The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 07, 1998
Filed:
Nov. 12, 1996
John B Simpson, Woodside, CA (US);
John David Simpson, Woodside, CA (US);
Michael E Dodson, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Phillip T Nash, Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Sung H Kim, Palo Alto, CA (US);
Robert B Brownell, Santa Clara, CA (US);
Ronald J Smith, Menlo Park, CA (US);
SoloPractice, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA (US);
Abstract
A basketball passing machine (18) includes a basketball supply (20) which provides basketballs (48) for a basketball ejector assembly (26) which passes basketballs one-at-a-time in a controlled manner along a trajectory (70) towards a waiting player. The machine can be used with a collection net assembly (16) adjacent a backboard (6) so that basketballs from both made and missed shots are collected and directed into the basketball supply. The supply of basketballs allows the passing machine to pass basketballs to the player as fast as desired, such as every three to four seconds. Balls can be passed from the machine on demand; the pass rate, the azimuth of the trajectory, the speed of the ball and the number of balls placed in play at each position can be preprogrammed. Sensors (74, 104) are used to generate signals whenever a ball is placed in play and when a shot is made. Shooting accuracy and associated information can be displayed for a player as well as recorded for future reference.