Racquet game with foam ball and net stand apparatus
First Claim
1. A ball game assembly for playing a tennis-like ball game in which opposing players return a ball within a prescribed playing unit extending along a horizontal playing surface in opposite longitudinal directions over a net, comprising:
- at least two junior tennis racquets, each having a handle portion and a head portion;
a net;
a net apparatus for supporting the net in a vertical plane at substantially regulation tennis height or less across a playing court; and
a soft resilient foam ball, said ball being sufficiently dense, resilient, compressible and durable so as to withstand repeated and sustained impact by said racquets at various angles and forces, wherein said ball has a diameter from about 3.5 to 4.5 inches, weighs from about 0.75 to 1.25 oz., is formed of an open-celled, spherical construction, and has a surface layer coating of acrylic resin or latex paint, wherein said ball may be struck by said racquets and returned over said net or bounced off said playing court at a reduced speed, and wherein the players achieve the sense and feel of playing regular tennis while being able to play at a reduced pace and with less skill than is normally required.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ball game assembly is disclosed for a ball game to be played with a tennis-type racquet, a net and a foam ball, whose speed and/or action is reduced to increase play activity. The tennis racquet is smaller than a conventional adult tennis racquet, e.g., a junior tennis racquet, and the game is played on a tennis court of reduced size, with a net dividing the court into halves. The ball is larger and lighter in weight than a tennis ball, and it moves slower and has a softer bounce than a tennis ball. Preferably the net is supported across the playing area by net supports that are positioned at mid-court on either side of the court.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A ball game assembly for playing a tennis-like ball game in which opposing players return a ball within a prescribed playing unit extending along a horizontal playing surface in opposite longitudinal directions over a net, comprising:
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at least two junior tennis racquets, each having a handle portion and a head portion;
a net;
a net apparatus for supporting the net in a vertical plane at substantially regulation tennis height or less across a playing court; and
a soft resilient foam ball, said ball being sufficiently dense, resilient, compressible and durable so as to withstand repeated and sustained impact by said racquets at various angles and forces, wherein said ball has a diameter from about 3.5 to 4.5 inches, weighs from about 0.75 to 1.25 oz., is formed of an open-celled, spherical construction, and has a surface layer coating of acrylic resin or latex paint, wherein said ball may be struck by said racquets and returned over said net or bounced off said playing court at a reduced speed, and wherein the players achieve the sense and feel of playing regular tennis while being able to play at a reduced pace and with less skill than is normally required. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 26, 27)
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13. A ball game assembly for playing a tennis-like ball game in which opposing players return a ball within a prescribed playing unit extending along a horizontal playing surface in opposite longitudinal directions over a net, comprising:
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a playing surface;
at least two junior tennis racquets, each having a handle portion and a head portion;
a net;
a net apparatus for supporting the net in a vertical plane at substantially regulation tennis height or less across the playing surface; and
a soft resilient foam ball, said ball being sufficiently dense, resilient, compressible and durable so as to withstand repeated and sustained impact by said racquets at various angles and forces, wherein said ball has a diameter from about 3.5 to 4.5 inches, weighs from about 0.75 to 1.25 oz., is formed of an open-celled, spherical construction, and has a surface layer coating of acrylic resin or latex paint, wherein said ball may be struck by said racquets and returned over said net or bounced off said playing court at a reduced speed, and wherein the players achieve the sense and feel of playing regular tennis while being able to play at a reduced pace and with less skill than is normally required.
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25. A method for playing a tennis-like court game among at least two players, comprising the steps of:
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designating a rectangular main court having opposite sides and opposite ends defining side and end boundaries, respectively, said court having tennis-like foul areas and playing areas;
positioning at least one player in each of said playing areas;
equipping each player with a junior tennis racquet; and
equipping one player with a soft resilient foam ball, wherein said ball is sufficiently dense, resilient, compressible and durable so as to withstand repeated and sustained impact by said racquets at various angles and forces, whereby said players are able to play a tennis-like game at a reduced pace and with less skill than is normally required to play tennis.
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Specification