Basketball Hoop Structure For A Trampoline

Abstract

A basketball hoop structure configured to be fixed onto a trampoline is disclosed. The basketball hoop structure includes a frame, a rim and a backboard. The rim has a horizontal position, is connected to the frame, and pivots vertically from the horizontal position. The rim includes a connection arrangement having a first branch and a second branch for connecting the rim to the frame. The basketball hoop structure further includes a first elastic arrangement and a second elastic arrangement. Parts of the first branch and the second branch are positioned between the elastic arrangements. The elastic arrangements dampen the movements of the rim and return it to the original position.

1 . A basketball hoop structure for a trampoline, the trampoline having a trampoline frame, the basketball hoop structure comprising:
 a substantially vertical backboard having a backboard frame therearound, the backboard frame configured to be affixed onto the trampoline frame, the backboard frame comprising a horizontal beam on a lower portion thereof, the horizontal beam forming a bottom edge of the backboard frame;   a support structure attached to the horizontal beam, the support structure comprising a horizontal lower surface, a horizontal upper surface, at least two elastic arrangements between the horizontal lower surface and the horizontal upper surface, the elastic arrangements comprising a first elastic arrangement resting on the horizontal lower surface and a second elastic arrangement between the first elastic arrangement and the horizontal upper surface; and   a basketball rim having a horizontal position and in vertically pivotable connection with the support structure, the basketball rim comprising a horizontal circular portion and a connection arrangement, the connection arrangement comprising two branches extending horizontally outward from the circular portion and into the support structure between the first elastic arrangement and the second elastic arrangement, the branches being secured between the first elastic arrangement and the second elastic arrangement thereby forming the vertically pivotable connection;   wherein in the vertically pivotable connection, the elastic arrangements dampen a vertical movement of the basketball rim and return the basketball rim to the horizontal position;   and wherein the circular portion is at least partially padded with a layer of elastic padding material.   
     
     
         2 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the layer of elastic padding material on the rim is arranged surrounding the rim such that a part of the rim between the first branch and the second branch is at least partly uncovered. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal upper surface and the horizontal lower surface are connected by an attaching arrangement, the attaching arrangement penetrating the horizontal upper surface, the horizontal lower surface, the first elastic arrangement, and the second elastic arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 4 , wherein the attaching arrangement comprises a bolt-like structure and is arranged between the first branch and the second branch. 
     
     
         6 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic arrangements comprise rubber or a rubber substitute. 
     
     
         7 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic arrangements comprise continuous objects having ends which extend over the first branch and the second branch. 
     
     
         8 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the first branch and the second branch extend horizontally outward from the circular portion in different orientations. 
     
     
         9 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 8 , wherein the first elastic arrangement and the second elastic arrangement each comprise a front side facing toward the rim and a back side facing away from the rim, and a distance between the first branch and the second branch is larger at the front side than at the back side. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . (canceled) 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . The basketball hoop structure according to claim  16 , wherein the connection arrangement is arranged behind the backboard. 
     
     
         16 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising an opening arranged in a lower part of the backboard, and wherein the support structure is configured to fit into the opening. 
     
     
         17 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 16 , wherein the support structure is arranged at least partly behind the backboard. 
     
     
         18 . The basketball hoop structure according to  claim 5 , wherein the attaching arrangement presses the horizontal lower surface against the horizontal upper surface, sandwiching the elastic arrangements therebetween.