AB challenger exercise apparatus

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6299570
  • Patent Number
    6,299,570
  • Date Filed
    Thursday, October 21, 1999
    25 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, October 9, 2001
    23 years ago
  • Inventors
  • Examiners
    • Donnelly; Jerome W.
    • Amerson; Lori
    Agents
    • Naumann, Esq.; Adrienne B.
Abstract
The exercise apparatus the AB Challenger Apparatus, is an exercise device which is comprised of light cylindrical straight and curved components, which are easily assembled by the use of cylindrical joints. The apparatus described herein is particularly recommended for strengthening all abdominal muscles, serratus anterior, chest muscles, anterior deltoids, flexor groups of the hand and leg muscles.
Description




This application is related to U.S. disclosure documents 452,838.




BACKGROUND OF INVENTION




My invention relates to mechanical exercise devices which strengthen abdominal muscles as well as rib muscles. My device also effectively develops fine movement muscles of hands and feet, with basketball exercises of appropriate movement dimension. Specific muscles affected by my stationary apparatus include: rectus abdominal muscles, external and internal obliques and serratus anteriors, anterior deltoids and flexor hand groups.




In the past exercise devices have been physically more complex and do not lend themselves easily to use in a small space, such as the user's apartment. U.S. Pat. No. 4,974,832(Dalebout) discloses a machine for rowing-type exercises for a slant board. U.S. Pat. No. 3,958,806 discloses a barrel ball game with a plurality of spaced baskets. A series of manually actuated ball assemblies are arranged to place the ball towards one of the baskets.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,552(Gomez et al.) discloses a basketball-type apparatus with a hoop mounted to a backboard. The backboard is offset from a rotary drive system to carry the backboard and hoop through a horizontally disposed arc.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,423 (Arciniega) discloses a basketball training facility comprised of an enclosed area. There are also a ball return device, a selectively rotating basketball goal, and a track mounted motor driven carriage. U.S. Pat. No. 5,246,225 (Matherne et al.) disclosed a foldable arcade game apparatus and method by which games may be played using a ball and a support portion in an upright position.




U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,259 (Segal et al.) discloses a game apparatus with combines pinball, target bowling and basketball games in a single combined assembly. It has a common scorekeeping and control system.




The above described variety of machines do not maintain strength of specific muscle groups, using a mechanical device approach.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




My invention comprises a mechanical apparatus for exercising the rectus abdominal muscles, external and internal obliques, anterior deltoids and serratus anterior (rib muscles) with basketballs. This device also effectively exercises fine movement muscles such as hands and feet with balls of appropriate size.




In the preferred embodiment my exercise apparatus can strengthen all the abdominal muscles, by using the appropriate exercises. The muscles which are most benefitted are the rectus abdominis, and external and internal obliques. However, my preferred embodiment is also effective on neck and upper body muscle groups. These muscles include those of the upper body trunk such as: sternocleidomastoid, scalenes, upper trapezius pectoralis (major and minor), anterior deltoids, serratus anterior, triceps and flexor hand groups.




The preferred embodiment comprises three spaced basketball hoops with backboards. All three basketball hoops are equal in size and shape in the preferred embodiment, although different sizes and shapes are also within the scope of my invention.




This application is related to P.T.O. Disclosure Document No. 452838, Filed Mar. 11, 1999 by Edgar Lim, Re AB Challenger Exercise Apparatus.




The central basketball hoop adjustable linearly in an anterior/posterior direction. Each side basket is approximately sixty degrees from the center basket. However, these side baskets are adjustable to more or less than a sixty degree angle in all my embodiments.




Accordingly, one goal of my invention is to provide a practical means by which an individual can exercise numerous groups of muscles in a small area such as an apartment;




Another goal of my invention is to provide a cost-effective apparatus by which a person can use numerous exercise approaches to strengthen many groups of muscles simultaneously.




These goals and other advantages and the scope of my invention will become more apparent in the drawings and the detailed description of the invention, infra.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




FIG.


1


(


a


): Top plan view of base of AB challenger invention (hereinafter invention).




FIG.


1


(


b


): Partial front view of invention.




FIG.


2


: Partial front view of invention with horizontal supports.




FIG.


3


: Partial side view of invention, with base, hand grip, vertical foot support bar, upwardly protruding basketball hoop support bar, and lateral basket support bar.




FIG.


4


: Partial front view of horizontal base bar, basketball hoop vertical rigid upwardly protruding supports and horizontal foot stand support bar.




FIG.


5


: Front closeup view of T-joint and horizontal basketball hoop support bar with metal pin.




FIG.


6


: Partial front view of base, basketball hoop upwardly protruding vertical support bars and vertical basketball hoop height adjustors.




FIG.


7


: Partial view of base, horizontal base bar, and vertical basketball hoop height adjustors.




FIG.


8


: Bottom plan view of base illustrating rubber grips.




FIG.


9


: Top plan view of base with upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints and accompanying support pads.




FIG.


10


(


a


): Front view of invention illustrating isolated swivel attachment.




FIG.


10


(


b


): Closeup view of swivel attachment with screw members and teeth tightened.




FIG.


10


(


c


): Closeup view of swivel attachment when loosened.




FIG.


11


: Front view of horizontal foot stand support bar and base and horizontal basketball hoop support bar.




FIG.


12


: Schematic partial front view of color coding bands.




FIG.


13


: Top plan view of center basketball hoop and anterior-posterior adjustor.




FIG.


14


(


a


): Front view of horizontal basketball hoop support bar with vertical height adjustors. FIG.


14


(


b


): Isolated front view of vertical basketball hoop height adjustor with adjacent upwardly protruding basket stand support bar.




FIG.


14


(


c


): Schematic representations of each vertical basketball hoop height adjustor bar with two linear sets of pinholes.




FIG.


14


(


d


): Schematic representation of metal pines aligned is with corresponding pinholes within each vertical basketball hoop adjustor bar.




FIG.


15


(


a


): Top plan view of basketball hoop with spring attachment and backboard.




FIG.


15


(


b


): Side view of basketball rim with ball, spring attachment and backboard.




FIG.


15


(


c


): Top plan view of spring attachment within basketball hoop base.




FIG.


16


(


a


): Top plan view of center basketball hoop with adjustable anterior-posterior attachment.




FIG.


16


(


b


): Front cutaway view of how pin penetrates hollow cylindrical support bar and anterior-posterior adjustor bar.




FIG.


17


(


a


): Isolated side view of basketball hoop mechanism for lateral adjustment.




FIG.


17


(


b


): Isolated front view of clasp connecting basketball hoop to front surface of corresponding backboard.




FIG.


18


(


a


): Isolated view of foot stand horizontal bar and vertical upwardly protruding foot stand adjustors.




FIG.


18


(


b


): Closeup view of pin alignment through two pinholes in vertical footstand support bar and vertical footstand height adjustor.




FIG.


19


(


a


): Schematic top plan view of upwardly protruding cylindrical hollow joints on base upper surface showing symmetry by phantom drawing on opposite side.




FIG.


19


(


b


): Isolated top plan view of joints for foot stand attachment, arm rest attachment and arm pad.




FIG.


19


(


c


): Isolated upper plan view of posterior base with upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints.




FIG.


19


(


d


): Isolated upper plan view of horizontal base bar with appending T-joints at each end of bar.




FIG.


20


(


a


): Front view of two upwardly protruding basketball hoop vertical support bars comprising vertical basketball hoop height adjustor bars within, and horizontal basketball hoop support bar.




FIG.


20


(


b


): Isolated view of lower support bar beneath upper anterior-poster support bar with common stem.




FIG.


21


: Isolated closeup front view of armstand and armgrip with base components in phantom.




FIG.


22


: Isolated view of vertical rigid upwardly protruding basketball hoop support bar and adjacent contacting upwardly protruding basket stand bar.




FIG.


23


: Front isolated view of upwardly protruding rigid basketball hoop height adjustor bars with pin/pinhole mechanism.




FIG.


24


(


a


): Side detailed view of swivel mechanism for lateral basketball hoop movement.




FIG.


24


(


b


): Side detailed view of joint and screw member structure.




FIG.


25


: Partial side view of anterior-posterior pinhole/pin mechanism for center basketball hoop.




FIG.


26


(


a


): Top plan view of upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joint for hand grip(shown in phantom), elbow pad, and upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical rigid joint for foot stand.




FIG.


26


(


b


): Isolated side view of how arm grip pivots on two angled joints.




FIG.


27


: Isolated front view of horizontal foot stand bar and attached vertical height adjustor with pin/pinhole mechanism.




FIG.


28


(


a


): Isolated closeup partial front view of three basketball hoops with anterior-posterior length adjustor bar, common stem and lower anterior-poster support bar.




FIG.


28


(


b


): Isolated closeup front view of three prongs of basketball hoop attachment, horizontal support bar, and lower anterior-posterior support bar.




FIG.


29


: Schematic isolated representation of basketball hoop pivoting in an approximately vertical manner.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION




My invention


1


(AB Challenger) is an amazing versatile exercise device which is assembled manually by color coded bands. Moreover, my invention is adjustable in two planes and fits easily within a small space, such as a room within an apartment.




My invention


1


has a base


2


with components comprising upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


and upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints (generically


50


). There are also elbow pads


16




a


,


16




b


, vertical foot stand support bars


79




a


,


79




b


. Vertical basketball hoop support stands


83




a


,


83




b


which resist excessive posterior forces on my invention. There are also pivoting arm grip supports


75




a


,


75




b.






The second portion of my invention consists of rigid horizontal support bars which fit within specialized joints and attachments. There are also vertical and posterior-anterior height and/or length adjustors, as well as backboards


20




a


,


20




b


,


20




c


. There are basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


and attachments of basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


to horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


. FIG.


1


(


b


) is a front view of the preferred embodiment of my AB Challenger


1


.




In the preferred embodiment of my invention


1


as seen in FIG.


1


(


a


), there is a base


2


. Elbow pads


16




a


,


16




b


are located on upper surface


3


s of lateral base support bars


13




a


,


13




b


. Rubber grips for wall protection


7




a


,


7




b


are located at posterior ends


5




a


,


5




b


of each of two connecting base segment members


3




c


,


3




cc


. As seen in FIG.


1


(


b


), elbow pads


16




a


,


16




b


are located anteriorly to upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b.






Hand grips


75




a


,


75




b


also appear anteriorly upon parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


. Base bar


4


is integrally attached to parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


with T-joint connectors


6




a


,


6




b


respectively.




Referring again to FIGS.


1


(


a


) and


1


(


b


), angled portions


12




a


,


12




b


of parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


provides lateral support for entire base


2


and invention


1


generally. The significance of color banding


90


is to properly assemble appropriate parts of the invention , as discussed infra.




Again referring to

FIG. 1

, parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


are integrally attached to horizontal base bar


4


.




Each upper surface


3


s of parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


comprises rigid cylindrical upwardly protruding joints, generically referred to herein as upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints


50


.




Each rigid cylindrical hollow upwardly protruding joint


50


reversibly holds upwardly protruding vertical components of my invention, by securing at least one end of that component. Each rigid cylindrical upwardly protruding joint


50


is in turn a component of a generic t-joint connector


51


as seen in FIG.


1


(


a


). Each T-joint connector


51


is frictionally held in a predetermined location on base


2


or uponon other components, see infra.




Also integrally connected to ends


5




a


,


5




b


of each parallel anterior-posterior base bar


3




a


,


3




b


respectively, are T-joint connectors


5




c


,


5




d


respectively. Each T-joint connector


5




c


,


5




d


gives entire base


2


additional lateral support. Each of two second angled segments


12




a


,


12




b


further comprise elbow pads


16




a


,


16




b


as seen in FIG.


1


(


a


). Each parallel anterior-posterior base bar


3




a


,


3




b


has a first end


3




c


,


3




cc


and a second end


3




d


,


3




dd


respectively. Vertical footstand support bars


77




a


,


77




b


are also seen in FIG.


1


(


a


).




As seen in

FIG. 2

, adjustable horizontal footstand bar


22


with two opposing ends


22




a


,


22




b


connect to vertical footstand support bars


77




a


,


77




b


respectively by T-joints connectors


51


. Frictionally attached within each cylindrical upwardly protruding hollow joints


9




a


,


9




b


on each side of base


2


are upwardly protruding vertical rigid basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


respectively, as seen in FIG.


3


.




Each vertical upwardly protruding basketball hoop support bar


41




a


,


41




b


, comprises vertical basketball hoop height adjustors


59




a


,


59




b


indicated in FIG.


1


(


b


). These adjustors change the vertical height of basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


, as explained infra.




Again referring to FIG.


1


(


b


), each upwardly protruding basketball hoop vertical support bar


41




a


,


41




b


has a T-joint connector


42




c


,


42




d


respectively at each upper end thereof. Between these two upper T-joint connects


42




c


,


42




d


is horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


, which is parallel to supporting surface


8


.

FIG. 8

is a plan view of lower surface


2




c


of base


2


. In this view one still sees elbow pads


16




a


,


16




b


and horizontal base bar


4


. Hand grips


16




a


,


16




b


are comprised of foam rubber in the preferred embodiment. However, other appropriate materials such as generic velcro® or plastic are within the scope of my invention.




Horizontal footstand support bar


22


is approximately 3.125 feet in length and 3.25 feet from supporting surface


8


. Horizontal footstand support bar


22


has its first end


22




a


attached at first T-joint connector


51


and its second end


22




b


attached at second T-joint connector


51


.




All vertical components and base


2


are made of the same material in the preferred embodiment, which is off the shelf polyvinylchloride (PVC) piping. However, other materials, such as plastic, aluminum, stainless steel and wood are satisfactory and within the scope of my invention


1


.




Elbow pads


16




a


,


16




b


each are approximately 5 and ½ inch in length, seven(7) inches in width, and approximately 11(eleven) inches in depth.

FIG. 21

illustrates arm stand


75




d


and arm grip


75




a


.

FIG. 22

illustrates the relationship between vertical basketball stand support bar


75




d


and basketball hoop stand support bar


77




a.







FIG. 2

illustrates a second partial front view of my invention


1


in my preferred embodiment. There is a partial view of base


2


, as well as curved hand grips


75




a


,


75




b


which reach towards horizontal base bar


4


. Such vertical poles or bars are connected to base


2


by male-female joints


50


.




These vertical supports, in turn support horizontal basket stand support bar


19


, horizontal foot stand bar


22


and arm grips


75




a


,


75




b.






Referring again to FIG.


1


(


a


), integrally connected to and located interiorly and laterally from parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


are doubled-angled extensions


13




a


,


13




b


. Double angled extensions


13




a


,


13




b


bend exteriorly at


17




a


,


17




b


to terminate in upwardly protruding rigid cylindrical joints


15




a


,


15




b


for horizontal footstand bar


22


.




At most anterior ends


3




d


,


3




dd


angled segment


12




a


,


12




b


are contiguously connected to, but located exteriorly to anterior-posterior parallel base bars


3




a


,


3




b


. Angled segments


12




a


,


12




b


give additional lateral support to invention


1


. Angled segments


12




a


,


12




b


give additional lateral support to invention


1


.





FIG. 9

is a plan view of upper surface


3


s of base


2


of my preferred embodiment. There are hollow cylindrical rigid upwardly protruding joints


50


, which in turn are physically integral components of prefabricated connectors for polyvinyl chloride piping. Hollow cylindrical rigid upwardly protruding joints


50


can be prefabricated as generic T-joints


51


. Connectors


51


and other connectors and fittings for polyvinylchloride pipe construction are available from:




Hollow cylindrical rigid upwardly protruding joints


50


can also be made of aluminum, other light metals, plastics with sufficient rigidity and strength, or other appropriate materials. Hollow rigid cylindrical upwardly protruding joints


50


are approximately four inches to six inches in height and approximately 1 and ½ inch in diameter in the preferred embodiment.




However, my invention also encompasses other heights and diameters of hollow cylindrical rigid upwardly protruding joints


50


. The requirement is that such joints


50


reversibly, but firmly receive a particular component in a male-female relationship. In the most preferred embodiment upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints


50


are components of these conventional prefabricated T-joint connectors


51


. Please see FIG.


9


.




PVC piping is generally hollow and approximately one and one quarter (1 and ¼″) inches in inner diameter in the preferred embodiment. However, such piping need not be hollow if it is not cumbersome or cost-prohibitive. Polyvinychloride (PVC)piping for the preferred embodiment can be purchased at:




Each PVC pipe comprising anterior-posterior base parallel bars


3




a


,


3




b


in my most preferred embodiment is approximately 18(eighteen) inches in length, and with a hollow inner diameter of 2 and ½ inches. However, diameters of different pipes in the structure of my invention may range from approximately 1 and ½ inches to approximately 1(one) inch.




Other prefabricated connectors include angled joints


52


for hand grips


81




a


,


81




b


,


80




a


,


80




b


, and four-member connectors


53


for other horizontal connections, as well as straight extension connectors


54


. Each prefabricated joint


52


has an angle of approximately 45 degrees at approximately the center of the connector.




The length of upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


are approximately 11.25 inches. However, other lengths are acceptable in the preferred embodiments and other embodiments of my invention if:




(1) the baskets remain at an appropriate predetermined height and




(2) remain at the appropriate predetermined angle.




As seen in FIG.


1


(


a


), horizontal base bar


22


is connected to parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


by angled segments


5




a


,


5




b


. Angled segments


5




a


,


5




b


are both approximately 10 and ½ inches long.




Each T-joint connector


51


is approximately 7(seven)½ inches long. Angled segments


5




a


,


5




b


are also reversibly physically connected to horizontal base bar


4


by 45 degree angled joint connectors


6




a


and


6




b


. Each angled segment


5




a


,


5




b


has one rubber grip


7




a


,


7




b


respectively for wall protection, and is comprised of PVC piping.




As seen in

FIG. 9

, end connectors


3




d


,


3




dd


of parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


,


3




b


comprise rigid hollow cylindrical upwardly protruding joints


8




a


,


8




b


. Joints


8




a


,


8




b


support angled basketball hoop support stands


79




a


,


79




b


(not seen)respectively.

FIG. 9

also represents a top plan view of base


2


of my preferred embodiment without any vertical or upper horizontal members attached. The diameter of each rigid upwardly protruding rigid hollow cylindrical joint


50


is approximately 1 and ½ inches. Each upwardly protruding cylindrical rigid hollow joint


50


is approximately four to six inches in height.




Each anterior-posterior parallel base bar


3




a


,


3




b


also comprises at least one upwardly protruding cylindrical hollow joint


9




a


,


9




b


, and a third upwardly protruding cylindrical hollow joint


10




a


,


10




b


(in addition to upwardly protruding cylindrical hollow joints


8




a


,


8




b


).




As seen in

FIG. 3

in side view, immediately anterior to upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical rigid joints


9




a


,


9




b


respectively are upwardly protruding cylindrical rigid hollow joints


10




a


,


10




b


for hand grips


75




a


,


75




b


. Upwardly protruding rigid cylindrical joints


10




a


,


10




b


connect each hand grip


75




a


,


75




b


with two consecutive 45 degree angle joints


52


(specifically


80




a


,


80




b


,


81




a


,


81




b


). Each hand grip


75




a


,


75




b


also comprises an angled connector at the most distal end


75




c


,


75




d


as well.




Referring again to

FIGS. 3 and 9

, each of two bunge cords


11




a


,


11




b


respectively encircle each respective series of cylindrical hollow rigid hollow upwardly protruding joints:


8




a


,


9




a


,


10




a


, and


8




a


,


9




b


,


10




b


on parallel anterior-posterior base bars


3




a


and


3




b


respectively. Bunge cord


11




a


,


11




b


each is approximately ½ inch thick in the most preferred embodiment.




As seen in

FIG. 3

, each bunge cord


11




a


,


11




b


further comprises a hooks


11




e


,


11




f


, which connects ends


11




h


,


11




g


(not seen).




Each bunge cord


11




a


,


11




b


maintains posterior base


2




a


and anterior base


2




b


rigidly aligned. Bunge cords


11




a


,


11




b


further resist forces which tend to disrupt the invention's configuration. Heavy duty rubber bands are also satisfactory, but bunge cords with hooks is the most preferred choice.





FIG. 4

illustrates the relationship among: horizontal base bar


4


, horizontal cylindrical rigid upwardly protruding joints


15




a


,


15




b


, and upwardly protruding basketball rim vertical support bars


41




a


,


41




b.






Upwardly protruding vertical support bars


41




a


,


41




b


have upper ends term terminating as T-joint connectors


42




c


,


42




d


. The length of lower horizontal foot stand support bar


22


is approximately 3 and ¼ feet in my preferred embodiment. However, other lengths are also acceptable and within the scope of my invention. Specifically the length of horizontal foot stand


22


can vary according to the dimensions and weight of other components and still remain within the scope of my invention.




Each upwardly protruding cylindrical rigid hollow joint


15




a


,


15




b


is immediately adjacent to, but not physically connected with, upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


. Each vertical foot stand support bar


77




a


,


77




b


is approximately one foot tall.





FIG. 6

is an isolated front view of upwardly protruding rigid hollow cylindrical joints


15




a


,


15




b


which connect to horizontal foot stand support bar


22


. Also seen are upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


. Upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


are each approximately 27 and ½ inches in height. Each upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar


41




a


,


41




b


is hollow and contains a vertical basketball hoop height adjuster


59




a


,


59




b


within.




FIG.


19


(


a


) illustrates the bilateral symmetry of the structure and design of base


2


as indicated in phantom. FIG.


19


(


b


) also illustrates the relationship between upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joint


10




a


,


10




b


and upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints


15




a


,


15




b


. Joints


15




a


,


15




b


reversibly receive ends


22




a


,


22




b


of horizontal footstand support bar


22


with T-joint connectors


51


.




FIG.


19


(


c


) illustrates a portion of parallel base bar


3




a


with two upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints


50


within separate T-joint connectors


51


. FIG.


19


(


d


) illustrates a portion of the connecting structure of horizontal base bar


4


with extension connectors


53


and T-joint connectors


51


. Angled connectors


52


(at 45 degrees) are not seen in this view.





FIG. 8

illustrates base


2


in bottom plan view with location of circular rubber grips


63




a


,


63




b


,


63




c


, etc.(generically circular grips


63


). Each circular rubber grip


63


is approximately 1.5 inches in diameter in the preferred embodiment.




Each grip


63


is permanently affixed to lower surface


3




t


of base


2


with a suitable adhesive. The adhesive in the most preferred embodiment is known as P


4


PVC Cement, can be purchased from:




William H. Harvey Company




4334 South 67th Street




Omaha, Nebr. 68117-1019




Phone:402-331-1175; 1-800-228-9681




As of Jun. 1, 1999, P


4


PVC cement(product name HV P-4 Regular PVC Cement, chemical name PVC solvent cements)manufactured by William H. Harvey Company has the following physical characteristics:




1. boiling point: 146 degrees Fahrenheit




2. vapor pressure(mm. Hg): 86




3. vapor density(air=1)2.5




4. solubility in water: moderate




5. appearance and odor: slightly viscous clear liquid with ketone odor




6. specific gravity(H20=1): 0.9000




7. Melting point: NI




8. Evaporation rate(butyl acetate=1)5.7 Components of P


4


PVC cement comprise, but not exclusively, tetrahydrofuran, methyl ethyl ketone, and cyclohexanone.




However, other diameters and other shapes of such rubber grips are within the scope of my invention


1


. More or few rubber circular grips


63


are also within the scope of my invention. Circular rubber grips


63


prevent damage to furniture, floors and walls in a small residential living room in which my invention


1


may be located.





FIG. 11

illustrates base


2


, horizontal base bar


4


, horizontal basketball support bar


19


, horizontal footstand bar


22


, and arm grips


75




a


,


75




b.






Arm grips


75




a


,


75




b


each have two upper angled joints


80




a


,


80




b


and


81




a


,


81




b


respectively, and lower ends


82




a


,


82




b


respectively. Lower ends


82




a


,


82




b


rest on supporting horizontal surface


8


. Upper angled joints


81




a


,


81


b attach to straight segments


86




a


,


86




b


which in turn are inserted into upwardly protruding rigid cylindrical hollow joints


10




a


,


10




b


. Please see also FIGS.


26


(


a


),


26


(


b


). Arm grips


75




a


,


75




b


are oriented posteriorly towards horizontal base bar


4


.




As seen in

FIG. 3

, projecting upward from each anteriorposterior parallel bar


3




a


,


3




b


are upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


with height adjustors


58




a


,


58




b


(not seen)respectively. Height adjustors


59




a


,


59




b


change the distance from horizontal surface


8


for basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


in a vertical up/down direction. Horizontal footstand support bar


22


also has mechanisms for vertical adjustment, see discussion infra.




Horizontal basketball rim support bar


19


is approximately 3 and ⅛ feet in length.

FIG. 6

is the front view of my preferred embodiment and how horizontal basket ball hoop support bar


19


is attached to upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop bars


41




a


,


41




b


each by T-joint connectors


42




a


,


42




b


respectively. In

FIG. 22

, upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


are seen in side isolated view.




Basketball hoop support stands


79




a


,


79




b


statically contact bars


41




a


,


41




b


, and oppose forces upon bars


41




a


,


41




b


respectively, thus maintaining equilibrium within my invention.




Referring to

FIGS. 4 and 11

, horizontal rigid basketball hoop support bar


19


lies beneath anteriorly protruding common stem


29


. Common stem


29


in turn comprises a pre-fabricated four sided connector


53


. Referring now to FIGS.


16


(


a


),


28


(


a


) and


28


(


b


). There are three prongs


31


,


32


,


33


, a central basketball hoop


21




b


, and two lateral basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




c


. Attached posteriorly to each basketball hoop is backboard


20




a


, backboard


20




b


, and backboard


20




c


, respectively.




As seen in

FIGS. 5 and 23

, T-joint connectors


42




c


,


42




d


are at either ends a,


42




b


(not seen) of horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


. Screws with threaded stems


60


completely penetrate each T-joint connector


42




c


,


42




d


and each end respectively of horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


. By penetrating each T-joint connector


42




c


,


42




d


and horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


completely, screws with threaded stems


60


provide additional frictional resistance to downward forces on horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


.




As best seen in FIGS.


28


(


a


) and


28


(


b


) my preferred embodiment comprises three basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


. Hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


are indirectly attached to basketball hoop horizontal support bar


19


(not seen). Each basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


is connected to one prong


31


,


32


,


33


respectively through extension bars


35




a


,


35




b


,


35




c


respectively.




Each prong


31


,


32


,


33


in turn is physically attached to common stem


29


through a four opening prefabricated joint


53


. Anterior-posterior adjustment bar


95


moves central basketball hoop


21




b


linearly backwards and forwards (anteriorly and posteriorly). There is also swiveling means


70


for adjusting basketball hoop angular divergence for lateral basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




c.






As seen in FIG.


20


(


a


), each upwardly protruding vertical basketball rim support bar


41




a


,


41




b


comprises an adjustment bar


59




a


,


59




b


respectively for changing vertical height of basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


(not seen). FIG.


20


(


b


) illustrates in side view how common stem


29


and basketball hoop prongs


31


,


32


,


33


are supported by U-shaped lower basketball hoop support bar


67


.




FIG.


16


(


a


) is a top plan view of center basketball hoop


21




b


in my preferred embodiment


1


. Center basketball hoop


21




b


is retracted posteriorly or extended anteriorly with anterior-posterior adjustment bar


95


, shown here in closeup.




Referring to FIGS.


15


(


a


) and


15


(


b


), each of the three basketball hoops


21




a


(not seen),


21




b


,


21




c


(not seen), comprise a spring device


21




f


located at the bottom


21




g


of each basketball net


21




e


. Spring attachment


21




f


prevents a ball


100


from bouncing from any basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


and disrupting the routine of the operator.




As seen schematically in FIG.


15


(


c


), electric tape


21




k


secures and fastens spring attachment f onto elastic band


21




n


. Band


21




n


forms base


21




g


of basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


. Elastic band


21




n


comprises upper side


21




j


of velcro® to maintain elastic band


21




n


intact. Velcro can be purchased from:




Velcro U.S.A., Inc.




406 Brown Ave.




Manchester, N.H. 03103




Telephone: 1-800-225-0180




Fax: 1-800-835-2761




Velcro hook material generally comprises a base sheet material with stemlike projections. Suitable hook materials generally comprise approximately 300 to about 1000 hooks per square inch, preferably from about 700 to about 900 hooks per square inch.




Hooks have a height of from about 0.015 inch, preferably from about 0.024 inch to about 0.035 inch. The lower surface of the tape has a self-adhesive application.




Referring again to

FIG. 4

, each upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar


41




a


,


41




b


has upper ends


41




c


,


41




d


to which horizontal support bar


19


is connected by T-joint connectors


42




c


,


42




d


. Common stem


29


is physically oriented at approximately a right angle to horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


.




Referring again FIGS.


28


(


a


) and


28


(


b


), common stem


29


(comprised primarily of four member prefabricated connector


53


) branches anteriorly into three prongs:


31


,


32


,


33


. Each prong


31


,


32


,


33


is hollow, and comprises further lateral attachments at their most distal ends. Each basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


is physically attached to each backboard


20




a


,


20




b


,


20




c


respectively by a particle board square


44


which is approximately ¾ inch thick. Basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




c


are adjustable vertically and horizontally. Central basketball hoop


21




b


is adjustable vertically and in a posterior-anterior direction.




Referring now to FIG.


17


(


a


), physically attaching each backboard


20




a


,


20




b


,


20




c


to extension bars


35




a


,


35




b


,


35




c


respectively are brackets


40




a


,


40




b


,


40




c


respectively.




A plastic clasp


48




a


,


48




b


,


48




c


is screwed into each backboard


20




a


,


20




b


,


20




c


respectively to attach each plastic basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


respectively securely thereto. Please see FIG.


17


(


b


). Each backboard


20


is attached to outward reaching extensions


35




a


,


35




b


,


35




c


respectively at each of their most posterior ends


36




a


,


36




b


,


36




c


. Please also see FIG.


24


(


a


).

FIG. 13

illustrates center basketball hoop


21




b


with backboard


20




b


. Prongs


31


,


32


,


33


are visible as well as anterior-posterior adjustor bar


95


.




Upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


and horizontal footstand support bar


22


are adjustable in a vertical direction.

FIG. 5

illustrates vertical upwardly protruding basketball hoop support bar


41




a


, common stem


29


and horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


. Common stem


29


protrudes anteriorly across horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


.

FIG. 5

additionally illustrates a closeup front view of T-joint connectors


42




c


which is at ends


42




a


of horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


. The same is true of end


42




b


with T-joint connector


42




d


in symmetrical orientation and construction.




Again referring to

FIG. 5

, common stem


29


physically traverses approximate midpoint


52


(not seen) of horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


.




T-joint connectors


42




c


,


42




d


(not seen) provide resistance to downward force from common stem


29


. As seen in

FIG. 22

, lower ends


41




f


,


41




g


of upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


reversibly yet tightly fit into cylindrical rigid hollow upwardly protruding joints


9




a


,


9




b.






FIGS.


7


(


a


) and


7


(


b


) illustrate a partial front isolated view of my basketball hoop vertical height adjuster bars


59




a


,


59




b


which are each are approximately 15(fifteen) inches in length.

FIG. 23

also illustrates a front view of vertical basketball hoop height adjustor bars


59




a


,


59




b


. Vertical height basketball hoop adjustor bars


59




a


,


59




b


are cylindrical bars, each with two sets of generic pinholes


57


,


55


and


58


,


56


respectively. Please also see FIGS.


14


(


a


) and


14


(


b


).




Generic pinhole sets


57


,


55


, and


58


,


56


are approximately 180 degrees apart in two linear alignments along the length of each adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


respectively. Each adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


, also slides into and from each upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar


41




a


,


41




b


, respectively. Each adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


has upper end


42




h


,


42




i


respectively, firmly but reversibly attached within interior


44


of each T-joint connector


42




c


,


42




d


. In addition, each adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


can be pulled from or pushed into interior


44


of each T-joint connector


42




c


,


42




d


in which each adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


terminates.




FIG.


7


(


a


) and FIG.


7


(


b


) is a front view of basketball hoop vertical height adjustor


59




a


,


59




b


. As seen in

FIG. 23

, each vertical basketball hoop height adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


is itself a bar with linearly and vertically aligned pinholes


57


.


55


and


58


,


56


approximately ½ inch apart. Each vertical basketball hoop adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


is slidably attached to hollow T-joint connectors


42


a,


42




b


and upper ends


41




j


,


41




k


of vertical upwardly protruding basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b.






Each vertical basketball rim height adjustor


59




a


,


59




b


contains pinholes


57




a


,


57




b


,


57




c


,


57




d


,


57




e


,


57




f


or


57




g


, etc. (generically pinholes


57


),


58




a


,


58




b


,


58




c


,


57




c


,


58




d


,


58




e


, etc. respectively (generically pinholes


58


),


55




a


,


5




b


,


55




c


,


55




e


,


55




f


, etc. (generically pinholes


55


) or


56




a


,


56




b


,


56




c


,


56




d


,


56




e


, etc.(generically pin holes


56


). Please see FIGS.


14


(


c


) and


14


(


d


). The opposite side of pinholes


57


comprise pinholes


55




a


,


55




b


,


55




c


,


55




d


,


55




e


, etc.(generically pinholes


55


), for example. in adjustor bar


59




a.






Vertical basketball hoop adjustors


59




a


,


59




b


are pulled vertically from within upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


respectively.




Pinholes


57


,


55


, or


58


,


56


(generically) in each vertical basketball hoop adjustment bar


59




a


,


59




b


are approximately ½ inch apart in each linear vertical alignment. Each pair of pinholes


57


,


55


or


58


,


56


are approximately 180 degrees apart in linear vertical alignment on each adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


. Lower ends


41




e


,


41




f


of vertical upwardly protruding basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


always remain within upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints


9




a


,


9




b


. More or fewer corresponding pinholes


57


,


55


, or


58


,


56


are also within the scope of my invention.




As seen in FIG.


7


(


b


) each corresponding vertical height adjustment bar


59




a


,


59




b


(not shown) is pulled to a predetermined desired vertical height. Referring now to FIG.


14


(


a


), to obtain this new predetermined vertical height, horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


must be raised the same number of pinholes (assuming pinholes are as evenly spaced as possible and linearly aligned)on each upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar


41




a


,


41




b.






For example vertical basketball hoop adjustor bar


59




a


is manually lifted from upwardly protruding basketball hoop vertical support bar


41




a


, until the two appropriate pinholes in adjustor bar


59




a


appear just above upper end


42




i


of upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar


41




a.






The same procedure is followed for upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar


41




b.






A long metal pin with a rounded tip d is then manually applied and penetrates both pinholes


57


,


55


, or


58


,


56


in each adjustor bar


59




a


,


59




b


. In this position, each pin d rests upon each upper edge


41




i


and


42




j


of each upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar


41




a


,


41




b


. In this alignment, one metal pin


101


on each side of my invention is sufficiently strong to withstand the weight of horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


as well as its attachments. Please see

FIGS. 14



d


,


14




e.






When height is to be increased or decreased to a new predetermined position, vertical basketball hoop adjustor bars


59




a


,


59




b


are again manually raised or lowered until appropriate pinholes


57


,


55


or


58


,


56


reach just above upper ends


41




i


,


41




j


of upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars


41




a


,


41




b


. Please see also

FIG. 23

(isolated front view of vertical basketball rim height adjustors


59




a


,


59




b


).




Again referring to

FIG. 23

, lower ends


41




e


,


41




f


of vertical upwardly protruding cylindrical support bars


41




a


,


41




b


are within upwardly protruding rigid hollow cylindrical joints


9




a


,


9




b.






With the aid of screws


6


, one of which is within each T-joint connectors


42




a


,


42




b


, horizontal basketball hoop support bar


19


, is now held at a new predetermined height.

FIG. 23

also illustrates how screws


60


are inserted through T-joint connectors


42




c


,


42




d


, and horizontal basketball support bar


19


for reinforcement at either end


42




a


,


42




b.






FIG.


10


(


a


) is a front isolated view of lateral basketball hoop


21




a


attachments. The same lateral attachment description applies to lateral basketball hoop


21




c


. Attached to each prong


31


,


33


is swivel member


70


which rotates lateral basket ball rims


21




a


up to approximately 90 degrees. Swivel member


70


comprises a swivel mechanism


73


which rotates basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




c


to a desired predetermined position. Extension bars


35




a


,


35




c


are physically contiguous with swivel adjuster


70




a


or


70




c


and slide reversibly into and exteriorly to swivel adjustor


70




a


or


70




c.






Each of the two swivel members


70


can rotate in a clockwise or counterclockwise direction to mechanically rotate basketball hoops


21




a


or


21




c


, as the case may be, to a new predetermined position. As seen in FIG.


10


(


b


) swivel member


73


has an upper surface


71




a


and a lower surface


71




b


. Screw member


74




a


is securely fastened to lower surface


71




b


. Screw member


74




a


penetrates lower surface


71




b


and upper surface


71




a


with its threaded stem


74




c.






When screw member


74




a


is manually twisted to become tighter in upper surface


71




a


and lower surface


71




b


, interlocking tooth members


72


a,


72




b


lock tightly together. Screw member


74




a


is loosened by manual rotation in the opposite direction. As screw member


74




a


progressively disengages from upper surface


71




a


and lower surface


71




b


, tooth members


72




a


,


72




b


disengage and allow slippage. Each screw member


74




a


loosens to allow extension bar


35




a


or


35




c


to rotate with screw stem


74




a


to a predetermined position for each lateral basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




c.






FIG.


17


(


a


) is an isolated side view of swivel adjustors


70


for either of each lateral basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




c


. Seen at the extreme left is prong


31


and common stem


29


. Common stem


29


is comprised of pre-fabricated four-member joint


53


, with each member having a hollow cylindrical interior


29




a


. Prongs


31


,


33


each extend from one joint member


29




b


or


29




bb


, and each enters a enters a 45 angle joint connector


52


and continues to swivel adjuster attachment


78


.




Swivel adjustor attachment


78


is bound firmly with electrical tape


72




b


, and four screws


29




f


,


29




g


,


29




h


,


29




i


(not seen) to swivel member


70


. Each swivel member


70


has a moveable joint


71


and tooth members


74




a


,


74




b


, described supra, for loosening joint


71


from a predetermined position.




FIGS.


24


(


a


) and


24


(


b


) illustrate in side view swivel attachments


70


for basketball hoops


21




a


or


21




c


. FIGS.


24


(


a


) a nd


24


(


b


) also indicate anterior posterior movement of extension bars


35




a


,


35




c


when screw


74




b


is tightened or loosened. Screw


75


loosens swivel adjustor


70


to allow extension bar


35




a


,


35




c


to slip from within swivel adjustor


70


to change anterior-posterior position.




An adjustable nylon flag bracket is adapted as the swivel and angle adjustors and can be purchased from Yard Works, Inc. Electrical tape can be purchased from:




Gam Pack Products Corporation




475 Blay St.




Hillside, N.J. 07205




The most preferred tape from Gam Pack is 7 millimeter premium grade all weather electrical tape which is ¾ inch by seven thousands inch by 66 fee.




Again referring to FIG.


17


(


a


) head screw


75




b


loosens to extend or retract extension bars


35




a


,


35




c


(with manual force). Screw


75




b


can then be tightened to keep basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




c


and backboards


20




a


rigidly in place in their new anterior-posterior positions.




FIG.


18


(


a


) is partial isolated view of horizontal foot stand support bar


22


and base


2


. Generic pinholes


61


,


62


in each vertical footstand adjustor support bar


63


,


64


respectively tare in vertical linear alignment. Consecutive pinholes


61


,


62


in alignment are approximately ½ inch apart in the preferred embodiment. Please also see FIG.


27


. Horizontal footstand bar


22


is approximately 36 and ¼ inches in length in the most preferred embodiment.




Each of two T-joint connectors


51


physically attach horizontal footstand support bar


22


to each upper end


63




a


,


64




a


of each vertical footstand adjustor


63


,


64


. Vertical footstand height adjustor support bars


63


,


64


are each approximately fifteen inches long vertically. Each vertical footstand adjustor bar


63


,


64


has vertically aligned pinholes


61




a


,


61




b


,


61




c


, etc.(generically


61


) and


62




a


,


62




b


,


62




c


, etc.(generically


62


)respectively. Universal pinholes


65




a


,


65




b


, are apertures drilled through each front and lateral side


64




a


,


64




b


respectively of each vertical footstand support bar


77




a


,


77




b


respectively.




Referring now to FIG.


18


(


b


), to modify the height of horizontal footstand support bar


22


, each vertical footstand adjuster bar is manually pulled from within each vertical footstand support bar


77




a


,


77




b


, to a new height.




At the desired predetermined height, one pinhole


61


,


62


emerging from each vertical footstand support bar


77




a


,


77




b


will align with two universal pinholes


65




a


,


65




b


. At the correct predetermined height, pin


101


a is thrust through universal pinholes


65




a


,


653




b


as well as the appropriate pinhole


61


,


62


on each respective vertical footstand height adjustment bar


63


,


64


.




In sum, each of two round ended elongated pins


101


mechanically align:(i) two universal pinholes, approximately 180 degrees apart on each vertical foot stand support bar


77




a


,


77




b


with; (ii) a single pinhole


61


,


62


within each footstand vertical height adjustor bar


63


,


64


respectively. Round ended elongated metal pin


101


prevents slippage of horizontal footstand support bar


22


by supporting T-joint connectors


51


on either end of horizontal footstand support bar


22


.




Referring now to

FIG. 12

, there are circular color coded bands (generically


90


) upon upwardly protruding cylindrical hollow joints


50


and other components of my invention


1


. The user matches correctly colored ends of individual components to upwardly protruding rigid hollow cylindrical sockets


50


and other appropriate connecting means. My most preferred embodiment comprises the following color code:




Red tape color banding is


90


;




Black tape color banding is


91






Blue tape color banding is


92


;




Green tape color banding is


93


.




As seen schematically in

FIG. 12

, joints with vertical members will correctly display a double band of the same color.




As seen in

FIG. 25

, anterior-posterior position adjustor bar


95


is the portion of my invention


1


which moves central basketball hoop


21




b


in an anterior-posterior direction. As illustrated in FIG.


16


(


a


), has pin


102




a


to stabilize anterior-posterior adjustor bar


95


.




Universal pinholes


104




a


,


104




b


, are aligned approximately 180 degrees from each other approximately ¼ inch from edge


104




c


of protruding opening


106


of four-membered prefabricated joint


53


. As seen in FIG.


16


(


b


), a set of vertically and linearly aligned pinholes


98




a


,


98




b


,


98




c


, etc.(generically


98


) and


99




a


,


99




b


,


99




c


,


99




d


, etc.(generically


99


) respectively are drilled through anterior-posterior adjustor bar


95


at approximately 180 degrees from each other.




Anterior-posterior adjustor bar


95


within cylindrical elevated support bar


96


slidably moves when manually pushed into or exteriorly to a new predetermined position.




To move central basketball hoop


20




b


posteriorly, anterior-posterior adjustor bar


95


is manually pushed backwards. As seen in FIGS.


16


(


a


) and


16


(


b


), at the desired pre-determined distance, two groups of linearly aligned pinholes


98


,


99


are congruent with universal pinholes


104




a


,


104




b


. At this predetermined position metal pin


102




a


(seen at pinhole


104




a


,


104




b


) penetrates pinholes


98


,


99


in anterior-posterior adjustor bar


95


and universal pinholes


104




a


,


104




b


, all in a congruent manner.




Pin


104




a


is then inserted through pinholes


99


,


99


,


102




a


,


102




b


, and so mechanically holds common stem


19


and anterior-posterior adjustment bar


96


together. Please see also FIG.


16


(


b


). Pin


104




a


pierces four-member joint


53


(stem


29


), as well as anterior-posterior elevated support bar


96


and anterior-posterior adjustor bar


95


. A second pin


104




b


pierces a second set of single pinholes


109




a


,


109




b


through second four member joint


53


at posterior end


110


, to stabilize the anterior-posterior adjustment mechanism.




Extension bars


35




a


,


35




b


,


35




c


are rigid and supports backboards


20




a


,


20




b


,


20




c


and basketball rims


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


respectively. Each backboard


20




a


,


20




b


,


20




c


and basketball rim


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


are respectively and reversibly connected to extension bars


35




a


,


35




b


,


35




c.






Common stem


29


at its most posterior joint


53


is rigidly attached to posterior lower basketball hoop support bar


67


, as seen in FIG.


16


(


b


).

FIG. 11

illustrates a front view of the right side basketball hoop


21




a


prong-attachment


25




c


,


25




d


,


25




e


. As seen in

FIG. 29

, each basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


can be pivoted upward along hinged plastic clasp


48




a


,


48




b


,


48




c


respectively on anterior


20




ff


surface of each backboard


20




a


,


20




b


,


20




c


. Each clasp


48




a


,


48




b


,


48




c


comprises a hinged hoop which is an asset for safety and easy storage.




Each lateral side basketball hoop


21




a


,


21




c


is approximately sixty degrees from center basketball hoop


21




b


in the preferred embodiment. However, lateral basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




c


are adjustable to more or less than a sixty degree angle and still remain within the scope of my invention.




Springs for each spring attachment


21




f


in my preferred embodiment can be purchased from: Prime Line Products Company, San Bernadin, Calif. 92407. The company's “handyman springs” are recommended and are ¼ inch×one and ⅞ inches×0.035 inch in thickness. Insulation used for armpads and a back support can by purchase from Industrial Thermo Polymers Ltd. specifically, tundra energy saving pipe insulation.




Baskets with appropriate backboards, hoops, and all purpose hinged hardware included can be purchased from:




Good Stuff Corporation




47-00 33rd St.




Long Island City, N.Y. 11101




Specifically recommended is the “Looney Tunes Basketball Set” with soft basketballs.




Shepherd Hardware Products(3 Oaks, Mo, 49128, Phone 1-616-756-3830) produces “surface guard”—non-stick, self adhesive foam pads for the lower base surface of my invention.




The first exercise using the preferred embodiment is for the abdominal muscles. The person initially reclines upon a on a mat facing basketball rims


21




c


,


21




b


,


21




c


. The person next raises the upper body and places ball


100


in center basketball rim


21




b


using backboard


20




b


. The user gain reclines upon the mat while extending both arms to pull ball


100


from the bottom of basketball net


21




g.






The user repeats this exercise with left side basketball hoop


21




c


, returns to center basketball hoop


21




b


, and repeats this exercise with right basket


21




a.






The third exercise initially involves more agility. The user reclines on mat facing basketball hoops


21




a


,


21




b


,


21




c


, and with feet placed upon horizontal foot stand bar


22


. The user raises the upper body while completing a figure eight motion with ball


100


between the legs. The user then places ball


100


into center basketball hoop


21




b


and again reclines upon the mat.




The user then extends both arms to pull ball


100


from the bottom


21




g


of basket net


21




g


. The user repeats this third exercise with left side basket


21




c


, returns to center basket


21




b


, and finally repeats this same movements to right side basketball hoop


21




a.






My AB Challenger apparatus in the preferred embodiment or other embodiments, is light, easily collapsible, inexpensive, and easily assembled used in a small space such as an apartment. In addition to all these advantages, the exercises which can be done are truly remarkable in improving stomach muscles. Importantly, cylindrical rigid hollow upwardly protruding joints


50


do not require adhesive, nails or screws.



Claims
  • 1. An exercise apparatus for strengthening muscles, said exercise apparatus comprising:(A) a base, said base comprised of rigid cylindrical components, said cylindrical components spaced along a flat rigid horizontal supporting surface and interconnected to balance said exercise apparatus, said base comprising (1) at least two parallel anterior-posterior base bars, each said parallel anterior-posterior base bar having an upper surface and a lower surface, (2) a horizontal base bar, said horizontal base bar having a first end and a second end, said horizontal base bar connected to each said parallel anterior-posterior base bars by said first end and said second end, said horizontal base bar resting upon said supporting rigid horizontal surface, (3) at least two upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars, (a) each said upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar having an upper end and a lower end, (b) each said lower end frictionally and reversibly attached in a vertical perpendicular orientation to a corresponding parallel anterior-posterior base bar along said upper surface, (B) an adjustable horizontal footstand bar, said footstand bar comprising a first end and second end, (1) said adjustable horizontal footstand bar supported at said first end and said second end by a first adjustable vertical footstand support bar and a second corresponding adjustable vertical footstand support bar, (C) a second portion of said exercise apparatus, said second portion further comprising (2) a horizontal basketball hoop support bar, said horizontal basketball hoop support bar having a first end and a second end, each said end attached to an upper end of a corresponding upwardly protruding vertical basketball rim support bar, (3) at least two devices for reversibly adjusting the vertical height of said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, above said rigid horizontal flat supporting surface, (4) a common stem, (a) said common stem being at approximately a right angle to said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, (b) said common stem protruding anteriorly across said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, said common stem connected to said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, (5) a plurality of prongs, each said prong connected to said common stem, (6) a plurality of basketball hoops, each said basketball hoop attached to a corresponding backboard, each said backboard connected to a corresponding said prong, each said basketball hoop comprising (a) a spring attachment, each said spring attachment preventing a ball from bouncing from said basketball hoop, (7) swivel members, each said swiveling member connected to a corresponding said prong, each said swivel member rotating a said basketball hoop laterally, (8) an anterior-posterior length adjustor bar, said anterior-posterior length adjustor bar connected to said common stem, said anterior-posterior length adjustor bar reversibly adjusting the anterior-posterior position of a basketball hoop, Whereby said base is attached to said upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars, said upwardly protruding basketball hoop vertical support bars supporting said horizontal basketball hoop support bar and providing adjustment of vertical height of said basketball hoops, said common stem functionally connected to swiveling members and said anterior-posterior adjustor bar, by which said basketball hoops are adjusted to a predetermined position.
  • 2. The exercise apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said exercise apparatus is comprised of polyvinyl chloride angled connectors, removable tee-joint connectors and polyvinyl chloride cylindrical piping, said polyvinyl chloride cylindrical piping comprising color coding for proper assembly, said joints being disconnected from said cylindrical components for portability of said exercise apparatus.
  • 3. The exercise apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said swiveling mechanism within said swivel member comprises an upper surface and a lower surface, said swiveling mechanism further comprising a screw and interlocking teeth, said screw penetrating said lower surface and said upper surface, said screw tightening or loosening said interlocking teeth to loosen or tighten said basketball hoops.
  • 4. The exercise device as described in claim 3, wherein said common stem and said basketball hoop prongs are connected to a U-shaped lower basket ball hoop support bar.
  • 5. The exercise device as described in claim 4, wherein said each spring attachment is attached at the bottom of each said corresponding basketball net.
  • 6. The exercise device as described in claim 5 wherein each said basketball hoop vertical height adjustor bar comprises a length and an upper end and a lower end, each said basketball hoop vertical height adjustor bar further comprising(A) two generic pinhole sets in two linear alignments along the length of each said basketball hoop vertical height adjustor bar respectively and between said upper end and said lower end, (B) each said basketball hoop vertical height adjustor bar being slidably attached within one said hollow t-joint connectors at said upper end of each said upwardly protruding basketball hoop vertical support bar, (1) each said basketball hoop vertical height adjustment bar being adjusted manually by pulling vertically from within each upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar to a second predetermined vertical height, (2) said horizontal basketball support bar being raised approximately the same number of pinholes on each upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar during said manual adjustment, (a) said second predetermined vertical height being mechanically maintained by a long metal pin within each said basketball hoop vertical height adjustor bar, (b) each said long metal pin penetrating said predetermined pinholes within each corresponding basketball hoop vertical height hoop adjustor bar.
  • 7. The exercise device as described in claim 6 wherein said horizontal basketball hoop support bar is connected to said upwardly protruding basketball hoop vertical support bars by a combination of threaded screws and said tee-joint connectors.
  • 8. The exercise device as described in claim 7 wherein said swivel member is physically contiguous with a single swivel adjustor,(A) each said prong entering a 45 degree joint connecter, each prong contiguous with a corresponding swivel adjuster attachment, (B) each said swivel member further comprising a moveable joint and tooth members for loosing said joint member from a predetermined position.
  • 9. The exercise device as described in claim 8 wherein each said vertical footstand support bar comprises a vertical footstand adjustor bar,(a) each said vertical footstand adjustor bar further comprising two sets of generic pinholes in vertical linear alignment, (b) each said vertical footstand adjustor bar comprising an upper end, (c) each vertical footstand adjustor bar being adjustable by the user manually pulling each said vertical footstand support bar to a new predetermined height, (d) each said vertical footstand support bar comprising an elongated rounded end pin, (i) said elongated rounded end pin being thrust through said corresponding pinholes along each corresponding vertical footstand height adjustment bar, (ii) said round ended elongated metal pins preventing slippage of said horizontal footstand support bars by at least two supporting t-joint connectors on either said end of said horizontal footstand support bar.
  • 10. The exercise device as described in claim 9 wherein each said basketball hoop pivots upwardly along a corresponding hinged clasp on each anterior surface of each said backboard.
  • 11. An exercise apparatus for strengthening muscles, said exercise apparatus comprising:(A) a base, said base comprised of rigid cylindrical components, said cylindrical components spaced along a flat rigid horizontal supporting surface and interconnected to balance said exercise apparatus, said base further comprising: (1) at least two parallel anterior-posterior base bars, said anterior-posterior base bars each comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, said parallel anterior-posterior base bars resting upon a horizontal flat rigid supporting surface, (2) a plurality of upwardly protruding hollow cylindrical joints, said joints attached at an approximate right angle to said upper surfaces, (3) a horizontal base bar, said horizontal base bar having a first end and a second end, said horizontal base bar connected to each said parallel anterior-posterior base bars by said first end and said second end respectively, said horizontal base bar resting upon said supporting flat rigid horizontal surface, (4) two upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bars, (a) each said upwardly protruding vertical basketball rim support bar having an upper end and a lower end, (b) each said lower end frictionally attached in a vertical male/female orientation to each said parallel anterior/posterior base bar within a corresponding upwardly protruding cylindrical hollow joint, (i) each said upper end at an approximate right angle to said parallel anterior/posterior base bars, (ii) each said upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar comprising one vertical basketball hoop adjustor bar at each said upper end, (B) an adjustable horizontal footstand bar, said footstand bar comprising a first end and second end, (a) said adjustable horizontal footstand bar connected and supported at its first end and its second end by a first corresponding vertical footstand support bar and second corresponding vertical footstand support bar, (b) each said vertical footstand support bar being vertically adjustable by a vertical footstand adjustor bar, each said vertical footstand support bar connected to said horizontal footstand bar by a corresponding tee-joint connector, each said vertical footstand support bar connected to a corresponding said anterior-posterior bar, (C) a second portion, said second portion comprising, (2) a horizontal basketball hoop support bar, said horizontal basketball hoop support bar having a first end and a second end, each said end attached to an upper end of a corresponding upwardly protruding vertical basketball hoop support bar, (3) a common stem, said common stem comprising a four member prefabricated connector, (a) said common stem rigidly positioned at and connected to, at approximately a right angle, said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, (b) said common stem protruding anteriorly across said horizontal basketball hoop support bar at approximately said midline of said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, (4) at least three prongs, said prongs attached to said common stem through said four member prefabricated connector, said prongs protruding anteriorly to said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, each said prong connected to one corresponding extension bar, (5) at least two lateral basketball hoops and one central basketball hoop, (a) each said basketball hoop being attached to one backboard, (b) each said backboard connected to one corresponding said extension bar, (c) each said extension bar being connected to one corresponding said prong, each said prong attached to said four member prefabricated connector, (6) at least three swiveling members, each said swiveling member attached to a corresponding said prong, each said swiveling member designed to laterally rotate each said lateral basketball hoop to a second predetermined position, (7) an anterior-posterior length adjustor, said anterior-posterior length adjustor attached to said common stem, said posterior/anterior length adjustor reversibly adjusting the anterior/posterior position of said central basketball hoop, said anterior posterior length adjustor comprising a series of linearly aligned openings through which a pin is inserted, Whereby said base attaches to said vertical footstand support bars which support said horizontal footstand bar, said horizontal footstand, said horizontal footstand bar supporting a user's feet during use, said upwardly protruding vertical football hoop support bars supporting said horizontal basketball hoop support bar, said common stem attached to said horizontal basketball hoop support bar connected to said basketball hoops through said four member prefabricated connector, said prongs attached to said swiveling members, and said posterior-anterior length adjustor, so that said basketball hoops can be manually adjusted vertically, laterally, and posteriorly-anteriorly.
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Number Name Date Kind
3365196 Miller Jan 1968
3958806 Brown May 1976
4974832 Dalebout Dec 1990
5035423 Arciniega Jul 1991
5074552 Gomez et al. Dec 1991
5171009 Filewich et al. Dec 1992
5246225 Matherne et al. Sep 1993
5246255 Matherne et al. Sep 1993
5277431 O'Grady Jan 1994
5443259 Segan et al. Aug 1995