Breakaway rims In the NBA, in 1976 Arthur Erhat filed a patent for "a rim that had give but immediately returned to its original position," making dunking safe for the first time by significantly reducing the shattering of backboards.Keilman, John and Tribune staff reporter - This gadget really was a slam-dunk. Chicago Tribune, April 4, 2005 In 1979, Erving's teammate and center Darryl Dawkins twice shattered NBA backboards with dunks leading to a quickly-enacted rule making it an offence to break the backboard. Technology has evolved to adapt to the increased strength and weight of players to withstand the force of such dunks, such as the breakaway rim (introduced to the NBA in 1981) changes to the material used for the backboards, and strengthening of the goal standards themselves. The invention by Arthur Ehrat to create the breakaway rim with a spring on it led to the return of the dunk in college basketball.
breakawaY riMS in thE nba, iN 1976 aRthUr eRhAt FIleD A patent fOR "a RiM tHAt haD give But iMMediAtely RetUrned To its original PositIon," MakINg DUnKing safe FoR tHe fiRSt time by sIgniFicAntLy ReduCIng The shaTTeRing Of baCkboaRds.KeiLmAn, jOHn anD trIbune Staff rePorTeR - tHiS gaDgEt rEAlly was a sLAM-dunk. chIcaGO TrIbune, ApRIl 4, 2005 IN 1979, ErviNg's tEAmmaTe and cEnteR dArrYl daWKinS Twice ShaTTered nba bAcKbOards wIth duNkS LeadinG to A QuicKLy-enActeD ruLE mAkIng iT an oFfencE to breAk ThE BackBoaRD. TechNoloGy has EVolved to aDapT tO the inCreASed streNGtH ANd weIGHt of pLayeRs to withStand thE foRce OF such dUnks, sUcH as the bReAkAwaY Rim (IntROducEd To thE nba in 1981) cHangES to the matEriAl useD fOR tHe backboARdS, and sTrEnGtHening of tHE Goal STanDards tHemSElves. thE InVention bY ArthUR ehrat To CrEate thE BrEakAway rim witH A sPrIng on IT led to the returN of tHE DUnk In COLleGe basketBall.