Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
SPORTS SYSTEM AND METHOD OF USE
BACKGROUND
Recreational sports are enjoyed by many individuals. Recreational sports, such
as
basketball and volleyball, are played every year by millions of people of all
ages. Recreational
sports may be enjoyed in indoor settings, such as gymnasiums, as well as in
outdoor settings
such as parks, backyards and pools. Enjoying recreational sports in and around
pools has become
popular.
Pools have become common places not only to enjoy swimming and leisure but
also to
play sports such as basketball and volleyball. Indeed, swimming, being one of
the healthiest
forms of exercise, has led to the popularity of pools. Over the years, pools
have naturally become
ideal places to implement recreational sports. In fact, one specific type of
pools known as sports
pools are pools particularly designed for the enjoyment of recreational
sports. Sports pools have
two shallow ends, with a deeper section in the center of such shallow ends.
Such sports pools are
well suited for basketball and volleyball as well as a number of other fun
pool games. Traditional
pools having a shallow end and a deep end are also well suited for the
enjoyment of recreational
sports such as volleyball and basketball.
Several basketball goal systems which are particularly adapted for pool side
use are
currently on the market. These basketball goal systems allow for the enjoyment
of playing
basketball while in or near a pool. Additionally, basketball and volleyball
combo systems are
currently available for consumers. Such combo systems allow users to play
basketball or
volleyball while in a pool. Existing basketball goal systems and
basketball/volleyball combo
systems have structures that are cumbersome and difficult to assemble,
transport, and store. A
sports system with a structure that allows for easy assembly, transport and
storage is desired.
BRIEF SUMMARY
A sports system for playing basketball and volleyball is disclosed. In one
embodiment,
the sports system comprises (a) a backboard comprising a front face and a rear
face, wherein the
backboard comprises a first corner aperture and a second corner aperture,
wherein the backboard
comprises a backboard stopper system having a channel, wherein the backboard
stopper system
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is located on the rear face of the backboard; (b) a mast comprising an
elongated body having a
first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the mast is removably
inserted into the
channel, wherein the elongated central body has a central elongated opening,
wherein the central
elongated opening of the mast has a length and width which allow a portion of
the backboard to
perpendicularly pass through the central opening; and (c) a base comprising a
front face and a
rear face, wherein the base has a first channel centrally extending the length
of the front face,
wherein the first channel is configured to receive the second end of the mast.
The first corner
aperture and the second corner aperture may be triangular shaped or non-
triangular shaped. In
one embodiment, the second corner aperture is located in the opposite corner
of the first corner
aperture.
In one embodiment, the sports system comprises a backboard stopper system
having a
lower plate with rails and an upper plate with rails, wherein the rails of the
lower plate and rails
of the upper plate slidably connect to create the channel to receive the first
end of the mast. The
first end of the mast may have a circumference that is less than the
circumference of the
elongated body. Also, the second end of the mast may comprises a wheel used to
transport the
sports system as desired. The mast may have an elongated central opening with
a width of about
1.8 inches and a length of about 20 inches. In one embodiment, the base of the
sports system
may have a plane surface and a drain.
A method for using a sports system is also disclosed. In one embodiment, the
method
comprises the following steps: (a) assembling or attaching a sports system
disclosed herein; (b)
utilizing the sports system; and (c) storing the sport system when finished
utilizing by removing
the backboard from the mast and perpendicularly inserting the backboard into
the central
opening of the mast.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 depicts a front view of the sports system according to one example
embodiment. In
this front view, the backboard, mast, and base of the sport system are
assembled.
Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the sports system as shown in Fig. 1. In
this
perspective view, the backboard, mast and base of the sports system are
assembled.
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Fig. 3 depicts a rear perspective view of the sports system as shown in Fig.
1. In this rear
perspective view, the backboard, mast and base of the sports system are
assembled.
Fig. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of the front of the sports system
as shown in
Fig. 1. In this exploded perspective view, the backboard, mast and base of the
sports system are
not assembled.
Fig. 5 depicts an exploded perspective view of the rear of the sports system
as shown in
Fig. 1. In this exploded perspective view, the backboard, mast and base of the
sports system are
not assembled.
Fig. 6 depicts a perspective view of the sports system as shown according to
one example
embodiment. In this perspective view, the backboard is inserted into the
central opening of the
mast. In Fig. 6, the sports system is in the stored (or unassembled) position.
Fig. 7 depicts a front view of the sports system as shown in Fig. 6. In this
front view, the
backboard is inserted into the central opening of the mast. In Fig. 7, the
sports system is in the
stored (or unassembled) position.
Fig. 8 depicts a top view of the sports system as shown according to one
example
embodiment. In this top view, the backboard is inserted into the central
opening of the mast. In
Fig. 8, the sports system is in the stored (or unassembled) position.
Fig. 9 depicts a magnified view of a second end of the mast of the sports
system
according to one example embodiment. In this magnified view, a wheel
configured to connect to
the second end is shown.
Fig. 10 is a top view of a sports system arranged in a box according to one
example
embodiment. The box may be used for shipping, packaging and storing the sports
system. In this
view, the base and mast of the sports system are attached; however, the
backboard is not attached
to the mast.
Fig. 11 is a top view of a sports system arranged in a box according to
another example
embodiment. The box may be used for shipping, packaging and storing the sports
system. In this
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view, a first mast is attached to a first base and a second mast is attached
to a second base;
however, one backboard is shown and is not attached to either the first or
second mast.
Fig. 12 is a rear perspective view of the base attached to the mast according
to one
example embodiment, wherein the base and mast are shown as arranged in Fig.
10.
Fig. 13 is a perspective view of a first base connected to a first mast and a
second base
connected to a second mast, wherein the first base and second base are shown
as arranged in Fig.
11.
Fig. 14 depicts a perspective view of the sports system as shown in Fig. 1. In
this
perspective view, the backboard, mast and base of the sports system are
assembled so that the
rim attached to the front of the backboard does not extend over the base.
Fig. 15 depicts a perspective view of the sports system according to one
example
embodiment. In this perspective view, the backboard, mast and base of the
sports system are
assembled so that the rim attached to the front of the backboard extends over
the base.
Fig. 16 depicts a perspective view of a base attached to a mast of a sports
system
according to one example embodiment. The plane surface of the base is shown.
Fig. 17 depicts a side view of the base attached to the mast of a sports
system according
to Fig. 16. As shown, the plane surface may be used to support and store a
basketball and/or a
volleyball.
Fig. 18 depicts a side view of the base attached to the mast of a sports
system according
to Fig. 16. As shown, the plane surface may be used to support a sandbag or
other items used to
add weight and stability to the sports system.
Fig. 19 depicts a side view of the base of a sports system according to one
example
embodiment.
Fig. 20 depicts a side view of the sports system as shown according to one
example
embodiment. In this side view, the backboard is inserted into the central
opening of the mast. In
Fig. 20, the sports system is in the stored position and a user is tilting the
sports system.
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Fig. 21 is a front view of a backboard of the sports system according to one
embodiment.
In this view, a user is holding the top and bottom corner apertures or
openings to transport the
backboard.
Fig. 22 depicts a front view of a mast of a sports system according to one
example
embodiment. In this view, the central opening extending vertically down the
elongated body of
the mast is shown.
Fig. 23 depicts a sports system according to another example embodiment. In
this view,
a first base connected to first mast and a second base connected to a second
mast are shown to
create a volleyball option.
Fig. 24A is a perspective view of the rear side of the backboard showing a
backboard
stopper system according to one example embodiment.
Fig. 24B is a side view of the backboard with backboard stopper system shown
in Fig.
24A.
Fig. 24C is a top view of the backboard with backboard stopper system shown in
Fig.
24A.
Fig. 24D is a partial view depicting the rear side of the backboard, wherein
the backboard
stopper lower plate is shown.
Fig. 24E is a perspective, partial view depicting the rear side of the
backboard, wherein
the backboard stopper lower plate is shown.
Fig. 24F depicts a view of backboard stopper upper plate according to one
embodiment.
Fig. 24G depicts a side view of the upper plate shown 24F.
Fig. 24H depicts a view of the backboard stopper upper plate as shown in Fig.
24F. In
this view the rails and cavities are shown.
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Fig. 241 depicts the backboard upper plate aligned in position to slide onto
rails of
backboard lower plate. The arrow represents the direction in which the
backboard upper plate
will slide onto the backboard lower plate.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring to Figs. 1 to 24, a sports system 100 is disclosed. In one example
embodiment,
sports system 100 comprises a backboard 110, rim 130, a mast 140 and a base
160. Referring
now to Figs. 1-5, Fig. 1 depicts a front view of the sports system 100
according to one example
embodiment. In this front view, backboard 110, rim 130, mast 140, and base 160
of the sports
system 100 are assembled. In the perspective view of Fig. 2, the backboard
110, rim 130, mast
140, and base 160 of the sports system 100 are also assembled. Fig. 3 depicts
a rear perspective
view of the sport system 100 where backboard 110, rim 130, mast 140 and base
160 of sports
system 100 are assembled. Fig. 4 depicts an exploded perspective view of the
sports system 100
wherein backboard 110, rim 130, mast 140, and base 160 are not assembled. Fig.
5 depicts an
exploded rear view of sports system 100 wherein backboard 110, rim 130, mast
140 and base
160 are not assembled.
Referring now to Figs. 1-5, in one embodiment, sports system 100 is typically
used for
playing basketball and volleyball by recreational sports players who are in or
near a pool. In one
example embodiment, sports system 100 comprises backboard 110.
In one example
embodiment, backboard 110 may be made of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or
polyethylene
(PE), but other materials may be used as desired by one of skill in the art.
In one embodiment,
backboard 110 has a front face 112 (see Fig. 4) and a rear face 114 (see Fig.
5). In one example
embodiment, backboard 110 may be 25.990 inches in length, 2.885 inches in
width, 20.000
inches in height. The dimensions of backboard 110 may vary as desired by one
of ordinary skill
in the art.
In one example embodiment, rim 130 may be attached to front face 112 of
backboard
110. Rim 130 comprises a circular hoop. In one embodiment, hoop has an inside
diameter of
about 18 inches from all point-to-point measurements that cross the exact
center of the hoop.
Other size hoops may be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In one embodiment,
the hoop may have hooks to secure the attachment of net 132. Other forms of
attaching net 132
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to circular hoop may be used as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art.
Rim 130 comprises a
rectangular piece of metal (best seen in Fig. 4) attached to the circular
hoop. Such rectangular
piece creates separation between the backboard 110 and the hoop and may sit
flush with
backboard 110 upon attachment. In one embodiment, rim 130 may be secured to
backboard 110
using a bracer support system which includes a square faceplate being set at a
perpendicular
angle to the rectangular piece of rim 130. In one embodiment, the square
faceplate has holes at
each of its four corners wherein such four holes align with the four holes in
backboard 110. Rim
130 may be fastened or attached to backboard 110 by screwing in four bolts
which are secured
with washers and nuts. Other support or attachment system may used to attach
rim 130 to
backboard 110 as desired by one of skill in the art. In one example
embodiment, rim 130 may be
made of steel, stainless steel, or iron, but other materials may be used as
desired by one of skill in
the art. In one example embodiment, an interwoven net 132 is attached or
fastened to the rim
130. In one embodiment, the thread count of the netting should be over 30 but
less than 120 total
threads.
Referring now to Figs. 1-5, in one embodiment, backboard 110 has a first
corner aperture
118 and a second corner aperture 120. In one example embodiment, first corner
aperture 118 is
located opposite of second corner aperture 120. First corner aperture 118 and
second corner
aperture 120 each provide an opening or free space which allow a user to
attach and remove
backboard 110 from mast 140. Apertures 118 and 120 allow a user to grip,
carry, and transport
the backboard 110 with ease (best shown in Fig. 21). In one example
embodiment, first and
second corner apertures 118 and 120 are triangular in shape. In other
embodiment, first and
second corner apertures 118 and 120 may be any shape as desired by one of
skill in the art.
Additionally, the location of the corner apertures or openings may vary. In
one embodiment,
first corner aperture 118 is located opposite of second corner aperture 120,
however, in another
embodiment, first and second corner apertures 118 and 120 may be both located
in the top or
lower two corners of backboard 110. In one embodiment, apertures, openings, or
free spaces
may be created in one, two, three or four corners of backboard 110, as desired
by one of skill in
the art.
Referring now to Figs. 1-5, 6 and 22, sports system 110 comprises mast 140. In
one
embodiment, mast 140 is made of high-density polyethylene (1-1DPE) or
polyethylene (PE)
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plastic, but other materials may be used as desired by one of skill in the
art. In one example
embodiment, mast 140 comprises an elongated body 156 (best shown in Fig. 22)
having a first
end 142 and a second end 144. The circumference around elongated body 156
narrows to form a
first end 142 wherein first end 142 removably connects to and assembles with
backboard 110.
Second end 144 connects or attaches to base 160. In one embodiment, elongated
body 156 forms
a second end 144 wherein second end 144 comprises a cavity 146 (see Fig. 9)
having two
parallel cut outs configured to receive wheel 148, best shown in Fig. 9. In
one embodiment, mast
140 is permanently fixed to base 160. In one embodiment, second end 144 has a
structure which
slides inside of base 160 and clips permanently to base 160. Second end 144
may be attached to
base 160 as desired by one of ordinary skill in the art.
In one example embodiment, mast 140 has a central opening 150 vertically
extending
down the elongated body 156 of mast 140. In another example embodiment,
central opening 150
may be oblong in shape having a length of about 20 inches in length and about
1.8 inches in
width. The dimensions of central opening 150 may vary as desired by one of
skill in the art as
long as dimensions are sufficient to allow central opening 150 to receive
backboard 110 best
shown in Figs. 6-8. In Figs. 6-8, the backboard 110 may be inserted into the
central opening 150
of the mast 140 allowing the sports system 100 to be is easily transported and
stored.
In one example embodiment, mast 140 has a first depression 152 and a second
depression
154. First and second depression 152 and 154 may be used to attach a
volleyball net to mast 140
(further described below).
Referring now to Figs. 1-8, sports system 100 comprises base 160. Mast 140 is
attached
to base 160. In one embodiment, base 160 is made of high-density polyethylene
(HDPE) or
polyethylene (PE) plastic, but other materials may be used as desired by one
of skill in the art. In
one example embodiment, base 160 has a front side 158 (see Fig. 4) and a rear
side 159 (see Fig.
5). In another example embodiment, front side 158 comprises a first channel
162 (see Fig. 4).
First channel 162 is designed to receive second end 144 of mast 140. In one
example
embodiment, rear side 159 comprises a second channel 164 (see Fig. 3). Second
channel 164 is
designed to allow first end 142 of mast 140 to be placed in second channel
164. Referring to
Figs. 16 to 19, in one example embodiment, base 160 comprises a plane surface
168 which may
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be used to support and store a basketball 172 and/or a volleyball 174. In
another embodiment,
the plane surface 168 of base 160 may be used to support a sandbag 176 or
other items used to
add weight and stability to the sports system 100. Fig. 19 depicts a side view
of base 160 of a
sports system 100. As shown in Fig. 19, in one example embodiment, plane
surface 168 of base
160 is sloped. In one embodiment, base 160 comprises a drain 166 having a plug
167 (see Fig.
5). Liquid, such as water, may be added to base 160 via drain 166 to add
stability to base 160.
Referring now to Figs. 3, 5, and 24A-24I, backboard 110 has a backboard
stopper system
or stopper system 116 contiguous to the rear face 114 of backboard 110.
Stopper system 116
comprises a backboard stopper lower plate 122 with rails 124 (see Figs. 24D
and 24E) and a
backboard stopper upper plate 126 with rails 124 (see Figs. 24F, 24G, and
24H). Corresponding
rails 124 of lower plate 122 and upper plate 126 of backboard stopper system
116 create a
channel 128 (see Fig. 24C). Cavities or depressions 125 of lower plate 124
(see Fig. 24E)
correspond with convexities or bumps 127 of upper plate 126 to further secure
lower plate 124
and upper plate 126. First end 142 of mast 140 may be removably secured in
channel 128.
Referring now to Figs. 6- 8, in one embodiment, backboard 110 of sports system
100 is
inserted into the central opening 150 of the mast 140. Fig. 8 depicts a top
view of the sport
system 100 as shown according to one example embodiment. In this top view,
backboard 110 is
inserted into the central opening 150 of the mast 140. In Fig. 8, backboard
stopper 116 stops or
prevents the backboard 110 from continuing to enter the central opening 150 of
mast 140.
Referring now to Fig. 23, in another embodiment, sports system 100 may further
comprise a second base 160 connected to a second mast 140 used to create a
volleyball court to
be used in a pool setting. Volleyball net 136 has rope or string 137 extending
from each of its
four corners wherein such rope 137 is positioned around a first depression 152
of each mast 140
and a second depression 154 of each mast 140. In one embodiment, rope or
string stoppers 138
may be used to secure the volleyball net 136 to each mast 140 and adjust the
volleyball net 136
to fit the width of the pool. Referring to Figs. 14 and 15, in order to
accommodate the volleyball
net, backboard 110 is removed and assembled in channel 128 of stopper system
116 in order that
the rim 130 attached to the front of the backboard 110 extends over the base
160.
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Referring now to Figs. 10 and 12, Fig.12 is a rear perspective view of base
160 attached
to mast 140 according to one example embodiment, wherein the base 160 and mast
140 are
shown as arranged in Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a top view of a sports system 100
arranged in a box 170
according to one example embodiment. Box 170 may be used for shipping,
packaging and
storing the sports system 100. In Figs. 10 and 12, base 160 and mast 140 of
the sports system 100
are attached; however, the backboard 110 is not attached to the mast 140.
Referring now to Figs. 11 and 13, Fig. 13 depicts a first base 160 connected
to a first
mast 140 and a second base 160 connected to a second mast 140, wherein the
first base 160 and
second base 160 are shown as arranged in Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a top view of a
sports system 100
arranged in a box 170 according to another example embodiment. Box 170 may be
used for
shipping, packaging and storing the sports system 100. In Fig. 11, first mast
140 and second mast
140 are attached to first base 160 and second base 160, respectively. In Fig.
11, one backboard
110 is shown and is not attached to either the first or second mast 140.
A method for using sports system 100 is also disclosed. Such method comprises
the
following steps: (a) assembling or attaching a the backboard 110, mast 140,
and base 160 of
sports system 100; (b) utilizing the sports system 100 as desired; and (c)
storing the sport system
100 when finished utilizing by removing the backboard 100 from the mast 140
and
perpendicularly inserting the backboard 110 into the central opening 150 of
the mast 140.
Other embodiments of the disclosed technology will be apparent to those of
skill in the
art from consideration of the specification and practice of the technology
disclosed herein. It is
intended that the specification and the example embodiments be considered as
exemplary
embodiments only, with a true scope and spirit of the technology being
indicated by the
disclosure herein.
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