Calvin R Heinen, 6423822 Charlesburg Rd, Kiel, WI 53042

5346207, Sep 13, 1994

Jul 12, 1993

8/089321

Calvin Heinen - Kiel WI

A63B 6308

273 15R

An illuminated backboard enables basketball games to be played in the dark. The illuminated backboard comprises a frame and a translucent front panel, both of which have the general outline of a conventional basketball backboard. A lamp inside the frame and proximate the basketball hoop illuminates the front panel. Planar ribs of translucent material extend between the front panel and the back wall of the frame. The front panel glows with less intensity in the areas in front of the ribs. The ribs can be located to radiate from the region of the hoop, so when the lamp illuminates the front panel the ribs appear as darker rays emanating from the hoop. The illuminated backboard may be an independent and separate backboard having its own mounting to a pole or roof, or it may be made to fasten to a conventional backboard. In the latter case, the hoop is joined to the conventional backboard to eliminate all stresses on the illuminated backboard.