Illuminated basketball hoop accessory

Abstract

An illuminated basketball hoop accessory for removably securing to a basketball hoop mounted at a desired height above a playing surface. An illuminated member forms a hoop approximating a size and shape of the rim. The illuminated member has a plurality of securing members, for example clamps or magnets, for removably securing the illuminated member to the rim. An illuminated member mounting tool is provided for engaging the illuminated member to and disengaging the illuminated member from the rim. The illuminated member thus illuminates the rim to allow for visual identification of the position of the rim in a dark environment, and during daytime provides a convenient means of mounting a net to the basketball hoop.

1 . An illuminated basketball hoop accessory for removably securing to a basketball hoop comprising a rim mounted at a desired height above a playing surface, comprising
 an illuminated member formed or capable of being formed into a hoop of substantially a size and shape of the rim, and   a plurality of securing members associated with the illuminated member for removably securing the illuminated member to the rim,   whereby the illuminated member illuminates the region about the rim to allow for visual assessment of a position of the rim in a dark environment.   
     
     
         2 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 1  wherein the illuminated member is illuminated by LEDs generally evenly spaced about the illuminated member. 
     
     
         3 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 2  wherein the member is removably secured to the basketball hoop by a plurality of magnets. 
     
     
         4 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 1  wherein one or more batteries is contained in a control box in electrical communication with the illuminated member. 
     
     
         5 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 4  wherein activation of the illuminated member is controlled by a light sensor. 
     
     
         6 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 4  comprising a goal sensor for detecting when a basketball passes through the rim and incrementally increasing a goal counter in response. 
     
     
         7 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 4  wherein the illuminated member is affixed to the rim by releasable clamps. 
     
     
         8 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 7  further comprising an illuminated member mounting tool adapted to open the clamps for engaging the securing members to and disengaging the securing members from the rim 
     
     
         9 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 1  further comprising an illuminated member mounting tool adapted to releasable secure the illuminated member and mount it to the rim. 
     
     
         10 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 4  wherein the control box is detached from the illuminated member and comprises magnets for mounting the control box to a bracket supporting the rim. 
     
     
         11 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 10  wherein the illuminated member mounting tool comprises a hook attachment for mounting and demounting the control box. 
     
     
         12 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 6  comprising circuitry for transmitting data relating to the goal count to a digital device. 
     
     
         13 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 12  comprising a sensor for detecting when a shot does not pass through the rim and incrementally increasing a miss counter in response, comprising circuitry for transmitting data relating to the miss count to a digital device. 
     
     
         14 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 12  comprising an Internet site for acquiring data relating to one or more players utilizing the accessory in different locations. 
     
     
         15 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 1  comprising a remote control for activating the illuminated member. 
     
     
         16 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 2  wherein the lights comprise multiple colours. 
     
     
         17 . The illuminated basketball hoop accessory of  claim 16  wherein the colours emitted by the lights are programmable by the user. 
     
     
         18 . A method of removably securing an illuminated basketball hoop accessory comprising an illuminated member formed or capable of being formed into a hoop of substantially a size and shape of the rim and a plurality of securing members for removably securing the illuminated member to the rim, and an illuminating member mounting tool for mounting the accessory to and demounting the accessory from a basketball hoop comprising a rim mounted at a desired height above a playing surface, comprising the steps of:
 a. engaging the illuminating member mounting tool to a portion of the illuminated accessory to position the illuminated member adjacent to the rim,   b. engaging the illuminating member mounting tool to one of the plurality of securing members, to secure the one of the plurality of securing members to the rim,   c. engaging the illuminating member mounting tool to each of the remaining securing members, to secure each of the remaining securing members to the rim.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 2  comprising, before step a., the step of suspending the illuminated member from a hook. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 3  comprising, before the step of suspending the illuminated member from a hook, the step of threading a net over the illuminated member.