| Apparatus and method for a court ball game -> Monitor Keywords |
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Apparatus and method for a court ball gameRelated Patent Categories: Games Using Tangible Projectile, Playing Field Or Court Game; Game Element Or Accessory Therefor Other Than Projector Or Projectile, Per SeApparatus and method for a court ball game description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070213146, Apparatus and method for a court ball game. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to games and sporting events. More particularly the invention relates to an apparatus and method for a competitive game in which points are scored for hitting other players with the game balls and for throwing the game balls through goals positioned at opposite ends of the court. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Athletic contests have always been a popular source of entertainment and exercise, and many different types of games and activities are known in the prior art. Games and athletic contests have become an outlet for an increasingly health-conscience society to maintain physical fitness in an enjoyable and entertaining fashion. But very few games or activities manage to combine physical coordination and mental strategy in such a way as to appeal to both strategists and persons of all athletic skill ranges. [0003] It is a common problem with many games that the athletic capabilities of one player or team can become such a dominate element of the game that any individual or team strategy is essentially useless. In other games, there is simply no strategy to be employed, the only determining factor being the athletic skill or luck of the players. [0004] The invention presents a new game which utilizes geometry and spacing to combine unique elements of individual and team strategy with physical ability to provide the broadest appeal to many ages and athletic abilities. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In view of the foregoing disadvantages found in many games and activities and the public's insatiable appetite for new and challenging games, the present invention provides a new game which will appeal to people of all athletic skill levels and provide a means for exercise and entertainment. [0006] The general purpose of the invention, which will be described in greater detail below, is to provide a new game apparatus and method of play. To attain this purpose, the invention comprises a playing field having a generally rectangular shape. As shown in FIG. 1, the game is equipped with a periphery defined by a vertical wall. The court is divided into two halves along the longitudinal by a fence typically between 30 and 48 inches in height. The fence bisects the court into separate, team-specific playing areas. The playing area for each team is geometrically identical and defined by a rear wall, two side walls, and the dividing fence. [0007] While a number of different fence configurations are possible, the object of the invention is to provide a configuration of the dividing fence that will have a significant impact on game play. The dividing fence is a key part of the present invention as it allows for additional strategies and creates unique angles during game play. Under the configurations of the invention, the center point of the fence is at the geometric center of the court. The fence then extends outward from the center to connect to the sides of the rectangular court as bound by the exterior fence. FIGS. 1 and 2 show alternate but not exclusive arrangements for the dividing fence. While the configuration of the fence may change, the fence always longitudinally bisects the court into two identical playing fields. Further it is desirable that he fence structure create a portion of the playing field for each team that extends beyond the mid-point of the court in the direction of the opponent's goal. [0008] This general configuration of the fence described above is advantaged over a fence that is simply parallel to the ends of the court as the configuration of the invention greatly alters the strategic possibilities of the game by creating the possibility that players may be able to strike an opposing player with a ball (thus knocking them out of the game and scoring a point for their own team) from a position that is actually behind the opposing player. [0009] To further enhance the strategic advantages created by the configuration of the fence, a preferred embodiment of the invention contains a fence made of an opaque material so that the players of one team cannot see the players of the opposing team that are hiding behind the fence. [0010] Positioned at either end of the court is a vertical goal. Each goal has a circular opening larger than the size of the balls used to play the game. Points are scored by throwing the balls through the circular opening. To facilitate game play and constant action, the goals are equipped with a ball return system which in its simplest form consists of a hollow space behind the circular opening with an opening at the bottom so that the ball thrown through the circular opening will fall down through the interior of the goal and may be retrieved by a player through another opening at the bottom of the goal. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game playing field according to the invention; [0012] FIG. 2 is a plan view of the playing field of the invention with optional cover net and showing the game in its starting position and showing a first configuration of the fence; [0013] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the playing field of the invention without optional cover net and showing a second configuration of the fence; [0014] FIG. 4 is an elevation view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3 showing the goal on the back wall of the court; and [0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 1 showing the playing field of the invention and showing the positioning of players of opposing teams residing on their teams end of the court, but being positioned in back of the player on the opposing team. DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0016] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1 through 5 thereof, a new game involving the principles and concepts of the present invention will be described. [0017] The vertical walls forming the border of the court being of such material to prevent the balls from leaving the playing field during game play. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the walls are made of a mesh netting thereby allowing spectators to watch the game from ground level and still perform its function of retaining balls within the playing field during game play. [0018] In the preferred embodiment, the point of entry/exit for each team is located along the side wall near the rear of the team's playing area. The entry/exit points are located on opposite walls so that teams enter their respective playing fields from opposite sides. Additionally, the access points are located near the back wall to facilitate certain aspects of game play. [0019] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the invention 5 including rectangular playing field 10 bound by peripheral wall 12. In a preferred embodiment, the game method of the invention is played using the longer walls of the rectangular court or playing field 10 as the sides and the shorter walls as ends of the field 10. The dimensions of playing field 10 in a preferred embodiment include end walls of thirty (30) feet in length and side walls of sixty (60) feet in length. Peripheral wall 12 is intended to be of sufficient height to retain balls within playing field 10 during game play. In a preferred embodiment, peripheral wall 12 is generally about nine (9) feet six (6) inches high, but any height sufficient to keep the balls on the playing field 10 on most occasions is acceptable. Preferably, the side wall or peripheral wall 12 consists of a mesh netting to allow spectators to see from outside the court. Continue reading about Apparatus and method for a court ball game... Full patent description for Apparatus and method for a court ball game Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Apparatus and method for a court ball game patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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