Patent Publication Number: US-2016236051-A1

Title: Elevated Hoop Shaped Goal Apparatus

Description:
The current application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) application of the U.S. non-provisional application Ser. No. 13/909,729 filed on Jun. 4, 2013. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to an organized team based athletic sport. More specifically, the present invention is an elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus that is placed at opposite ends of a playing field to performance the organized team based athletic sport. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is well known that most team based sports utilize a ball and a pair of archways as central game pieces. These team based sports are typically played with the pair of archways oppositely positioned on a rectangular field while each team attempts to direct the ball through the opposing team&#39;s archway constituting a score. The balls utilized in these games are generally characterized as a rubberized, leather or synthetic circular shaped 32-panel size #1 machine-stitched hoopball, composed of an internal butyl bladder and a % 100 TPU exterior casing, having a circumference of approximately 19 in (48 cm) and weighing 225-275 gm, inflated with an air pressure of 0.4-0.5 bar. Players are able to engage the balls in either a direct manner such as with their hands, feet, or head, as well as an indirect means such as through the use of a glove. Typically, the opposing teams play for a predetermined period of time, with the winning team being able to score the most goals over the predetermined period of time. 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide an elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus to play a new competitive team based sport that incorporates a game ball. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the two teams compete to gain possession of the game ball in order to throw or kick it through the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus. Each team is able to have a maximum of ten players that are able to pass, kick, throw, roll or simultaneously hold the game ball as they push towards the opposing team&#39;s elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is another side view of the present invention, wherein a portion of the net is not illustrated to clearly show the vertical connecting member-length of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of the playing field displaying the distribution of the playing area, the pair of oppositely positioned score zones, and the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the playing field displaying the distribution of the playing area, the pair of oppositely positioned score zones, and the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION 
     All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. 
     Referencing  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the present invention is an elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  that allows the game of Hoopball to be played. The game of Hoopball is a competitive team based sport that also incorporates a regulation game ball in addition to the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10 . The object of the game of Hoopball is to coordinate a team of players to score points by throwing the regulation game ball through the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  while the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  is defended by an opposing team. At the end of the game session the team that scored the most points is declared the winner. The current regulation governing the game of Hoopball provides two opposing teams, at least two game officials, a regulation game ball, and a playing field  1 . The two opposing teams each comprise a maximum of ten players. The regulation game ball is which is characterized as a rubberized, leather, or synthetic circular shaped 32-panel size #1 machine-stitched hoopball, composed of an internal butyl bladder and a %100 TPU exterior casing, having a circumference of approximately 19 in (48 cm) and weighing 225-275 gm, inflated with an air pressure of 0.4-0.5 bar. At least two game officials are provided in order to regulate the game of Hoopball by issuing calls as they are witnessed. Although the at least two game officials are provided at least one game official is needed to issue a call during a game session. In reference to  FIG. 5  and  FIG. 6 , the playing field  1  is a bounded playing area  5  utilized by the two opposing teams in order to play the game of Hoopball. The delineated perimeter  2  is provided as a pair of opposing sidelines  3  and a pair of opposing end lines  4  that perpendicularly intersect each other forming a rectangular playing area  5 . The playing area  5  is subdivided into parts comprising an open play zone  6 , a pair of oppositely positioned score zones  7 , and a centrally positioned quarter zone circle  9 . The open play zone  6  is the portion of the playing area  5  that separates the pair of oppositely positioned score zones  7 . The pair of oppositely positioned score zones  7  are provided as enclosed regions associated with a particular team. Each of the pair of oppositely positioned score zones  7  contains the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10 . The method of the game of Hoopball comprises various regulating steps that control the commencement of a game session, possession of the regulation game ball, and changes in possession of the regulation game ball, scoring, physical contact, infractions, and length of play, timeouts, personal equipment, and substitutions during the game session. 
     The method of playing the game of Hoopball is initiated with the commencement of the game session. The commencement of the game session several game sessions is initiated through the assignment of a scoring zone to the each of the opposing teams. After a score zone  7  is assigned to each team, a determination has to be made regarding the initial possession of the regulation game ball. This determination is made by a coin flip. Through the determination of initial possession of the regulation game ball, a scoring team and a defending team are identified and the defending team&#39;s score zone  7  is deemed the ‘in-play score zone  7 ’. The in-play score zone  7  provides the direction in which regulation game ball is moving towards but additionally distinguishes the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  the scoring team attempts to gain points on. Upon determining initial possession of the regulation game ball, the at least two game officials permit players of both teams to take up their positions within the playing area  5 . The at least two game officials give possession of the regulation game ball to a player of the scoring team. The at least two game officials move the player of the scoring team in possession of the regulation game ball into the quarter zone circle  9 . After repositioning of the player of the scoring team in possession of the regulation game ball within the quarter zone circle  9 , the at least two game officials permit the player of the scoring team within the quarter zone circle  9  ten seconds to throw or pass the regulation game ball to another player of the scoring team without interference from players of the defending team. The players of the defending team are initially prohibited from interfering with the players of the scoring team until the regulation game ball is put in-play. In order for the regulation game ball to be put in-play one of three conditions must be met. These three conditions are based on if the regulation game ball traverses the quarter zone circle  9 , if the player of the scoring team steps outside the marking of the quarter zone circle  9 , or if the player of the scoring team exceeds ten seconds within the quarter zone circle  9  without throwing or passing the regulation game ball to another player of the scoring team. Upon meeting any of the three conditions, the regulation game ball is considered in-play and the game session is initiated. 
     The possession of the regulation game ball in the game of Hoopball is regulated by the at least two game officials. The at least two game official ensure that the interaction between the two opposing teams and the regulation game ball are properly defined in order to distinguish possession of the regulation game ball when it is in-play. During the game session, the at least two game officials permit more at least one player of the scoring team, wherein the scoring team is considered the team that is in current possession of the regulation game ball, to engage the regulation game ball. The at least one player of the scoring team with possession of the regulation game ball, is permitted to carry, roll, or kick the regulation game ball in any direction within the playing area  5 . The at least one player of the scoring team with possession of the regulation game ball, is permitted to transfer possession of the regulation game ball by throwing, passing, kicking, or handing the regulation game ball, regardless of the direction to another player of the scoring team. During the game session, the at least two game officials permit at least one player of the defending team, wherein the defending team is considered the team that is not in current possession of the regulation game ball, to oppose the at least one player of the scoring team. The at least one or more players of the defending team are permitted to oppose the at least one or more players of the scoring team by blocking the at least one or more players of the scoring team as well as attempting to gain possession of the regulation game ball. The at least one or more players of the defending team are permitted to gain possession of the regulation game ball from the at least one or more players of the scoring team by attempting to forcibly remove the regulation game ball from possession of the at least one or more players of the scoring team. The at least one or more players of the defending team is permitted to gain possession of the regulation game ball by intercepting the regulation game ball while it is being thrown, passed, kicked, or handed to the another player of the scoring team. During the game session at least one or more players of the scoring team are able to protect the at least one or more players of the scoring team in possession of the regulation game ball by blocking the at least one or more players of the defending team from forcibly removing or intercepting the regulation game ball. 
     The at least two game officials determine changes in possession of the regulation game ball during the course of the game session. During the course of the game session the at least two game officials may signal a pause in game session in order to determine the possession of the regulation game ball or award possession of the regulation game ball as a result of a yellow card infraction. The at least two game officials allow a player of either team to spot quarter the regulation game ball back in-play. Spot quartering is passing the regulation game ball back into play from a stationary position. During the game session at least one game official is able to signal a pause in the game session to determine or award possession of the regulation game ball, if the player of the scoring team in possession of the regulation game ball is grounded down or stalled or if at least one game official determines that a yellow flag infraction was committed by at least one player of either team. The player of the scoring team, with possession of the regulation game ball, is considered to be grounded down or stalled if they are not in movement for a predetermined amount of time while at least one player of the defending team attempts to forcefully remove the regulation game ball. The yellow card infraction is a violation of the rules of the game of Hoopball that at least two game officials agree merits the transfer of the regulation game ball to another team. When the player of the scoring team, in possession of the regulation game ball, is grounded down or stalled, the regulation game ball can be engaged by several players of both the defending team and the scoring team. After signaling a pause in the game session to determine or awarding possession of the regulation game ball after being grounded down or stalled, the at least two game officials permit a player, with possession of the regulation game ball, ten seconds to throw or pass the regulation game ball in any direction within the playing area  5 , from a spot quarter position, to another player of their team, without interference from players of an opposing team, if at least one game official determines that possession of the regulation game ball was maintained or acquired by said player&#39;s current team before the regulation game ball was grounded down or stalled. The players of the opposing team are initially prohibited from interfering with the player in possession of the regulation game ball until the regulation game ball is put back in-play. In order for the regulation game ball to be put in-play one of three conditions must be met. These three conditions are based on if the player in possession of the regulation game ball throws or passes the regulation game ball from the spot quarter position, if the player with possession of the regulation game ball moves out of the spot quarter position, or if the player with possession of the regulation game ball exceeds ten seconds to throw or pass the regulation game ball to another player from the spot quarter position. Upon meeting any of the three conditions, the regulation game ball is considered to be back in-play and the game session is continued. 
     The at least two game officials transfer the possession of the regulation game ball to the defending team after the scoring team successfully gains at least one point. The scoring team is able to gain at least one point by throwing the regulation game ball through the hooped shaped goal of the in-play score zone  7 . After at least one point is gained by the scoring team, the defending team is given possession of the regulation game ball by the at least two game officials. The upon gaining possession of the regulation game ball, a player of the defending team is given possession of the regulation game ball and positions themselves within the quarter zone circle  9 . The at least two game officials permit the player of the defending team ten seconds to throw or pass the regulation game ball to another player of the defending team without interference from players of the scoring team. The players of the scoring team are initially prohibited from interfering with the players of the defending team until the regulation game ball is put back in-play. In order for the regulation game ball to be put back in-play one of three conditions must be met. These three conditions are based on if the regulation game ball traverses the quarter zone circle  9 , if the player of the defending team steps outside the marking of the quarter zone circle  9 , or if the player of the defending team exceeds ten seconds within the quarter zone circle  9  without throwing or passing the regulation game ball to another player of the defending team. Upon meeting any of the three conditions, the regulation game ball is considered back in-play and the game session is continued. Furthermore, with the regulation game ball in the possession of the team formerly designated as the defending team, the designation for both the defending team and the scoring team are exchanged upon the continuation of the game session. 
     Each team has the ability to gain at least one point with a maximum of two points per score during the game session. The determining factor if a score is one point or two points is dependent on whether the score attempt is taken from within the in-play score zone  7  or from the open play zone  6 . The pair of oppositely positioned score zones  7  are positioned within the playing area  5  and are bordered by the open play zone  6  and an end line of the pair of opposing end lines  4 . The border between the each of the oppositely positioned score zones  7  and the open play zone  6  forms a marked line that serves as the penalty line  8 . The pair of oppositely positioned score zones  7  each comprises the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10 . The at least two game officials award one point to the scoring team, if at least one game official determines a player of the scoring team successfully threw or kicked the regulation game ball through the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  positioned within the ‘in-play score zone  7 ’ from a position within the penalty lines  8  of the in-play score zone  7 . The at least two game officials award two point to the scoring team, if at least one game official determines a player of the scoring team successfully threw or kicked the regulation game ball through the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  positioned within the ‘in-play score zone  7 ’ from a position outside the penalty lines  8  of the in-play score zone  7 . 
     Referencing  FIG. 1-3 , in the current embodiment of the present invention, the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  comprises an elongated vertical post  11 , a rim  14 , a plurality of connecting members  15 , and a net  18 . A proximal end  12  of the elongated vertical post  11  is secured to the score zones  7  so that a distal end  13  of the elongated vertical post  11  is able to determine the elevation of the rim. Additionally, the rim  14  is concentrically positioned with the elongated vertical post  11  and offset, position away, from the distal end  13 . The rim  14  is preferably a made of metal and comprises a  4 ′ in diameter. The rim  14  is radially connected to the distal end  13  by the plurality of connecting members  15 . More specifically, a first end  16  of each connecting member  15  is adjacently positioned with the distal end  13  so that the plurality of connecting members  15  can be radially distributed and connected about the distal end  13 . Oppositely, a second end  17  of each connecting member  15  is adjacently positioned with the rim  14  thus securing the rim  14  to the distal end  13  through the plurality of connecting members  15 . The net  18 , preferably a nylon mesh, is perimetrically connected around the rim  14  and downwardly extended from the rim  14 , enclosing the plurality of connecting members  15 . 
     Additionally, each connecting member  15  is shaped as a convex member so that the plurality of connecting members  15  is able to delineate a parabolic-shaped hole within the rim  14 . Due to the parabolic-shaped hole, the plurality of connecting members  15  provides significantly less reaction force on the game ball. The present invention further comprises an obstructed opening  23  and an unobstructed opening  24 . The plurality of connecting members  15  comprises a first member  27 , at least one intermediary member  29 , and a second member  28 . In reference to  FIG. 4 , the first member  27 , the at least one intermediary member  29 , and the second member  28  are radially distributed around a first half  25  of the rim  14 . Simultaneously, the first member  27  and the second member  28  are diametrically opposed to each other further defining the first half  25  of the rim  14  while the at least one intermediary member  29  is positioned in between the first member  27  and the second member  28 . Therefore, the obstructed opening  23  is delineated from the plurality of connecting members  15  to the first half  25  of the rim  14 , and the unobstructed opening  24  is delineated from the first member  27  and the second member  28  to a second half  26  of the rim  14 . As a result, once the game ball is entered into the present invention through the rim  14 , the game ball can travel through the unobstructed opening  24 . More specifically, if the game ball makes contact with the plurality of connecting members  15 , the game ball slidably travels along the plurality of connecting members  15  and travels through the unobstructed opening  24  before exiting below the net  18 . However, if the game ball does not make contact with the plurality of connecting members  15 , the game ball can also effortlessly travel through the unobstructed opening  24  before existing below the net  18 . 
     A vertical net-length  21  of the present invention is equaled to a vertical connecting member-length  22  of the present invention in order to make sure that the game ball does not exit through the plurality of connecting members  15 . More specifically, the vertical net-length  21  extends from a fixed edge  19  of the net  18  to a free edge  20  of the net  18 , where the fixed edge  19  is positioned adjacent to the rim  14  and the free edge  20  is positioned opposite of the rim  14 . The vertical connecting member-length  22  extends from the first end  16  of each connecting member  15  to the second end  17  of each connecting member  15 , where the free edge  20  is positioned below the first end  16  of each connecting member  15 . 
     The game of Hoopball permits some physical contact understood as being a result of forcefully removing the regulation game ball from a player or blocking a forceful removal attempt. Under the current regulations of the game of Hoopball, players are permitted to body block, push block with two opened hands, stiff arm, or pull down the regulation game ball. This is provided as appropriate physical contact as a consequence of blocking attempts to forcefully remove the regulation game ball from possession of an opposing teams&#39; player. Under the current regulations of the game of Hoopball, players are prohibited from tackling, tripping, holding, kicking, kneeing, elbowing, head butting, or punching another player in any manner while blocking or attempting to forcefully remove the regulation game ball from possession of the opposing team&#39;s player. 
     The at least two game officials are provided as a means of regulating the infractions during a game session. During a game session, at least one game official is able to signal a pause in the game session when they witness an infraction committed by either team. After pausing the game session, the at least one game official can issue a yellow flag infraction or a red flag infraction. Under the current regulations governing the game of Hoopball, the at least one game official issues a yellow flag infraction, to a player, if the at least one game official witnesses the player tackling, tripping, holding, kicking, kneeing, elbowing, head butting, or punching another player in any manner while blocking or attempting to forcefully remove the regulation game ball from possession of the opposing team&#39;s player. The at least one game official also issues a yellow flag infraction to a player they determine was last in possession of the regulation game ball when crossing the delineated perimeter  2 . Under the current regulations governing the game of Hoopball, the at least one game official issues a red flag infraction to a player if the at least one game official determines that a yellow flag infraction committed by said player was a deliberate attempt to injure another player, if the at least one game official determines that a yellow flag infraction caused serious injury to another player, or if the at least one game official determines that a player has committed acts of unsportsmanlike conduct, conspicuous rudeness, derogatory actions, insubordination, and/or cheating during the course of the game session, may upgrade the infraction to a red flag infraction. Under the current regulation governing the game of Hoopball, the at least one game official is able to bench a player for 2 or 5 minutes without substitution during a game session. Under the current regulation governing the game of Hoopball, the at least one game official is able to eject a player from the game session if the at least one game official issues a red flag infraction against said player for actions perpetrated during the game session deemed a deliberate attempt to injure another player. The at least one game official is able to use their judgment to determine if an action is considered a deliberate attempt to injure another player. Under the current regulation governing the game of Hoopball, the at least one game official is able to award a penalty shot to a player from a position on the edge of the penalty line  8  of the in-play score zone  7 , if the at least one game official determines that a yellow flag infraction or a red flag infraction was committed against said player by at least one player of the opposing team. The determination to award a penalty shot is provided as an electable action based on the judgment of the at least one game official. Under the current regulations governing the game of Hoopball, the at least one game official is able to award possession of the regulation game ball to a team, if the at least one game official determines that the regulation game ball was in possession of the opposing team when crossing the delineated perimeter  2 , or if the at least one game official determines that a yellow flag infraction or a red flag infraction was committed against a player of the team by at least one player of an opposing team. The determination to award possession of the regulation game ball to a team based on a yellow flag infraction or red flag infraction is based on the determination and discretion of the at least one game official. Under the current regulations governing the game of Hoopball, that at least one game official is permitted to award at least one point and permit retention of the regulation game ball by a team, if the at least one game official determines a goal tending infraction occurred due to interference with the regulation game ball upon a downward trajectory with the possibility of going through the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10 . 
     The game of Hoopball is provided with a game session that functions as a timed game session comprising four fifteen-minute game play quarters. The game session is additionally provided with a fifteen-minute half-time intermission that occurs at the end of the second quarter. The fifteen-minute intermission after the second interval separates the game session into a first half and a second half, wherein the first half comprises the first interval and the second interval and the second half comprises the third interval and the fourth interval. The fifteen-minute intermission is provided as a temporary reprieve for players of the opposing teams. In the current regulations of the game of Hoopball, each team is allowed three discretionary 30 second “Time-Outs” during each half of the game, but both teams must remain on the field during time-outs. Time-outs are only being granted to a team when they are in possession of the Hoopball. The three 30 second time outs are provided in the first half and the second half of the game session. During each of the three 30 second time outs, the at least two game official require both teams to remain on the playing field  1  during until the time out is completed. Each of the three 30 second time outs are provided with the prerequisite that a team must be in possession of the regulation game ball in order to request the time out. Furthermore, after the time out expires, the at least two game officials award possession of the regulation game ball to the team charged with the time out. This time out system prevents abuse of the time outs. In the current regulations of the game of Hoopball, a winning team is determined at the end of the fourth interval of the game session. The winning team is determined as being the team that scored the most points during the game session. In the event that both teams have tied scores, the game session would extend past the fourth interval for a fifteen-minute sudden death over time. 
     The regulation governing the game of Hoopball encourages players of both teams to outfit themselves with protective equipment and uniforms. The protective equipment that can be worn the players include but are not limited to helmets with a face guard, shoulder pads, chest protectors, mouth piece, and cleats. The protective equipment provided to safe guard a player&#39;s head, face, shoulder, chest, and torso. In addition to the recommended protective gear, players are permitted to incorporate nonessential accessories such as shin guards, additional padding, safety glasses, and gloves into their outfit. These non-essential accessories should be designed to promote safe and healthy competitive play. Non-essential accessories that are unapproved equipment or potentially harmful items are expressly prohibited. Additionally, under the current regulations governing the game of Hoopball the players of both teams are encouraged wear team specific identifiers that serve as a means of distinguishing members of a particular opposing team from the members of another opposing team. 
     The regulations governing the game of Hoopball provides an unlimited number of player substitutions during the game session. A player substitution is permissible through the approval of at least one game official. Teams are required to contact the at least one game official during a time out, a pause in the game session, and immediately following a point gain in order to request a player substitution, failure to do so results in the expulsion of a player as an unauthorized/illegal player. Players can be ineligible for substitution due to several factors. The current regulations governing the game of Hoopball prohibit a team&#39;s request for a player substitution if the selected player had been ejected from the game session or if the selected player is competing with prohibited equipment. In a situation that a player substitution was conducted without the consent of at least on game official, an infraction is issued to the team. 
     The game of Hoopball is provides that each team be responsible for fielding ten eligible players, wherein the eligibility of each of the ten players is determined by current regulations governing the equipment utilized by said player. In the preferred embodiment each team would be required to wear visible distinct uniforms that facilitate the identification and differentiation of individual players as well as teams of players from each other. The preferred embodiment recommends the adoption of Hoopball approved equipment and uniforms whenever possible to ensure consistency and reduce the chances of a player being deemed ineligible or ejected from a game session. The Hoopball approved equipment can include but is not limited to helmets with a face guard, shoulder pads, chest protectors, mouth piece, cleats, etc. Preferably the players are clothed in uniforms styled with shorts or pants. 
     The regulation game ball is characterized as a rubberized, leather or synthetic circular shaped 32-panel size #1 machine-stitched hoopball, composed of an internal butyl bladder and a %100 TPU exterior casing, having a circumference of approximately 19 in (48 cm) and weighing 225-275 gm, inflated with an air pressure of 0.4-0.5 bar. 
     The playing field  1  can be provided as an outdoor playing field  1  or an indoor playing field  1  wherein the material of the playing area  5  can be preferably played on a grass/clay/turf surface for the outdoor playing field  1  or on artificial or natural surface for the indoor playing field  1 . The playing field  1  is provided with measurement of 110 yards, 100 meters, in length to 60 yards, 55 meters, in width. The pair of oppositely positioned score zone  7  would be positioned opposite to each other longitudinally. Optionally the playing field  1  can include a half field line that divides the playing area  5 . The half field lined would traverse across the playing field  1  and would be positioned between the pair of oppositely positioned score zones  7 . The quarter zone circle  9  would be a circle ten yards in diameter that would be positioned centrally on the half field line and would be found equidistant from each of the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10 . The elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  would be positioned within each of the score zones  7  and would be centered between the sidelines positioned 15 yards, 14 meters, from each end-line and 80 yards, 73 meters, apart from one another. The positioning of the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10  relative to the end lines  4  enables for plays to occur around the goal without obstruction. The playing field  1  would provide a bench area for each team. The bench area would be positioned on the same sideline but are separated by an official&#39;s area. The official&#39;s area is provided as a designated area for scorekeepers, record keepers, game clock-timer, but additionally provides sufficient distance between the bench area of each team. 
     The game of Hoopball can be provided in an alternative game format to a field based sport, wherein the alternative game format provides the game of Hoopball as a virtual-holographic, video, web-based and/or board-games. The playing field, the elevated hoop shaped goal apparatus  10 , and the players are represented according to the medium in which the game is being played in. The regulations governing the game of Hoopball could be provided with slight changes to ensure its adequate translation into the alternative game format. 
     Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.