Is a basketball hoop patented?

Short answer: specific designs of a basketball hoop have been patented many times, but "a basketball hoop" as a general idea is not what is protected. What matters is the exact combination of features in your version.

What our index shows

172 US and WO patent publications since 2000 have a title matching “basketball hoopgoalbackboardrim” or a close variant (our index of 9.7 million patent families; one publication per family).
Among the 146 best keyword matches we examined, 38 were published in 2020 or later, and the earliest was published in 2000.
Most frequent assignees in those matches: LIFETIME PROD INC (21), INDIAN IND INC (6), ACON FINLAND OY LTD (2), DEAL RICHARD E (2).
Most common patent classes (CPC subclasses): A63B (142), E04H (3), F21V (3), Y10T (3).

Counts come from keyword matching on titles and abstracts, so they are indicative, not a legal count. Some matches are different products that share a word.

14 real patent publications related to a basketball hoop

Mobile and foldable basketball backboard and hoop system US-12728333-B2 2026 · MCCOY KENNETH
A mobile basketball backboard and hoop system that is foldable into two halves for compact travel. The backboard includes a hole extending through each of the two halves thereof with a net attached to each of the two holes to catc…
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Interchangeable backboard and mounting hardware for a basketball hoop US-12502588-B1 2025 · BRILLIANT VISION LLC
A mounting system for a basketball hoop including the capability of rotating the basketball hoop between a first position and a second position, interchangeability of backboards for use with the basketball hoop, hanging picture fr…
View on Google Patents
Basketball hoop pole holder US-11920362-B2 2024 · GESTION LOGISCASA INC
A holder for a pole of a basketball hoop system includes a pole sleeve for receiving the pole, a tightening system for securing the pole into the pole sleeve in a solidary relationship, and a mounting bracket to secure the pole sl…
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Basketball hoop for swimming pools WO-2023002074-A1 2023 · ANGEL CHUECA MARTIN
The invention relates to a basketball hoop that is especially designed to enable its simple installation and removal in swimming pools, as a means for practising water sports, made up of a backboard (6), a rim (7) and optionally a…
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Rim padding for basketball hoops US-11130033-B2 2021 · SMITH JOSEPH EVAN
A device for generally providing an unobtrusive and protective padded area for placement on a basketball hoop rim in a wrapped assembly. The device comprising a pad having a first side and a second side opposed the first side defi…
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Removable basketball hoop pole holder WO-2018227265-A1 2018 · CO ALLIANCE INC
A removable holder for a basketball hoop pole includes a C-clamp assembly for securing the holder to a structure such as a post, a retaining wall or concrete street curbing, a pole sleeve joined to the C-clamp assembly and includi…
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Mini basketball hoop with collapsible breakaway rim WO-2018187685-A1 2018 · LIN FONG
Mini basketball hoops with collapsible, breakaway hinges are described. The hinge allows a rim of the basketball hoop to be moved from a playable position to a collapsed position. The hinge further provides breakaway functionality…
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Basketball hoop with backboard shatter simulation US-9132327-B1 2015 · ROBERTS JAMES A
The present invention provides a basketball hoop including a frame having a cavity for releasably holding a plurality of backboard pieces therein to form a planar backboard, a basketball hoop pivotally attached to the frame, and a…
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Totem equipped with a philantropic donation holder/receiver in the shape of a basketball backboard, a hoop with net, plus an indoor multimedia display US-2009181809-A1 2009 · LARA AIRTON MOISES OLIVEIRA
“TOTEM EQUIPPED WITH A PHILANTROPIC DONATION HOLDER/RECEIVER IN THE SHAPE OF A BASKETBALL BACKBOARD, A HOOP WITH NET, PLUS AN INDOOR MULTIMEDIA DISPLAY” which uses the sport dynamics of basketball, to awake the public in general, …
View on Google Patents
Basketball hoop and backboard for a trampoline US-7429224-B2 2008 · PUBLICOVER MARK W
A padded basketball hoop is flexibly mounted to a backboard or other rigid vertical surface via an energy or shock absorbing connection device disposed between the backboard and the vertical surface supporting the hoop. The hoop r…
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Apparatus and method for a retractable basketball backboard and hoop assembly US-7393292-B2 2008 · PILE DELBERT CLARKE
A basketball backboard and hoop apparatus, including a basketball backboard and hoop assembly, further including a basketball backboard, and a hoop, a support arm for supporting the basketball backboard and hoop assembly, and a gu…
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Apparatus and method for a retractable basketball backboard and hoop assembly US-2005064962-A1 2005
A basketball backboard and hoop apparatus including a basketball backboard and hoop assembly, wherein the basketball backboard and hoop assembly, further includes a backboard, and a hoop, a support arm for supporting the basketbal…
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Basketball hoop rim cover US-6935966-B2 2005
A basketball hoop cover that is somewhat tubular and circular in shape with a slit along its length to allow a fitting over an existing basketball rim to provide a player protection and increased hoop visibility. The device also p…
View on Google Patents
Apparatus for a retractable basketball backboard and hoop assembly US-6508730-B2 2003
A basketball backboard and hoop apparatus including a basketball backboard and hoop assembly, and a support structure, wherein the support structure further comprises a rotatable member, and a support arm, wherein the support arm …
View on Google Patents

What this means for your idea

Because patents cover specific combinations of features, the useful question is not “has a basketball hoop been patented?” but “has my combination of features been described before?” Sports equipment patents tend to cover the grip, impact absorption, training feedback, and how gear is adjusted.

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Guides that help with this

First-look landscape. Not exhaustive. Not legal advice. This page lists keyword-matched publications from a limited database; it does not say whether any product is or isn't covered by a patent, whether a patent is still in force, or whether your idea is patentable. Consult a registered patent attorney or agent.