Ronald D Childers

US Patent:

57162948, Feb 10, 1998

Filed:

Nov 30, 1995

Appl. No.:

8/564937

Inventors:

Ronald P. Childers - Marysville WA
Scott A. Lawver - Everett WA
Kenneth L. Hehr - Ferndale WA

Assignee:

Basketball Products International, Inc. - Everett WA

International Classification:

A63B 6308

US Classification:

473486

Abstract:

A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which there is a release assembly which operably interconnects the base member and the rim member, the release assembly being configured to release the rim member in response to a downward load which is received at any point along an extended frontal arc of the circular hoop, so that the hoop tilts downwardly generally in the direction of the load. There is also a reaction load mechanism for returning the hoop to its horizontal playing position. In a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped fulcrum joint extends between the reaction load in the hoop so as to provide a pivot point in line between the reaction load and any impact point along the extended frontal arc of the hoop. The joint is configured so that the rim releases in response to a substantially identical impact load anywhere along the frontal arc.

US Patent:

60800712, Jun 27, 2000

Filed:

Mar 24, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/047114

Inventors:

Ronald P. Childers - Marysville WA
Scott A. Lawver - Everett WA
Kenneth L. Hehr - Ferndale WA
John Simonseth - Snohomish WA

Assignee:

Basketball Products International, Inc. - Everett WA

International Classification:

A63B 6308

US Classification:

473486

Abstract:

A breakaway basketball rim assembly in which there is a release assembly which operably interconnects the base member and the rim member, the release assembly being configured to release the rim member in response to a downward load which is received at any point along an extended frontal arc of the circular hoop portion, so that the hoop tilts downwardly generally in the direction of the load. There is also a reaction load mechanism for returning the hoop to its horizontal playing position. In a preferred embodiment, a U-shaped fulcrum joint extends between the reaction load in the hoop so as to provide a pivot point in line between the reaction load and any impact point along the extended frontal arc of the hoop. The joint is configured so that the rim releases in response to a substantially identical impact load anywhere along the frontal arc. The rim comprises a rim portion, a backboard mounting portion, and bolts for securing the rim portion to the mounting portion.