Abstract:
A game apparatus defines a raised playing surface having boards thereabout which allows for playing a game having some of the attributes of hockey without the specialized equipment and facilities. The game can be played by two individuals and provides aggressive interaction with no body contact. Playing of the game provides excellent physical activity and good hand-eye coordination.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a game apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Over the last number of years, there has been a resurgence in games, and in particular, games that can be played at home. In addition, people have recognized that it is important to maintain a certain minimum level of physical activity and they have devoted a significant portion of their leisure time to such physical activity. Parents continue to recognize that it is also important to provide children and teenagers with various activities to productively occupy their time. 
     In Canada and the northern United States, hockey is extremely popular, however, it does require considerable equipment and a large group of players to be played in a meaningful way. Furthermore, it is generally a winter activity and cannot be typically played at home. Hockey does develop motor skills, in particular it develops good hand and eye coordination, and is a very good form of physical exercise. Unfortunately, there is a wide variance in skill levels between the players of the same age as well as a divergence in skill levels with age. Furthermore, hockey is generally played by males or females and is not generally considered a co-op game. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention, it is possible to play a game at home, either indoors or outdoors, which has many of the positive aspects of hockey while being cost effective, can be played by both genders and can be played by a variety of individuals of different ages. In particular, the game can be played by families and friends of all ages. 
     The game apparatus is relatively easy to assemble and can be conveniently stored. 
     A game apparatus according to the present invention comprises a game surface closed at the sides and ends by upstanding board members with the game surface being divided into two opposed sections, with each section having a goal area to be defended. The goal area is preferably defined by a port in the upstanding board members. 
     The game apparatus according to an aspect of the invention includes at least two playing sticks, with each playing stick having an elongate shaft and a short blade portion at one end thereof. A playing piece (preferably readily compressible) is provided and sized to easily pass through the goal areas and to be moved and directed by the playing sticks. Players are located exterior to the playing surface. (Each player stands behind his or her net and preferably cannot stand or move up along board area. 
     According to an aspect of the invention, the game apparatus is such that the game surface is raised from a ground level to a height greater than 6 inches and less than 2 feet. A height of 9 inches to 2 feet is preferable; a height of 12 to 16 inches is further preferred. 
     According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the playing piece is a ball and preferably a hollow, readily compressible rubber ball, such as a squash ball. Both slow and fast squash balls are suitable. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, players of the game use one of the sticks for directing the playing piece towards the other player&#39;s goal and the players are positioned exterior to the game surface and preferably are limited to a region beyond the end of the game surface. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, the blade portion of each stick is of a length of about 41/4 inches. The shaft of the stick is preferably less than three feet and a length of about two feet has proven satisfactory. The length is such to allow both hands of a user to engage the stick in spaced relationship. 
     According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the game surface is divided into three regions, each of which extends across the game surface. The three regions comprise a defensive region adjacent each goal and a common central region therebetween. The rules of the game are such that each player keeps his stick in motion within his own defensive region or within the common central region. Once outside his/her own defensive region, a player may rest their stick. Two hands are maintained on the playing stick at all times. 
     According to yet a further aspect of the invention, the game apparatus includes a net associated with each goal and supported from the end board to the exterior thereof, with the net defining a retaining pocket for the playing piece should it enter the respective goal. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the game apparatus; 
     FIG. 2 shows additional details of the game apparatus; 
     FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line 3--3 of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the playing surface of the game apparatus; 
     FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate structure of the game apparatus; 
     FIGS. 6 and 7 show details of the leg support used in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternate game structure; 
     FIG. 9 is a partial perspective showing assembly of the side boards and playing surface used in the structure of FIG. 8; and 
     FIG. 10 is a partial top view showing joining of two sections of the playing surface of the structure of FIG. 8. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The game apparatus 2 has a playing surface 4 closed at the periphery thereof by side boards 6 and end boards 8. Each of the end boards 8 have a cutout 10 which defines a goal to be defended by the player. Preferably, the game apparatus also includes angled corner members 14, however, the apparatus can be formed as part of the side and end boards in a molding operation, if desired. 
     The playing surface 4 and boards 6 and 8 are held in position by `L` brackets 7 mechanically fastened by screws. The `L` brackets are appropriately located about the side and end boards. 
     The playing surface 4 is at an elevated level of between approximately 6 inches and 2 feet, and preferably between 6 and 18 inches to reduce the distance between the players&#39; hands and the playing surface. The playing surface 4 is supported at the raised position by a base 18 or by legs 20 (see FIG. 5) which are conveniently attached below the playing surface. 
     The playing surface 4 is divided into a central region 26 having a defensive region 28 to either side thereof. Thus, each player would defend one of the goals in the end boards 8 and a defensive region is provided adjacent this goal region. The central region 26 is a common area where the player may use his stick to try to direct the ball towards the other player&#39;s goal. Each defensive region is marked by a boundary 29 on the playing surface 4. 
     Each playing stick 40 has a shaft 42, similar to a hockey stick shaft, and a short blade portion 44. The blade portion is of a length of about 41/4 inches and of a height of approximately 3 inches. The shaft 42 is preferably of a length less than three feet and a length of two feet has proven satisfactory. It has been found that this size of blade and shape of the playing stick allows skills acquired from playing hockey to be transposed in playing the game, and the reduced size of the blade makes it appropriate for the greatly reduced playing surface 4. The shaft of each stick is preferably less than 3 feet, and a length of two feet has proven satisfactory. The length of the shaft is such to allow both hands of a player to engage the stick in spaced relationship similar to engagement of an actual hockey stick. The players are limited to the area beyond their respective end board 8 and it has been found that it is most desirable to keep the area to the exterior of the side boards free. This makes the game more effective and reduces the space required to play the game. 
     The playing piece 46 is preferably a soft squash ball, but, in any event, is a readily compressible member. It has been found that a soft or slow squash ball is suitable, however, a hard, fast squash ball may be preferred by some players, particularly where greater speed is desired. The game apparatus is preferably approximately 4 feet wide and approximately 6 feet long. The size of the goal area is about 41/4 inches by 41/4 inches. The ports 10 preferably have a net portion 30 to define a closed pocket or to act as a soft retaining area, should the playing piece pass through the port. 
     FIGS. 1 through 7 show embodiments where the game apparatus can be primarily of wood. In particular, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a plastic or aluminum extrusion 70 includes a first slot 72 for receiving a side board and a second slot 74 for receiving the base member. The playing surface is a plywood substrate 76 which is forced into the slot 74. The base and the sidewalls are preferably perpendicular. 
     The corner members 14 in FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5 also serve to reinforce the corner junction between the respective end board and side board. Each corner member includes a top gusset component 21, a face section 23 and board engaging flanges 25. These members are held by gravity and may easily be located for maintaining the perpendicular orientation of the boards. 
     The embodiment of FIGS. 6 and 7 include separate legs 20 spaced about the periphery of the game apparatus and at certain central locations. Each leg has a levelling foot which can be adjusted by threading into or out of the barrel 21. The upper end of the barrel engages the lower surface of the playing surface 4 and the levelling foot is held in position by the lock nut 29. 
     In addition to the ports 10, the game can include ports 13 provided in the playing surface 4. These ports can be closed by cap members inserted in the ports to provide a continuous playing surface 4. The purpose of the ports is to accommodate a different game similar to golf mini putting. The ball can be directed by the stick towards anyone of the ports 13 similar to a putting green. Various rules can be provided for this type of putting game, including a rule requiring the ball or playing piece to first strike a sidewall or endwall member before it can enter a port. In this way, the game apparatus can also be used for games other than the hockey like game described above. 
     The game has a fairly fast learning curve and allows a very competitive game, even with players of different abilities. First time players can easily play the game effectively and merely develop more sophisticated techniques and skills through use. 
     The embodiment of FIGS. 8 through 10 use side boards 6a and end boards 8a, each of which have a groove 7 for receiving an edge 5 of the playing surface 4 which has been divided into playing sections 4a and 4b. The center about edges 9a have a dovetail connection for defining an accurate joint. 
     Each of the board members have a righthand connection 11a and lefthand connection 13a. These connections join and are held in connection by a pin 21 received in aligned right and lefthand connectors. The side boards 6a and end boards 8a are of additional depth and cooperate to form the base for supporting the playing surface at a raised position. 
     The game apparatus allows for development of hand-eye coordination, provides good physical exercise and also allows either a very competitive or friendly environment for competing. The game is suitable for both males and females, and females can certainly compete on an equal basis with their male counterparts. The game can be played indoors or outdoors and the game is much safer than hockey. Furthermore, the game apparatus can be made inexpensively and can easily be assembled and stored. 
     Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described herein in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, that variations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.