Table tennis apparatus

A table tennis game apparatus comprises a horizontal playing surface supported at a preselected height, and one or more upright rebounding panels mounted centrally at the marginal edges of the playing surface. The rebounding panels are provided with a plurality of distinct surfaces of differing hardnesses or differing textures, to provide for varying speeds and/or spins of rebound or ricochet. The surfaces may be positioned at angles with respect to each other to provide for different rebounding angles. The rebounding panels may be positioned with respect to the playing surface so as to be movably adjustable in towards or away from the playing surface. The rebounding panels require greater degrees of skill and strategy beyond that required in the traditional table tennis game, thus adding to the level of enjoyment and competition.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention relates to a modified Ping-Pong.RTM. type table or 
table tennis game, and more particularly, to a game which requires special 
skills and strategies not required in ordinary table tennis games, thus 
adding to the level of enjoyment and competition. 
In the traditional Ping-Pong.RTM. or table tennis game, paddles are used by 
participants to hit a ball back and forth over a net extending across a 
horizontal table surface. The ball can be allowed to bounce once on the 
table before being returned over the net by one player towards the other 
player, who may allow the ball to touch the table surface once before 
returning it in a like fashion. Points are won by one player if the other 
player hits the ball into the net or off of the table, if the ball bounces 
twice on the other player's side before it is returned, or if the other 
player is otherwise unable to successfully return the ball. Although this 
game is widely enjoyed by many people and can be extremely competitive 
depending upon the skill level of the participants, various attempts have 
been made to make the game more challenging or more interesting. 
One such modification involves playing one or more vertical side walls 
along the sides of a traditional Ping-Pong.RTM. table. In play, the ball 
is hit off one of the side walls and then over to the opponent's side, 
rather than traveling directly over the net to the opponent. While such a 
variation does serve to alter the game, these side walls merely provide an 
alternate rebounding or ricochet surface. The ball typically rebounds off 
the side walls in a relatively predictable fashion, and at a speed that is 
usually the same speed as if the ball had been bounced off of the regular 
horizontal table surface. 
Therefore, a need exists for a modified table tennis game that requires an 
even greater degree of skill and strategy, thereby increasing the level of 
enjoyment and competition involved in playing the game. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
In the present invention, a modified table tennis or Ping-Pong.RTM. game is 
provided which increases the degree of difficulty involved in playing, and 
the amount of skill and strategy necessary to successfully play, thereby 
increasing the level of enjoyment and competition. The game comprises 
attaching one or more rebounding panels to a conventional Ping-Pong.RTM. 
table or the like. The side boards have surfaces of different hardnesses 
and/or textures, to provide for varying the speed and/or spins of rebound 
or ricochet. The rebounding surfaces may be positioned at angles with 
respect to one another, to provide for different rebounding angles. 
In another aspect of the invention, the rebounding panels are movably 
attached to a Ping-Pong.RTM. table or the like, to provide for adjustment 
of the rebounding panels towards or away from the horizontal playing 
surface. 
These and other features, advantages and objects of the present invention 
will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by 
reference to the following specification, claims and appended drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
For purposes of description herein, the terms "upper," "lower," "right," 
"left," "rear," "front," "vertical," "horizontal," and derivatives thereof 
shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIGS. 7 and 8. However, it is 
to be understood that the invention may assume various alternative 
orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the 
contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and 
processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the 
following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive 
concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and 
other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed 
herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly 
state otherwise. 
In the preferred embodiment, a table tennis game is provided, shown 
generally in FIGS. 1-3 and 7-9 and depicted by the numeral 10. Game 10 
includes one or more vertical rebounding panels 20 mounted along the sides 
of table 11 to provide an alternate rebounding surface. Each rebounding 
panel 20 is provided with a plurality of different rebounding surfaces 28, 
30, 32, to allow for differing speeds and/or spins of ricochet. Rebounding 
panel 20 may be either permanently affixed to table 11, may be movably 
attached to allow for movement of rebounding panel 20 in towards and out 
from table 11, or otherwise positioned alongside table 11. 
Rebounding panel 20 of the present invention is used with a conventional 
table tennis or Ping-Pong.RTM. table 11. Table 11 includes a horizontal 
playing surface 12, supported at a regular playing height, for example, by 
a plurality of legs or supports 19, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7. Horizontal 
playing surface 12 has four marginal edges, comprising two side edges 14 
and two end edges 16. In the typical table tennis game, one or two players 
stand behind each end edge 16 facing each other. Table 11 may be of any 
desired size and shape. Horizontal playing surface 12 may be constructed 
from any suitable material. A net 18 extends across horizontal playing 
surface 12 from one side edge 14 to the other, usually at a distance 
halfway between each end edge 16, thereby dividing horizontal playing 
surface 12 into two opposite fields of play. Net 18 can be of any desired 
height. A traditional net height is six inches high. 
Rebounding panel 20 can be of any size and shape. In the illustrated 
examples, rebounding panel 20 is rectangular in shape, as shown in FIGS. 
3-8, and measures 24 inches by 42 inches. Rebounding panel 20 can be of 
any suitable base material, such as wood, plastic, or metal. Different 
ricochet surfaces and/or textures can be applied to this base material. 
Rebounding panel 20 has a top edge 22, a bottom edge 24, and opposite side 
edges 26. 
Rebounding panel 20 is provided with one or more rebounding surfaces, which 
as shown in FIGS. 3-8, are depicted by the reference numerals 28, 30, and 
32. Although these figures show three rebounding surfaces, this is for 
illustrative purposes only. Rebounding panel 20 can be provided with as 
many rebounding surfaces as desired. Each rebounding surface may have 
different rebounding characteristics, such as different hardnesses, 
textures, etc., to allow for differing dynamics of ricochet or rebound. 
These differing dynamics include not only speed but also spin. The 
surfaces may differ from another with respect to hardness of material 
used, texture provided to the surface, or both. The types of materials or 
surfaces used is not critical. Each surface may have a different surface 
hardness and/or texture than that of the other rebounding surfaces. As an 
example, first rebounding surface 28 could be a relatively soft surface 
constructed from a soft rubber or the like with a smooth outer surface. 
When the ball is hit towards and strikes this surface, much of the ball's 
force is absorbed by the rubber material, resulting in a somewhat slower 
speed of rebound or ricochet, with a somewhat increased spin. A player may 
decide to attempt to hit the ball off of this surface 28 to catch the 
opposing player off guard, such as when the opposing player is standing 
some distance from the end edge 14 of table 11. The slower speed effect 
will cause the ball to land on the opponent's side closer to net 18 making 
it difficult for the opponent to reach the ball and return it before it 
boundes a second time. Second rebounding surface 30 could be a harder 
surface with a rough or textured outer surface, to provide a medium speed 
of rebound of ricochet, with a more substantial spin on the ball. Any 
suitable texture may be used, such as grooves, ridges, or raised bumps or 
protrusions. Alternatively, a rough-sufficed material, such as a 
sandpaper- or grit-like material, could be used to give a moderate rebound 
effect. Third rebounding surface 32 would then be a hard, smooth surface, 
to provide a fast rebound or ricochet effect. For example, third 
rebounding surface 32 could be constructed of a finished wood, or could be 
a laminated resinous plastic, or even metal. 
In the illustrated examples, at least two such surfaces of differing 
consistency are provided on each rebounding panel 20. These surfaces serve 
to increase the skill and dexterity level involved in playing table 
tennis. If a player decides to utilize a rebounding panel 20 rather than 
simply hitting the ball directly over the net 18, the player must possess 
an added level of skill to accurately aim arid hit the ball off the 
rebounding panel 20, with the attendant risk that the ball might 
completely miss the rebounding panel 20 and the player will lose a point 
or lose his or her serve. If the player is successful in hitting the ball 
towards and off of the rebounding panel 20, the opposing player must not 
only be prepared to return such a shot, but also the opposing player must 
anticipate and adjust for the possible rebound or ricochet speed and/or 
spin at which the ball will travel. If the opposing player is expecting 
the tall to be returned in the standard over-the-net fashion, and the 
player instead utilizes a shot off a rebounding panel 20, the opposing 
player may be caught out of position and unable to return the ball. If the 
opposing player does anticipate a rebounding panel shot, but miscalculates 
the rebound effect, that player may again be caught off guard. The 
opposing player may expect a fast shot off the smooth, hard surface, 
causing him or her to back away from the table to give as much time and 
space to return the fast shot. However, his or her opponent may instead 
hit the ball off the slow, rubber surface, in which case the ball will 
land close to the net, causing the opposing player to lunge for the ball 
to return it before it bounces twice. This is but one example of the 
manner in which the rebounding panel 20 could be exploited during a game. 
Players with even added dexterity may reach a point where they actually 
choose and aim for a particular rebounding surface to achieve a precise 
rebound effect, rather than just randomly using the rebounding panel as an 
alternative to the shot straight over the net. This provides an increased 
element of strategy to the traditional table tennis game. All of this 
provides for a more enjoyable, exciting, and competitive game. 
Rebounding surfaces 28, 30, and 32 may be arranged on rebounding panel 20 
in any desired configuration. For example, in FIG. 5, rebounding surfaces 
28, 30, and 32 are shown in a horizontal fashion, each panel extending 
from one side edge 26 to the other. Rebounding surfaces 28, 30, and 32 
could also be arranged vertically, as shown in FIG. 6, extending from top 
edge 22 to bottom edge 24. The rebounding surfaces can also be of any size 
or shape, and need not be identical to i one and another in size and 
shape. If desired, the rebounding surfaces could be positioned at various 
angles with respect to each other, as opposed to lying in a single plane. 
Such a feature would require even more dexterity in playing the game, as 
not only the rebound speed and/or spin would be variable, but also the 
angle at which the ball could potentially ricochet would be uncertain. 
In one preferred embodiment, rebounding panel 20 is constructed of recessed 
or tapered sections, as shown in FIGS. 3, 4, 7, and 8. In this embodiment, 
second rebounding surface 30, the textured surface, consists of two 
triangular shaped surfaces, each positioned on opposite sides of 
rebounding panel 20. One side of each triangular surface runs along one of 
the side edges 26. The other two sides Of the triangle taper in to a point 
which is centrally positioned between top edge 22 and bottom edge 24. 
Second rebounding surfaces 30 actually extend in to and are disposed in 
rebounding panel 20. A seam then runs along a line connecting the recessed 
points of these two triangular surfaces, along a line which is centrally 
positioned between top edge 22 and bottom edge 24. First rebounding 
surface 28, the slow, rubber surface, consists of two surfaces. One 
surface extends along top edge 22 and tapers downwardly and inwardly, 
while the other surface extends along bottom edge 24 and tapers upwardly 
and inwardly. The two surfaces meet and are joined along sides which 
correspond to the centrally positioned line or seam. First rebounding 
surfaces 28 are not so large in size that they extend all the way to the 
triangular-shaped second rebounding surfaces 30, which are on opposite 
ends of rebounding panel 20. Rather, an area or space remains between each 
first rebounding surface 28 and each side of the triangular second 
rebounding surfaces 30. It is in this space where the third rebounding 
surfaces 32, the hard, smooth surfaces, are positioned. As shown in FIG. 
4, there are four of these third rebounding surfaces 32, each of which has 
one side along top edge 22 (or bottom edge 24), another side adjacent to 
one of the recessed sides of triangular second rebounding surface 30, a 
side along the centrally positioned seam, and a side adjacent to one of 
the tapered sides of first rebounding surface 28. Many possible angles, 
speeds, and/or spins of rebound or ricochet are provided by the rebounding 
panel 20 of this configuration. Several such game configurations or angles 
of play are shown in FIG. 8, where table tennis balls 52 have been struck 
by paddles 50 and hit towards rebounding panel 20, where they then rebound 
off of one of the rebounding surfaces 28, 30, or 32 and on to the opposite 
side of horizontal surface 12 at different angles, due to the tapered or 
recessed nature of rebounding panel 20 in this embodiment. 
Rebounding panel 20 may be positioned at any location along side edge 14 of 
horizontal playing surface 12. Preferably,i one rebounding panel 20 will 
be mounted in an upright position centrally along each side edge of a 
standard table tennis or Ping-Pong.RTM. table. In this configuration, one 
half of rebounding panel 20 is positioned on each side of net 18, as shown 
in FIG. 3. 
Rebounding panel 20 may be mounted or attached directly to table 11, as 
shown in FIG. 1, using any conventional means. For example, a hinge could 
be used to allow rebounding panel 20 to be retracted down, when it is 
desired to play a conventional game of table tennis without a rebounding 
panel blocking the field of play. Alternately, rebounding panel 20 could 
be bolted, screwed, or nailed directly to table 11. Rebounding panel 20 
may also be free standing, and positioned at the desired location about 
the table. 
In the preferred embodiment, rebounding panel 20 is adjustably connected to 
table 11 to permit rebounding panel 20 to be moved away from table 11 or 
towards table 11, providing yet .another variation on the traditional 
table tennis game. This preferred attachment is shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 
7-9. Any suitable means can be employed to achieve this adjustment 
feature. Most preferably, two L-shaped tubes or brackets 40 are provided, 
which are each attached at one end to rebounding panel 20. The underside 
of table 11 is provided with receiving shafts 42, adapted to receive the 
free ends of L-shaped tubes 40, and positioned at a distance from one 
another which corresponds to the distance by which L-shaped tubes 40 are 
separated on rebounding panel 20. Receiving shafts 42 may be fastened to 
table 11 by any conventional means, such as screws or bolts. Likewise, 
L-shaped tubes 40 may be attached to rebounding panel 20 using any 
suitable means. L-shaped tubes 40 can be fastened directly to the outer or 
back surface of rebounding panel 20, i.e., the surface which is not 
provided with rebounding surfaces 28, 30, and 32. Alternatively, 
rebounding panel 20 may be provided along its bottom edge 24 with two 
holes, through which one end of each L-shaped tube 40 may be inserted and 
then fastened in place using conventional means. It is preferable to 
position one shaped tube 40 at or near each side edge 26 of rebounding 
panel 20. 
In operation, rebounding panel 20 having L-shaped tubes 40 fastened thereto 
is connected to table 11 by lining up the free ends of L-shaped tubes 40 
with receiving shafts 42 fastened to the underside of table 11. Rebounding 
panel 20 is then pushed inward until rebounding panel 20 is at the desired 
distance from side edge 14 of horizontal playing surface 12. This is 
preferably done with two rebounding panels 20, one along each side edge 
14. Once in place, rebounding panel 20 can be moved into and very close to 
table 11, or pulled out farther away from table 11. The greater the 
distance between rebounding panel 20 and table 11, the more skill and 
dexterity that is necessary to successfully utilize rebounding panel 20 
during play. A shot off rebounding panel 20 in an extended position is 
riskier than when rebounding panel 20 is positioned closer to table 11 or 
fastened directly to table 11, thus adding an increased element of 
strategy, with the attendant increases in enjoyment, excitement, and 
competition. 
L-shaped tube 40 is preferably constructed of a sturdy material, such as 
aluminum metal. Locking means may be provided, such as a thumb screw 
through a hole in receiving shaft 42, to securely hold L-shaped tube 40 
and rebounding panel 20 in place. Alternatively, positioning notches or 
grooves may be provided along the free end of L-shaped tube 40 to allow 
movement of rebounding panel 20 to fixed or incremental distances from 
table 11. This would allow each rebounding panel 20 to be spaced at an 
equal distance from side edges 14 on each side of horizontal playing 
surface 12. However, it is not necessary that they be equally spaced. One 
rebounding panel 20 could be spaced very close to table 11, while the 
other rebounding panel 20 could be spaced at some distance from table 11, 
providing participants with even more options in terms of hitting 
strategies. 
In one embodiment of the present invention, the rules of the game require 
that, with a paddle 50, a server hits the ball 52 on his or her side of 
horizontal playing surface 12, and then the ball may either cross net 18 
directly to the other side or be directed off of rebounding panel 20 and 
on to the opposing player's field of play. The opposing player may return 
the ball over net 18 or off rebounding panel 20 without allowing ball 52 
to touch his or her side of horizontal playing surface 12, or ball 52 may 
be permitted to bounce one time before being returned directly over net 18 
or off rebounding panel 20 and back to the server. Each volley ends when 
one player fails to successfully return ball 52 by doing any of the 
following: hitting ball 52 into net 18; hitting ball 52 over the opposing 
player's end edge 16 or off of either side edge 14 without ball 52 hitting 
the opposing player's horizontal playing surface at least once; aiming for 
and missing rebounding panel 20; or swinging and missing ball 52 
completely. 
If the server wins the volley, he receives one point and continues to 
serve. If the opponent wins the volley he receives no points but becomes 
the server. When one player has reached a set number of points, typically 
fifteen points with a two-point advantage, the game is over. Players may 
choose to switch ends half-way through each game or between games. 
The above description is considered that of the preferred embodiments only. 
Modifications of the invention will occur to those skilled in the art and 
to those who make or use the invention. Therefore, it is understood that 
the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are merely for 
illustrative purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the 
invention, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted 
according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of 
Equivalents.