Patent Publication Number: US-2021170251-A1

Title: Hydrodynamic or air levitation system and method of play using the same

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present application is directed to a toy game or novelty item employing a stream of water to suspend a ball in the air. 
     2. Background of the Art 
     Toys that comprise suspending a ball in the air with water are known in the art. Some such toys enable a ball to be suspended in the air by using a garden hose to produce a stream of water which is sufficient in pressure to suspend the ball in the air. Other toys enable balls of different sizes to be suspended in the air by a stream of water. Still other toys enable various balls to be placed on a fixed or variable length hard plastic tee of use in games for small children such as T-ball. 
     What is needed is a toy, wherein a stream of water can be used to suspend a ball which toy can be used in a variety of games. 
     SUMMARY 
     A novelty toy or item is provided herein, which toy or item can be a hydrodynamic levitation system comprising, an object for hydrodynamic levitation, a striking object for striking the object for hydrodynamic levitation, and a base which has an entrance aperture and an exit aperture. There is also provided herein an air levitation system comprising the same object for hydrodynamic levitation and the object for striking the object described herein. 
     There is also provided herein a method of play which comprises providing said hydrodynamic levitation system; connecting a conduit between a closed source of pressurized water and the entrance aperture of the base; opening the source of pressurized water to provide a flow of pressurized water to the entrance aperture of the base, said flow of pressurized water being sufficient to provide a stream of pressurized water from the exit aperture of the base; hydrodynamically levitating the object for hydrodynamic levitation on a portion of the stream of pressurized water; providing a user with the striking object; and, allowing the user to attempt to strike the hydrodynamically levitated object for hydrodynamic levitation with the striking object or with the player&#39;s hand. 
     More specifically, in one non-limiting embodiment, there is provided herein a toy which comprises a base for inserting a common garden hose through which a stream of water suspends a play ball in the air over the top of the base, such as shown in  FIG. 2  on the top of the stream of water, preferably on a top edge of the stream of water, and a projectile, fired from a water gun or dart gun, which can be used by a user such as a child to hit the ball suspended in the air by the stream of water. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Various embodiments are described below with reference to the drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a view of the contents of the hydrodynamic levitation system according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  is a side perspective view of the base, the conduit connected to a water source with a water stream exiting the exit aperture of the base, wherein the water stream has the object for hydrodynamic levitation levitating on a portion thereof, and the striking object. 
         FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b    depict different configurations for the striking object according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 3 c    depicts the striking object as a water gun. 
         FIG. 3 d   . depicts the striking object as a dart gun. 
         FIG. 3 e    depicts the striking object as a foam dart gun. 
         FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b    are each a side perspective view of the base component and object for hydrodynamic levitation, wherein the object for hydrodynamic levitation is employing different modes of hydrodynamically levitating the object on a portion of the stream of presurrized water according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 5  is a side perspective view of the method of play according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 6  is a side perspective view of the method of play using a water gun as the striking object. 
         FIG. 7  is a side perspective view of the method of play using a foam dart gun as the striking object. 
         FIG. 8  is a side perspective view of the method of play wherein the player uses their hand to hit the levitating object. 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals indicate similar parts throughout the figures 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT(S) 
     The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods, conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. 
     Also, as used in the specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural, and reference to a particular numerical value includes at least that particular value, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” or “approximately” one particular value and/or to “about” or “approximately” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical, top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure. 
     The term “hydrodynamic” as used herein refers to the motion of fluids, and can include the motion of any fluid. Some examples of fluids include, for example, water, oil, solutions, e.g., homogenous solutions, or heterogenous solutions, emulsions, in particular in the form of a W/O, O/W, W/O/W, O/W/O emulsion, PIT emulsion, Pickering emulsion, emulsion with a low oil content, micro- or nanoemulsion, dispersions, a gel (including hydrogel, hydrodispersion gel, oleogel), a solution e.g. in oil or silicone oil, and combinations of any of the above. Preferably the fluid is water. The water can be colored to any desirable color or effect for either easy visibility or aesthetic effect. The motion of the fluid can be continuous, interrupted, or increasing or decreasing in intensity, but most preferably is constant during operation. 
     The term “levitation” as used herein refers to the process by which an object is held aloft, without mechanical support, in a relatively stable position. For example, as applied to the present disclosure, the term levitation refers to the process of the object  110 , e.g., a ball being held aloft on the top of the stream of water  130  in a relatively stable position. In another embodiment herein “levitation” as used herein refers to the process by which an object is held aloft without mechanical support by the use of air, preferably pressurized air, in a relatively stable position. 
     The expression “hydrodynamic levitation” as used herein refers to the process by which an object  110  is suspended aloft on the top of a stream of a fluid  130 , e.g., water, more preferably on the edge of the top of the stream of fluid, such suspension being provided by the motion of the water striking the object from underneath such that it is propelled in a direction counter to the force of gravity from the water exiting the base  150 , and is maintained at a certain distance from the base depending on external factors such as the pressure of the fluid exiting the base, and the weight and size of the object being suspended, and in view of the other embodiments as are described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is provided a hydrodynamic levitation system  100  (“the system  100 ”), which in this case includes an object for hydrodynamic levitation  110 , an object for striking the object for hydrodynamic levitation  120 , and the base  150  having an entrance aperture  160  and an exit aperture  170 . 
     Although the invention is described herein as related to a baseball, e.g., T-ball type configuration, the invention can be used in conjunction with any type of game, toy or novelty item. Some additional examples may be softball, cricket, soccer, croquet, badminton, handball, hurling, lacrosse, polo, racquet ball, squash, stickball, table tennis, volleyball, water polo, and similar games. 
     The hydrodynamic levitations system  100  can be a kit that contains the object for hydrodynamic levitation  110 , the object for striking the object for hydrodynamic levitation  120  and the base  150 . Preferably the kit can comprise a ball  110 , a bat  120  for striking the ball  110  and a base  150 . The ball  110 , bat  120  and base  150  can comprise any embodiment herein described for the components  110 ,  120  and  150 , respectively. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , there is provided a conduit  140 , wherein the entrance aperture  160  is capable of connection to the conduit  140 , and wherein the conduit  140  is capable of transport of water from a water source (WS), preferably pressurized water. Although The water  130  can be obtained from any water source or generating means. Such a pressurized water source (WS) can be a residential or commercial water line in a home or business and can be connected to the hydrodynamic levitation system  100  by the conduit  140 . The pressure of the pressurized water  130  from the water source WS can be of any desired pressure, but in one embodiment can be the normal operating pressure of residential water supply in the United States. In one embodiment herein, the pressurized water can be at a pressure of from about 20 to about 80 pounds per square inch (psi), preferably from about 25 to about 75 psi and most preferably from about 40 to about 60 psi. 
     In an alternate embodiment herein, the conduit  140  is capable of transport of air, preferably pressurized air from an air source, preferably a compressor. Although the air can be obtained from any pressurized air generating means. Such pressurized air can have a pressure of anywhere from 5 pounds per square inch (psi) to about 50 psi, preferably from 10 psi to 40 psi, and most preferably from 15 psi to 30 psi. 
     In another embodiment herein, the flow rate of water exiting the exit aperture  170  must be at a sufficient flow rate to facilitate and enable the hydrodynamic levitation of the object  110  at a desired height. While the flow rate of water can vary depending on a multitude of factors, such as temperature, pressure, length of the conduit, diameter of the conduit, water pressure, size of the object  110 , weight of the object  110  and the like, in general to sustain a height of water of from 24 inches to 48 inches above the base  150 , at a water pressure range from 20 to 80 psi, the flow rate of water out of exit aperture at standard temperature and pressure, employing a 100 foot length, ⅝ inch diameter garden hose, wherein the object is a hollow T-ball 9 inches in circumference, weighing 0.75 oz, to hydrodynamically levitate the object flow rate can be from 5 gallons per minute (gpm) to 15 gpm, preferably from 7 gpm to 12 gpm. The use of pressurized air for an air levitation system using the same components as the water levitation system herein, absent the water, can have all of the other features and embodiments of the water-levitation system described herein. 
     The water line can be accessed via a spigot within or without the location of the residential or commercial water line and can include as some non-limiting examples, a spigot connected to the outside of a residence, such as a garden hose connection, or to a spigot such as that found in a residential sink/faucet apparatus, and a direct connection to a water line in a home. Preferably the water line is a spigot on the outside of a residential home for connection to a garden hose. 
     The conduit  140  can be any means for transmitting water, such as a hose or pipe, and which can optionally be connected to a pump for pressurizing the water or providing supplementary pressure to the pressurized water  130 . The conduit  140  can be a garden hose, pool hose, vacuum hose, firehose, chemical transfer hose, steam hose, food and/or beverage hose, abrasive material hose, air hose, and the like. In one preferable embodiment the conduit  140  is a garden hose of any suitable diameter, such as for example any of a ½ inch, ⅝ inch, ¾ inch or 1-inch garden hose. In an air levitation system, the conduit  140  can preferably be an air hose, which is connected to a pressurized air source, preferably an air compressor. 
     The base  150  which can be sized in any desirable manner, such as, but not limited to a dome, ball, cylinder, pipe, disc, or any one of a three-dimensional triangle, rectangle, square, and cube. The function of the base  150  being to divert the fluid  130 , preferably, water  130 , preferably pressurized water  130 , to a direction suitable for the method of play employed by a user as described herein. The base  150  can be empty or solid, and in one embodiment can be filled with pressurized water  130  prior to or during the operation of the system  100 . Preferably the base  150  is hollow and is filled with pressurized water  130  arriving through conduit  140  from pressurized water source WS so as to provide the base  150  with sufficient weight to provide for a relatively stable source of pressurized water  130 . In one separate embodiment the base  150  can be hollow and filled with pressurized air instead of a fluid such as water, wherein the air is used to blow the object  110  up above the base  150  by the pressure of such air. In either embodiment of a hydrodynamic levitation system or air levitation system, the base can have a separate section on the bottom of the base for weighing the base down to provide for its stability, especially in the case of the air levitation system. Such a separate section can be filled with a weighted substance such as sand, water, or metal, although any substance with sufficient weight to hold the base in a relatively stable position is suitable. 
     Preferably the base  150  is a dome with an entrance aperture  160  and an exit aperture  170 . The base  150  has a base bottom  155  which is preferably flat so as to enable it to lie in a relatively stable fashion on the ground, and the base  150  has a base top  157  which is located at the top central section of the base  150 . The above discussed separate section on the bottom of the base for providing the weighted substance can be located beneath the base bottom  155  and preferably itself has a flat bottom, or any of the other shapes of base  150  or base bottom  155  described herein. 
     The base  150  can also have a differently shaped bottom  155  such as a bottom  155  which is curved or rounded, such that the base can be placed in an accommodating hole which can be concave or rounded for better support of the base  150 . Alternatively, the bottom  155  can contain mechanisms for adhering the base to the surface on which the base  150  is placed. For example, the base bottom can have a single spike, several spikes, or a series of spikes which are evenly or randomly placed over the bottom of the base. In a more specific embodiment, the spike(s) can have a length of from ⅛ of an inch to 6 inches, preferably from 1% of an inch to 3 inches. In one embodiment herein the base bottom  155  can have the section for the weighted substance underneath the base bottom  155 , and then have the aforementioned mechanisms for securing the base to the surface underneath the section for the weighted substance on the bottom thereof. 
     The entrance aperture  160  to base  150  can be located anywhere on the base  150 , but in one embodiment is located along and parallel to the ground on which the base bottom  155  lies, and in one embodiment the orientation of the base entrance aperture  160  is at a right angle to the orientation of the exit aperture  170  so as to allow the conduit  140 , in one non-limiting embodiment to be located on the ground while simultaneously feeding pressurized fluid, e.g., water  130  into the base  150 , for example, by a garden hose as set out above. Alternatively, the conduit  140  is an air hose which feeds pressurized air into base entrance aperture  160  from a source of pressurized air, which is not described herein but would be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, e.g., an air compressor or the like. 
     In one non-limiting embodiment the exit aperture  170  is smaller than the entrance aperture  160  so as to provide for an increased water pressure of the pressurized water  130  as it passes through the base  150 . In one embodiment the exit aperture  170  is at least 10% smaller, preferably at least 20% smaller and most preferably at least 30% smaller, wherein the upper end of such ranges can in one embodiment be about 75%. 
     In another embodiment herein, the base  150  is not hollow but rather has interior piping  159  which can serve to direct incoming pressurized water  130 , or alternatively pressurized air, from the entrance aperture  160  to the exit aperture  170 . The interior piping  159  can be of any desired configuration. In one embodiment the interior piping  159  is set at a right angle as is depicted in  FIG. 2 , but interior piping  159  can also be of any other suitable configuration such as an ascending spiral. 
     In one embodiment herein, the base  150  has interior piping for directing both incoming pressurized air and incoming pressurized fluid such as water, such that the invention as described herein can levitate the object  110  by either air or hydrodynamically by water, or both simultaneously. Alternatively, the levitation can occur with air and can be combined with hydrodynamic levitation for aesthetic effect, e.g., a sprinkler effect of water. For example, the air levitation can levitate the object  110  as described herein using the interior piping  159 , and any area surrounding the interior piping  159  in the base  150  can be hollow and the base  150  can have perforations on the top of the base  150  such that water fed to the base  150  through an alternate conduit  140  which is fed with a fluid such as water, and which exits the perforations at the top of the base in jets of water to provide an aesthetic sprinkler type effect. 
     The base  150  is connected to the conduit  140  by any suitable means, but can in one non-limiting embodiment be connected by a male/female connector  180  which feeds the entrance aperture  160  with the water  130 , preferably, pressurized water  130  from the conduit  140 . The base  150 , in addition to the male/female connector  180 , can have connected thereto, or to the conduit  140 , an entrance valve  190 , which can control the feed of pressurized water  130  into the entrance aperture  160 . The pressure of pressurized water  130  can be varied by the entrance valve  190  to provide for different modes of employing the pressurized water  130  in the methods described herein and below, i.e., to achieve different height (h) of pressurized water  130 . 
     The base  150  can have a cylindrical portion  165  extending out therefrom which has an exterior surface  167  thereon and interior surface  169  therein. The cylindrical portion  165  can preferably be orientated along the same plane as the base bottom  155 , although any other orientation can be envisioned as such as an angular, or perpendicular orientation relative to the base bottom  155 . The end of the cylindrical portion  165  facing away from the base  150  is open which provides for the entrance aperture  160 . 
     In one embodiment, the male/female connector  180  is such that the male or female portion of the connector  180  is located on the exterior surface  167  or the interior surface  169  of the cylindrical portion  165  and the opposing male or female portion of the connector  180  is present on the respective opposite surface, i.e., the respective interior or exterior surface of the end of the conduit  140  in order to provide for a respective threaded connection of the conduit  140  to the base  150  through the connector  180  by connection of the conduit  140  at the cylindrical portion  165  of the base  150 . 
     In one embodiment, the connector  180  is provided by the interior surface  169  of the end of the protruding cylinder  165  overlapping the exterior surface of the end of the conduit  140  by a common threaded connection. The opposite configuration is also envisioned wherein the interior surface of the end of the conduit  140  overlaps the exterior surface  167  of the protruding cylinder  165 . 
     In one specific embodiment the conduit  140  is a garden hose as described herein, which garden hose has a male portion of the connector  180  on the outside surface of the end of the garden hose, e.g., a threaded connection, and the interior surface  169  of the cylindrical portion  165  has a female portion of the connector  180 , e.g., when the two are attached they provide for a threaded connection  180 , by means of the protruding cylinder  165 , which male portion of the garden hose is threaded onto female portion interior surface  169  of the connector  180  in the cylindrical portion  165  in order to provide for connection to the garden hose. In another embodiment the portions of the connector  180  are reversed in position. 
     In one embodiment of the system  100  herein, the exit aperture  170  can have an exit valve  195  to control the flow of pressurized water out of the exit aperture  170 . In one embodiment, the system  100  can have either or both of the entrance valve  190  and the exit valve  195 . 
     The base  150  can be constructed of any suitable material which can withstand the pressure of the pressurized water  130 , as set out above, and can in some non-limiting embodiments, encompass common plastic materials such as polyolefins (polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-vinyl-acetate, etc.), styrene-derived polymers such as polystyrene (PS), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), styrene-butadiene (SB), etc. and plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) 
     In one embodiment herein, the pressurized water  130  can be of a pressure sufficient to hydrodynamically levitate the object for hydrodynamic levitation  110  at a height (h) above the base  150 , such as at a height at from about the waist to the upper chest of a user (not shown) of the system  100 . Such a height can be a factor of the pressure of the pressurized water  130  as received from the water source WS or the use of any one or more of the entrance valve(s)  190 , the exit valve  195 , the size of the entrance aperture  160 , exit aperture  170 . The height (h) can thus be varied by the aforementioned factors so as to be able to altered to the varying height of different users of the system  100  so as to enable the varying users to each be able to strike the object for hydrodynamic levitation  110  with the striking object  120 . The same can be accomplished by varying the air pressure in an air levitation system. Some suitable, but non-limiting heights (h) above the base  150  can be from about 18 inches to about 48 inches, preferably from about 24 inches to about 36 inches, although heights below or above those noted are envisioned, depending on the method of play and/or the game envisioned to be played. 
     The object for hydrodynamic levitation  110  can be any object that can be supported by the pressurized water  130  above the base  150  and can be any type of ball, such as the non-limiting examples of a t-ball, a whiffle-ball, a baseball, a soccer ball, a tennis ball, a racquet ball, a golf ball, a hollow blow molded ball, a foam ball, or any kind of toy ball of varying size. In one embodiment, the system can include multiple balls. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the striking object  120  can be any object suitable for striking the aforementioned object for hydrodynamic levitation  110 , specifically a ball  110 , and can include the non-limiting examples of a bat  110 , such as where the bat is shaped to a specific aesthetic design, like that of a character, or animal, bird or fish, such as in  FIG. 3 a    the non-limiting example of a shark-shaped bat. In another embodiment, the striking object  120  can be a baseball bat shaped bat, such as is shown in  FIG. 3 b   , and can preferably be a child&#39;s baseball ball, more preferably a hollow child&#39;s baseball bat such as a plastic t-ball bat. The bat  120  can have a handle area  220  and a hitting area  240 , which a user (not shown) can use for holding the bat  120  in an attempt to hit the objection for hydrodynamic levitation  110 , e.g., a ball by the hitting area  240 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 c -3 e    the object for striking the object for hydrodynamic levitation  120  can alternatively be a projectile  121  fired from a water gun  122  or a dart gun  123 . The water  121  fired from a water gun  122  can be a projectile  121  as depicted in  FIG. 3 c   . The dart gun  123  can fire a plastic dart  121  and/or a foam dart  121 , the dart can also have a suction cup tip  124 . In one embodiment as shown in  FIG. 3 d    the dart  121  is a plastic dart  121  with a suction cup tip  124 , and in another embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 3 e   , the dart  121  is a foam dart  121 , optionally with a suction cup tip (not shown) fired from a foam dart gun  123 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , the pressurized water  130  can be varied in height (h) as indicated herein above. The variation in the height (h) of the pressurized water  130  can result in different modes of employing the object for hydrodynamic levitation  110  in the pressurized water  130  exiting the exit aperture  170 . 
     More specifically, in  FIG. 4 a    at a lower pressure of the pressurized water, e.g. a pressure below the pressure of the water source (WS), the water exiting the base  150  at the exit aperture  170  is such that it can support the object for hydrodynamic levitation  110  placing the object  110  in the top center  335  of the pressurized water  130  exiting the exit aperture  170 . 
     While not wishing to be bound by theory the placement of the object  110  in the top center of the pressurized water stream  335  enables the object  110  to be stabilized since the object  110  becomes enclosed in the pressurized water  130 , or pressurized air, and if the ball moves out of the top center  335  the force of the pressurized water or air on the side of the ball resists the movement so as to return the object to the top center  335  of the pressurized water or air stream  130 . Such a method of hydrodynamic levitation of object  110  can preferably be suitable for lower heights (h) and lower water pressure and/or smaller objects  110 , such as smaller balls. However, it is to be understood herein that any of the ball objects  110  described herein can be used by any of methods described herein. 
     Alternatively, as depicted in  FIG. 4 b    the ball  110  can be hydrodynamically levitated at a higher height (h) using pressurized water  130 , e.g. at a pressure exactly at or above the pressure of the water source (WS), the water exiting the base  150  at the exit aperture  170  is such that it can support the object for hydrodynamic levitation  110  by placing the object  110  in an off-center position  360  to the flow of the pressurized water  130  exiting the exit aperture  170 . The same effect can be accomplished using an air pressure system. 
     While not wishing to be bound by theory the placement of the object  110  in the off-center position  360  of the pressurized water or air stream enables the object  110  to be stabilized since the object  110  is held in place. This holding in place is thought to be due to the water or air moving up and in an arc over the ball and then in the case of the air or water, down at an angle away from the ball which cause the ball to spin in a direction away from the stream of pressurized water or air  130 , which force of spinning according to Newtons law, intrinsically results in an opposing force of the ball moving up and towards the arced stream of water or air over the ball. Thus, the ball is held in place. Such a stream is well suited to hydrodynamically levitating or air levitating any type of ball described herein but can specifically hydrodynamically levitate or air levitate larger objects  110  than described in the aforementioned alternative method. In this method of operation of the system  100  herein, a user (not shown) can initiate the method of employing the system by pushing the object  110  into the pressurized water or air exiting the base at a  90 -degree angle to the base. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-7 , there is also provided herein a method of play, e.g., a toy or game, comprising providing the hydrodynamic levitation system  100  described herein and employing the striking object  120  of the system in an attempt to strike the object(s) for hydrodynamic levitation  110  and/or air levitation as shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternately, as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the striking object can be a projectile  121  fired from a water gun  122  or a dart gun  123  to fire water  121  or a hard projectile such as a plastic  121  and/or foam dart  121 . 
     In one embodiment herein the method of play as shown in  FIGS. 5-7  the method can comprise providing a hydrodynamic and/or air levitation system  100  comprising an object for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation  110 , a striking object  120  ( FIG. 5 ) or a projectile  121  ( FIGS. 6-7 ) fired from a water gun  122  or dart gun  123 , either of which is for striking the object for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation  110 , and a base  150  which has an entrance aperture  160  and an exit aperture  170 ; connecting at least one conduit  140  between a closed source of pressurized water WS (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) and/or air and the entrance aperture  160  of the base  150 ; opening the source of pressurized water and/or air  130  to provide a flow of pressurized water and/or air to the entrance aperture  160  of the base  150 , said flow of pressurized water and/or air being sufficient to provide a stream of pressurized water and/or air  430  from the exit aperture  170  of the base; hydrodynamically and/or air levitating the object for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation  110  on a portion of the stream of pressurized water and/or air; providing a user  420  with the striking object  120  ( FIG. 5 ) or the water gun  122  or dart gun  123  for firing a projectile  121  ( FIGS. 6-7 ); and, allowing the user  120  to attempt to strike the hydrodynamically and/or air levitated object for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation  110  with the striking object  120  ( FIG. 5 ) or with the projectile  121  from the water gun  122  or dart gun  123  ( FIGS. 6-7 ) to hit the levitating object  110 . 
     In a further embodiment herein, the method of play can further comprise varying the water pressure and/or air of the pressurized water  130  and/or air to the base  150 , in order to provide the stream of pressurized water and/or air  430  at a height which is suitable for the user  420 . 
     In a further embodiment of the method of play the step of hydrodynamically and/or air levitating the object for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation  110  can comprise placing the object for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation  110  on the top center position of the stream  440  of the stream of pressurized water  430  so as to put the object for hydrodynamic and/or levitation into a hydrodynamically and/or air levitated state for the user  420  to attempt to strike with the striking object  120  as shown in  FIG. 5 , or the projectile  121  as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7  from the water gun  122  ( FIG. 6 ) or the dart gun  123  ( FIG. 7 ). 
     In an alternate embodiment the method of play can comprise not having the striking object for striking the object for hydrodynamic levitation  120  and where instead the player uses the player&#39;s hand to strike the object for hydrodynamic levitation, such as is depicted in  FIG. 8 . It will be understood herein that when this method of play is employed, the striking object can be absent. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 5-8 , in a yet further embodiment of the method of play, the step of hydrodynamically and/or levitating the object for hydrodynamic levitation  110  can comprise placing of the object  110  in an off-center  445  location of the pressurized stream of water and/or air  430  by placing the object  110  anywhere, preferably above the base and below the top of the stream, but perpendicularly into a side portion  450  of the stream  430 , and releasing the object  110 . 
     Such a method of play can comprise any one or more of t-ball, whiffle-ball, baseball, soccer, tennis, racquet ball, and golf. Most preferably the method is one of playing T-ball. 
     While the above description contains many specifics, these specifics should not be construed as limitations of the invention, but merely as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Those skilled in the art will envision many other embodiments within the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the claims appended hereto. 
     Where this application has listed the steps of a method or procedure in a specific order, it may be possible, or even expedient in certain circumstances, to change the order in which some steps are performed, and it is intended that the particular steps of the method or procedure claim set forth herein below not be construed as being order-specific unless such order specificity is expressly stated in the claim. 
     While the preferred embodiments of the devices and methods have been described in reference to the environment in which they were developed, they are merely illustrative of the principles of the inventions. Modification or combinations of the above-described assemblies, other embodiments, configurations, and methods for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention that are obvious to those of skill in the art are intended to be within the scope of the claims.