball, a screw; that hold the handle and backboard to the net and a detachable base, which supports the goal assembly in an upright position. In the upright position, the game is played by swinging the ball on the end of a teher upwards toward the net and catching the ball in the net, to score a goal.

Description

REFERENCE

This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 60/694,311 Filed Jun. 27^th,2005.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention
The present invention is related to other hand held basketball toys, but was specifically designed to perform a function unique to all other devises.
2. Description of Related Arts
The popularity of the game of basketball has inspired many designs for toys and games. This popularity has insipired many basketball games for the home and other venues because of the growing need for portability. Basketball games such as the portable goals, rollaround, calapsable goals and smaller versions of those designs have been widely produced for many years. Thus, the smaller, indoor versions began to appear as the desire to bring basketball games indoors. Basketball games and toys are varied and many. As portability and storage is the key nature of these designs, so limits the desire and ability to display the toy as an artful decoration. This invention is intended to do just that as well as, provide new and unique features.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to the (Hand held Basketball toy) which obviates one or more problems arising from the limitations of one or more of the related arts. The objective and purpose of the present invention is to provide a invention that is portable, easily stored and also provides a decorative design and unique functions, unlike other related arts. To achieve these advantages, it will be apparent, to those skilled in the arts, as described in accompanying specifications and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The present invention is presented by way of example, and not by way of limitations, by the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numeral refer to similar elements and in which;
FIG. 1 is an elevation of the preferred embodiment of the Hand held Basketball Toy in an upright, standing position.
FIG. 2 is a side view of the backboard in one embodiment of the present invention, as it is attached to the handle, which, in it's self, is a separate intitiy.
FIG. 3 is a sideview of the of the handle as one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, the handle is attached to the backboard.
FIG. 4 is also a sideview of the net, as one embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 as in the original embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 5 indicates a side view of the ⅝″ screw, which attaches to the back of the handle. The screw enters through the back of the handle and backboard in FIGS. 2 and 3 and penetrates into the back of the net and attaches all three parts with the (1) screw.
FIG. 6 The chain or tether as a part of the original embodiment of the invention, is shown in a side view. The chain/tether is attached to the handle on one end, as in FIG. 3 and the basketball as shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 7 as one part of the embodiment of the present invention, is shown in a sideview. The ball attaches to the chain/tether, in FIG. 6, which attaches to the handle in FIG. 3. This combination adds to the new and unique aspect of the embodiment of the present invention, which would be apparent to those skilled in the arts.
FIG. 8 Is a side view of the detachable base, which, as in the present embodiment of the invention, lends a specific and original design and utility to the invention that is intended to separate it from other like products. This feature, as well as the, the ball on a chain/tether, in FIGS. 6 and 7, significantly sets this product apart from other similar products and should be apparent to those skilled in the arts.
FIG. 9 is a sideview of the position of the ⅛″ hole provided in the original embodiment of the present invention. The hole is positioned in the opitmal place on the handle, in FIG. 3, and provided as a place to attach the chain/tether in FIG. 6 to the handle, in FIG. 3
FIG. 10 Is a sideview of the present invention, in a full upright position.
FIG. 11 is a rear view of the embodiment of the present invention. It should be noted, the position of the screw, in FIG. 5 and the ⅛″ hole in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

(1) In the detailed description of the present invention, FIG. 1 refers to the preferred embodiment of the invention in its complete, assembled and upright position. This figure reveals the preferred design and utilitarian function of the invention. As one unit, as revealed in FIG. 1, shows the uniqueness of the invention compared those similar in the arts.
(2) FIGS. 2 and 3 of the present invention shows a sideview of the backboard and handle assembly as a an alternate view in FIG. 1. The backboard is developed to resemble in miniature the dimensions of a full size backboard, used in most high school, college and professional basketball arenas. It is constructed of clear OSB plastic material for safety purposes, but should not be limited to that material alone, and should also include the use of alternate materials, such as, wood, metal, or any other composite material deemed suitable for applications. On the bottom of the backboard is a U-shaped convection of ¼″ or slot to allow the connection of the backboard to the handle in FIG. 3. However, this should not limit the backboard and handle assembly to be constructed in two separate pieces, but also include the possibility of incorporating FIGS. 2 and 3 as one piece, as to increase the strength and safety of the overall invention.
FIG. 4 the intended embobiment of the present invention is a Net as shown in FIG. 1, has a ⅜″ extention on the anterior side. The ⅜″ extention intended to fit into the slot in the front side of the Backboard and handle assembly. FIG. 5 Is an alternate view of the ⅝″ stainless steel screw which, when screwed into the back of the backboard and handle assemble, will firmly attach the three parts to complete the assembly of the parts in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. The net is also made of clear OSB material; which is a clear, hard safety plastic material, but should not be limited to one material and should include any other material deemed necessary for the safety in construction of the intended application ie. Wood and/or metal for the invention intend to be marketed as a desktop or shelftop trophy. The net as the intended embodiment of present invention is 1¾″ in diameter across the top, tapers down 1¾″ to an open bottom of 1″ diameter. The surface of the net is smooth and at the rim, rounds out 1/16″ to create a rim at the top of the part. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the rim is painted orange and the appearance (simulation) of a net Is either painted on or stenciled on to the plastic/wood or metal material to give the appearance of a soft rope net seen in full scale basketball goal assemblies.
FIG. 5 as in the FIG. 1 of the present invention, the ⅝″ stainless steel screw is the primary part that joins and strengthens The backboard, handle and net assembly. It should be apparent to those skilled in the arts that the screw, inserted through the back of the invention, would pentrate all thre parts indicated as FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, securing the assembly into one.
FIG. 6 as in the present invention is a chain/tether, which connects to the handle assembly in FIG. 3 and attaches to the handle through the ⅛″ hole provided in FIG. 9 of the intended embodiment of the present invention. The hole, strategicly placed at the center of the handle, is so placed as to maximize the efficiency of the ball and chain/teather, as a person swings the ball upwards to make a basket. The material in FIG. 6 should not be limited to a chain as a tether, but should also include any material deemed suitable as tether, such as rope, cording string twine or any other material.
FIG. 7 as in the present invention the ball is made of hard, durable plastic material. It is specified a ball made in two (2) halves and wiehted. The two halves are equally weighted and joined together around one end of the tether, to create the ball on a tether assembly. It should be noted that the ball in FIG. 7 is textured, striped and colored orange, to create the appearance of a full scale basketball. The ball as in the the original embodiment of the present invention, is 1¼″ in diameter. The ball in FIG. 7 is made of plastic, but to those skilled in the art, should be apparent that it should not be limited to plastic as the only material, but include the use of other material such as, rubber, vinyl, wood or any other appropriate materials in an otherwise solid or hollow construction.
FIG. 9 as in the present invention, as the ⅛″ hole in the center of the handle in FIG. 3, is intended to provide a place for attachment of the chain/tether in FIG. 6. The tether is inserted through the hole and a larger connector is attached to the Back end of the chain, to avoid pulling the chain back through the hole. In case of A cord as a tether, the cord is inserted through the ⅛″ hole and a knot tied in the back to prevent pulling the cord back through.
FIG. 8 As in the present invention and illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 11 is a full detachable base, made in one piece. As seen in the original embodiment of the present invention The base is provided to bring the invention to a full and upright position, for easy storage and display purposes. As in the present invention, it should be noted that the detachable base is formed in shape and color orange, as to take on the appearance of a basketball, with lines and textures. It should be apparent to those skilled in Arts, that the detachable base and the ball on a tether significantly differenciate the present invention from ANY other arts. Thus, creating a presidence for the present invention as a completely unique Art in the field of Hand Held Basketball Toys.
FIG. 10 as in the present invention, shows a sideview of intended embodiment of the present invention. This view shows the invention in its full upright position.
FIG. 11 as in the present invention, shows a rearview of the intended embodiment of the present invention. In the views of the sideview in FIG. 10 and the present rearview, The ⅛″ hole and ⅝″ S.S. screw are most apparent. The rearview in FIG. 11 and the Frontview in FIG. 1 give best elevations and perspective of the present invention as it refers to the display qualities of the invention in the full upright position, completely assembled with the detachable base in place.

Claims

1) A hand held BASKETBALL toy including seven (7) separate parts. Said toy Including a clear plastic removable backboard, a clear plastic removable net and a black hard plastic removable handle. Also included in said toy is a Screw inserted in the back as to attach all three previously referred parts in order to create a basketball goal assembly. A basketball on a tether added to create a game and a detachable base completes the toy by allowing the goal to stand upright for display purposes.

2) The hand held basket ball toy referred to in claim 1 also claims, the backboard is approx. 5¼″ width and 3¼″ height and made of a durable, clear plastic material in order to create the look of a full scale NBA basketball goal.

3) The toy in claim (1) has a handle approx. 10″ height is made of a separate mold and constructed of a hard plastic material in order to allow the handle to be injected with different colors to simulate the school colors or NBA colors of all shades. It is tubular in shape, ⅜″ at the top and Tapered to 1″ at the lower portion to create a hand grip.

4) The toy in the present invention claims to be significantly different from the related arts by attaching a basketball on a tether to the body of the handle In order to require a swing motion to propel the basketball toward the goal, in order to make a basket. This particular feature sets this invention apart from other related arts, and should be seen as particularly unique by those skilled in the arts.

5) The toy in claim (1) as referring to the clear plastic is net, the net is simulated to look like a basketball net and constructed in that form. Top diameter is approx. 1½′ and contured down 2½″ to a diameter of 1″ so the ball will not pass through.

6) The hand held basketball toy in claim (1) is is fitted with a detachable base as to allow game to be stored or displayed on a desk or a shelf. It should also be noted that both the detachable base and the basketball on a tether have very distinct characteristics including lines and textures consistent with a professional basketball, including orange in color.

7) The toy in claim (1) Relating the tether or chain is not intended to limit the tether to one specific material but to expand the possibilities of the tether to include any kind of material best suited to make the toy operate to it highest efficiency.

8) The toy in claim (1) refers to a basketball on a tether. The basket ball being molded in two (2) halves and weighted to the desired weight. Basketball referred herein, Is 1¼″ in diameter and the two halves clamp together to mold around the lowwer portion of the tether, holding the ball firmly. The ball specified herein as a plastic ball does not limit the material use to make the ball, but include other materials, such as a rubber ball, etc.