| Game apparatus and methods employing wearable tracks -> Monitor Keywords |
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  Game apparatus and methods employing wearable tracksThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060175750. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/646,952, filed Jan. 25, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] Games, sports and toys that test coordination and agility of participants are popular. Some games and sports test the performance of players via direct competition and interaction (e.g., baseball, boxing, auto racing) or head-to-head competition that involves little or no direct interaction (e.g., running, swimming). Other games, sports and toys test the performance of individuals by assigning a score to a participant's performance of a task (e.g., golf, bowling, video games) or by timing (e.g., ski racing), thus allowing the participants to compete indirectly. SUMMARY [0003] A game apparatus has a wearable track, a start cup and an end cup. The track is configured for maneuvering a ball through the track from the start cup to the end cup. The track may include milestones for gauging the progress of the ball through the course. The track may have branches, dead ends, traps and/or mechanical switches, and may include two or more levels. The track may include one or more devices that respond to progress of the ball through the track; these devices may communicate information about the position of the ball to timing and/or scoring devices. A game apparatus for use by two players has a first player track with a start cup, a shared track, and a second player track with an end cup, with each of the tracks configured for maneuvering a ball through the track from the start cup to the end cup. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0004] FIG. 1 shows one game apparatus employing wearable tracks, in accord with one embodiment, utilized by a player. [0005] FIG. 2A, FIG. 2B, FIG. 2C, FIG. 2D and FIG. 2E show cross-sectional views of tracks used in embodiments of a game apparatus employing wearable tracks. [0006] FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B show exemplary features for one track, in accord with one embodiment, to facilitate scoring. [0007] FIG. 4A and 4B show a top view and a side view, respectively, of one game apparatus worn on a foot of a player. [0008] FIG. 5A and 5B show a top view and a side view, respectively, of one game apparatus worn on a knee of a player. [0009] FIG. 6A and 6B show a top view and a side view, respectively, of one game apparatus worn on a head of a player. [0010] FIG. 7A shows one track support that forms a convex shape and attaches to a glove. [0011] FIG. 7B shows one track support that forms a concave shape and attaches to a glove. [0012] FIG. 7C shows one track support that has convex and concave shapes. [0013] FIG. 8 shows one game apparatus employing wearable tracks that includes a track attached to a glove. [0014] FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B and FIG. 9C show track supports in accord with certain embodiments. [0015] FIG. 10 shows a top view of one game apparatus employing wearable tracks in accord with one embodiment. [0016] FIG. 11A, FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C show a top view and two cross-sectional views, respectively, of a two-level game apparatus employing wearable tracks in accord with one embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 shows one game apparatus 100 employing a wearable track 150, in accord with one embodiment. A player 10 is shown using apparatus 100. A track support 110 may be used to support track 150 and may, for example, attach to a forearm 20 of player 10 by straps 120. Track 150 may for example be formed in track support 110 (e.g., by carving or molding) or may attach to track support 110. In one embodiment, track 150 connects to a start cup 140 and an end cup 160, as shown. [0018] In operation of game apparatus 100, player 10 may attach apparatus 100 to forearm 20 using straps 120, place a ball 170 in start cup 140 and maneuver ball 170 from start cup 140 to end cup 160 by tilting or twisting forearm 20 so that gravity and motions of forearm 20 force ball 170 from start cup 140 along track 150 to end cup 160. A score may be assigned to player 10 based on how fast ball 170 is maneuvered to end cup 160. In one embodiment, a different score may be assigned to player 10 if ball 170 leaves track 150; for example, player 10 may receive a score based on the amount or percentage of track 150 traversed by ball 170 before ball 170 leaves track 150. When player 10 completes one attempt at maneuvering ball 170 through track 150, game apparatus 100 may be removed from forearm 20 and passed to another player; or that other player may use a different but identical game apparatus 100. Players may thus compete on the basis of score, since each player plays a similarly configured track 150. [0019] In other embodiments, track support 110 of game apparatus 100 may be held to forearm 20 of player 10 with attachments other than straps 120; for example, track support 110 may include a glove that fits over the forearm (see, for example, FIG. 7 and FIG. 7C). Other embodiments of game apparatus 100 may be adapted to fit other parts of a human body than forearm 20. For example, track support 110 may be substantially flat or may form one or more curved surfaces. Track support 110 and track 150 may also include a variety of features, as discussed below, to (a) increase or decrease the difficulty of completing track 150, (b) facilitate scoring, and/or (c) enhance player interest. In the following descriptions, numerals corresponding to those used in FIG. 1 may be used to describe similar features in other embodiments. Continue reading... Full patent description for Game apparatus and methods employing wearable tracks Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Game apparatus and methods employing wearable tracks 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. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Game apparatus and methods employing wearable tracks or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Ball game having members with passageways Next Patent Application: Casino poker game rewarding low hands Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Game apparatus and methods employing wearable tracks patent info. 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