CONVEX AND STREAMLINED BACKBOARDS

It remained for a rabid basketball fan, Leonard A. Maune, of Ste Louis, Moe,
and Mre Ge R, Chervenka, a research engineer of Ste Louis, to introduce the con-
vex backboard. This convexity of 4 inches begins at the median plane of the
board and extends and curves outward to the sides of the board, which is 3 feet
from the median plane. The original convex backboard has retained the 6-foot
width dimension of playing surface and likewise tho 4—foot height dimension. The
inventors have assumed a 14-foot radius of curvature to be ideal, as the angle of
~ineident and reflection on this are does not vary greatly from the conventional
flat planee This radius, however, can be altered to mect conditions that may
develope

Since tho latest change in the rules permits the extension of the end zono
for an additional 2 feet, totalling 4 feet, practically a11 tho new schools laying
out basketball courts are taking advantage of this new rulinge This allowable ine
crease in the end zone increases the blind spots, or “soffin corners", which while
oll owing greater freedom of movement or play, insofar as the offense is coneerned,
does markedly change the defense owing to the fact that the basket is now plainly
set out so there is no mental hazard from the projecting straight side of the back=
boards

It is the thought of the originators or inventors that this board will re-
volutionize the offensive play in the end zonee By increasing the scoring zone
it must necessarily follow that the defense must spread out, resulting in more
open and much faster play in the end zonee

The inventors cite the following points which they ‘consider to be decidedly
in favor of this type of bank:

1. For a straight shot to the goal tho scoring zone is, figuratively, ine
creased by 27 sqe fte

24 For a bank shot contacting the bank 3 inches from the edge, the scoring
zone is increased 720 sqe fte

3e the mental hazard of attempting a shot from the sidcline, directly
parallel to the bank, is eliminated, owing to the recession of the
vertical edge of the bank, allowing witobstructed visibility of the goale

4, The visibility to spectators is greatly increased beyond the end zone
due to the recession of the vertical edge, thereby oponing up large
areas which heretofore had been obscurce

5 The convex shape of the bank results in a unit of much greater strength
and rigidity, thereby causing rebounds to land a greater distance from
the basket and opening up the congested regions around the baskecte

6. Present type bank mounting structure doBs not have to be materially
altered to permit installation of this now type of banke

Te This type of bank can be made of wood, glass, stccl or any of the

matcrials as used in present bank construction (cost of board no greater
than flat backboard).

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