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Re: Convex Surface Backboard...

With reference to the five enumerated advantages of the modified
backboard, listed above, the following extract from the 1939-
1940 Rules Book, Page 46, Paragraph 1, under the heading
“EXPERIMENTATION” — “‘THERE IS ALSO MERIT IN BOARDS
WITH A CONVEX SURFACE WHICH WILL PERMIT ADDI-

1. ‘‘Freer use of the four-foot end space, etc.”’

TIONAL FREEDOM IN THE FOUR-FOOT END SPACE AND
WHICH WILL TEND TO SCATTER THE REBOUNDS AND THUS
RELIEVE CONGESTION IN THE AREA IMMEDIATELY IN FRONT
OF THE BASKET.” — is supported by the following claims which
are presented for your consideration.

A comparison of the drawings below reveals the added opportunity of offensive play on convex surface backboard.

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= —

MODIFIED 54” FLAT BOARD

PRESENT 4’ x 6’ BOARD

2. ‘Increase Visibility, etc.’’

The above drawings also serve to illustrate the added
visibility made possible by the curvature of the convex
board. Consideration of the question of visibility should
not be restricted to players but should be viewed from the

 

 

 

 

— SPECTATOR ——
= < SEATS > a

 

END COURT LINE _-~

Be

 

oe

G 54” FLAT BOARD

 

 

 

MODIFIED 54” CONVEX BOARD

standpoint of spectators as well. The gain in spectator
visibility is immediately apparent when dotted lines in
illustrations on back page are followed beyond the end
court lines to include the area occupied by spectators.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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CF 54” CONVEX BOARD

3. “(1) Increase space under basket from which goal may be made... (2) permit a rebounder

to escape from congested area.”’

CLAIM No. 1 is enhanced by reason of curvature of convex board as illustrated below.

 

 

 

NOTE: Because both left and right ends of convex backboard are turned away
(back), the shooting area directly beneath the backboard is increased consider-
ably. Likewise, the convex backboard eliminates the mental hazard represented
by the edge of a straight or flat backboard, which hazard to the player is always
present when agoalis attempted fromthe sides ofthe court directly opposite the board.

CLAIM No. 2. Balls rebounding off of convex back-
board will be found to cover a wider floor area than
when rebounding from plain-or flat surface. This fact

‘‘Simplify bridgework, etc.’’

~

A plane surface or convex surface backboard would
enjoy this same advantage although it should be noted
that the construction of a convex board automatically

can be best proved by 15 minutes of demonstration or
comparison test, and is considered an important factor
in breaking up play in a congested area.

provides a more rigid and generally stronger piece of
equipment.

5. ‘‘More pleasing streamlined appearance ...a better target, thus promoting greater accuracy.”’

The above drawings conclusively illustrate the advan-
tages of the modified 54” straight or flat backboard
(and goal) as a better target than the present 4’ x 6’
board in use today. It follows that if maximum visibility
from every possible shooting position on the playing

floor makes for a better target, then the convex back™
board qualifies as a marked improvement over the
same modified size board with a flat surface and that
greater accuracy can be expected of the convex board.