Patent Publication Number: US-9427643-B2

Title: Ball hurling target game and associated apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefits of, and priority to, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/859,023, filed on Jul. 26, 2013, the entire contents of which are herby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method of play for a game which is played by hurling a ball using the aid of a racket at each of two “goals” in turn by each of two players on opposite teams or four players which are divided into two two-player teams. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 3,026,110 (Hess et al); U.S. Pat No. 3,596,909 (Russ); U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,801 (Baird), U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,028 (Sciandra et el), U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,066 (Sole et al), U.S. Pat. No. 257,779 (Sippola), U.S. Pat. No. 4,635,943 (Lumpkin), U.S. Pat. No. 410,498 (Decker), U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,318 (Payton) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,944 (Johnston). Each of these patents employs a projectile being propelled at a target in an attempt to score point. However, there is no disclosure or showing for a ball being hurled at a target using a racket. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,066 issued (September 1979) to Sole et al, discloses a projectile that is propelled in an attempt to score in one of numerous (three or four) hoops respectively, mounted in a common plane. U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,066 is also similar in that it uses 3 targets of different sizes and point values. However, U.S. Pat. No. 4,168,066 is different from the applicant&#39;s invention in that only a single goal is used that is positioned midway between opposing players and said goal is designed to allow a disc to glide through the openings. The applicant&#39;s invention employs the use of 2 goals that are positioned in front of each opponent. Each goals also employs three targets that are arranged in a specific pattern, however, each target is distinctly separated from each other and fitted with a netting material designed to catch on hold the projectile being thrown. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,382,028 issued (January 1995) to Sciandra et al (KAN JAM) is similar in that there is a “goal” which is positioned in front of each opposing player and multiple ways of scoring points, however, this patent employs a different shaped goal and a disc shaped projectile thrown with a players hand rather than a round plastic projectile which is hurled at the goal with the use of a racket/scoop. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,944,318, issued (August 1999) to Payton, discloses a square target game apparatus that includes a net to retain the thrown projectile similar to the applicant game. However, the target is meant to be used by an individual player and is designed for a disk shaped projectile. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 6,834,858, issued (Dec. 28, 2004) to Reineke, discloses a low cost single target that employs a ring shaped target fitted with a net that is readily assembled and disassembled. However, the target relates to flying disc targets that are particularly suited to playing “Frisbee golf” 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,011,310, issued (March 2006) to Rowan, discloses a multidimensional interchangeable ball game apparatus, which can be used for throwing, kicking or hitting with any type of ball sport. This apparatus employs multiple targets of multiple sizes and can be used with open or closed nets. However, this invention discloses a single goal apparatus which is used for practice purposes to enhance the skills of a single player and is not used in game play situations. The applicant&#39;s invention uses multiple targets of various sizes but is used in conjunction with game play putting  2  opponents against one another. 
     The art abounds in targets designed to catch flying objects that are thrown or propelled at targets. Targets that have a net held open by a frame wherein the flying object is propelled or thrown into the net is used for a diversity of purposes. Well know games such as basketball, and hockey, employ such goals as targets. Most of these targets are designed to improve the skills of a single player and cannot be used in game play with 2 opposing players. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,551, issued (December 2010) to Barber, discloses a mobile practice target to be used with thrown projectiles to enhance throwing skills, in particular, the sport of football. However, it does not disclose the use of a ball being hurled with the aid of a racket. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,122, issued (March 1995) to Kreamer, discloses a single target having a conical net and supported by an upright standard connected to a receiver driven into the ground. 
     In U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/906,675 (March 2005) issued to Remaklus (sports training apparatus and method of using the same) discloses a single net/ring shaped target to be used by an individual as a training/practice tool for sports such as volleyball and basketball. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. (5,692,979) (multipurpose game device) issued on (December 1997), to Jones discloses a series of webbed hoops located at the tops of numerous standards. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. (6,659,466), issued on (December 2003) to Searles et al, discloses a throwing game and goal. However, this goal and game was intended to be used with a flying disc or Frisbee. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,673,186, issued (June 1987), to Walker, discloses the use of a stick to propel a spherical wooden ball (with holes in it) through a horizontal basket (hoop). 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,090,596, issued on (August 2006) to David discloses an open target hoop attached to a horizontal member which is positioned above the ground in which a player attempts to throw a projectile (i.e. football) though the target loop to a person on the other side. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 7,401,785 , issued in 2007 to Waite discloses a single target which contains scoring areas with different point values and collecting pockets to be used when a person uses an underhand toss. The game was intended to be played with bean bags. 
     While each of the aforementioned patents disclosed games which involve projectiles being thrown through the air at a target or scoring area, none are believed to use a racket or scoop to hurl a round projectile into a uniquely designed scoring target. 
     None of the above inventions and patents taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
     The inventor&#39;s intent is a target catching assembly intended for the opposing player to be in the field of play from behind the target, whereas the target itself creates game excitement to the players by challenging them to score in the targets (while on offense) and at other times reacting to and catching deflected and missed targeted balls (while on “defense”). 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This game is played primarily outdoors in backyards, beaches, driveways or parking lots but can be played indoors in areas where there is plenty of room, (for example, school gymnasiums). This game is designed 2 players which stand on opposite ends of the field, or 4 players, with teammates standing on the same end of the field but opposite their opponents (or one teammate on each side depending on game variation). When playing with 4 people teammates alternate shots on the opposing teams. 
     The game uses two “goals” (each equipped with a base (to allow the goal to be set up on any surface) and three scoring areas (targets)), 2 rackets and a plastic ball. The “goals” are placed at opposite ends of a playing field. Opposing players stand behind each of the goals and players are not allowed to go in front of the goal whether attempting to score on their opponents “goal” or defending balls from going into their “goal”. 
     The start of play is determined by a simple coin toss, or any other starting procedure determined by the players. The winner of the coin toss has the opportunity to shoot the ball first. Whichever team does not shoot first will have the opportunity to get the last shot (“last licks”) in an attempt to tie or win the game. 
     Player  1  hurls the ball using the racket and attempts to score from any area in the playing field as long as the throw is from behind his own goal. The opposing player(s) are required to stand behind their own goal apparatus and are not allowed to interfere (i.e. play defense) with the path of the plastic ball as it approaches the goal. A player is allowed to go in front of their own goal only to retrieve a ball that has landed short. Once a thrown ball has passed the goal apparatus, the opposing player attempts to catch the ball while it is in the air. Players continue to hurl the plastic ball back and forth while attempting to score points by hurling the ball through one of the three targets until enough points have been scored and there is a winner. First player (or team) to score 11 points wins the game. However, if one of the players or teams has achieved a score of 11 and the other team has not had their last turn yet (last licks), then the other team takes their last turn to determine their final score. If they fail to tie or win the game, the game is over. If tied, the game continues in a similar way until a winner is determined. 
     Additional rules, point scoring and field dimension variations can be applied depending on the skill level of the players. For advanced players, points may also be awarded to the offensive player if the opposing player drops a catchable ball. Similarly, points may also be awarded to any player who catches a thrown ball that has deflected off any part of the goal, or subtracted from the score of the player who has thrown the ball. 
     Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to have a ball hurling game with two goals comprised of 3 scoring areas (targets) and a base, which may be used to play the game on grass in a yard or in a park. 
     It is another object of the invention to have a ball hurling game with two goals comprised of 3 scoring areas (targets) and a base, which may be used to play the game on sand at the beach. 
     It is another object of the invention to have a ball hurling game with two goals comprised of 3 scoring areas (targets) and a base, which may be used to play the game on cement/asphalt in a parking lot or driveway, or on wood in an indoor area such as a gymnasium. 
     It is a further object of the invention to provide the ball hurling game with a spherical ball to be hurled at the goals which have three targets to score points according to which target is scored upon. 
     Still another object of the invention is to provide a ball hurling game which is played by two players or four players (or more) that are divided into two even teams. 
     It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which is inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing its intended purposes. 
     These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an overall perspective view of a field game being played using the preferred apparatus of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the goal apparatus showing assembled parts (front view). 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded view of the preferred embodiment of the goal apparatus showing assembled parts (front view). 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the goal apparatus showing assembled parts (side view). 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the racket and ball (prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,026)). 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the ball (prior art (U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,026)). 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention, generally shown in  FIG. 1  is a ball hurling game  26  which is played with a ball, a racket for each player, and two goals (each comprised of three nets or scoring areas) which are positioned on front of each player at opposite sides of a field. The game  26  is played by 2 players UA and UB. However, the game  26  may also be played by four players in two teams of two players (not shown) This game can be played outdoors or indoors wherever there is a lot of room, e.g., in a gymnasium. Goals  19  may be made of any suitable material such as plastic or aluminum while rackets  21  and the ball  22  are preferably made from a plastic material. The opposing player (s)  4 A and  4 B are required under most circumstances and variations to stand behind their own goal apparatus  19  and are not allowed to interfere with the path of the plastic ball  22  while it is in front of their goal  19 . (A player (or players) is only allowed to go in front of their own goal to retrieve a ball  22  that has been thrown short or attempting to catch a ball which has deflected of the goal apparatus  19 ). Once a thrown ball  22  has passed the goal apparatus  19 , the opposing player then must catch the ball while it is in the air. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2  (front view) and  3  (exploded view) in the present invention which represents the preferred embodiment of the goal  19 . The targets or scoring areas are positioned a certain height above the ground by a 48″ standard  1 . This standard  1  is composed of plastic, aluminum or other similar material. The standard  1  may be inserted vertically into a plastic base  24 .which may be filled with sand or water which will allow goal  19  to stand upright on any surface (e.g. sand, grass, concrete etc). In its preferred arrangement, the top of the standard  1  is inserted into a 4-way “cross” fitting  2 . The 4-way “cross” fitting  2  contains three 90 degree angles and one 45 degree angle. The cross is inserted into the standard  1  so that there is a 90 angle to the left side; a 45 degree angled opening pointing upwards to the right, and an opening directly above the standard  1 . Inserted into the left opening of the 4-way “cross” fitting is a 15″ pipe extension  4 . The extension is composed of plastic, aluminum or other similar material and acts like an arm and extends outward in a horizontal direction from the standard. Inserted into this extension is a small 20 cm diameter target  10 . The target has a 0.5″ diameter frame  11  composed of either aluminum or plastic and is designed to maintain the rigidity of the goal. In its basic form and arrangement, attached to the frame is 1″ see-through nylon mesh  12 , which is used to “catch” the thrown ball. On one side of the 4-way “cross” fitting and inserted into the 45 degree opening is a 15″ length of pipe  3 . The pipe is composed of plastic, aluminum or other similar material and extends outward from the standard  1  and points in a generally 45 degree upwards direction. Attached at the end of this “arm” is a small 20 cm diameter target  10  similar to the one mentioned above. This target has a 0.5″ diameter frame  11  composed of either aluminum or plastic and is designed to maintain the rigidity of the goal. Attached to the frame is 1″ see-through nylon mesh  12 , which is used to “catch” the thrown ball. The  2  small 20 cm diameter targets  10  extend outward from the main standard  1  and are located in a similar plane. 
     On the top opening of the 4-way “cross” is inserted a 15″ length of pipe  25 . The extension is composed of plastic, aluminum or other similar material and acts like an arm and extends upwards in a vertical direction from the standard. Into the open end of this pipe  25  is inserted a large 45 cm diameter target  13 . This goal has a similar frame  11  and see-through nylon mesh netting  12  as the two smaller nets. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , the larger goal  13  is positioned higher than the other two goals  10  and is positioned in a common plane with the two smaller goals  10 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , which shows the preferred embodiment of the racket  21  and of the ball  22 . The preferred thermoplastic racket is the same or similar design and construction as the racket described in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,026. The racket is specifically designed with tracks to generate friction with the ball so that when the ball is thrown it will have “spin” and allow it to curve on one direction or the other. The preferred thermoplastic blown ball is the same or similar design and construction as the ball used in prior art U.S. Pat. No. 4,045,026. The ball is specifically designed to curve in a certain direction based on the spin put on the ball by the players throwing motion. The ball can be made to “curve” left or right or rise or drop based on the players throwing motion. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , which shows an enlarged view of the preferred embodiment of the ball  22 .