US 20180353824A1

( 19) United States

(12 ) Patent Application Publication ( 10) Pub . No.: US 2018 /0353824 A1
Brooks, III (43) Pub. Date : Dec . 13 , 2018
(54 ) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR (52) U .S . CI.
IMPROVING BASKETBALL SHOOTING CPC ..... . A63B 69 /0071 ( 2013 .01) ; A63B 71/ 0622
PERFORMANCE ( 2013 .01) ; A63B 63 /083 (2013 .01 ); A63B
2225/ 50 ( 2013.01); A63B 2207/ 02 ( 2013. 01) ;
(71) Applicant: Alvin Brooks, III, Hewitt, TX (US) A63B 2243/0037 (2013.01); A63B 2071/0694
(72 ) Inventor : Alvin Brooks, III, Hewitt, TX (US ) (2013 .01 )
( 21 ) Appl. No.: 15 /618 ,928
(57 ) ABSTRACT
(22) Filed : Jun. 9, 2017
Publication Classification A basketball training hoop includes a rim having a connect
(51) Int . Ci. ing piece for affixing the rim to a supporting structure . A net
A63B 69 /00 ( 2006 . 01) is attached to the rim . A plurality of aiming indicators is
A63B 71/06 ( 2006 .01) disposed around the circumference of the rim . The aiming
A63B 63/08 ( 2006 .01) indicators are of at least two visually distinguishable colors .

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US 2018 /0353824 A1
SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR
IMPROVING BASKETBALL SHOOTING
PERFORMANCE
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable .
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY
SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002 ] Not Applicable
NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT
RESEARCH AGREEMENT
[0003] Not Applicable.
BACKGROUND
10004 ]. This disclosure generally relates to the game of
basketball. More particularly , the disclosure relates to sys
tems and methods for facilitating the improvement of a
player 's basketball shooting performance by enhancing the
visualization of discrete portions of the net and rim to assist
users in locating a shooting target and providing tailored
shooting exercises using the such methods and systems.
[ 0005 ] The main objective of the game of basketball is to
have a team ' s players advance a ball into an opposing team ' s
area or zone of a playing court and shoot the ball through an
elevated goal or hoop to accumulate points . It is often
desirable and /or necessary to shoot the ball from various
positions spaced away from the hoop , where the potential
points allotted per successful shot may be greater and the
defense presented by the opposing team is typically lighter.
Therefore, the more accurate a player is in shooting or
placing the ball through the hoop from various points on the
playing court, the more points that player is able to accu
mulate for his or her team during the course of a given game.
Accordingly , it is often desirable for a basketball game
player to improve his ability to accurately shoot the ball
through the hoop from various locations within the playing
court to further improve that player's ability to contribute to
the overall success of their team .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006 ] FIG . 1 is top view of a conventional basketball
hoop .
[ 0007 ] FIG . 2 is a top view of an embodiment of a
basketball hoop in accordance with the principles disclosed
herein
[0008 ] FIG . 3 is a schematic top view of another embodi
ment of a basketball hoop in accordance with the principles
disclosed herein .
[0009] FIG . 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
training method in accordance with the principles disclosed
herein for training to shoot a basketball through one of the
hoops of FIGS. 2 and 3 .
[0010 ] FIG . 5 is a schematic view of a display of an
electronic device that operates a computer program to
execute the training method of FIG . 4 .
[0011] FIG . 6 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a
method in accordance with the principles disclosed herein
for accomplishing a desired basketball shooting goal.
Dec. 13, 2018
[0012 ] FIG . 7 is a schematic view of the display of the
electronic device of FIG . 5 operating a computer program to
execute the method of FIG . 5 .
[0013 ] FIG . 8 is a schematic top view of another embodi
ment of a basketball hoop in accordance with the principles
disclosed herein .
[0014 ] FIGS. 9 through 11 show various views of another
embodiment of a basketball hoop in accordance with the
principles disclosed herein .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015 ] The following description is directed to various
example embodiments . However, one skilled in the art will
understand that the examples disclosed herein have broad
application , and that the discussion of any embodiment is
meant only to be one example of that embodiment, and not
intended to indicate that the scope of the disclosure is limited
to any particular embodiment.
(0016 ] Certain terms are used throughout the following
description and claims to refer to particular features or
components . As one skilled in the art will appreciate ,
differentpersons may refer to the same feature or component
by different names. This disclosure does not distinguish
between components or features that differ in name but not
function . The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale .
Certain features and components herein may be shown
exaggerated in scale or in somewhat schematic form and
some details of conventional elements may not be shown in
interest of clarity and conciseness.
[0017 ] In the following description and in the claims, the
term " comprising” is used in an open - ended manner , and
thus should be interpreted to mean “ including , but not
limited to . . . ." Also , the term " couple ” or " couples " is
intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection .
Thus , if a first device couples to a second device , that
connection may be through a direct connection , or through
an indirect connection via intermediate devices , compo
nents , and connections. In addition , as used herein , the terms
" axial” and “ axially ” generally mean along or parallel to a
central axis or along a lengthwise direction (e . g ., central axis
of a body or a port), while the terms “ radial” and “ radially ”
generally mean perpendicular to the central axis. For
instance, an axial distance refers to a distance measured
along or parallel to the central axis , and a radial distance
means a distance measured perpendicular to the central axis .
10018 ] FIG . 1 shows a conventional basketball hoop 10 .
Hoop 10 generally includes a metallic ring or rim 12 that
may be coupled to a backboard (not shown ) by a connecting
piece 13. In addition , hoop 10 includes a net 20 coupled to
rim 12 and extending downward therefrom . Net 20 is
typically comprised of a plurality of chords that are woven
or tied together , thereby forming a plurality of first or upper
loops 24 and a plurality of second or lower loops 26 . In this
embodiment, net 20 is coupled to rim 12 through engage
ment of rim 12 and each of the plurality of upper loops 24
as shown . A central hole 28 is disposed in net 20 and is
configured to allow passage of a game ball (not shown )
therethrough during a successful placement or shot of the
game ball through rim 12 . The entire hoop 10 is typically
elevated from the surface of a playing court (not shown ). For
example , hoop 10 is elevated such that rim 12 lies within a
plane that is approximately 10 feet (3 meters ) above the
surface of the playing court.
US 2018 /0353824 A1
[0019 ] As previously described , it is often desirable for
players to improve or maximize their ability to accurately
shoot the ball through the hoop 10 from various locations on
the playing court to further improve the players ' ability to
contribute to the overall success of their team . However,
accurately placing the game ball within the rim 12 while it
is elevated above the surface the playing court as described
above is difficult, and thus, players typically need to develop
their ability to accurately perform such placement of the ball
to increase the number of points scored (i.e ., by having the
game ball pass through the net 20 ) during the course of a
game. Thus, embodiments disclosed herein include
improved basketball nets and hoops that may use color
coded aiming targets incorporated therein to allow a player
to visually focus on a designated aiming targetwithin the net
to improve their ability to accurately place the ball through
the rim 12 during game play and practice .
[0020 ] FIG . 2 shows an embodiment of a basketball goal
or hoop 100 in accordance with the present disclosure .Hoop
100 is substantially the same as previously described with
reference to FIG . 1 , except that the net 20 is replaced with
a net 120 according to the present disclosure in which first
or upper loops 124A - 124L are provided . For purposes of
clarity of the present disclosure , the central portion of net
120 (e . g ., including the second or lower loops 26 and central
opening 28 , described with reference to FIG . 1 ) is omitted
from view in FIG . 2 .
[ 0021] As shown in FIG . 2 , each of the loops 124A - 124L
is presented in a color comprised of a group of different
colors , in the present example embodiment, six colors
C1 -C6 . In particular, loops 124A - 124L are each made to be
one of colors C1- C6 through any suitable means or method
known in the art such as, for example , staining , painting ,
dipping , dying , or combination thereof. In some embodi
ments, the other loops ( e . g ., loops 26 shown in FIG . 1 ) can
also be presented in one of the group of colors C1 -C6 , or
may be presented in a color other than one of the group of
colors C1- C6 . Each color C1- C6 is preferably a different
color or shade that is visually distinguishable from each of
the other colors C1-C6 by a user at any shooting distance on
a basketball court. For example and without limitation ,
colors C1- C6 may be any combination or shade of red ,
orange , yellow , green , blue , indigo , violet, or some combi
nation thereof . In this embodiment, colors C1-C6 are blue ,
green , indigo , yellow , red and violet, respectively .
[0022] In the present example embodiment, loops 124A
124L may be presented in colors
[0023] C1- C6 symmetrically about the rim 12 with respect
to a reference plane 125 that passes radially through the
central axis or center of curvature 127 of rim 12 . When hoop
100 is mounted , rim 12 is horizontally oriented (i.e ., rim 12
lies in a horizontal plane ) and net 120 hangs downward
therefrom . Thus, reference plane 125 is vertically oriented
and perpendicular to the horizontal plane containing rim 12 .
As shown in FIG . 2, each of the loops 124G , 124H are
presented in color Ci, each of the loops 124F, 1241 are
presented in color C2, each of the loops 124E , 1241 are
presented in color C3, each of the loops 124D , 124K are
presented in color C4 , each of the loops 124C , 124L are
presented in color C5 , each of the loops 124A , 124B are
presented in color C6 . In the arrangement of FIG . 2 , the
plane 125 crosses rim 12 at two circumferentially opposite
points 125a, 125b . In addition , in the present embodiment,
the plane 125 passes between the loops 124A , 124B on a
Dec. 13, 2018
side of rim 12 proximate point 125a and passes between
loops 124H , 124G on a side of rim 12 proximate the point
125b . In this embodiment , points 125a , 125b are aligned
with the centerline of the playing court, however, such an
arrangement is not required . In addition, it should be appre
c iated that other embodiments may include loops ( e . g ., loops
124A - 124L ) that are not symmetrically presented in colors
C1-C6 while still being within the scope of the principles
disclosed herein . In addition , while a total of twelve loops
124A - 124L are shown for hoop 100 , it should be appreciated
thathoops made in accordance with the principles disclosed
herein may include more or fewer than twelve loops.
10024 ] During use , a user or player may be disposed at a
positioned relative to hoop 100 , such as , for example , at one
of the positions 130A , 130B , 130C shown in FIG . 2 such that
the user views hoop 100 along a specific sight line 135A ,
135B , 135C , respectively . Thereafter the user shoots a ball
(not shown ) toward the hoop 100 while visually focusing on
one of the loops 124A - 124L or the rim spaces between each
loop as an aiming point. For example, depending on the
specific style , tendencies and strategies used , a user disposed
at position 130A may focus on either loop 1241 or loop
124C in order to properly align the shot. The difference in
color between the loops 1241 and the adjacent loops 1245,
124, the difference in color between loops 124C and the
adjacent loops 124B , 124D , and the difference in color
between loops 1241 and 124C all help to clearly visually
distinguish the desired focusing target for the user during
shooting exercises. Similarly , a user disposed at position
130B may focus on either the loops 124H , 124G , or the
loops 124A , 124B in order to properly align his shot. The
difference in color between the loops 124H , 124G and the
adjacent loops 1241, 124F , the difference in color between
the loops 124A , 124B and the adjacent loops 124L , 124C ,
and the difference in color between the loops 124H , 124G
and the loops 124A , 124B all help to clearly distinguish the
desired focusing target for the user during shooting practice
exercises.
[0025 ] During use (e.g ., at shooting practice ), the decision
to aim at a loop positioned at a point along rim 12 nearest
to the position ( e .g ., position 130A ) along a corresponding
sight line (e . g ., sight line 135A ) as contrasted with a loop
positioned at a point along rim 12 that is farthest to the
position along the corresponding sight line is based on the
specific characteristics, tendencies , style, and skill of the
specific player or user .
[0026 ] In some embodiments , the arrangement of net 120
about rim 12may be varied while still being within the scope
of the principles disclosed herein . For example , FIG . 3
shows another embodiment of a hoop 200 in accordance
with the principles disclosed herein . Hoop 200 is substan
tially the same as the hoop previously described with
reference to FIG . 2 , except that hoop 200 includes a net 220
having a plurality of upper loops 224A -224L rather than the
loops 124A - 124L of net 120 on hoop 100 . Loops 224A
224L are further substantially the same as the loops 124A
124L except that the loops 224A -224L are symmetrically
arranged about the rim 12 such that the loops 224A , 224G
effectively straddle the plane 125 . In other words, plane 125
passes through the loop 224A on a side of rim 12 proximate
point 125a and passes through the loop 224G on a side of
rim 12 proximate point 125b . In addition , loops 224B -224L
are presented in colors C1- C6 in the manner shown in FIG .
3 ; however, in this embodiment, the loop 224A can be
US 2018 /0353824 A1
presented in either the color C1 or a differentcolor C7 which
may be either different or the same as one of the colors
C1- C6 .
[0027] Operations or shooting exercises using the hoop
200 may be substantially the same as operations or shooting
exercises using the hoop 100 , previously described with
reference to FIG . 2 . For example , a user disposed at position
130A may focus on either the loop 224H or the loop 224B
in order to properly align his or her shot . The difference in
color between the loops 2241 and the adjacent loops 2241,
224G , the difference in color between loop 224B and the
adjacent loops 224A , 224C , and the difference in color
between loops 224H and 224B all help the user to clearly
visually distinguish the desired visual focusing target during
shooting exercises .
10028 ]. In some embodiments , a user may use or practice
with a hoop in accordance with the principles disclosed
herein ( e. g ., hoops 100 , 200 ) with the aid of a training
software computer program to improve their shooting skills .
For example , FIG . 4 , shows a method 300 for training to
shoot a basketball through a hoop made in accordance with
the principles disclosed herein ( e . g ., hoops 100 , 200 ) with
the aid of a computer program . In describing such method
300, reference will be made to FIG . 5 , which shows an
electronic device 400 executing the computer program to
carry out the method 300 .
[0029 ] Electronic device 400 may be any suitable elec
tronic device capable of storing (or reading from a non
transitory storage medium ) and executing computer pro
grams, such as, for example , a personal computer, a laptop ,
a tablet, a smartphone , or some combination thereofhaving
a processor to execute machine instructions stored on the
medium . In the embodiment shown in FIG . 5 , device 400
may be a smartphone having a display 402. The device 400
may include a geodetic position signal receiver, such as a
GNSS or GPS satellite signal receiver in order to locate the
user ' s position on a playing court as will be further
explained below . In addition , in the present example
embodiment device 400 includes a processor and storage . In
this embodiment, the storage may be a non - transitory com
puter readable storage medium suitable for storing instruc
tions that are retrieved and executed by the processor to
perform the functions disclosed herein . Storage may include
volatile storage such as random access memory , non -volatile
storage ( e . g ., a hard drive , an optical storage device ( e . g .,
CD or DVD ), FLASH storage , read - only -memory ), or com
binations thereof. Referring once again to FIG . 4 , initially , in
block 305 a user may input predetermined preliminary
information into the computer program . Depending on the
specific parameters of the computer program , various types
of information may be input initially in order to better tailor
the execution of the computer program to the specific user.
For example , in some embodiments, the type of information
input in block 305 may include the desired basketball
playing position (e .g., center , point guard , etc.), as well as
the user 's age , gender, height, weight, skill level ( e . g .,
beginner, novice , expert, etc .). Input of the predetermined
information in block 305 may not always be required for
operation of the computer program . For example, in the
present example embodiment, the information input at block
305 may be input only during the first use of the computer
program or during the first use of the computer program for
a given user or user profile. Thus, some embodiments of
Dec. 13, 2018
method 300 do not include the information input at 305
while still being within the scope of the principles disclosed
herein .
(0030 ) At 310 the user may be directed to select one of a
given number of net configurations. For example, in this
embodiment the user is directed to select one of either the
net configuration of hoop 100 or hoop 200 (more particu
larly the circumferential alignment and configuration of the
loops 124A - 124L , 224A -224L about rim 12 ), or a set of
aiming indicators as will be explained with reference to
FIGS. 9 through 11 . As will be described in more detail
below , the selection of the net configuration at 310 by the
user is then used to adjust specific aiming instructions
calculated by the computer program and displayed to the
user on the display 402 during the chosen practice session .
Next, at 315 the user is instructed to select a particular
practice plan for execution by the computer program . The
selected practice plan may be one of a variety of plans that
are preloaded onto the executing device ( e.g ., device 400
shown in FIG . 5 ), may be a practice plan thatwas created by
the user, or may be a practice plan that was developed by
other users and/ or contributors and was subsequently down
loaded ( to electronic device 400 in FIG . 5 ) using a suitable
communication system such as, for example , the internet.
[0031 ] In some embodiments , upon choosing the specific
practice plan at 315 , the computer program causes to be
displayed a schematic representation of at least a portion of
a basketball court on a display such as is shown on display
402 in FIG . 5 . In addition , in the present example embodi
ment , there may be a plurality of location markers 404 ( the
embodiment of FIG . 5 includes four such location markers
404a , 4046, 404c , and 404d ) disposed about the displayed
basketball court on display 402 that are selectable by the
user and that correspond to actual locations similarly located
about a physical basketball court ( not shown) in which the
user is conducting his training. In this embodiment, display
402 is a touch sensitive display, and thus, to selectone ofthe
location markers, a user need simply engage the display
proximate the desired location marker 404a , 4046, 404c,
404d . Once the desired location marker 404a , 4046, 404c ,
404d is selected in block 320 , a prescribed exercise or
practice regimen is presented on display 402 in block 325
that directs user to work through the prescribed regimen at
a location on the physical basketball court that corresponds
with the selected location marker on display 402 . For
example , a prescribed practice regimen may include
attempting five shots from a location on the physical bas
ketball court corresponding to location marker 404b . During
the execution of a prescribed regimen in block 325 , the
computer program may instruct the user to aim at one or
more of the specific colored loops 124A - 124L , 224A -224L
on hoops 100 , 200 previously described . In this embodi
ment, the specific aiming point that is determined by the one
or more of the pieces of information that were provided in
block 305 and the net configuration designated in block 310 .
In addition , in some embodiments , the chosen exercise plan
at 315 specifically directs the user to a prescribed order and
number of locations corresponding to various markers ( e. g .,
markers 404a, 4046 , 404c, 404d ) on display 402 , and thus ,
does not allow the user to individually select the specific
locations on the presented on display .
[0032 ] In the present example embodiment, once the user
has completed a given prescribed regimen at 325 , such user
may be instructed to input the specific performance results
US 2018 /0353824 A1
associated with that regimen at 330 . For example, if a user
successfully placed the ball through the hoop ( e .g ., hoop
100, 200 ) three times out of a total of five attempts , the user
may manually input this information into the computer
program upon completing the regimen chosen at 325 . In
some embodiments , the hoop ( e . g ., hoop 100 , 200 ) may
include one or more electronic sensors (not shown) that
automatically detect the presence of the ball, determine the
success of a given shot, and communicate ( e .g ., through a
wireless signal) with the electronic device 400 such that the
performance results for a selected regimen at 325 are auto
matically uploaded to the computer program . Regardless of
the method used to input the performance results from a
given regimen at 330 , at 335 the method may also include
uploading the results input at 330 onto a social media
website or other communication medium . The information
input at 330 can then be used to set goals for the user or
others , as well as challenge other users to competitions for
best performance in a given practice session or regimen .
[0033] In some embodiments , the computer program
described above may also be used to help a user accomplish
an ultimate goal that may or may not be related to the game
of basketball. In particular , referring now to FIG . 6 where a
method 500 for accomplishing an ultimate goal with the aid
of the computer program , previously described , is shown.
[0034 ] In describing method 500 , reference will bemade
to FIG . 7 , where the electronic device 400 is shown execut
ing the computer program to carry out the method 500 .
Initially, in block 505 a user may input some preliminary
information into the computer program . Depending on the
specific parameters of the computer program , various types
of information may be requested in order to better tailor the
execution of the computer program to the specific user. For
example , in some embodiments , the sorts of information
requested and supplied in block 305 may include the user's
age, gender, height, weight, shot success fraction , etc . Input
ting the specific information in block 505 may not always be
required for operation of the computer program . For
example , in the present example embodiment, the informa
tion of block 505 may be collected only during the first use
of the computer program software or during the first use of
the computer program for a given user or user profile . Thus,
some embodiments ofmethod 500 do not include step 505
while still being within the scope of the principles disclosed
herein . Block 510 directs the user to select or input a
personal performance goal. The personal performance goal
represents an ultimate accomplishment that the user wishes
to achieve , for example a successful shot fraction for one or
more user positions on a playing court. As shown in FIG . 7 ,
once selected , the personal performance goal may be dis
played in the center of a schematic basketball hoop that, in
some embodiments , is similar to one of the hoops 100 , 200,
previously described . Next, block 515 directs the user to
input the various steps that are required to accomplish or
attain the user performance goal selected in block 510 . As an
example, if the personal performance goal selected by a user
is to earn an educational degree from a specific university ,
the various steps required to accomplish that goal may
include , graduation from high school, submission of an
application to the specific university, completion of the
required courses to earn the specified degree , etc. Once
supplied by the user, the various steps (e.g., step 1, step 2 ,
step 3 , etc . ) are each displayed about the schematic hoop on
display 402 such that each of the steps is located adjacent
Dec. 13, 2018
and proximate one of the loops ( e. g ., loops 124A - 124L ,
224A - 224L ) of the hoop in the manner shown in FIG . 7 .
[0035 ] Optionally, step 520 directs the user to also input
any sub -steps that might be required to accomplish any one
of the previously described steps (e.g ., step 1, step 2 , step 3 ,
etc .) from block 515 . For instance , in the previously
described example, if one of the steps for accomplishing the
goal of earning an educational degree from a specific
university , and one of the principal tasks for accomplishing
such goal is to complete all of the required courses for that
given degree , then a potential sub - step that a user could
input in block 520 would be successful completion of the
course work within a given set of the required courses to
earn such degree . In some embodiments, any required
sub - step may be shown on display 402 when a user selects
the associated step ( e .g ., by physically touching or engaging
the display 402 at a location where the specific step is
shown ) . However, other display options for the various steps
and sub - steps are possible. Some portable electronic
devices , e . g ., smartphones, may comprise a geodetic posi
tion signal receiver, e . g ., GPS or GNSS signals . Thus, the
electronic device 400 may automatically determine the
user' s position on a playing court and as explained herein ,
calculate an aiming point for display to the user on the
display 402 based on the determined user position .
[0036 ] Next, once the goal, steps and sub -steps are input
at blocks 510 , 515 , 520 , at block 525 the user is directed on
the electronic device display to execute each step and
sub -step in the order originally designated by the user at 515
and 520. As each of the various steps and sub - steps are
completed by the user, the user may then input the specific
results in block 530 . For example, in some embodiment, a
user may acknowledge completion of a given step or sub
step by selecting or marking each one of the completed
steps/sub - steps such that they are shown as being completed .
Further, at any point during the execution of blocks 525 ,
530 , previously described , a user may upload their specific
progress and/or results for accomplishing their ultimate goal
to a social media website or other electronic location in a
similar manner to that described above for block 335 of
method 300 .
0037 ] In the manner described above , through use of a
basketball hoop in accordance with the principles disclosed
herein (e .g ., hoops 100 , 200 ) a user may improve his ability
to successfully and accurately shoot a basketball through a
hoop . In addition , through use of a computer program in
accordance with the principles disclosed herein , a user may
further enhance the use of a basketball hoop made in
accordance with the principles disclosed herein ( e . g ., hoops
100, 200 ) and may more efficiently accomplish various goals
that may or may not be directly associated with the game of
basketball .
[0038 ] While embodiments described herein have
included nets (e. g., net 120 ) that includes a plurality of
multi-colored loops (e.g., loops 124A - 124L , 224A -224L ), in
some embodiments , hoops in accordance with the principles
disclosed herein may include nets that additionally or sepa
rately include a plurality of light emitting modules attached
thereto to enhance the user 's ability to locate the target
during basketball training.
[0039] FIG . 8 shows an embodiment of a basketball goal
or hoop 600 in accordance with the present disclosure . Hoop
600 may be substantially the same as the hoop 100 , previ
ously described with reference to FIG . 1 , except that hoop
US 2018 /0353824 A1
600 may include loops 624A -624L instead of loops 124A
124L . In the present example embodiment, each of the loops
624A -624L are presented in a single color ( e . g ., one of the
colors C1-C6 ); however, it should be appreciated that the
loops 624A -624L may, in some embodiments, be presented
in colors similar to that described above for the loops
124A - 124L and /or the loops 224A -224L . In addition , loops
624A -624L may each include a light emittingmodule 610A
610L , respectively, attached thereto . Light emitting modules
610A -610L may be any suitable module or device that is
configured to selectively emit visible light that can be
observed by a user. For example , in this embodiment, each
of the modules 610A -610L comprises a light emitting diode
(“ LED " ) that is configured to emit visible light when sup
plied with electrical current. A power source (not shown ) is
electrically connected to each of the modules 610A -610L
and is configured to supply electrical current to the modules
610A -610L during operation . In addition , a controller 650
may be electrically coupled to each of the modules 610A
610L through any suitable type of connection (not shown ,
e . g ., a wired connection ) while still remaining within the
scope of the principles disclosed herein . Controller 650 is
configured to selectively energize/de-energize each of the
modules 610A -610L in order to cause one or more of the
modules 610A -610L to selectively emit visible light there
from during use . In this embodiment, the controller 650 is
coupled to an antenna 652 that is configured to emit and/or
receive signals (e . g ., wireless signals, e . g ., through BLU
ETOOTH® signals , IEEE standard 802. 11b /g /n /ac , cellular
telephony and data communication signals, etc .) from an
electronic device (e.g., device 400 ). BLUETOOTH is a
registered trademark of Bluetooth Special Interest Group ,
Kirkland, Wash . It will be appreciated that the modules
610A -610L may be mounted to the rim ( 12 in FIG . 1 ) in
some embodiments, or to a device attached to the rim , as will
be explained below with reference to FIGS. 9 through 11 .
[0040 ] Referring to FIGS . 5 and 8 , during use, a user may
operate a training computer program on the electronic
device 400 as previously described . Particularly , the user
may select a location ( e . g ., one of the location markers 404a ,
4046 , 404c, and 404d , previously described ) on display 402 .
Thereafter , a signal is sent from device 400 to controller 650 ,
via antenna 652, indicating the specific location ( e . g ., 404a ,
404b , 404c , 404d ) that was selected by the user. The
controller 650 then energizes one or more of the modules
610A -610L ( e . g ., based on an internal coding or algorithm )
that corresponds to the appropriate aiming point for the
user' s selected location 404a, 4046 , 404c, 404d , such that
the energized module (e . g ., one or more of 610A -610L )
begins to emit light that is visible to the user. For example ,
in one embodiment, a user may select the location 404b such
that controller 650 causes the 6101 to begin emitting visible
light to provide an observable target for the user to aim at
while completing the prescribed shot attempts from location
404b . In some embodiments, the controller 650 is able to
automatically determine ( e . g ., through signals received by
antenna 652 ) the location of the user along the court and then
energize the appropriate one or more of the modules 610A
610L to provide an appropriate target for the user during
training operations. Any suitable method or device for
automatically sensing and / or determining the location of the
user along the court may be used while still being within the
scope of the principles disclosed herein .
Dec. 13, 2018
[0041] FIGS . 9 through 11 show another embodiment of a
basketball hoop in accordance with the present disclosure. A
mounting ring 17 may be substantially circular and have a
diameter substantially the same as the diameter of the rim
12. The mounting ring 17 may be shaped so that when
applied to the upper surface of the hoop , the mounting ring
17 is held in place on the rim 12 . A plurality of aiming
indicators 15 may be placed around the inner circumference
of the mounting ring 17. The aiming indicators 15 may be
formed as tags of a selected shape and may each be of a
different visually distinguishable color. The colors of the
aiming indicators 15 may be selected , for example , as
explained with reference to FIG . 2 and FIG . 3 . As shown in
FIG . 9 , the aiming indicators 15 may be affixed to the
mounting ring 17 such that when the mounting ring 17 is
placed on the rim 12 , the aiming indicators are disposed
within the upper circumference of the net 20 . The present
embodiment therefore provides distinguishable color visual
aiming targets in a manner similar to the embodiments
explained with reference to FIG . 2 and FIG . 3 , butmay omit
applying any color to the net 20 itself. The present example
embodiment may also be used with the light emitting
devices explained with reference to FIG . 8.
[0042 ] FIG . 10 shows an oblique side view of the mount
ing ring 17 and aiming indicators 15 . An interior surface
17A defined by the shape of the mounting ring 17 may be
observed . The interior surface 17A may be shaped to con
form to the exterior of the rim ( 12 in FIG . 9 ).
10043 ]. FIG . 11 shows an oblique view of the mounting
ring 17 and the aiming indicators 15 wherein one example
embodiment of affixing the aiming indicators 15 to the
mounting ring 17may be observed . In the present example
embodiment, the aiming indicators 15 may be affixed to the
interior circumference of the mounting ring 17 using fas
teners 16 , for example and without limitation self-threading
screws, bolts, rivets and the like. The aiming indicators 15
may also be adhesively bonded to the mounting ring 17 , be
thermally bonded to themounting ring 17 , or may be formed
integrally with the mounting ring and subsequently colored .
Coloring may be substantially as explained with reference to
FIG . 2 and FIG . 3 . An upper surface 17B of the mounting
ring provides a stop when the mounting ring 17 is placed on
the upper surface of the rim 12 .
[0044] Although only a few examples havebeen described
in detail above , those skilled in the art will readily appreciate
that many modifications are possible in the examples.
Accordingly , all such modifications are intended to be
included within the scope of this disclosure as defined in the
following claims.
1. A basketball training hoop comprising:
a rim having a connecting piece for affixing the rim to a
supporting structure ;
a net attached to the rim ; and
a plurality of aiming indicators affixed to an inner cir
cumference of a mounting ring, each aiming indicator
corresponding to each one of all of a plurality of
attachment loops on the net disposed around the entire
circumference of the rim and extending only below an
upper surface of the rim , the mounting ring shaped to
fit on an upper surface of the rim and disposed around
the entire circumference of the rim , the aiming indica
tors being of at least two visually distinguishable
colors, the aiming indicators attachable to the rim in a
first configuration wherein a pair of diametrically
US 2018 /0353824 A1
opposed aiming indicators is disposed along a plane
bisecting the rim and a second configuration wherein
the plane is straddled by at least one pair of adjacent
aiming indicators .
2 . ( canceled )
3 . The training hoop of claim 1 wherein the aiming
indicators comprise a plurality of tags affixed to an inner
circumference of a mounting ring , the mounting ring shaped
to fit on an upper surface of the rim .
4 . The training hoop of claim 1 wherein the colors of the
aiming indicators are arranged such that a same color is used
for pairs of the aiming indicators disposed on circumferen
tially opposed sides of the rim .
5 . The training hoop of claim 1 wherein the aiming
indicators each comprise a light source operable by a
controller in signal communication with each light source,
the controller configured to illuminate selected ones of the
light sources depending on a position of a user on a playing
court.
6 . The training hoop of claim 5 further comprising a user
electronic device in signal communication with the control
ler, the user device operable to determine the user position .
7 . The training hoop of claim 1 further comprising a user
electronic device operable to execute a computer program ,
the computer program operable to drive a display on the user
electronic device to indicate a plurality of user positions on
a playing court and to indicate selected ones of the aiming
indicators corresponding to each user position .
8 . (canceled )
9 . (canceled )
10 . (canceled )
11. (canceled )
12 . ( canceled )
13 . ( canceled )
14 . ( canceled )
15 . A basketball training hoop comprising:
a rim having a connecting piece for affixing the rim to a
supporting structure ;
a net attached to the rim ;
a plurality of aiming indicators disposed around the
circumference of the rim , each aiming indicator extend
ing only below an upper surface of the rim , each aiming
indicator corresponding to each one of all of a plurality
of attachment loops on the net disposed around the
entire circumference of the rim , the mounting ring
Dec. 13, 2018
shaped to fit on an upper surface of the rim and
disposed around the entire circumference of the rim , the
aiming indicators being of at least two visually distin
guishable colors; and
a user electronic device operable to execute a computer
program , the computer program operable to drive a
display on the user electronic device to indicate a
plurality of user positions on a playing court and to
indicate selected ones of the aiming indicators corre
sponding to each user position .
16 . The training hoop of claim 15 wherein the aiming
indicators comprise coloring applied to each of a plurality of
upper loops formed in the net, the upper loops attached to the
rim .
17 . The training hoop of claim 15 wherein the aiming
indicators comprise a plurality of tags affixed to an inner
circumference of a mounting ring , the mounting ring shaped
to fit on an upper surface of the rim .
18 . The training hoop of claim 15 wherein the colors of
the aiming indicators are arranged such that a same color is
used for pairs of the aiming indicators disposed on circum
ferentially opposed sides of the rim .
19 . The training hoop of claim 15 wherein the aiming
indicators each comprise a light source operable by a
controller in signal communication with each light source ,
the controller configured to illuminate selected ones of the
light sources depending on a position of a user on a playing
court.
20 . The training hoop of claim 15 wherein the computer
program is operable to display selected ones of the aiming
indicators based on user input to the user electronic device
comprising at least one of user basketball playing position
and user skill level.
21. The training hoop of claim 1 wherein the computer
program is operable to display selected ones of the aiming
indicators based on user input to the user electronic device
comprising circumferential alignment and configuration of
loops suspending the net from the rim and the aiming
indicators .
22. The training hoop of claim 15 wherein the computer
program is operable to display selected ones of the aiming
indicators based on user input to the user electronic device
comprising a shooting practice plan .