GB2237512A - Basketball equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

An electronically controlled basketball equipment comprises a backboard (1) having a score-recording display unit (2, 2a; 3, 3a) at each side, a basket ring (4) and associated control means. A first infrared sensor beam between the display units (2, 3) detects a ball striking the backboard (1). A second infrared sensor (5) beam across the ring (4) detects a ball passing through the ring. Strain gauges in the ring detect an impact of the ball against the ring. Different scores are awarded and appear on the visual displays in accordance with which sensors are actuated. <IMAGE>

Description

BASKETBALL EQUIPMENT This invention relates to basketball equipment, and is particularly concerned with an improved backboard and basket.

Basketball is a game which is widely played through the world. However, the playing of the actual game itself requires a large floor area. Also, it is not customarily possible or is inconvenient to count and display the points scored during a game.

It is an object of the present invention to provide basketball equipment, based upon an improved backboard and basket, which provides additional facilities in terms of recording scores. The basketball equipment of the present invention is primarily intended for amusement and for training purposes, although it can be utilised also in the playing of an actual game between two teams.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide electronically controlled basketball equipment which helps players to count scores automatically, and also to distinguish between different types of shot and to count the score accordingly. This enables players to make judgments as to their condition, for particular use in training.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide electronically controlled basketball equipment which provides a visual display, either separate from the backboard or directly mounted on the backboard, in order to record the scores of individual players or teams automatically.

According to a preferred feature of the invention, the basketball equipment produces acoustic and/or light effects each time that a score is made. This serves to increase the amusement value of the equipment and also to generate excitement and interest during both training sessions and under match conditions.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided basketball equipment as claimed in claim 1.

Other preferred features of the equipment are set out in the subsequent claims.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the basketball equipment includes a backboard which has means for suspending it or attaching it to a smooth wall surface so that the equipment can be used either indoors or outdoors. Such means may include suction pads on the back of the backboard for example.

According to another preferred feature of the invention, the counting of the scores, and, if provided, the creation of acoustic and visual effects, can be controlled by radio signals.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, one presently preferred embodiment of basketball equipment in accordance with the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an external view of the basketball equipment in accordance with the invention; Fig. 2 illustrates an infrared detector for incorporation in the equipment of Fig. 1 to detect the striking of the backboard; Fig. 3 shows the structure of a preferred form of basket for the equipment of the present invention; Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a control circuit for use with the equipment of the present invention; and Fig. 5 shows the rear side of the backboard of the equipment shown in Fig. 1.

Referring first to Fig. 1, this shows an item of basketball equipment embodying the present invention and comprising a backboard 1 which has two scorerecording display units 2 and 3 arranged one at each side of the backboard. These vertical display units 2 and 3 project forwards from the surface of the backboard. The left hand display unit 2 can be used for example for displaying the score record for team A, by way of its own electronic display 2a, and the right hand display unit 3 can be used for displaying the equivalent score record for team B by means of its own electronic display 3a. Fixed to the backboard 1 is a basket, of which the basket rim is indicated at 4. The basket rim 4 incorporates an infrared-type electric eye 5 and, as will be described later, a plurality of strain gauges to detect when the ball strikes the rim.

In order to detect the occurrence of a shot where the player is attempting to bounce the ball into the basket off the backboard, an infrared detector field is set up between the two display units 2 and 3. Thus, when the ball touches the backboard 1 this will be detected and a signal will be transmitted to an electronic control circuit for decision.

Fig. 2 shows an example of an infrared detector grid which can be incorporated into the equipment shown in Fig. 1 to monitor the backboard zone. As illustrated, a first reflecting mirror 6 is set inside the left hand display unit 2 of Fig. 1, and a second reflecting mirror 7 is set inside the right hand display unit 3 of Fig. 1. The two reflecting mirrors 6 and 7 are set at slightly different levels, i.e. the right hand mirror 7 is positioned slightly higher than the left hand mirror 6. An infrared emitter 8 is positioned above the left hand mirror 6. An infrared receiver 9 is positioned below the right hand mirror 7.

When the infrared emitter 8 is activated, it will immediately emit a beam of infrared radiation towards the right hand mirror 7. This beam will then be reflected back and forth between the two mirrors 6 and 7 until finally it is reflected to the receiver 9. In this way a detector network is created such that a sensing zone 10, indicated by broken lines, is created between the two mirrors. When a ball enters this sensing zone 10 the infrared beam will be broken and this will immediately be detected by the receiver 9.

Fig. 3 is a part-sectional view of the basket or basket rim which is indicated generally at 4. An infrared emitting type electric eye 5 is mounted within the basket rim 4 adjacent to the backboard in order to emit a beam of infrared radiation across the basket to the point directly opposite, where an infrared detector (not shown) is mounted. Thus, the infrared beam emitted by the emitter 5 will pass through the centre of the basket rim 4, and any basket shot will immediately be detected. The basket rim 4 is made up internally of an upper steel ring portion 11 and a lower steel ring portion 12 with a gap therebetween which houses two annular shock-absorbing cushions 13 and 14 which buffer the impact forces resulting from the ball. A plurality of strain gauges 15 are set in the gap between the upper and lower rim portions 11 and 12.Preferably, three or more such strain gauges 15 are set equispaced around the basket in order efficiently to detect any pressure resulting from the impact of the ball against the basket rim. The basket rim 4 is covered by a waterproof protective sleeve.

This protects the internally mounted strain gauges 15 against damage or corrosion due to the ingress of water.

The basketball equipment of the present invention is designed to produce three different kinds of signal.

The first is a signal resulting from an impact of the ball against the backboard 1. The second is a signal resulting from the ball striking the basket rim 4. The third is a signal resulting from detection of the ball passing down through the basket. These three signals are transmitted to a control circuit, such as is shown in Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 4, the control circuit comprises a decoder circuit 20, a counting circuit 21 and an LED type electronic display 22.When a player shoots at the basket, if a goal is scored by the ball passing through the basket without touching the backboard or the basket rim, an appropriate signal, i.e. the said third signal, will be decoded by the decoder circuit 20 which will send the signal to the counting circuit 21 causing this to add 3 points to the total points already scored and to update the LED display 22 with the new total points score. If the ball strikes the basket rim 4 and then passes through it but does not contact the backboard 1, then the control circuit will cause 2 points to be added to the score record, through the same circuit operation. If the ball passes through the basket rim without touching the rim but after bouncing from the backboard, then 1 point will be added to the total through the same circuit operation. If the ball strikes the backboard and the basket before finally dropping through the basket ring 4, then 0.5 points will be added to the total, again by the same circuit operation. The control circuit may also include a sound effect circuit 23. This sound effect circuit can be used to produce a particular sound when a clean shot is scored, i.e. a score without the ball striking the backboard or basket, in order to generate amusement and/or excitement.

Fig. 5 shows the rear view of the backboard 1, where a plurality of suction pads 1a, ib, 1c and 1d are mounted on the backboard so that it can be attached to a smooth wall surface by the suction effect.

Alternatively, the backboard can be suspended from above, either by the alternative use of the suction pads or by alternative fixings.

Claims (10)

CLAIMS:

1. Basketball equipment comprising a backboard, respective display units mounted at each side of the backboard, visual display means on or in each said display unit to provide a scoring record, a basket ring positioned in front of the backboard, first sensor means to detect the presence of a ball at the backboard and to generate a first signal in response thereto, second sensor means associated with the basket ring to detect the impact of a ball against the ring and to generate a second signal in response thereto, third sensor means associated with the basket ring to detect the passage of a ball through the ring and to generate a third signal in response thereto, and circuit means arranged to receive said signals and to control the said display units in response to the receipt of such signals.

2. Basketball equipment as claimed in claim 1, in which said first sensor means comprises an infrared transmitter and an infrared receiver mounted within said display units, with reflector means being provided to reflect an infrared beam between the display units across the face of the backboard thereby to create a sensing zone between the display units above the basket ring.

3. Basketball equipment as claimed in claim 2, in which said reflecting means comprises a pair of angled mirrors associated with each said display unit.

4. Basketball equipment as claimed in claim 3, in which said pairs of mirrors are set at respective different levels, with the transmitter positioned above the lower mirror pair and the receiver positioned below the upper mirror pair.

5. Basketball equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said second sensor means comprises one or more strain gauges mounted within the basket ring.

6. Basketball equipment as claimed in claim 5, in which the basket ring comprises upper and lower annular ring portions which are coupled together with a gap therebetween within which are mounted said one or more strain gauges and shock absorbing means.

7. Basketball equipment as claimed in claim 5 or 6, which includes a plurality of said strain gauges arranged equally spaced around the circumference of the basket ring.

8. Basketball equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said third sensor means comprises infrared transmitter/receiver means incorporated into the basket ring to generate a beam which passes along a diameter of the ring.

9. Basketball equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, in which said circuit means includes decoder means to distinguish between said first, second and third signals, and counter means arranged to generate appropriate signals to update said display units in response to signals from the decoder means.

10. Basketball equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.