Patent Abstract:
A miniaturized hockey game having a wall structure and a floor structure configured to represent a hockey rink along with hockey sticks and a puck. The wall structure is removable from the floor structure. To that end the floor structure include recessed grooves for receiving and supporting the wall structure. A faceoff platform is on top of a dividing wall of the wall structure. The wall structure includes scoring apertures for simulating nets and center apertures for providing obstacles to increase the difficulty of play. In use players stand along the perimeter of the hockey game and manipulate a puck using their hockey sticks to cause the puck to pass through the scoring apertures to score points.

Full Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     There are no current co-pending applications. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The presently disclosed subject matter is directed toward multi-player games. More particularly it is directed to a miniaturized, multiple player hockey game suitable for indoor and outdoor use. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Hockey is one (1) of the fastest growing sports in the United States. While traditionally hockey was a winter sport only played in colder regions, one can now find hockey leagues in the spring, summer, and fall all across the United States. Fast, exciting, and fun, hockey can be, and is, played by the very young to the very old. From junior leagues to international teams, millions of Americans simply love hockey. 
     Hockey is a game usually associated with ice. Unfortunately this greatly reduces the possibility for many people to enjoy hockey. In addition to those without access to a hockey rink there are those who are out of shape, perhaps elderly or disabled, who have a different skill level than other players, or who for a variety of other reasons are not able to enjoy the physical aspects of hockey as played on ice. 
     Accordingly, there exists a need for a means by which the fun, competition, and thrills associated with the game of hockey can be enjoyed by all, regardless of access to a hockey rink. Beneficially such a means would enable multiple people to compete in a challenging environment. Preferably such a means would be easy to use, low in cost, simulate hockey play, could be used both indoors and outdoors, and would not require too much space. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The principles of the present invention provide for a multi-player hockey game that seeks to make the fun, competition, and thrills associated with the game of hockey accessible to those without access to a hockey rink. Beneficially the multi-player hockey game enables multiple people to compete in simulated hockey. The multi-player hockey game can be easily used indoors or out in a limited playing area and can be made available at low cost. 
     A hockey game that is in accord with the present invention includes a floor structure having a flat playing surface with a perimeter and a wall structure extending along that perimeter. The wall structure includes a first long wall, a first end wall, a second long wall, a second end wall, and a dividing wall that extends between the middle of the first long wall and the middle of the second long wall. The first long wall, first end wall, second long wall, and second end wall are rounded at their corners. The hockey game further includes a faceoff platform on top of the dividing wall. The first end wall has a half-oval-shaped first scoring aperture, the second end wall has a half-oval-shaped second scoring aperture; and the dividing wall includes two half-oval-shaped center apertures. 
     Beneficially the two (2) center apertures have the same dimensions as the first scoring aperture, while the second scoring aperture has the same dimensions as the first scoring aperture. 
     In practice the playing surface is comprised of a low-friction smooth plastic, faceoff platform is centered on the dividing wall and the wall structure is approximately six inches (6 in.) high. The hockey game may further include puck and at least two (2) hockey sticks. Beneficially the playing surface is approximately eight feet (8 ft.) long and three feet (3 ft.) wide. Also beneficially the hockey game includes indicia. 
     Preferably the wall structure is removable from the floor structure. The floor structure may include a recessed channel-shaped first wall slot and a recessed channel-shaped second wall slot and the first wall slot may receive the bottom edge of the first long wall while the second end wall receives the bottom edge of the second long wall. The first wall slot and the second wall slot may receive different ends of the first end wall. The floor structure may also include a recessed channel-shaped third wall slot, a recessed channel-shaped fourth wall slot, and a recessed channel-shaped fifth wall slot and the third wall slot, floor structure fourth wall slot, and floor structure fifth wall slot may receive bottom edges of floor structure dividing wall. 
     Another hockey game that is in accord with the present invention includes a floor structure having a flat playing surface with an outer perimeter. The floor structure has a recessed channel-shaped first wall slot disposed around part of the perimeter, a recessed channel-shaped second wall slot disposed around another part of the perimeter, a recessed channel-shaped third wall slot extending inward from the middle of the first wall slot, a recessed channel-shaped fourth wall slot extending inward from the middle of the second wall slot, and a recessed channel-shaped fifth wall slot disposed in line between the third wall slot and the fourth wall slot. The hockey game further includes a wall structure having a first long wall and a first end wall with bottom edges that are inserted into the first wall slot, a second long wall and a second end wall with bottom edges inserted into the second wall slot, and a dividing wall having bottom edges inserted into the third wall slot, into the fourth wall slot, and the fifth wall slot. In addition there is a faceoff platform on top of the dividing wall. The first long wall, the first end wall, the second long wall, and the second end wall have rounded corners. In addition, the first end wall has a half-oval-shaped first scoring aperture, the second end wall has a half-oval-shaped second scoring aperture, and the dividing wall includes two (2) half-oval-shaped center apertures. 
     In practice the two (2) center apertures have the same dimensions as the first scoring aperture, and the second scoring aperture has the same dimensions as the first scoring aperture. In addition, the playing surface is beneficially comprised of a low-friction smooth plastic and the faceoff platform is beneficially centered on the dividing wall. The hockey game may further include a puck and at least two (2) hockey sticks. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The advantages and features of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following more detailed description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like elements are identified with like symbols, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a hockey game  10  that is in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an environmental view of an in-use hockey game; 
         FIG. 3   a  is an exploded view of the hockey game  10  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
         FIG. 3   b  is a section view of the hockey game  10  taken along section line A-A of  FIG. 2 ; and, 
         FIG. 3   c  is a section view of the hockey game  10  taken along section line B-B of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTIVE KEY 
     
         
         
           
               10  hockey game 
               20  wall structure 
               22  long perimeter wall 
               24  end perimeter wall 
               25  divider wall 
               26  scoring aperture 
               27  faceoff platform 
               28  center aperture 
               40  lower floor structure 
               42  playing surface 
               43  horizontal edge 
               44   a  first side wall slot 
               44   b  second side wall slot 
               44   c  third wall slot 
               44   d  fourth wall slot 
               44   e  fifth wall slot 
               50  hockey stick 
               52  grip 
               60  puck 
               70  indicia 
               100  player 
           
         
       
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The best mode for carrying out the invention is presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted within  FIGS. 1 through 3   c . However, the invention is not limited to the described embodiment, and a person skilled in the art will appreciate that many other embodiments of the invention are possible without deviating from the basic concept of the invention and that any such work around will also fall under scope of this invention. It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The terms “a” and “an” herein do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced items. 
     The present invention describes a hockey game that includes a miniature hockey rink and a predetermined method of play. While described herein as being played indoors, that is for convenience of explanation only. The hockey game  10  is well suited for both indoor and outdoor play. 
       FIG. 1  presents a perspective view of a hockey game  10  that is in accord with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The hockey game  10  includes a lower floor structure  40  having a flat plastic playing surface  42  that is approximately eight feet (8 ft.) long and three feet (3 ft.) wide. Those dimensions are very well suited for the majority of players and are usually highly beneficial and represent a scaled down hockey rink. However other dimensions maybe used with younger players or players with disabilities. As shown, the hockey game  10  includes the lower floor structure  40  and an upper wall structure  20  that is comprised of long perimeter walls  22 , end perimeter walls  24 , and a bisecting dividing wall  25 . The lower floor structure  40  and the upper wall structure  20  resemble a miniature hockey rink. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hockey game  10  also includes a puck  60  and sufficient hockey sticks  50  to allow up to four (4) players to play the hockey game  10 . The long perimeter walls  22 , the end perimeter walls  24 , and the dividing wall  25  are beneficially about six inches (6 in.) high. The long perimeter walls  22  and the end perimeter walls  24  are rounded at the corners while the bisecting dividing wall  25  extends between the centers of the long perimeter walls  22 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the end perimeter walls  24  each have a half-oval-shaped scoring aperture  26  that is approximately three to four inches (3-4 in.) wide. Each scoring aperture  26  represents an opponent&#39;s goal. Centered on top of the dividing wall  25  is a faceoff platform  27 . About half way between the center of the faceoff platform  27  and each long perimeter walls  22  is a center aperture  28 . Thus there are two center apertures. During play a player  100  (see  FIG. 2 ) attempts to manipulate a puck  60  using a hockey stick  50  through one of the center apertures  28  and then into an opponent&#39;s scoring aperture  26 . Each center aperture  28  is shaped similarly to the scoring apertures  26 . 
     The outer surfaces of the long perimeter walls  22  and the end perimeter walls  24 , as well as the playing surface  42  may include various indicia  70  such as scripts or logos or images to customize and personalize the hockey game  10 . For example, the indicia  70  may include sports names/logos, personal names, symbols, lines, pictures, and the like, in various colors and patterns. Such indicia  70  may seek to align the hockey game  10  with professional or college teams, their colors, or sponsors. 
     The lower floor structure  40  is beneficially a flat plastic panel having a perimeter shape that is similar to but slightly larger than the perimeter formed by the long perimeter walls  22  and the end perimeter walls  24 . The extra dimensions of the lower floor structure  40  provide a horizontal edge  43 . Significantly, the lower floor structure  40  may be removed, if desired, to enable use of the upper wall structure  20  on an existing surface. The lower floor structure  40  includes the playing surface  42 , which is beneficially a low-friction surface that enables smooth sliding of a puck  60  during play. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a , and  3   b , the lower floor structure  40  includes a recessed channel-shaped first wall slot  44   a  and recessed channel-shaped second wall slot  44   b  which are disposed around opposing perimeter edges of the lower floor structure  40 . The first wall slot  44   a  and the second wall slot  44   b  are configured to receive the bottom edges of the aforementioned long perimeter walls  22  and the end perimeter walls  24 . The first wall slot  44   a  and the second wall slot  44   b  are separated at the ends by the positions of the scoring apertures  26 . The first wall slot  44   a  and the second wall slot  44   b  are envisioned as being approximately one-quarter of an inch (¼ in.) deep and sized to receive, anchor and stabilize the long perimeter walls  22  and the end perimeter walls  24 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3   a , and  3   c , the lower floor structure  40  also includes a recessed third wall slot  44   c , a recessed fourth wall slot  44   d , and a recessed fifth wall slot  44   e . The third wall slot  44   c , fourth wall slot  44   d , and fifth wall slot  44   e  are disposed along a line that bi-sects the lower floor structure  40  between the long perimeter walls  22 . The fourth wall slot  44   d  extends perpendicularly inward from the second wall slot  44   b , while the fifth wall slot  44   e  extends perpendicularly inward from the first wall slot  44   a . The third wall slot  44   c , fourth wall slot  44   d , and fifth wall slot  44   e  are configured to receive the bottom edges of the aforementioned dividing wall  25 . Like the first wall slot  44   a  and second wall slot  44   b , the third wall slot  44   c , fourth wall slot  44   d , and fifth wall slot  44   e  are envisioned as being approximately one-quarter of an inch (¼ in.) deep and sized to receive, anchor and stabilize the dividing wall  25 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the hockey game  10  preferably comes with at least two (2) plastic pucks  60  and at least four (4) hockey sticks  50 . This enables up to four (4) players to play the hockey game  10 . However, the hockey game  10  may include more hockey sticks  50  and pucks  60  as required to enable more players  100  to play. Each hockey stick  50  includes a sprayed on or adhesively bonded grip  52  comprised of foam rubber or another high-friction material which is located at the end of the long leg of the hockey stick  50 . The hockey game  10 , as well as the hockey sticks  50  and pucks  60  are envisioned as being introduced in both full-sized and scaled-down versions based upon particular age groups of the players  100 . 
       FIG. 2  shows the hockey game  10  in-use by two (2) players  100 . However, as previously mentioned it is envisioned that sufficient equipment is available for up to four (4) players  100  to play the hockey game  10 . The players  100  are envisioned as standing along the outside of the upper wall structure  20  and manipulating a puck  60  along the playing surface  42  using their hockey sticks  50 . Scoring is accomplished by causing the puck  60  to pass through the scoring aperture  26  at their opponent&#39;s end wall. 
     It is envisioned that other styles and configurations of the present invention can be easily incorporated into the teachings of the present invention, and only one particular configuration shall be shown and described for purposes of clarity and disclosure and not by way of limitation of scope. 
     The preferred embodiment of the present invention can be utilized by the common user in a simple and effortless manner with little or no training. After initial purchase or acquisition of the hockey game  10 , it would be installed and utilized as indicated in  FIG. 2 . 
     The method of installing and utilizing the hockey game  10  may be achieved by performing the following steps: procuring a model of the hockey game  10  having a desired overall size which corresponds to an age-range of intended players  100 , as well as various desired external and internal indicia  70 ; selecting teams of players  100 ; positioning up to four (4) players  100  outside the long perimeter walls  22  and the end perimeter walls  24 ; starting the hockey game  10  by “facing-off” the puck  60  by placing the puck  60  up the central faceoff platform  27 ; tapping all of the player&#39;s hockey sticks  50  a pre-determined number of times in a synchronous manner to begin play; moving the puck  60  using the hockey sticks  50  along the playing surface  42  and through one of the center apertures  28 , if necessary; propelling the puck  60  through an opposing team&#39;s scoring aperture  26  to score a point; continuing to “face-off” the puck  60  and score points by repeating the above steps and following the general rules of a conventional hockey game until a team of players  100  obtains five (5) points; switching the players  100  from end-to-end of the hockey game  10 ; ending the hockey game  10  by continuing the playing and scoring sequence until a team of players  100  obtains a total of ten (10) points; starting another hockey game  10  by selecting different teams for subsequent play or playing additional games with the same teams as desired; and, enjoying a hockey-like game in an indoor environment afforded users of the present invention  10 . 
     The method of utilizing the hockey game  10  in an outdoor environment may be achieved by performing the following steps: removing the upper wall structure  20  from the lower floor structure  40  and placing the upper wall structure  20  upon a suitable existing paved surface; and, playing the hockey game  10  as previously described. 
     The use of the hockey game  10  provides the ability for hockey lovers of all ages and physical abilities to enjoy the action of the sport, regardless of their ability to access a conventional hockey rink. 
     The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omissions or substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but is intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the spirit or scope of the claims of the present invention.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0