Abstract:
A game system having a frame supporting a hoop wall, bounce floor, bounce wall and ball return floor. The hoop wall has a cutout and multiple hoops facing the bounce wall. The hoops are vertically clear of one another. A plurality of balls is used to play the game. A score is made when a ball is thrown from behind the hoop wall towards the bounce floor and off the bounce wall reversing direction into a hoop.

Description:
[0001]    The disclosure relates generally to games, and in particular to ball game systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Game systems are used for entertainment and amusement and may include pinball, video games, skee ball and basketball games. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    Embodiments of the present disclosure generally provide an entertainment device in the form of a ball game. 
         [0004]    A game system having a frame supporting a hoop wall, bounce floor, bounce wall and ball return floor. The hoop wall has a cutout and multiple hoops facing the bounce wall. The hoops are vertically clear of one another. A plurality of balls is used to play the game. A score is made when a ball is thrown from behind the hoop wall towards the bounce floor and off of the bounce wall reversing course and into a hoop. 
         [0005]    Other technical features may be readily apparent to one skilled in the art from the following figures, descriptions and claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a more complete understanding of this disclosure and its features, reference is now made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the game system showing the intended path of a ball in play and the location of the player; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the game system partially disassembled; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the scoreboard of the game system; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the scoreboard opened to show a ball storage rack; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3   c  is a rear perspective view of the ball storage rack and scoreboard; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4   a  is a side perspective view of the center frame; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5   a  is close up perspective view of a hoop; and 
           [0014]      FIG. 5   b  is a close up perspective view of the ball return. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0015]    The present disclosure generally provides a game system that allows for challenging ball play within an enclosed field of play. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is a side perspective view of the game system showing a game table  10 , intended path of a ball in play  8  and the location of a player  100 . The game table  10  is comprised of three major structures: a center frame  12 , a bounce wall frame  18 , and a hoop wall frame  56 . The center frame  12  supports the bounce floor  14  and ball return floor  16 . The bounce wall frame  18  supports the bounce wall  20 . The hoop wall frame  56  supports the hoop wall  64  and hoops  68 . 
         [0017]    In play player  100  stands behind hoop wall  64  and throws a ball  88  over the hoop wall  64  towards bounce floor  14  as shown by ball path  8 . Ball  88  bounces  102  off of floor  14  and hits  104  bounce wall  20 . Ball  88  then returns towards hoop wall  64  and hoops  68 . Each hoop  68  has a different hoop value  66  and a score is tallied for the shot based on which hoop  68  the ball  88  enters net  70  and remains. 
         [0018]    Each hoop  68  may have a hanging net  70  to simulate a basketball net and to contain the ball  88  in the net  70  after a successful shot. Ball  88  will either be missed and falls on ball return floor  16  which is angled slightly toward ball gate  90  and ball rack  94 , or shot is made and the ball remains in net  70  until player removes it and drops it on the ball return floor  16  after play ends for that period of play. Ball gate  90  is then lifted and balls  88  roll to ball rack  94  to prepare for next period of play or next player&#39;s  100  turn. 
         [0019]    Bounce wall  20  may have bounce wall markings  21  to assist in aiming and also shows hoop values  66  to assist in score keeping. Ball return floor  16  may have markings  108  to assist with game play and score keeping. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the game table  10  partially disassembled as may be desired for storage or relocation. From this view the bounce floor  14 , ball return floor  16 , bounce wall  20 , and hoop wall  64  are more clearly seen. 
         [0021]    Atop bounce wall  20  is scoreboard structure  24  and storage rack  26 . Bounce wall frame  18  is most visibly made up of bounce frame legs  22  which extend from adjustable feet  42  all the way to the top of bounce wall  20 . Along legs  22  are leg knobs  46 , which support center frame  12  by engaging mating frame connectors  50 , and net hooks  44  which support side nets  106 . Side nets  106  cover each side to ensure that balls  88  do not go outside the game table  10  when played. 
         [0022]    Hoop wall frame  56  has hoop frame legs  58  that extend from adjustable feet  42  to the top of hoop wall  64 . Frame legs  58  each have leg knobs  46  and net hooks  44 , similar to bounce frame legs. Hoop wall  64  includes a cutout  65  to allow a good view of the bounce floor  14  and bounce wall  20 . 
         [0023]    Hoop wall  64  also has multiple hoops  68  that are vertically clear of one another. Each hoop  68  represents a different scoring value and because the hoops  68  are vertically clear of one another each hoop is possible to hit directly with a ball  88 . The nets  70  are tapered so balls  88 , when made, remains in net  70  until removed. 
         [0024]      FIG. 3   a  is a perspective view of the scoreboard  24  of the game system. The scoreboard  24  is based on pegs  30  that are placed in scoring holes  28  in scoreboard lid  110  and backboard  29 . Pegs  30  start in peg starting holes  38  and move down to scoring holes  28  as scores are made and accumulated. After reaching a high score the pegs move to the high score holes  36 . Playing time is measured based on a peg moved in the playing time holes  34  also along the backboard  29 . Scoring  32  is marked alongside the scoring holes  28  and high score holes  36 . 
         [0025]      FIG. 3   b  is a perspective view of the scoreboard lid  110  opened to show a ball storage rack  26 . Ball storage rack  26  provides storage for several balls  88  in a convenient position. 
         [0026]      FIG. 3   c  is a rear perspective view of the ball storage rack  26  and scoreboard lid  110 . Rack  26  supports backboard  29  and scoreboard lid  100  on the top end of bounce wall  18 . 
         [0027]      FIG. 4   a  is a side perspective view of the center frame with frame connectors  50  at each corner and crossbars  54  running the length of frame  12 . Center rod  52  connects the crossbars  54  and angle bars  48  provide support to the crossbars  54 . Tall spacers  76  and short spacers  78  support bounce floor at a slight angle to allow balls  88  to roll towards ball return floor  16 . Ball return floor  16  is supported by angle bars  48  to provide a more rapid return of balls  88  to ball rack  94 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 5   a  is a close up perspective view of a hoop  68 . Hoop  68  has a tapered hanging net  70  and is attached to hoop wall  64  by hoop screws  86 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 5   b  is a close up perspective view of the ball rack  94 . Ball return floor  16  is angled to allow balls  88  to roll towards ball gate  90 . Ball gate  90  is mounted in hoop frame legs  58  through leg gate holes  62  which allow ball gate  90  to move vertically and allow balls  88  to roll into ball rack  94 . 
         [0030]    It may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used in this patent document. The term “couple” and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with one another. The terms “include” and “comprise,” as well as derivatives thereof, mean inclusion without limitation. The term “or” is inclusive, meaning and/or. The phrases “associated with” and “associated therewith,” as well as derivatives thereof, may mean to include, be included within, interconnect with, contain, be contained within, connect to or with, couple to or with, be communicable with, cooperate with, interleave, juxtapose, be proximate to, be bound to or with, have, have a property of, or the like. 
         [0031]    While this disclosure has described certain embodiments and generally associated methods, alterations and permutations of these embodiments and methods will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the above description of example embodiments does not define or constrain this disclosure. Other changes, substitutions, and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure, as defined by the following claims.