Abstract:
This invention is a sports game which allows the user to compete and practice in various types of games inside or outside and with or without the participation of others. It provides a variety of three-dimensional amusement and sporting games which simulate sports figures interacting with the user by receiving a game ball thrown or otherwise projected by the user.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/507,048, filed Sep. 29, 2003, from which priority is claimed pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 119(e). In addition, this application claims the benefit of Disclosure Document No. 537717, filed Sep. 2, 2003 which should be considered as part of the file of this patent application. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0003]     The present invention relates to the field of sports games which combine recreation with convenient sports training.  
         [0004]     2. Background Information  
         [0005]     Recreational sports are beloved by Americans and much time and money is spent every year in indulging this love. Although the most traditional way to play and practice sports is outside in the fresh air, sometimes that is not practical or desirable. There are times when an indoor venue is necessary and even preferable to playing outside. Also, there are times when a single player wants to practice his skills or compete against himself rather than gathering a group of friends for a sporting game. The present invention addresses these concerns and provides a convenient and practical way to compete or train in various sports in the comfort and convenience of the indoors as well as outdoors and with multiple participants.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide a safe and convenient way to play or practice various sports or sporting games.  
         [0007]     It is another object of the present invention to provide a realistic manner in which players can practice typical sporting skills.  
         [0008]     Further, it is another object of the present invention to provide a fun and entertaining three-dimensional amusement game resembling a conventional sports stadium having one or multiple movable sports figures which simulate offensive or defensive sports players running up or across a sports playing field with the objective of receiving a game ball thrown or otherwise projected from a user.  
         [0009]     In satisfaction of these and other related objectives, Applicant&#39;s present invention provides a convenient, safe, consistent manner in which to practice various sporting skills under completely controlled conditions. In addition, the present invention provides a realistic, exciting three-dimensional amusement game for sports enthusiasts.  
         [0010]     Applicant&#39;s approach to the problem described above is certainly simple, but it is equally unobvious. Applicant&#39;s Sports game permits, for the first time, an indoor alternative to typically outdoor sporting games. In addition, the Sports game permits athletes to practice their skills in a controlled environment rather than outside in the elements and without the necessity for other people to be present, and allows for game enthusiasts to indulge in sporting games even during inclement weather or, in the alternative, this game can be utilized in an outdoor venue still having the advantage of allowing the user to play or practice by himself without the aid or presence of team mates. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]      FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view of the sport game invention in one preferred embodiment.  
         [0012]      FIG. 2  is an enlarged frontal view of one embodiment of the sports figure.  
         [0013]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged longitudinal cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the motorized transport assembly.  
         [0014]      FIG. 4  is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the base structure and tunnel track.  
         [0015]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged frontal view of one embodiment of a movable and rotatable arm.  
         [0016]      FIG. 6  is a top perspective of the base structure showing the tunnel tracks.  
         [0017]      FIG. 7  is a top perspective of the base structure showing overhead canopy.  
         [0018]      FIG. 8  is a side perspective of one embodiment of the base structure and back wall.  
         [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross sectional view of a motor and gear drive assembly.  
         [0020]      FIG. 10  is a top perspective of the motorized transport assembly. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0021]     With reference to  FIG. 1 , the Sports game of the present invention is identified generally by the reference number  10 . Referring primarily to  FIG. 2 , sports game  10  includes a  figure 12 . Figure  12  has various embodiments, all of which have been envisioned by the inventor and are included in this invention.  Figure 12 , in the embodiment shown, is a representation of a sport figure such as a football, baseball, basketball, or soccer player. Other useful embodiments are envisioned where figure  12  could also be a full, miniature, oversized, or juvenile representation.  Figure 12 , in whatever embodiment, is made of conventional materials, most likely plastic composite, heavy cardboard, or lightweight metal and is decorated in conventional manner. Figure  12  is attached to sleeve post  14 , whereby sleeve post  14  may be incorporated into material of  figure 12 , or sleeve post  14  is attached to figure  12  through conventional means, such as nuts and bolts, or industrial glue.  
         [0022]     Sleeve post  14  slides over support post  15 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , to support  figure 12 . In view of the novelty of the present invention, figure  12  can easily be “changed out” with other FIGS.  12  in order to vary the game by simply sliding new figure  12 —attached to new sleeve post  14 —down over support post  15 . Also shown in  FIG. 1 , in one preferred embodiment, there is a plurality of figures, here shown as figure  12  and  FIG. 16 .  
         [0023]     Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a first pinion gear  44  is attached to first powered rotation means  46 . This first powered rotation means  46  moves said first pinion gear  44 . Referring now to  FIG. 2 , when sleeve post  14  is slid down support post  15 , as seen by arrow, second pinion gear  17 , which is attached to  figure 12 , is mated to said first pinion gear  44 . These pinion gears  44  and  17  cause figure  12  to rotate clockwise or counter clockwise as follows: first powered rotation means  46  turns first pinion gear  44 , first pinion gear  44  turns second pinion gear  17  and second pinion gear  17  turns  figure 12 .  
         [0024]     Further referring to  FIG. 3 , motorized transport assembly  40  in the preferred embodiment includes at least one vertical side having at least one free-rolling wheel assembly  128  that guides motorized transport assembly  40  through tunnel track  24 . In the preferred embodiment, motorized transport assembly  40  further comprising top side having at least one free-rolling wheel assembly  130  that guides motorized transport assembly  40  through tunnel track  24 .  
         [0025]     Further embodiments of  figure 12 , not shown, including lights and/or electronic sensors incorporated into the body and/or eyes for further game enjoyment. In at least one embodiment, best seen in  FIG. 2 , figure  12  includes a ball-retaining means  32 . Ball-retaining means  32  is most likely made of a net or woven material and is reversibly attached by conventional means, such as nuts and bolts or velcro, to  figure 12 . Ball-retaining means  32  could also be made of a basket-like structure or any such means of retaining a ball as is known in the art. In the preferred embodiment, the game is played by the user throwing or otherwise depositing the game ball into the ball-retaining means  32 .  
         [0026]     As best shown in  FIG. 5 , figure  12  can also include at least one movable and rotatable arm (arm)  36 . Arm  36  is attached by conventional means known in the art and can be adjusted either manually through the use of screws or by use of a second powered rotation means  37  as seen in  FIG. 5 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , if ball-retaining means  32  is attached to arm  36 , mostly likely substantially between arms and torso, the effective area of the field of play can be adjusted, as shown by arrow in  FIG. 2 , by manually or through motorized means, adjusting the arm  36  to make the ball-retaining means  32  larger or smaller. This allows a user to customize the game according to his or her skill level.  
         [0027]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , by use of a first gear  39 , second gear  38  attached to arm  36 , and second powered rotation means  37 , arm  36  can be rotated mechanically during the play of the game, changing the size of ball-retaining means  32  while user is attempting to hit the target, greatly increasing the difficulty of play. Second powered rotation means  37  turns first gear  39 , first gear  39  turns second gear  38 , and second gear  38  turns arms  36 . Second powered rotation means  37  is electrically wired to a circuit board as is conventional in the art.  
         [0028]     Another embodiment allows for ball-retaining means  32  to be only partially attached to  figure 12 , for example at arm  36  and at the equivalent of the hand area at arm  39 , and to be unattached along the rest of the bottom edge of ball-retaining means  32 . This leaves open or unattached the lower part of the net and allows the ball, which hits the target, to exit downward through the opening.  
         [0029]     In  FIG. 6 , a top view of base structure  22  shows a substantially unbridged top with perforations  50  to allow such game balls to fall through to sub-level  23 , best seen in  FIG. 1 , roll down inclined plane  26 , and end up in a resting position in ball retrieval bin  28  for easy retrieval by a user. This would greatly enhance the enjoyment and ease of use of the game by a user. Sub-level unit  23 , as well as inclined plane  26  and ball retrieval bin  28  can be made of wood, plastic, heavy cardboard, or light weight metal using means conventional in the art.  
         [0030]     Another aspect of a preferred embodiment of sports game  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1, 7  and  8 , and has to do with the aesthetic aspects of the game. A back wall  20  and overhead canopy  18  can be attached to sub-level unit  23 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . Another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 8 , has back wall  20  attached to base structure  22  and base structure  22  is elevated by leg posts  29 . Back wall  20  and overhead canopy  18  will most likely be made of wood, plastic, heavy cardboard, or light weight metal using means conventional in the art. Back wall  20  will most likely include a tube support frame including first and second vertical end posts  106 ,  108 , and first and second horizontal side posts  110 ,  112 . First vertical end post  106  is mounted to one back side end of base structure  22 . Second vertical end post  108  is mounted to opposite back side end of same. First horizontal side post  110  is connected between first and second vertical end posts  106 ,  108 , above base structure  22 . Second horizontal side post  112  is connected between first and second vertical end posts  106 ,  108  at the top most points. A soft or hard plastic composite sheet, or other material, is attached to frame posts. The length of back wall  20  is equal to base structure  22 .  
         [0031]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , overhead canopy  18  includes a tube support frame including first and second vertical end posts  114 ,  116  and one horizontal canopy post  118 . First vertical end post  114  is mounted to front side end of base structure  22 . Second vertical end post  116  is mounted to opposite front side end of same. Horizontal canopy post  118  is connected between first and second vertical end posts  114 ,  116  at the top most points. A soft or hard plastic composite sheet, or other material, is attached between horizontal canopy post  118  and back wall  20 . Length of canopy is equal to length of back wall.  
         [0032]     Back wall  20  and overhead canopy  18  can be decorated to resemble a sports stadium or other sports locale through the use of artificial grass, field markers, boundary markers, base marker plates, hash marks, simulated audience attendance, scoreboards, etc., in order to enhance the user&#39;s enjoyment of the game. These decorations are not shown, but are well known in the art. In addition, lights can be attached to back wall  20  and/or overhead canopy  18 , not shown, to simulate night-time sports games. The inventor also foresees audio equipment used to simulate crowd sounds and typical sports games noises, such as music, to enhance the aesthetic aspects of the game.  
         [0033]     As best shown in  FIG. 4 , but also shown in  FIG. 1 , base structure  22  is configured and produced for the purpose of securely maintaining one or more tunnel tracks within its retaining walls. Base structure  22  is a case within which tunnel track  24  is securely attached. It is most likely substantially rectangular in shape and of a substantial length. Referring to  FIG. 4 , first and second retaining walls  120 ,  122  are designated for maintenance of a first tunnel track. Third and fourth retaining walls  124 ,  126  for maintenance of a second tunnel track. Leg posts  29  can be connected to bottom side of base structure  22  to achieve an elevated position, as shown in  FIG. 8 .  
         [0034]     In one embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 , a plurality of tunnel tracks  24  are set into base structure  22 . Tunnel track  24  is set into and is securely attached to base structure  22  by conventional means. Tunnel track  24  and base structure  22  can be made of wood, plastic composite, heavy cardboard, or light weight metal using means conventional in the art. Base structure  22  and tunnel track  24  can be produced in sections which assemble together to achieve variable lengths and to allow flexibility in construction and portability.  
         [0035]     Tunnel track  24  has, in substantially the top center, an opening  34 . Support post  15  fits through opening  34  and is removably attached to sleeve post  14  at the distal end as previously described, and attached to motorized transport assembly  40 , best shown in  FIG. 3 , at the proximal end, supported in support post receptacle  88 , best seen in  FIG. 10 .  
         [0036]     Tunnel track  24  is configured and produced to a size and shape necessary to accommodate motorized transport assembly  40 , horizontally movable within confines of tunnel track  24 . Tunnel track  24  is most likely substantially rectangular in shape and of a substantial length. Tunnel track  24  comprises first and second vertical side walls, a bottom side and a top side.  
         [0037]     Motorized transport assembly  40  is designed and configured to be horizontally movable within the confines of tunnel track  24 . Motorized transport assembly  40  is most likely made of wood, plastic composite, heavy cardboard, or light weight metal using means conventional in the art. It would most likely be substantially rectangular in shape and comprised of first and second vertical sides, first and second vertical ends, one bottom side and one top side.  
         [0038]     As can be seen in  FIG. 10 , incorporated into bottom side of motorized transport assembly  40  are first, second, third, and fourth axle housings  52 ,  54 ,  56  &amp;  58 . First, second, third, and fourth drive axles  60 ,  62 ,  64 , &amp;  66  are connected respectively to first, second, third, and fourth axle housings  52 ,  54 ,  56 , &amp;  58 . One each of drive wheels  68 ,  70 ,  72 , &amp;  74  is positioned parallel to tunnel track and is connected to each of first, second, third, and fourth drive axles  60 ,  62 ,  64 , &amp;  66 , respectively. First and second motor and gear drive assemblies  76 ,  78  are mounted to bottom side of transport. As shown in  FIG. 9 , each motor and gear drive assembly  76 ,  78  is contained within a casing  92  configured to maintain position alignment of working components: a motor  94 , a gear shaft  96 , a first gear  98 , a second gear  100 , and a drive shaft  102 .  
         [0039]     First motor and gear drive assembly  76  is positioned between first and second drive axles  60 ,  62 . First and second universal joints  80 ,  82  are connected to first and second drive axles  60 ,  62  respectively. Second motor and gear drive assembly  78  is positioned between third and fourth drive axles  64 ,  66 . Third and fourth universal joints  84 ,  86  are connected to third and fourth drive axles  64 ,  66  respectively. In addition, as is conventional in the field but not shown in the drawings, universal joints  80 ,  82 ,  84 , and  86  are connected to their respective drive shafts  102  of gear assembly  76  or  78 , respectively.  
         [0040]     First and second motor and gear drive assemblies  76 ,  78  are electrically wired to power circuit board  103 . One rechargeable battery  90  is attached to bottom side of transport, adjacent to first vertical side. Battery is electrically wired to power circuit board  103 . An optional second rechargeable battery could be attached to same, adjacent to second vertical side. In another embodiment, first motor and gear drive assembly  76  or second motor and gear drive assembly  78  could be gas-powered (not shown).  
         [0041]     Support post receptacle  88  is incorporated into bottom side of motorized transport assembly  40  and positioned substantially in the center. Support post  15  is securely but reversibly attached to support post receptacle  88  and extends vertically and substantially upward through opening  34 , best seen in  FIG. 3 . First powered rotation means  46  is mounted to support post  15  above top side of transport as shown in  FIG. 3 . A first pinion gear  44  is connected to first powered rotation means  46 . First powered rotation means  46  is electrically wired to power circuit board  103 .  
         [0042]     Motorized transport assembly  40  is powered, in the preferred embodiment, by at least one rechargeable battery  90  seen in  FIG. 10 , as are conventional in the field and as would be known to those skilled in the art. This power source would be connected to at least one wheel, with any unconnected wheels free-rolling.  
         [0043]     In at least one embodiment, a signal receiving means, comprising circuit board  103  and perhaps an antenna  105 , for receiving signals from at least one remote control transmitter to the motorized transport assembly  40  would be connected to the power source. These remote control transmitters, not shown, would include functions for start, stop, forward, reverse, and variable speeds and would control operations of all motorized functions of this invention. These remote controls are well known in the art and would be outfitted according to conventional means.  
         [0044]     As seen in  FIG. 3 , in one embodiment, the ends of motorized transport assembly  40  would be fitted with multi-pronged contact stop switch  42  to allow instant shut off when end of tunnel track  24  is reached. The purpose of this switch  42  is to disengage the electric motor upon contact with any obstruction. This multi-pronged contact stop switch  42  is electrically wired to power circuit board  103  and rechargeable battery  90 . In order to provide a shock absorbing/cushion effect, the end-most sections of tunnel track  24  are fitted with shock-absorbing material such as is conventionally found, for example foam, rubber, or any sort of soft material or composite.  
         [0045]     Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.