Enhanced Adaptive Basketball Shooting Devices
Legal Citation
Summary of the Inventive Concept
This inventive concept presents an improved adaptive basketball shooting device that enhances the shooting experience for wheelchair athletes with limited arm strength or control. The device integrates advanced features such as voice command, joystick control, rechargeable battery power, and ball-tracking sensors to provide a safer, more efficient, and enjoyable shooting experience.
Background and Problem Solved
The original patent for adaptive basketball shooting devices addressed the need for wheelchair athletes with limited arm strength or control to participate in the sport. However, the existing design had limitations in terms of user control, safety, and efficiency. This inventive concept solves these problems by introducing innovative features that improve the overall shooting experience.
Detailed Description of the Inventive Concept
The enhanced adaptive basketball shooting device consists of a frame mounted on a wheelchair, featuring a platform attached via armrest supports. The device incorporates a conveyor belt system that retrieves the ball from the floor, which can be actuated by a user's voice command or controlled using a joystick. Additionally, the device can be powered by a rechargeable battery, ensuring extended usage. The conveyor belt is equipped with a ball-tracking sensor to ensure accurate ball retrieval and reduce the risk of injury. The shooter wheel is designed for optimal ball trajectory and accuracy.
Novelty and Inventive Step
The new claims introduce novel features such as voice command activation, joystick control, rechargeable battery power, and ball-tracking sensors, which are not present in the original patent. These advancements provide a significant improvement in user experience, safety, and efficiency, making the inventive concept non-obvious and novel compared to the prior art.
Alternative Embodiments and Variations
Alternative embodiments of the inventive concept could include the integration of artificial intelligence to predict ball trajectory, adjustable conveyor belt speed, or interchangeable shooter wheel designs. These variations could further enhance the shooting experience and provide additional options for users.
Potential Commercial Applications and Market
The enhanced adaptive basketball shooting device has significant commercial potential in the adaptive sports industry, particularly in wheelchair basketball. The device could be marketed to sports organizations, rehabilitation centers, and individual athletes, providing a safer and more enjoyable shooting experience for wheelchair athletes with limited arm strength or control.
CPC Classifications
| Section | Class | Group |
|---|---|---|
| A | A63 | A63B71/0009 |
| A | A63 | A63B47/021 |
| A | A63 | A63B69/0071 |
| A | A63 | A63B69/406 |
| A | A63 | A63B2071/0018 |
| A | A63 | A63B2225/09 |
Section 103 Obviousness Analysis (PHOSITA)
Field of Art
Adaptive sports equipment, specifically wheelchair basketball assistive technologies, involving mechanical design, sensor integration, and assistive control systems for athletes with limited mobility
Person of Ordinary Skill (PHOSITA) Profile
A mechanical engineer or adaptive sports equipment designer with expertise in wheelchair modifications, mechanical control systems, sensor technologies, and assistive device design, familiar with rehabilitation engineering principles
Obviousness Rationale
A person having ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the PTD's variations represent predictable technological extensions of the source patent's core basketball retrieval and shooting mechanism. The additional features like voice control, joystick interface, and ball-tracking sensors are well-known assistive technologies that would naturally complement the existing wheelchair-mounted basketball shooting device. These incremental improvements represent standard design iterations that a skilled practitioner would readily conceive when seeking to enhance the original adaptive shooting system.
Obvious Combinations & Variations
Original Patent Information
| Patent Number | US 11,857,859 |
|---|---|
| Title | Adaptive basketball shooting devices |