Basketball retrieval and return device

Abstract

A portable and free standing basketball retrieval and return device ( 10 ), the device including a basketball collector ( 11 ), a basketball return facility ( 12 ), and a support frame ( 13 ). The collector ( 11 ) has a body ( 14 ) extending between an inlet opening ( 15 ) and an exit opening ( 16 ) which openings ( 15,16 ) in use are spaced apart vertically. The inlet opening ( 15 ) is significantly larger than the exit opening ( 16 ) so that the collector body ( 14 ) funnels towards the exit opening ( 16 ). The return facility ( 12 ) is arranged to receive a basketball that passes through the exit opening ( 16 ) and to return the basketball to a home position remote from the collector ( 11 ). The return facility ( 12 ) includes a ramp ( 51 ) along which the basketball travels for return to the home position. The support frame ( 13 ) supports the collector ( 11 ) above a floor surface with the exit opening ( 16 ) aligned with the return facility ( 12 ). The ramp ( 51 ) is movable through an arc of at least 120° to alter the location of the home position, that movement being unimpeded by the collector ( 11 ) or the support frame ( 13 ).

1 - 24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . A portable and free standing basketball retrieval and return device, the device including:
 a basketball collector,   a basketball return facility, and   a support frame   the collector has a body extending between an inlet opening and an exit opening which openings in use are spaced apart vertically, the inlet opening being significantly larger than the exit opening so that the collector body funnels towards the exit opening,   the return facility is arranged to receive a basketball that passes through the exit opening and to return the basketball to a home position remote from the collector, the return facility includes a ramp along which the basketball travels for return to the home position,   the support frame supports the collector above a floor surface with the exit opening aligned with the return facility, and includes a collector support and a floor support, the collector support includes a plurality of arms that extend upwardly and that have ends which engage and support the collector, the floor support being positioned below the collector support and including a plurality of arms that extend downwardly and that have ends remote from the post which rest on a floor surface,   the ramp commences at a position substantially intermediate the collector support and the floor support and is movable through an arc of at least 120° to alter the location of the home position, that movement being unimpeded by the collector or the support frame.   
   
   
       26 . A device according to  claim 25 , the support frame including a support post which extends generally vertically and the arms of each of the collector support and the floor support being connected to the post and extending laterally away from the post. 
   
   
       27 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the inlet opening of the collector is defined by a generally horizontal rim. 
   
   
       28 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the inlet opening of the collector is defined by a resiliently flexible rim. 
   
   
       29 . A device according to  claim 28 , wherein the resiliently flexible rim is formed by a resiliently flexible pole which extends through a sleeve. 
   
   
       30 . A device according to  25 , wherein the ramp is movable through a generally horizontal arc of at least 150° unimpeded by the collector or the support frame. 
   
   
       31 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the ramp is movable through a generally horizontal arc of at least 180° unimpeded by the collector or the support frame. 
   
   
       32 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the ramp is movable through a generally horizontal arc of at least 210° unimpeded by the collector or the support frame. 
   
   
       33 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein one end of the ramp is supported for rotation to move through a generally horizontal arc on a rotatable platform. 
   
   
       34 . A device according to  claim 33 , wherein the rotatable platform is supported on the support frame. 
   
   
       35 . A device according to  claim 26 , each of the exit opening of the collector and the support post being aligned generally coaxially. 
   
   
       36 . A device according to  claim 35 , the ramp commences at a position offset from coaxial alignment with the exit opening and the post. 
   
   
       37 . A device according to  claim 26 , the plurality of collector support arms being pivotally connected to the post so that the arms can pivot between positions in which they extend generally parallel to the post in a collapsed condition and laterally away from the post in an operational condition. 
   
   
       38 . A device according to  claim 37 , wherein the plurality of collector support arms are slidably connected to the central post. 
   
   
       39 . A device according to  claim 26 , the plurality of floor support arms being pivotally connected to the post so that the arms can pivot between positions in which they extend generally parallel to the post in a collapsed condition and laterally away from the post in an operational condition. 
   
   
       40 . A device according to  claim 39 , the plurality of floor support arms are slidably connected to the central post. 
   
   
       41 . A device according to  claim 25 , wherein the ramp is adjustable in length. 
   
   
       42 . A portable and free standing basketball retrieval and return device, the device including:
 a flexible collector,   a return facility, and   a support frame   the collector has a body extending between an inlet opening and an exit opening which openings in use are spaced apart vertically, the inlet opening being significantly larger than the exit opening so that the collector body funnels towards the exit opening,   the return facility is arranged to receive a basketball that passes through the exit opening and to return the basketball to a home position remote from the collector, the return facility includes a ramp for travel of the basketball along the ramp for return to the home position, and a guide for guiding a basketball from the exit opening to the ramp,   the support frame supports the collector above a floor surface at a height to position the exit opening above a guide of the return facility and to align the exit opening with the guide,   the support frame includes a collector support and a floor support, each of which includes a plurality of arms that are connected to a central post and each of which extends laterally away from the post in an operational condition, the arms of the collector support have ends remote from the post which engage and expand the collector in the operational condition, the arms of the floor support having ends remote from the post for engagement with the floor surface,   each of the exit opening and the post being aligned generally coaxially.   
   
   
       43 . A portable and free standing basketball retrieval and return device, the device including:
 a basketball collector,   a basketball return facility, and   a support frame   the collector has a body extending between an inlet opening and an exit opening which openings in use are spaced apart vertically, the inlet opening being generally circular and significantly larger than the exit opening so that the collector body funnels towards the exit opening,   the return facility is arranged to receive a basketball that passes through the exit opening and to return the basketball to a home position remote from the collector, the return facility includes a ramp along which the basketball travels for return to the home position,   the support frame supports the collector above a floor surface with the exit opening aligned with the return facility.