US20240226696A1

US20240226696A1 - Apparatus for sport activities

Info

Publication number: US20240226696A1
Application number: US18/409,439
Authority: US
Inventors: James Randall Hull; Julliana Probst
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2023-01-10
Filing date: 2024-01-10
Publication date: 2024-07-11

Abstract

An apparatus for playing a basketball-like game using a foot rather than a hand. The apparatus includes a pedal member having a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end, wherein the pedal member, at the middle portion, is pivotally coupled to a base at a predetermined height. The apparatus further includes a strike member coupled to the front end and a bowl for placing the ball. The apparatus is configured such that the rear end of the pedal member can be stomped by a foot of the user so that the strike member can throw the ball placed on the bowl.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from a U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. Ser. No. 63/438,189, filed on Jan. 10, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to an apparatus for sports activities, and more particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for basketball-like sports activities.

BACKGROUND

Throwing balls into baskets is fun, and a popular sport. Basketball is one such popular sport that is played all around the world. In basketball, a player must shoot the basketball through a hoop with their hands. Basketball is popular both among children and adults, wherein the level of difficulty can be varied by changing the height of the basketball hoop. Even small kids find it enjoying throwing the ball into the hoop.
However, due to certain limitations, a person may not be able to play the sport of basketball. For example, a person with a hand disability or impairment, either temporary or permanent, cannot play basketball. A hand injury, although temporary, may prevent a person from playing basketball until that is fully healed.
Thus, considering the excitement and fun a person may have in throwing the ball into a hoop, a need is appreciated for novel apparatus for sports activities related to throwing a ball.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present invention to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more embodiments in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The principal object of the present invention is therefore directed to an apparatus for playing the sport of throwing a ball to a target using legs.
It is another object of the present invention that a person with a hand disability can enjoy such sports activity.
Still, it is another object of the present invention that both kids and adults can play using the disclosed apparatus.
Yet another object of the present invention is that the sports can be played in a team using the disclosed apparatus.
A further object of the present invention is that the apparatus is economical to manufacture.
Still, a further object of the present invention is that the apparatus is simple to use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying figures, which are incorporated herein, form part of the specification and illustrate embodiments of the present invention. Together with the description, the figures further explain the principles of the present invention and enable a person skilled in the relevant arts to make and use the invention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another view of the apparatus showing the placement of a ball and the apparatus in an actuated mode to strike the ball, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. Subject matter may however, be embodied in a variety of different forms and, therefore, covered or claimed subject matter is intended to be construed as not being limited to any exemplary embodiments set forth herein; exemplary embodiments are provided merely to be illustrative. Likewise, a reasonably broad scope for claimed or covered subject matter is intended. Among other things, for example, the subject matter may be embodied as methods, devices, components, or systems. The following detailed description is, therefore, not intended to be taken in a limiting sense.
The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Likewise, the term “embodiments of the present invention” does not require that all embodiments of the invention include the discussed feature, advantage, or mode of operation.
The terminology used herein is to describe particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to embodiments of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising,”, “includes” and/or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.
The following detailed description includes the best currently contemplated mode or modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense but is made merely to illustrate the general principles of the invention since the scope of the invention will be best defined by the allowed claims of any resulting patent.
Disclosed is an apparatus for playing sports activities in which a ball is thrown at a target. An example of such a game is basketball, however, the ball can be thrown using a leg instead of the hand by the disclosed apparatus. The target can be a hoop, basket, spot on the ground, and the like. Both a single player and multiple players can play the sport using the disclosed apparatus.
Referring to FIG. 1 which shows a perspective view of the disclosed apparatus. The apparatus 100 includes a base 110 which is of a planar and elongated profile. The base can rest against a floor and provides stability to the apparatus during use. The base can be made from any suitable material such as wood, plastic, metal, and the like. The bottom of the base can also have a layer of gripping material that may help stabilize the apparatus over the ground. Suitable coatings for protection and/or aesthetic purposes can also be applied to the base.
The apparatus also includes a pair of stanchion 120 extending from the left side and the right side of the base. A pedal member 130, at a middle portion thereof, is pivotally coupled to the two stanchions such that the pedal member can be pivoted vertically up and down along the pivot joint. As shown in the drawings, two pivot joints in the two stanchions are used to mount the pedal member like a seesaw playing equipment. The pedal member is of an elongated profile having a front end and a rear end. The pedal member at its middle portion is mounted to a pivot joint so that both the front end and the rear end can move up and down.
It is to be noted that the drawings show two stanchions to which the pedal member is pivotally coupled, however, any other mechanism for pivotally coupling the pedal member to the base at a predetermined height from the base is within the scope of the present invention. The predetermined height may allow the desired angular movement of the front end and rear end of the pedal member. The coupling mechanism may allow adjusting the height of the pedal member relative to the base member. For example, the stanchions may have elongated slots for the fasteners of the pivoting mechanism, and the position of the fasteners within the slots can be adjusted to increase or decrease the height of the pedal member. Other examples of the pivoting mechanism may have only one stanchion extending from the base and coupled to the bottom of the pedal member through a hinge joint.
Also, as shown in the drawings, the pivot joint is disposed at a middle portion of the pedal member, however, the position of the pivot joint can be biased either towards the front end or the rear end. Also, suitable bearings can be used to reduce the friction at the pivot joint. Any other mechanism for reducing friction is within the scope of the present invention.
The pedal member can be made from any suitable and durable material, such as wood, plastic, or metal. Suitable coatings, such as for weather protection and/or aesthetic purposes can be applied to the pedal member. The rear end 140 of the pedal member can be actuated by the foot of the user, wherein a downward push is applied to the rear end of the pedal member. A suitable gripping can be applied over the rear-end portion of the pedal member to stabilize the foot over the rear-end portion of the pedal member.
The apparatus further includes a strike member 160 on the front end of the pedal member. The drawings show the strike member as a ring. The strike member can be used to strike the ball. The ball can be placed on a bowl 170 or cup or like stand. As shown in FIG. 2 , the ball can be placed over the bowl and the strike member below the ball. A support member of a planar profile can be coupled to the front end of the pedal member. The Support Member 150 extends downwards at an angle from the front end. The support member may not be perpendicular to the pedal member but sloped to about 10-30 from the vertical axis. The strike member can be coupled to this support member.
In use, a ball can be placed on the bowl 170 while the front end of the pedal member is in a downward position. The rear end of the pedal member, which is the upward position, as shown in FIG. 2 , can be stomped by the foot downwards which throws the ball upwards and in front of the apparatus. In the front of the apparatus, a target, such as a basket can be placed. The user tries to throw the ball into the basket using the disclosed apparatus. The target can also be a basketball hoop or any other similar target for the ball.
The object of the game is to stomp a ball into a bucket or similar target using the apparatus to score points. The game can be played out on a flat surface and depends on the player successfully stomping the apparatus with their foot to throw the ball into a bucket. Different rules can be made for the game, such as the team with the highest point wins. The game can be played individually or in a team. A team can be made up of two players or multiple players.
The disclosed apparatus can be placed on a flat surface, and the ball should be placed on the bowl. The bowl should be placed on the edge of the strike member, and a bucket can be placed at a pre-determined distance from the apparatus.
While the foregoing written description of the invention enables one of ordinary skill to make and use what is considered presently to be the best mode thereof, those of ordinary skill will understand and appreciate the existence of variations, combinations, and equivalents of the specific embodiment, method, and examples herein. The invention should therefore not be limited by the above-described embodiment, method, and examples, but by all embodiments and methods within the scope and spirit of the invention as claimed.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for playing with a ball, the apparatus comprises:

a pedal member having a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end, wherein the pedal member, at the middle portion, is pivotally coupled to a base at a predetermined height;

a strike member is coupled to the front end; and

a bowl for placing the ball,

wherein the apparatus is configured such that the rear end of the pedal member can be stomped by a foot of the user so that the strike member can throw the ball placed on the bowl.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a support member coupled to the front end of the pedal member and the support member extends downwards from the front member, wherein the strike member is coupled to the support member.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

a left stanchion coupled to a left side of the base and a right stanchion coupled to a right side of the base, wherein the pedal member is pivotally coupled to the left stanchion and the right stanchion.

4. A method for playing with a ball, the method comprises:

providing an apparatus comprises:

a pedal member having a front end, a middle portion, and a rear end, wherein the pedal member, at the middle portion, is pivotally coupled to a base at a predetermined height,

a strike member is coupled to the front end, and

a bowl for placing the ball;

placing the ball over the bowl, wherein the bowl is placed over an edge of the strike member, and the front end of the pedal member is in a downward state; and

stomping the rear end of the pedal member by a foot causing the strike member to throw the ball.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the apparatus further comprises: