1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to basketball goals and, more particularly, to a lighting apparatus for illuminating a basketball backboard and rim.
2. Description of the Prior Art
The game of basketball is a well-known and popular sport. A traditional basketball goal includes a vertically disposed backboard and a rim extending substantially perpendicular thereto in a horizontal plane and into which a basketball is thrown. The goal is usually supported a predetermined distance above the ground by a backstop attached to a pole. Alternatively, the goal may be supported by another structure, such as a backstop attached to a building.
Given the popularity of basketball, many individuals play the game at night, both indoors and outdoors, relying upon the light of street lamps or building lamps. However, such light typically fails to provide sufficient illumination of the goal. For example, conventional lamps often have an insufficient height for illuminating the goal. Additionally, such lamps are typically not bright enough to transmit sufficient light to the basketball goal or are unattractive for players due to the blinding contrast of intense backlighting coupled with annoying shadows. In addition, many neighbors in residential environments commonly complain about flood lights which they likewise find to be offensive.
In response to the inadequacies of traditional outdoor lighting systems, several attempts have been made to illuminate the basketball goal and surrounding area. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,984,787 to Nesbit et al. discloses an illumination means secured to a basketball backboard. Additionally, U.S. Pat. No. 5,711,727 to Edge et al. discloses a light source which is removably secured about the perimeter of a basketball backboard. However, the prior art has failed to provide a lighting apparatus which is self contained and removably secured to a basketball backboard and which also supplies a uniform distribution of light for illuminating the entire front surface of the backboard and the adjacent rim. Indeed, the challenge of providing a more direct light source, protecting that light source from damage, and filtering that light source while at the same time providing enough light to illuminate the court area around the backboard have not been addressed by the prior art.
The present invention provides a self contained lighting apparatus removably supported by a basketball backboard for supplying substantially uniform illumination to the entire front surface of the backboard, the adjacent rim and the surrounding area.
The lighting apparatus is removably secured to a traditional basketball goal including a backboard having a frame supporting a translucent, typically transparent, backboard panel. The backboard panel includes substantially planar front and rear surfaces extending in a vertical plane. A rim extends substantially perpendicular to the backboard panel in a horizontal plane. The rim supports a net in a conventional manner. The frame of the backboard is typically secured to a backstop which attaches to a vertically extending pole whereby the basketball goal is supported a predetermined distance above the ground.
The lighting apparatus comprises a housing including a translucent, or transparent, front panel having inner and outer surfaces, wherein the outer surface is positioned proximate the backboard panel. A rear panel including inner and outer surfaces is secured relative to the front panel. An interior light chamber is defined intermediate the inner surfaces of the front and rear panels.
A reflective surface is disposed within the interior chamber in substantially parallel relation to the backboard panel. The reflective surface may be supported by a reflective panel including first and second layers defining a perimeter wherein the first layer supports the reflective surface facing the inner surface of the front panel. The reflective panel preferably further includes a cushioning material disposed intermediate the first and second layers to absorb impact from the backboard panel. A plurality of light sources are supported within apertures formed within the reflective panel. The light sources are distributed substantially uniformly within a plane substantially parallel to the reflective surface.
First and second releasable securing devices are provided within the lighting apparatus. The first releasable securing device is positioned intermediate the front panel and the reflective panel, while the second releasable securing device is positioned intermediate the rear panel and the reflective panel. Each of the first and second releasable securing devices includes portions positioned proximate the perimeter of the reflective panel for securing the front and rear panels thereto, respectively.
A translucent buffer member is preferably positioned intermediate the front panel and the reflective panel. The buffer member may comprise a buffer sheet including a plurality of spacer tips for providing an additional impact cushion intermediate the backboard panel and the light sources positioned within the reflective panel. Alternatively, the buffer member may comprise a plurality of buffer pegs supported by the reflective or rear panel.
A third releasable securing device is fixed to the rear panel of the lighting apparatus for releasably supporting the lighting apparatus from the backboard. In the preferred embodiment, the third releasable securing device secures the rear panel to the frame of the backboard.
A back guard may be positioned outwardly from the rear surface of the rear panel and attached to the frame of the basketball goal to protect the lighting apparatus from impact applied to the rear of the backboard.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lighting apparatus which supplies substantially uniform illumination to a basketball goal.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a lighting apparatus which may be easily installed and removed from a wide variety of conventional basketball goals.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a structure facilitating routine servicing of the lighting apparatus.
It is another objection of the invention to provide a lighting apparatus to illuminate the court area around the goal thereby eliminating the need for a spotlight to see the ball or other players.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a lighting apparatus permitting installation using standard grounded extension cords.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a lighting apparatus which is inexpensive and easy to manufacture.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a lighting apparatus which includes a reflective panel for directing light toward a front surface of a translucent backboard.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such an apparatus which includes a translucent sheet for diffusing light thereby providing a substantially uniform light distribution.