US2801476A - Basketball play analyzer - Google Patents

Description

s -J l' Aug. 6, 195? I B, D 2,801,476

' BASKETBALL PLAY ANALYZER Filed June 15, 1955 LFIEI. 2.

/5 Q. INVENTOR: I BY BYRON F. REED W? I ATTYS.

United States Patent BASKETBALL PLAY ANALYZER Byron Farbeaux Reed, Yeadon, Pa.

Application June 13, 1955, Serial No. 515,081

3 Claims. (Cl. 35-29) This present invention relates to improvements in teaching all plays, offense and defenses, in basketball.

This game teaching apparatus is literally the foul lane of a basketball court made into a rounded iron rim.

An object of this present invention resides in the portability of the apparatus which can be hung on a wall or laid on the floor, or table. A still further object of the present invention resides in the novel construction of the two retainers for the game pieces which are a part of the construction of the teaching device. The game pieces are the ten players, five on each retainer represented by ten, or more player pieces, which slide on the retainers at the end of the apparatus. Five (5) of these player pieces or more are made of brass and are numbered from 1 to 5, or more, to represent the five, or more different players on the home team, while the other five player pieces are zinc plated to represent the opponents and are likewise numbered 1 to 5, or more.

A particular object of the invention is to provide a quick defense formation, or a needed ofiense, during a time out during the game of basketball by placing the apparatus on the floor and having the five players surround the same for instructions. By using the flatwise player pieces to simulate the players, precise and definite instructions can be given. When the player pieces are not in use they can be stored on the retainer provided for the same.

Another particular object of the invention is the ease by which the player pieces, representing the players, can be moved under the apparatus thus illustrating unobstructed movement for any player, or players. This is possible because the apparatus touches the floor at only three points, thus raising the apparatus at least one quarter of an inch from the floor. The legs which support the apparatus will be described later.

A still further object of the present invention resides in the durability of the apparatus because there are no moving parts to wear out.

Various other objects and advantages will become apparent from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus of Fig. 1 with the player pieces positioned to illustrate a conventional basketball play.

Referring more specifically to the drawings and particularly Figs. 1 and 2 thereof, reference numeral 10, design-ates generally a frame structure formed, for example, of rounded steel stock which is shaped to form the outline of the foul lane of a basketball court. The frame structure comprises an arcuate end portion 11 terminating in spaced parallel straight leg portions 12, 12, with the arcuate portion and straight leg portions lying in a common plane and representing the outer lines of a basketball foul lane. A cross member 13 extends diametrically across the arcuate portion 11 and is secured in position on the frame structure 10,

2,801,476 Patented Aug. 6, 1957 for example, by welding. The cross member 13 represents the foul line of the basketball foul lane. A second cross member 14 extends perpendicularly between the leg portions 12, 12 adjacent the terminal ends of the leg portions to represent the position of the backboard, and is secured in position, for example, by means of welding. A small ring 15 is welded or otherwise secured at the mid-point of the cross member 14 to represent the basket. This above structure provides an accurate representation on a small scale of a basketball foul lane, back-board, and basket. This entire structure is supported in a position spaced upwardly from a flat surface by means of a downwardly projecting portion or foot 16 formed integrally with the mid-portion of the arcuate segment of the frame and by a pair of foot members 17, 17 formed integrally with the terminal ends of the legs 12, 12. The foot members 17, 17 terminate in a hook shaped portion, each designed to support a set of five player pieces 18 and 19. The two sets of player pieces 18 and 19 have a central opening therein so that they may be received and stored on the hook portions of the frame and the two sets are formed of different materials or are of different colors so that the five player pieces representing one team may be distinguished from the other five player pieces representing the other team.

To use this device, the frame structure 10 is placed on a floor or table top, as illustrated in Fig. 3 with the foot members 16 and 17 supporting the frame structure above the floor or table surface so that the player pieces may pass beneath the frame. The two sets of player pieces may then be positioned within or adjacent the frame to illustrate a basketball play to a single player or a group of players. For example, in Fig. 3, the player pieces are positioned to illustrate one form of a throw-in play. If desired, chalk or a pencil may be inserted through the opening in the player pieces to move the player pieces and indicate their path of travel.

In view of the foregoing, it is believed that a device has been provided which will accomplish all of the objects herein above set forth.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A basketball play analyzer for demonstrating basketball plays with player pieces, comprising a portable rigid frame structure made in the shape of a basketball foul lane having a foul line, back-board and basket secured thereto, foot portions secured to said structure operable to maintain the said structure at a predetermined distance above a fiat surface, and said player pieces being of a thickness less than said predetermined distance and operable to be moved about on said surface and pass beneath said frame structure.

2. A basketball play analyzer for demonstrating bas ketball plays with player pieces, comprising a frame structure having an open arcuate portion at one end thereof terminating in spaced parallel straight leg portions, said arcuate portion and leg portions lying substantially in the same plane and representing a basketball foul lane, a first cross member secured to said frame extending diametrically of said arcuate portion perpendicular to said leg portions and representing the foul line of the foul lane, a second cross member secured to said frame extending between said frame leg portions parallel to said first cross member representing the basketball back-board, a circular member secured to the mid-point of said second cross member and projecting outwardly therefrom toward said first cross member to represent the basket, retaining means to support the player pieces at the terminal ends of said frame leg portions, and foot members formed integrally with said frame arcuate portion and leg portions to support said frame above a flat surface and permit the player pieces to be moved about on said surface beneath said frame.

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 2 wherein said retaining means comprises a hookportionat the 5 terminal end of each of said frame portions, and said player pieces having means defining a central aperture therein adapted to fit overlsaid hook portions and permit the player pieces to be secured to saidhook portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

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