Backstop retrieving devices and methods thereof

Abstract

A back stop device suitable for coupling to a backboard assembly in a sporting activity is disclosed. The device includes a central member. The central member couples to one or more clamps which couple to the backboard assembly. The central member may be coupled to a portion of one or more pivot members. One or more arm members may be coupled to a portion of each of the pivot members. The arm members may be selectively repositionable when used in conjunction with the pivot members. One or more netting members may be coupled to a portion of at least one of the central member and one or more of the arm members or a portion of the backboard assembly. The netting members may be configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of the members with weights coupled to a bottom portion of the netting members.

1 . A back stop device adapted for coupling to a backboard comprising, in combination:
 a central member having a first end and a second end;   a connector configured to selectively couple a portion of said central member to said backboard;   a portion of an end of said first end of said central member coupled to a portion of an end of a first pivot member and a portion of said second end of said central member coupled to a portion of an end of a second pivot member;   at least one arm member pivotally coupled to a portion of each of said pivot members, wherein said at least one arm member is selectively repositionable;   at least one netting member coupled to a portion of at least one of the following: said central member and said at least one arm member, said netting member configured to deflect a ball in a direction determined by the position of said at least one arm member.   
   
   
       2 . The backstop device of  claim 1 , wherein said connector said central member to said backboard comprises at least one clamp member. 
   
   
       3 . The backstop device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one weight coupled to a lower portion of said at least one netting member to selectively configure the direction of roll of a ball deflected from a portion of said at least one netting member. 
   
   
       4 . The backstop device of  claim 3 , comprising three weights coupled to a lower portion of said at least one netting member thereby defining the direction of roll of a ball deflected from a portion of said at least one netting member. 
   
   
       5 . The backstop device of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one break-away assembly having a first wall member and an opposing second wall member, each of said wall members defining a channel configured to receive a portion of said at least one arm member. 
   
   
       6 . The backstop device of  claim 5  wherein a portion of an inner surface of each of said first wall member and of said second wall member having one or more detents configured to selectively engage a portion of an outer surface of said at least one arm member thereby providing a safety feature. 
   
   
       7 . The backstop device of  claim 5  wherein each of said first wall member and said second wall member having one or more openings corresponding to one or more openings of said at least one arm member. 
   
   
       8 . The backstop device of  claim 5  further comprising at least one fastener member coupled to a portion of said first wall member, a portion of said second wall member and a portion of said at least one arm member. 
   
   
       9 . The backstop device of  claim 5  further comprising at least one fastener member adapted to shear at a predetermined weight, said at least one fastener member coupled to a portion of said first wall member, a portion of said second wall member and a portion of said at least one arm member. 
   
   
       10 . The backstop device of  claim 5  further comprising a reinforcement member having a first end and a second end,
 a portion of said first end coupled to a portion of said break-away assembly, and   a portion of said second end of said reinforcement member coupled to a portion of said break-away assembly adjacent to said first end.   
   
   
       11 . The backstop device of  claim 5  further comprising a loop member having an opening configured to receive a portion of said netting member to enhance tension on an upper portion of said netting member. 
   
   
       12 . The backstop device of  claim 2  comprising two clamp members each of said two clamp members having at least one adjusting member to selectively couple a portion of said two clamp members to a portion of said backboard. 
   
   
       13 . The backstop device of  claim 12  wherein each of said two clamp members having at least a pair of projecting members configured to securely receive a portion of said central member. 
   
   
       14 . A backstop device comprising, in combination:
 a substantially central member having an end and an opposite end,   a portion of an end of a first arm member pivotally coupled to a portion of an end of a first pivot member,   a portion of an opposite end of said first pivot member coupled to a portion of said end of said central member,   a portion of an end of a second arm member pivotally coupled to a portion of an end of a second pivot member,   a portion of an opposite end of said second pivot member coupled to a portion of said opposite end of said central member,   a portion of an end of each of a pair of clamp members selectively coupled to a portion of said central member and a portion of an opposite end of each of said pair of clamp members selectively coupled to a portion of a backboard,   a portion of an end of at least one netting member selectively coupled to at least a portion of said first arm and to a portion of said second arm,   a portion of an opposite end of said at least one netting member selectively coupled to at least one weight member,   wherein, when at least one of said first arm member and said second arm member have a preselected directionality associated with said pivot member, a ball directed at a portion of said at least one netting member substantially returns to an original direction of release of said ball.   
   
   
       15 . The backstop device of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of hook members coupled to a portion of at least one of said first arm member and said second arm member, wherein said plurality of hook members configured to selectively receive a portion of said netting member. 
   
   
       16 . The backstop device of  claim 14  wherein said central member comprises one or more arm extension members pivotally coupled to at least one of the following: a portion of an end of said central member and a portion of an opposite end of at least one of said first arm member and said second arm member. 
   
   
       17 . The backstop device of  claim 14  wherein at least one of said first pivot member and said second pivot member comprises a block member having an opening configured to couple a portion of said block member to a portion of at least one of the following: an end and an opposite end of said central member. 
   
   
       18 . The backstop device of  claim 17  wherein at least one of said pivot members comprise a plate member having a spring-loaded pin assembly configured to selectively engage a second plate member having a plurality of openings. 
   
   
       19 . The backstop device of  claim 18  having a hook member coupled to a portion of an end of said spring-loaded assembly wherein a portion of said hook member includes a release rope thereby permitting rotation of at least one of said arm members in a preselected direction. 
   
   
       20 . A backstop device according to  claim 1  configured as a kit, said kit including
 one or more clamp members, one or more breakaway assemblies, one or more break-away arm members, one or more portions of a central member, one or more pivot members, one or more netting members, at least one set of assembly instructions and at least one set of fasteners, said kit surrounded by at least one packaging material.   
   
   
       21 . A back stop device comprising, in combination:
 a portion of at least one connector coupled to a portion of a backboard assembly, at least a portion of said at least one connector extending a selectable distance adjacent to an edge of said backboard assembly; and   at least one netting member coupled to a portion of at least one of the following: a portion of said at least one connector and a portion of said backboard assembly, said at least one netting member selectively arranged to deflect a ball in a direction predetermined by the position of said at least one netting member.   
   
   
       22 . The backstop device of  claim 21  wherein said connector comprises at least one of the following: one or more pivot members and one or more clamp members. 
   
   
       23 . A basketball backboard assembly, comprising in combination:
 a basketball backboard;   a support assembly for the basketball backboard; and   at least one backstop netting member coupled to a portion of at least one of the following: a portion of the basketball backboard and a portion of said support assembly, the at least one netting member extending a selectable distance adjacent to an edge of the basketball backboard to selectively deflect a ball in a direction predetermined by the position of said at least one netting member.   
   
   
       24 . A method of assembling a backstop device comprising the steps of:
 coupling a portion of an end of a first central member to a portion of an end of a second central member;   coupling a portion of an end of at least one pivot member to a portion of an opposite end of said first central member;   coupling a portion of an opposite end of said at least one pivot member to a portion of an end of at least one break-away assembly;   coupling a portion of an opposite end of said at least one break-away assembly to a portion of an end of at least one arm member;   coupling a portion of one or more edges of one or more netting members to a portion of said at least one arm member;   coupling one or more clamp members to a portion of a backboard;   coupling a portion of at least one of said first and said second central members to a portion of said one or more clamp members;   coupling one or more weights to a lower portion of said one or more netting members; and   coupling one or more portions of said one or more netting members to a portion of a backboard assembly.