Abstract:
A portable stepball game apparatus has a collapsible stairway with a plurality of steps. Each step has a vertical riser portion, a horizontal tread portion, and a nosing on the forward or player-facing edges of the tread portions which protrudes over the riser portions. The game&#39;s pivotable stairway configuration is readily housed for storage in a carrying case specifically adapted to be easily portable. It is designed such that one person can lift the carrying case with one hand and easily move it from location to location.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/012,144, filed Dec. 7, 2007 and U.S. Non-Provisional application Ser. No. 12/329,049, filed Dec. 5, 2008 now abandoned. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates in general to a recreational game and in particular to a portable rebound ball game. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Stepball or stoopball (the terms are used synonymously herein) is a game involving one or more players in which a ball is thrown at an outdoor flight of steps or stairway to strike one of the steps and rebound back toward the players. The object of the game is for a player to catch a ball thrown at the stairway after it has rebounded off one of the steps. 
     Because a suitable stoop or outdoor stairway may be unavailable or inaccessible for a variety of reasons, several portable stepball apparatus have been proposed by which players may conceivably play stepball in such places as a street, a parking lot, a playground, a park or campground, a back yard, a school yard, a driveway, or the beach or virtually any other outdoor location. Examples of such apparatus are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,133,531; 5,407,210; 5,531,449; 5,967,519 and 6,585,610. 
     Of these, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,531,449 and 6,585,610 disclose devices comprising front and rear panels joined at an upper edge to form an assembly which, in operation, assumes the shape of an inverted “V”. The sloped front panel of these devices functions as the game playing surface. 
     Classic stepball is played against an actual stoop or outdoor stairway consisting of steps having horizontal foot-supporting tread portions and vertical riser portions. In contrast, the sloped front panels U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,531,449 and 6,585,610 merely have slightly raised ridges or protrusions provided along sloping “riser” portions of the sloped front panel. The ridges or protrusions are neither structurally nor functionally equivalent in size, shape, depth, orientation or surface area to a tread portion of a step of a conventional stairway. And the slope of the “riser” portions of the front panel distorts the rebound that would be realized by a conventional vertical step riser. As such, the apparatus taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,531,449 and 6,585,610 are in many ways incapable of simulating the rebound characteristics of stepball played on a conventional stairway. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,133,531; 5,407,210 and 5,967,519 disclose portable stepball apparatus having essentially vertical riser portions and essentially horizontal tread portions. While the apparatus disclosed in these patents more closely simulate the experience of “classic” stepball, they still cannot produce an optimal stepball experience. 
     In particular, none of these disclosures teach the use of a rebound ball game which, when in the game playing position, provides for a true stepball experience, yet is readily transportable in a stored position. In addition, the prior art fails to disclose the use of “nosing” on the forward or player-facing edges of the treads which protrude over (i.e., overhang) the risers beneath. The significance of nosing is that, in combination with treads of substantial depth (unlike the mere ridges or protrusions described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,531,449 and 6,585,610), a ball which strikes the nosing—in contrast with a simple “noseless” riser/tread edge—will undergo more complicated and unpredictable bounces, caroms or rebounds, thereby enhancing the challenge of a stepball game. That is, tread nosing produces an element of rebound unpredictability which is unattainable by the aforementioned patents. 
     An advantage exists, therefore, for a portable stepball game apparatus including a stairway with at least one step having an essentially vertical riser portion and an essentially horizontal tread portion and further including nosing on the forward or player-facing edges of the tread portion(s) which protrudes over the riser portions therebeneath, whereby the apparatus enables players to enjoy a more challenging experience than heretofore offered by portable stepball/stoopball devices heretofore known in the art. 
     The present invention is unique, as well, in its portability in handling and transport. It is designed such that one person can lift the carrying case of the invention with one hand and easily move it from location to location. It is, in fact, a game having a unique pivotable stairway configuration which is readily housed for storage in a case specifically designed to be carried. As such, the design and functionality of the game, coupled with its lightweight and ease of portability, can not be considered analogous in either design or function to large, vertically moveable riser systems used on stages or auditoriums. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a portable stepball/stoopball game apparatus including a lightweight, game stairway that is pivotably collapsible into a portable, handheld carrying case or frame which may be easily transported to and erected in virtually any play environment. The stairway comprises at least one step including an essentially vertical riser portion and an essentially horizontal tread portion wherein the tread portion includes nosing on its player-facing edge which protrudes over the riser portion therebeneath. 
     The game&#39;s carrying case includes a handle for picking up the entire case, with its stairway stored therein, for transporting the game. Optionally, the carrying case may include wheels, rollers, casters, skids and/or other means for facilitating pulled transport of the apparatus. The carrying case further includes a compartment for storing at least one ball, suitable for use in playing stepball. 
     The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention, itself, however, both as to its design, construction and use, together with additional features and advantages thereof, are best understood upon review of the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram illustrating how a game of stepball/stoopball may be played using the stepball rebound ball game of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation, partially ghosted view of the stepball rebound ball game of the present invention depicting its stairway in both its raised, game playing position and its stored position. 
         FIG. 3  is front perspective view of the stepball rebound ball game of the present invention in its raised, game playing position. 
         FIG. 4  is a rear perspective view of another embodiment of the stepball rebound ball game of the present invention in its raised, game playing position. 
         FIG. 5  is an elevation, ghosted view of the embodiment of the stepball rebound ball game of the present invention shown in  FIG. 4 , depicting its stairway in both its raised, game playing position and its stored position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to the drawings wherein like or similar references indicate like or similar elements throughout the several views, there is shown in  FIG. 1  a schematic depiction of a typical play in a stepball game employing a portable stepball game apparatus according to the invention. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , portable stepball rebound ball game  10 , with its stairway  18  is shown in side view along with (at least) first and second players  12  and  14 . Player  12  plays the role of a pitcher and at least one player  14  plays the role of a fielder. To initiate play, pitcher  12  tosses a resilient ball  16  towards game  10 . The ball rebounds off of any number of surfaces of stairway  18  that may result in an “out” or a “hit” as generally described below. 
     As generally described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,531,449, typical, although non-limitative, rules of a stepball game played with game  10 , which have a number of similarities with baseball, are as follows:
         1. Any number of players can play the game;   2. Ball  16  is thrown at a striking face of stairway  18  of game  10 ;   3. The rebounding ball  16  must stay in bounds;   4. If ball  16  bounces outside of unillustrated foul lines it is an automatic out;   5. All other outs are made by opposing player(s)  14  catching ball  16  on the fly;   6. Each player or team gets three outs;   7. Games can be played using a team or having each player keep their own individual scores;   8. The highest score wins; and   9. The usual length of a game is nine innings.       

     It will be understood, however, that players may invent any number of rebound games and rules; therefore using game  10  to satisfy their needs, desires and imagination as the above game rules are not to be considered restrictive. 
       FIG. 2  (in solid lines) and  FIG. 3  illustrate the first embodiment of game  10  of the present invention in upright, game playing position. Game  10  comprises forwardmost first step  17  and pivot connection  20  attached to carrying frame or case  22 . Stairway  18  is thus vertically moveable between a stored position, wherein all steps of the stairway are located within open space  29  of carrying case  22 , and a raised, game playing position wherein only the lowermost step of the stairway is located within the open space. While a pivoted connection between stairway  18  and carrying case  22  is preferred, it is not required. For example, stairway  18  and carrying case  22  may be connected to one another by one or more slots and tabs or other means for enabling placement of the stairway into its raised, game playing and stored positions. 
     Carrying case  22  has opposed lateral wall members  24  and  25  and end wall members  26  and  27  affixed substantially transverse to the side members. Lateral wall members  24  and  25  and end wall members  26  and  27  enclose open space  29 . Carrying case  22  further includes bottom support framing  28  ( FIG. 2 ) for supporting stairway  18  in its closed, stored position. Framing  28  may comprise a pair of opposed flanges provided on inner faces of lateral wall members  24  and  25  or it may be a flat bottom panel. 
     Carrying case  22  and stairway  18  may be fabricated from any suitable rugged material such as wood, plastic, metal, or any combination thereof, that is/are of sufficient strength to sustain the structural integrity of the frame and stairway in both operative and inoperative positions of the stairway. Although not illustrated, carrying case  22  may also include a cover configured to be situated atop lateral wall members  24  and  25  for inhibiting ingress of moisture and debris when stairway  18  is in a collapsed, stored position. 
     Carrying case  22  includes carrying side handles  30  and  31  and slots  33  and  35  to allow one person to manually lift the carrying case off the ground and easily transport it, with stairway  18  stored therein. 
     Carrying case  22  also comprises, at the rear end of the case, carrying case compartment  32  located within open space  29 . Compartment  32  is configured to house at least one resilient playing ball  34 . As most clearly shown in  FIG. 2 , compartment  32  desirably includes floor member  36  and front wall member  38 , which in combination with end wall member  27 , form a receptacle for holding ball(s)  34 . Compartment  32  is selectively opened and closed by cover  40  which may be pivoted, snapped, latched, friction-fit, or otherwise connected or connectable to carrying case  22 . 
     Stairway support members  42  and  43  releasably maintain stairway  18  in an upright, raised, game playing position. Support members  42  and  43  can comprise hinged, two-link collapsible struts or braces, extending down from the bottom of stairway  18  and are connected to lateral wall members  24  and  25 . Support struts  42  and  43  pivotally support stairway  18  in a raised, game playing position in relation to carrying case  22 . Support struts  42  and  43  are disposed at an angle x ( FIG. 2 ) to provide sufficient support to stairway  18  when the stairway is in an upright, raised, playing position. Generally, angle x may range from about 20° to about 90°. In operation, angle x is such that stairway  18  is preferably positioned such that the tread and riser portions of the stairway are respectively disposed essentially parallel and perpendicular to carrying case  22  and the local terrain (which may or may not be perfectly horizontal) when the stairway is in its raised, game playing position. 
     For the sake of both compactness of the apparatus and protection of stairway  18  in storage and transport, it is preferred that in its collapsed, stored position (as shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 2 ), stairway  18  has a depth “D”, including stringer(s) and tread(s) (discussed below), whereby the stairway is disposed substantially at or below the height of carrying case  22  as established by the lateral wall members  24  and  25  and opposed end wall members  26  and  27 . Game  10  may also include wheels, rollers, or casters, or similar means  44  at the rear of carrying case  22  for facilitating pushed or pulled transport of the apparatus over a ground surface, ranging from hard pavement to soft sand. Supports  45  are provided at the front of carrying case  22  to ensure stability and immobility of game  10  when it is being played. 
     Stairway  18  itself includes a plurality of steps  17 ,  19 ,  21 , and  23 . Each step comprises a riser portion  46  and a tread portion  48 . The riser and tread portions of stairway  18  are supported by lateral stringers  52 . Significantly, and unlike currently known stepball/stoopball rebound games, the present invention includes protruding edges or “nosings”  50  provided on tread portion(s)  48  of each step on the player-facing side of stairway  18 . Nosings  50  overhang the riser portion(s)  46  therebeneath. Nosings  50  produce complicated, unpredictable bounces, caroms or rebounds, thereby enhancing the experience and challenge of a stepball game. That is, tread nosings  50  produce an element of rebound unpredictability which is unattainable by portable stepball/stoopball apparatus theretofore known in the art. An example of a rebound influenced by the presence of nosings  50  is depicted in  FIG. 1 . 
     As seen in that figure, ball  16  is thrown by player  12  (the pitcher) whereupon it first strikes tread portion  48  of lowermost step  17  of stairway  18 . The ball then bounces from the lowermost tread portion  48  and strikes a junction of the upper region of the corresponding riser portion  46  and nosing  50  of tread portion  48  of the next higher step  19 . The existence of nosing  50  in this instance changes the trajectory of the ball which is ultimately rebounded back to player  14  (the fielder). Were nosing  50  not present, the rebound to fielder  14  under similar toss conditions would quickly become predictable to the fielder, thereby deleteriously affecting the challenge of the game. It will be understood that the trajectory of the ball  16  shown in  FIG. 1  from the pitcher  12  to the fielder  14  is only one of an essentially limitless number of trajectories that the ball may traverse in space because of the presence of stairway  18  having steps  17 ,  19 ,  21 , and  23 , including their respective tread portions of substantial depth and forwardly projecting nosings  50 . 
       FIGS. 4 and 5  show a second embodiment of the game of the present invention. In this embodiment, stairway  18 , located within carrying case  22 , is supported in its raised, game playing position by panel  60 . In this position, panel  60  extends vertically down, between the bottom of stairway  18  and case floor bottom  62 , located between lateral wall members  24  and  25 . To lower stairway  18  to its stored position within open space  29  of carrying case  22 , panel  60  is simply removed by lifting stairway  18  up slightly and pulling slot  62  of the panel. Panel  60  is then placed horizontally on floor bottom  64 , and secured thereon by clasp  66 . Next, stairway  18  is rotated down into space  29  of carrying case  22  via pivot connection  20 , where it rests on panel  60  for storage within the carrying case. 
     Certain novel features and components of this invention are disclosed in detail in order to make the invention clear in at least one form thereof. However, it is to be clearly understood that the invention as disclosed is not necessarily limited to the exact form and details as disclosed, since it is apparent that various modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.