Method and device to aid basketball practice

Abstract

An accessory to a basketball rebound board that could replace or be removably attached to the hoop attachment of the rebound board for the purpose of causing the basketball to return in the direction of the practicing player. The basketball passes through the hoop, or substitute for the hoop, and bounces against the inside wall of a frustum whose position and angle are such that the ball's rebound will return the ball in the general direction of the player who threw the ball. The apparatus is optionally partly or completely removable in such a way that the original hoop can be attached at will.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method and device for practicing basketball comprising;
 a) a frustum shaped device that is removably attached under the hoop of a basketball rebound board whose smaller opening has its internal diameter, the internal diameter of the said hoop, and   b) a means to detachably attach the said frustum to the said hoop,   whereby a player can throw a ball into a basketball hoop and the ball will return towards his general direction.   
     
     
         2 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the frustum sides are made from at least one of the following materials namely, metal, plastic and a polymer. 
     
     
         3 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said frustum has solid sides. 
     
     
         4 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said frustum has sides made of a webbed material. 
     
     
         5 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said frustum side lengths can be adjusted. 
     
     
         6 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the said frustum side angles can be adjusted. 
     
     
         7 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a ring-shaped ridge attached to the inside wall of the said frustum towards its lower end. 
     
     
         8 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 1  further comprising a curved lip attached to the base rim of the said frustum. 
     
     
         9 . A method and device for practicing basketball comprising a frustum shaped device that is attached under the hoop of a basketball rebound board whose smaller opening has its internal diameter, the internal diameter of the said hoop, whereby a player can throw a ball into a basketball hoop and the ball will return towards his general direction. 
     
     
         10 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the frustum sides are made from at least one of the following materials namely, metal, plastic and a polymer. 
     
     
         11 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the said frustum has solid sides. 
     
     
         12 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the said frustum has sides made of a webbed material. 
     
     
         13 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the said frustum side lengths can be adjusted. 
     
     
         14 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the said frustum side angles can be adjusted. 
     
     
         15 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a ring-shaped ridge attached to the inside wall of the said frustum towards its lower end. 
     
     
         16 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the said frustum is removably attached to the said hoop. 
     
     
         17 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 16  whereby the said removing and attaching is capable of being effected by one person. 
     
     
         18 . A method and device for practicing basketball as claimed in  claim 9  further comprising a curved lip attached to the base rim of the said frustum. 
     
     
         19 . A method and device for practicing basketball comprising,
 a) an attachment to a basketball hoop,   b) a removably attachable hoop net,   c) a removably attachable frustum, and   d) a means for attaching the said net and said frustum to the said attachment,   whereby the said net and the said frustum can be alternately attached to the said attachment.