Did You Know...
...that the video game, Pong, was invented by a guy who graduated at the bottom of his engineering class? Nolan Bushnell spent more time running the games at a local amusement park than he did on his studies at the University of Utah. His dreams of working for Disney's amusement empire were dashed when the company wouldn't hire him. Taking a boring job, Nolan daydreamed about electronic versions of popular games. He invented Pong, the first video game, and went on to found Atari Co.
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| Number | Title | Issue Date |
| 7955198 | Circonic game Circonic Game, a simulated indoor or outdoor basketball game, is played on a circular court outlined by three concentric circles. The outer circle acts as the court boundary and is conjoined by four smaller circles placed tangentially in a location that conforms to ... | 06/07/2011 |
| 7766771 | Circonic game Circonic Game, a simulated indoor or outdoor basketball game, is played on a circular court outlined by three concentric circles. The outer circle acts as the court boundary and is conjoined by four smaller circles placed tangentially in a location that conforms to ... | 08/03/2010 |
| 7641574 | 21century challenge America basketball game The present invention relates to a method of playing basketball and in particular to a method comprising providing a rectangular region defining a game play surface; providing a goal defined by a hoop located over each the in paint region; and scoring points during ... | 01/05/2010 |
| 7632198 | Basketball game offense limit time timer controller A controller for controlling a timer for measuring offense limit time in a basketball game is provided, in which offense limit time is continuously displayed on an offense limit time display when game remaining time is left less than twenty-four seconds, to thereby ... | 12/15/2009 |
| 7507170 | 21century challenge America basketball game In the 21st Century Challenge America Basketball Game, the three-point line is placed at eighteen feet and enhanced with a 56.25 degree elliptical arc meaning the three-point shot can increase in length from eighteen to twenty four feet as the player move... | 03/24/2009 |
| 7427100 | Convertible article and method A method and apparatus reversibly converting a chair into a basketball goal. Four operating modes are disclosed. A first mode in which the article is configured as a basketball goal, a second mode in which the article is configured as a chair within an upwardly exte... | 09/23/2008 |
| 7361104 | Automated ball game training and playing system A ball game system for training and/or play comprising one or more playing areas suitably large to accommodate running and jumping players, each playing area including adjacent surface areas forming a court and having distinctly different properties, such as a first... | 04/22/2008 |
| 7341530 | Virtual strike zone A system adds a graphical image of the strike zone to a video or other image of a baseball game. The system determines location of the strike zone and the ball in real space. The locations of the strike zone and the ball are depicted in the video. Based on knowing t... | 03/11/2008 |
| 7331883 | Spinning nut basketball elevator system The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for adjusting the height of a basketball backboard and hoop assembly. One embodiment of the present invention may include an adjustment arm in telescoping relation with a threaded rod. The present invention ma... | 02/19/2008 |
| 7320652 | Basketball goal systems Disclosed herein are various embodiments of basketball goal systems. One embodiment, among others, comprises a rim connection assembly coupled to a support structure, the rim connection assembly comprising a support plate coupled to a backboard frame, a rim, and a p... | 01/22/2008 |
| 7267625 | Collapsible structures Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and... | 09/11/2007 |
| 7182704 | Automated ball game training and playing system A ball game system for training and/or play comprising a one or more playing areas suitably large to accommodate running and jumping players, each playing area including adjacent surface areas forming a court and having distinctly different properties, such as a fir... | 02/27/2007 |
| 7160214 | Portable backstop game apparatus A game apparatus is disclosed including a barrier member, a net, and a frame. The barrier member has two opposed major surfaces and an aperture passing through the opposed major surfaces. The net is positioned adjacent one of the major surfaces of the barrier member... | 01/09/2007 |
| 7156762 | Method and apparatus for playing a combination football/basketball game A combined football/basketball game is provided. In the game, initially an offensive team attempts to score a touchdown against a defensive team pursuant to an American rules football style of game play. When the offensive team scores a touchdown, the mode of game p... | 01/02/2007 |
| RE39402 | Inflatable hoop/basket/goal A free standing, upright sports goal structure (10) having a plurality of inflatable bladders to form the framework (19) of a standing goal structure, together with an outer casing (25) of non-elastic material which encloses the inflatable frame... | 11/14/2006 |
| 7056242 | Accuracy backboard The present invention provides an apparatus, with improved depth perception, focal line guidance, symmetry, extension, and spacial fixation on a goal or target. The primary purpose being to provide improved appeal and excitement to the game of basketball by providin... | 06/06/2006 |
| 6926060 | Collapsible partition structure and backstop system A partition structure defining compartments shielded from moving objects, such as baseballs, from other compartments. The structure comprises a central support and at least three partition walls extending substantially radially outwardly from the central support to ... | 08/09/2005 |
| 6902500 | Sport game A game and method of playing a game are disclosed. A playing field having a scoring objective region and a neutral zone extending from the scoring objective region are provided. The neutral zone divides the playing field. At least two playing objects are activated t... | 06/07/2005 |
| 6866596 | Portable basketball system A portable basketball system includes a support pole that is sized and configured to support a basketball goal above a playing surface. The portable basketball system also includes a base with a generally hollow interior that allows the base to be filled with ballas... | 03/15/2005 |
| 6843738 | Sharp shooter basketball apparatus A basketball apparatus is provided that teaches basketball players to make the perfect basketball shot when shooting backboard shots from any location on the basketball court. The basketball apparatus consists of a backboard, a basketball hoop, a supporting bracket ... | 01/18/2005 |
| 6758768 | Sharp shooter basketball apparatus A basketball apparatus is provided that teaches basketball players to make the perfect basketball shot when shooting backboard shots from any location on the basketball court. The basketball apparatus consists of a backboard, a basketball hoop, a supporting bracket,... | 07/06/2004 |
| 6736740 | Collapsible structures Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the central panel and... | 05/18/2004 |
| 6698441 | Collapsible structures A collapsible structure has a first panel, a second panel, and a third panel. Each panel has a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material covering portions of the frame member to form the panel when the frame... | 03/02/2004 |
| 6656096 | Exercise method A method for strengthening coordination between a person's hand muscles and muscles of the lower part of a person's body involves (a) the person jumping into the air while holding a hanging article; and (b) placing while in the air the hanging article on ... | 12/02/2003 |
| 6629899 | Inflatable hoop/basket/goal A free standing, upright sports goal structure (10) having a plurality of inflatable bladders to form the framework (19) of a standing goal structure, together with an outer casing (25) of non-elastic material which encloses the inflatable framework (19) ... | 10/07/2003 |
| 6579197 | Basketball training device A training device includes a platform mounted on a wheel assembly. The platform has a rail for a support mechanism mounted thereon. On this support mechanism at least one training implement can be mounted and be supported therearound for use by an athlete... | 06/17/2003 |
| 6481451 | Vertically stacked collapsible structures Collapsible structures are provided having at least one lower panel, each panel having a foldable frame member having a folded and an unfolded orientation, with a fabric material substantially covering the frame member to form the panel when the frame mem... | 11/19/2002 |
| 6461257 | Collapsible structures Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the centra... | 10/08/2002 |
| 6419596 | Portable basketball apparatus A portable basketball unit comprising a hoop, backboard and pole having a base portion. The base portion is modified so that a brace system can be secured thereto. Auger screws are secured to the brace system and driven into the ground. The base unit is a... | 07/16/2002 |
| 6416431 | Basketball safety return II A basketball safety apparatus which comprises sections of netting adapted to be used in conjunction with a basketball goal, movable pole support bases which are adapted to be positioned in proximity to the basketball goal and a driveway that connects to a... | 07/09/2002 |
| 6390940 | Basketball game, apparatus and method of play An alternative to traditional basketball that enables the audience to enjoy faster action than provided by traditional basketball, and which challenges especially gifted players with a more demanding and rigorous game. The game court is nearly twice as la... | 05/21/2002 |
| 6280352 | Apparatus and method for performing timed basketball drills An apparatus and method for performing timed basketball drills includes one or more ball return units, a basketball goal assembly, a timer/counter, and one or more remote transmitters. The timer/counter senses, processes, stores, and displays the number o... | 08/28/2001 |
| 6264573 | Collapsible structures basketball goal Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right: side of the central panel. Each of the centr... | 07/24/2001 |
| 6159111 | Basketball shooting guide and defensive partner A portable basketball training device used to teach basketball players how to properly shoot. The training device is comprised of a folding base and a telescoping vertical column supported by the base; attached to the top of the vertical column is a horiz... | 12/12/2000 |
| 6142890 | Apparatus for circular court ball game An apparatus for use in a round ball rebounding game played on a circular court consisting of a spherical structure supported by a single pole and having a plurality of goals placed at equidistant intervals about the maximum horizontal diameter of the sph... | 11/07/2000 |
| 6030300 | Collapsible structures Collapsible structures are disclosed having a central panel, a first support panel disengageably connected to the left side of the central panel, and a second support panel disengageably connected to the right side of the central panel. Each of the centra... | 02/29/2000 |
| 6001034 | Basketball backboard support pole A portable basketball goal support system having a base, a ballast tank, and an arm for supporting a basketball goal support pole can be assembled in a compact configuration for shipping or storage and an expanded configuration for use. The support pole i... | 12/14/1999 |
| 5906554 | Multi-zone basketball game A basketball game area for recreation consisting of multiple zones, each having at least one hoop and backboard combination, multiple shooting indicators, and obstacles which can be free standing, and/or affixed to the hoop or backboard. The location of t... | 05/25/1999 |
| 5882271 | Basketball court A basketball court is disclosed, having a circle on the floor under each goal hoop to clearly designate the area under the hoop. This is a critical matter in the playing and refereeing of the game, in the determination by players and referees whether or n... | 03/16/1999 |
| 5836837 | Apparatus for circular court ball game An apparatus for use in a round ball rebounding game played on a circular court consisting of a spherical structure supported by a single pole and having a plurality of goals placed at equidistant intervals about the maximum horizontal diameter of the sph... | 11/17/1998 |
