Abstract:
A new device ancillary to the game of bocce that enables the user to compare the distances between the target ball and two or more player balls for the proper awarding of game points or determining player throwing order. The device consists of a lower housing upon which an upper housing, containing a tape assembly, is rotatably mounted. In operation, the lower housing is placed over the target ball. Next, a tape is extended from the upper housing to make contact with one of the player balls. Then, the tape is locked at the extended position and the upper housing is rotated toward the second player ball. Finally, the comparison of the players&#39; balls distances from the target ball is accomplished by observing whether the extended tape makes contact with the second player ball.

Description:
FIELD OF INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to the game of bocce, wherein the object of the game is to project a player ball closest to a target ball, in particular, to a new device for determining which player&#39;s ball is closest to the target ball for the purposes of awarding points or determining player throwing order. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Court games, pitting individuals or teams against each other testing skill and coordination, are well known. Such games may be played either outdoors or indoors. Bocce, for example, is an extremely popular recreational activity. In bocce, a target ball, known as a palline, is first thrown by one of the players. Each player then projects a player ball, having a unique color to distinguish from the opponent&#39;s balls, toward the target ball in an effort to position his or her ball closest to the target ball. After each player throws one ball each, the distance from the target ball to the two player balls is compared to determine which player&#39;s ball is farther from the target ball. The player ball farthest from the target ball will throw next. This process continues until all balls have been thrown, thereby completing the round. 
     Upon completion of a round, the scoring for the round must be determined. Scoring is conducted as follows. The player ball that is closest to the target ball is awarded one point. A player receives one point for each ball that is positioned closer to the target ball than the closest of the opponent&#39;s balls. 
     Previously, comparison of the relative distances from the player balls to the target ball has been accomplished by a variety of inefficient and imprecise means and devices. For example, a multitude of bocce players utilize antiquated methods involving the use of their feet or fingers to compare ball distances. The inherent drawbacks to these methods are substantial. The fundamental problem with such methods is the capacity for human error and lack of uniform application. 
     Also used in the field, is a telescopic measuring device. The telescopic measuring device is approximately the size of a pen. Extension of the telescopic measuring device for comparison is similar to that of an expandable antenna. Measurement is taken by lining up one end of the telescopic measuring device to an arbitrary point of reference on the target ball and extending the other end of the telescopic measuring device to the approximate center of the player ball. The telescopic measuring device, maintained at the extended length, must be lined up with the exact same point of reference on the target ball and the approximate center of the other player ball being compared. A caliper, attached to the telescopic measuring device, is used when distances between the target ball and the player ball are smaller than the telescopic measuring device itself. 
     However, the telescopic measuring device in application allows a great deal of room for human error and leads to imprecise comparisons. The problems with the telescopic measuring device are largely due to the fact that the device must be lined up on the exact same point of reference on the target ball for both independent measurements. The inability to maintain the same reference point on the target ball results in inaccurate comparisons and renders the telescopic measuring device a substandard device for measurement in the game of bocce. 
     The game of bocce currently lacks any uniform standard device for the comparison of player balls&#39; distance from the target ball. The entire game of bocce depends on such a comparison for fair and accurate determinations of player turn and awarding of points. Due to the nature of the scoring system described above, an accurate determination of the closest player ball to the target ball is essential. In the context of a game of bocce, the actual distance between the target ball and the players&#39; balls is irrelevant. Instead, a precise comparison of the opposing player balls is required to optimally achieve accurate scoring thus eliminating any player disagreement. Such a comparison can only be accomplished with the help of a device, which provides an accurate and precise comparison of the player balls in relation to the target ball. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention describes a new device appurtenant to the game of bocce that provides an easy and accurate comparison of the distance between opposing players&#39; balls and the target ball. Advantageously, the device is placed over the target ball providing a stable focal point of reference from which a comparison tape can extend toward the first player ball. The device provides a means for locking the comparison tape at an extended position. Further, the upper portion of the device can easily rotate toward the second player ball for a quick and accurate determination of which player ball is closer to the target ball. The inventive device offers a fast, easy, reliable and accurate way of determining which of two or more player balls is closest to the target ball. The device has applications in the game of bocce as well as other court games in which scoring is predicated upon comparison of distances among player and target objects. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The advantages, nature and various additional features of the invention will appear more fully upon consideration of the illustrative embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings described in detail below. In the drawings: 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the inventive distance-comparison device. 
     FIG. 2 shows a cut away view illustrating the internal components of the upper housing unit of one embodiment of the distance-comparison device. 
     FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional perspective of one embodiment of the lower housing unit and upper housing unit interlocking mechanism. 
     FIGS. 4A-4B show a perspective view of one embodiment of the inventive distance-comparison device in operation. 
    
    
     It is to be understood that these drawings are for the purpose of illustrating the concepts of the invention and are not to scale. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The applicant has discovered a new device for use in the game of bocce, which allows a fast, easy and accurate comparison of the distances between the target ball and two or more player balls. It should be appreciated that the invention is applicable to all field games in which the goal of the game is to project a player object close to a target object. 
     In FIGS.  1  through  4 A- 4 B, the invention is illustrated with reference to the distance-comparison device  50  having three main components. The present invention offers many unique advantages over the prior art. Namely, the device enables uniform comparison with minimal potential for human error. Further, the device, once placed over the target ball, provides a focal point and free 360° rotation for comparison of player balls distributed about the playing area. Finally, the device provides fast and accurate comparison of the distances between respective player balls and the target ball for the appropriate awarding of points and determination of player turn, in the game of bocce. 
     Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the inventive distance-comparison device  50 . In this embodiment, the device  50  comprises three components, a lower housing unit  10 , an upper housing unit  20  and a comparison assembly  30  although in FIG. 1, only two components of the device, namely, the lower housing unit  10  and the upper housing unit  20 , are visible. The lower and upper housing units are shown substantially in the shape of a cylinder, each having a cylindrically shaped outer side surface, although other configurations and shapes are contemplated. For example, the lower housing unit  10  could be in a conical shape, pear-shaped, dome-shaped i.e. rounded or elliptical, with the important consideration being that the lower housing be sized to fully encase the target ball without disruption of the target ball&#39;s position. 
     The lower housing unit  10  has an open base  12 , a top surface  13 , a cylindrically shaped outer side surface  11 , and a cylindrically shaped inner side surface  14 . The top surface  13  and the inner side surface  14  are shown in FIG.  3 . The open base  12  is so dimensioned to fully encompass a target ball. The diameter of the open base should be slightly larger than the target ball to allow the lower housing unit  10  to encase the target ball without making contact with the target ball. The height of the lower housing unit must be sufficient to completely accommodate housing of the target ball. 
     Referring to the drawings, FIG. 3 shows extending from the periphery of the top surface  13  of the lower housing unit is an angled rim  15 . Below the angled rim  15 , carved into the inner side surface  14 , is a first ring-shaped groove  16 . 
     The upper housing unit  20  has a cylindrically shaped outer side surface  21 , a cylindrically shaped inner side surface  22 , a top surface  23 , and a bottom surface  24 . The top surface  23  is shown in FIG. 2. A second ring-shaped groove  28  is carved into the outer side surface  21  along the bottom of the upper housing unit  20 . Preferably, the upper and lower housing units are fabricated with any suitable plastic material. Further, the lower housing unit may be fabricated with a material having transparent qualities to allow the user to view the target ball placement within the lower housing unit. 
     A compliant ring  29  is fit into the second groove  28  of the upper housing unit  20 . The ring  29  is adapted such that upon the application of a uniform force to the outer surface of the ring, the ring will compress. Further, upon removal of the force, the ring  29  will expand to its original circumference. The ring  29  is further adapted to have a slightly larger circumference than the circumference of the upper housing unit  20 . Preferably, the ring  29  is fabricated with a suitable metallic substance that compresses upon the application of a force and decompresses when the force is removed. 
     When the upper housing unit  20  is pushed upon the lower housing unit  10 , a force is applied to the ring  29  by the angled rim  15 , whereby the force compresses the ring  29 . The compression of the ring  29  allows the upper housing unit  20  to fit into the lower housing unit  10 . The ring  29  remains in a compressed position until it aligns with the first groove  16  of the lower housing unit  10 . Upon alignment, the ring decompresses into its natural position and snap-fits into the first groove  16  thus interlocking the upper and lower housing units. The upper and lower housing units in the interlocked position are shown in FIG.  3 . Other means of interlocking the upper and lower housing units are contemplated with the important consideration being that the upper housing unit can freely rotate upon the lower housing unit about an axis perpendicular to the playing surface upon which the distance-comparison device  50  is placed. 
     Referring to the drawings, FIG. 2 shows a mechanically operated comparison assembly  30  mounted upon the bottom surface  24  of the upper housing unit  20 . The comparison assembly  30  is similar to many commercially available tape measures. The comparison assembly  30  is comprised of a locking mechanism  35  and a spring-loaded, coilable comparison tape  32  rotatably mounted around a spool  33 . Further, the comparison tape  32  has a rigid tab  31  extending perpendicularly from the end of the tape. The comparison tape  32  is biased to recoil around the spool  33  when the free end having the rigid tab  31  is pulled externally to perform a comparison. This spool  33  is also rotatably mounted around an axle  34 . The axle  34  is fastened to the bottom surface  24  by two parallel brackets. The brackets hold the axle  34 , upon which the spool  33  is rotatably mounted, parallel to the bottom surface  24 . The spool is secured in such a manner as to allow the comparison tape  32  to pass through an aperture  27  in a path or direction parallel to the bottom surface  24  of the upper housing unit  20 . This parallel path allows for the introduction of the locking mechanism  35 . 
     The locking mechanism  35  is comprised of a superiorly located locking button  36  and a slide bar  39 . Upon depression of the locking button  36 , the slide bar  39  moves in a downward direction to apply pressure to the comparison tape  32  thus pressing the comparison tape  32  against the bottom surface  24  of the upper housing unit  20 . When the comparison assembly  30  is in this locked position, the comparison tape  32  is unable to extend or recoil and the current position of the comparison tape is fixed. The comparison tape will remain in the fixed position until the locking button  36  is returned to the unlock position. Examples of the comparison assembly used in the present invention can be seen in U.S. Pat. No. 6,276,071 to Khachatoorian, U.S. Pat. No. 4,194,703 to Roe, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,663,854 to Miller et al. 
     Advantageously, the comparison tape  32  has a concave shape to ensure the tape will maintain rigidity upon extension from the distance-comparison device. Preferably, the comparison tape is composed of a metallic material. In operation, the comparison tape  32  will extend parallel to the playing surface with the rigid tab  31  serving as a handle for the user and preventing the strip from retracting past the aperture  27  when the comparison tape recoils. 
     The inner side surface  22  and outer side surface  21  of the upper housing unit have an aperture  27  to allow for the passing of the comparison tape  32 . The aperture  27  should be positioned at a height from the open base  12  of the lower housing unit  10  equivalent to approximately the midpoint of the height of the player balls. Further, the aperture  27  should be positioned near the bottom of the upper housing to allow the slide bar  39  to press the comparison tape  32  against the bottom surface  24  of the upper housing unit  20 . The upper housing unit should have a diameter sufficient to fully enclose the comparison assembly. Notably, the size of the comparison assembly is a function of the length of the comparison tape. Therefore, the upper housing unit can be so adapted to accommodate different length comparison tapes. 
     Mounted on the top surface  23  of the upper housing unit is a knob  40 . The knob  40  allows the user to manually rotate the upper housing unit. Also exteriorly mounted on the top surface  23  of the upper housing unit is a locking button  36 . The locking button is so adapted to have a lock and unlock position. 
     FIGS. 4A and 4B show the distance-comparison device  50  in operation. Referring to FIG. 4A, the device is placed over the target ball entirely encompassing the target ball. Then, the user takes hold of the rigid tab  31  and pulls the comparison tape  32  a distance x until contact is made by the tab and the approximate center point of player ball A. The user will push the locking button  36  into the lock position to secure the comparison tape  32  at the tape&#39;s current length x. The user holds the knob  40  and rotates the upper housing unit and comparison tape  32  in the direction of player ball B in an effort to align the comparison tape with the center point of player ball B. If, upon alignment with the center point of player ball B, the comparison tape  32  does not make contact with player ball B then the distance-comparison device shows that player ball A is closer than player ball B to the target ball. However, if the comparison tape  32  does make contact with player ball B prior to alignment with the center of player ball B then the distance-comparison device shows that player ball B is closer to the target ball than player ball A. 
     FIG. 4B shows the locked comparison tape  32  after rotation toward player ball B and aligned with the approximate center of player ball B. As clearly shown in FIG. 4B, the comparison tape  32  does not make contact with player ball B indicating that player ball A is closer to the target ball than player ball B. 
     It is to be understood that the above-described embodiments are illustrative of only a few of the many embodiments that can represent the invention disclosed. Numerous and varied other arrangements can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.