Ball Hurling Target Game and Associated Apparatus.

• US 20150031480A1
• Filed: 07/25/2014
• Published: 01/29/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 07/26/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Andrew E. Matthews, William F. Kidd III
• Original Assignee: William F. Kidd III
• Inventors: Kidd, William F. III, Matthews, Andrew E.
• Granted Patent: US 9,427,643 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 473/478
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2063/002 variable in size
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/093 Height
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/20 having means, e.g. pockets, netting or adhesive type surfaces, for catching or holding a ball, e.g. for lacrosse or pelota
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 60/50 with through-holes A63B60/18 takes precedence; for stringing purposes A63B49/00
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A game for at least 2 players wherein one of the players attempts to score points by hurling a plastic ball with the aid of a scoop racket into one of three scoring areas of their opponents “goal”. Opposing players stand at opposite ends of a playing field with said goal(s) positioned in front of each player. Goals are situated a certain distance apart from each other, the three scoring areas are mounted at adjustable heights above the playing surface and can be positioned in a common plane (or not). Said scoring areas are of various diameters and point values. Said scoring areas are distinctly apart from each other (not abutted) and are attached to a fixed post (standard). Points are awarded to players for hurling the ball into one of their opponent'"'"'s scoring areas with point values inversely proportional to the diameter of the scoring area scored upon.

Claims

1. A projectile throw and target game for 2 (or more) players, comprising:

A first goal consisting of 3 hoops which serve as targets. Said goal, wherein the one large hoop target is attached to a support post in a vertical position and is located highest above the ground. Two smaller hoop targets are attached part way up the support post on opposing sides and in vertical positions. One of the smaller hoop targets will be attached to a short arm extending out from the support pole at a 90 degree angle. The other small hoop target will be attached to a short arm and extend out from the support pole at a 45 degree angle in an upward direction.

A second goal consisting of 3 hoops that serve as targets. Said goal, wherein the one large hoop target is attached to a support post in a vertical position and is located highest above the ground. Two smaller hoop targets are attached part way up the support post on opposing sides and in vertical positions. One of the smaller hoop targets will attached to a short arm extending out from the support pole at a 90 degree angle. The other small hoop target will be attached to a short arm and extend out from the support pole at a 45 degree angle in an upward direction.

A round plastic projectile (ball) having a predetermined mass and a circumference of a predetermined diameter. The projectile is specifically designed to allow the ball to spin which enables the players to curve the ball and change the ball'"'"'s trajectory towards the goal, and

A first rackets (or scoop) specifically designed with two “

tracks”

which are used to generate friction with the ball to create “

spin”

. Based on the rotation of the ball or “

spin”

the player puts on the ball, the ball may be thrown with a variety of curves to make the game more fun and challenging.

A second racket (or scoop) specifically designed with two “

tracks”

which are used to generate friction with the ball to create “

spin”

. Based on the rotation of the ball or “

spin”

the player puts on the ball, the ball may be thrown with a variety of curves to make the game more fun and challenging.

Wherein the first goal and second goal may be elevated to an adjustable height above the ground dependent on the height of the players;

said first goal and said second goal being spaced a predetermined distance apart and located above and supported on the supporting surface, so said projectile (ball) may enter the large hoop target, or one of the smaller hoop targets on said goal, when said projectile (ball) is hurled by one player, using said racket, towards the opposing players goal.

2. A projectile throw and target game according to claim 1, wherein the said rackets are made of a plastic like material.

3. A projectile throw and target game according to claim 1, wherein the ball is made of a plastic like material.

4. A projectile throw and target game according to claim 1, wherein each goal is made of a plastic or metal like support material.

Said large hoop target will extend upward above the two smaller hoop targets and will be oriented in a common plane or non-common plane, where said large hoop target will be positioned in a common plane as the two smaller hoop targets or will extend upward and behind the two smaller hoop targets (2 smaller hoop targets in a plane which is forward of the larger hoop target) and allows for increased potential for scoring in the large target as a thrown ball may be deflected off the forward positioned smaller targets and into the large target.

Said hoop targets are fitted with a “

see-through”

nylon like (or similar) netting material. Said “

see through”

netting will allow the opposing player to visually see a thrown projectile from behind the goal as it flies past or into the goal, which will allow the opposing player to make adjustments in positioning to catch a thrown ball which misses the targets or which deflects off the goal apparatus.

Said hoop targets have a frame composed of aluminum (or plastic) material which provides rigidity to the hoop targets and allows the “

see-through”

netting to be attached.

said large hoop target on each goal may be fitted with a small flexible elastic opening at the back end of the netting (“

quick ball release”

) which is sized just slightly smaller than the ball which will contain the ball temporarily, but which when pressured will allow the ball to drop through the netting and be retrieved without having to reach into the target.

Said goal contains a standard which may be inserted into a metal or plastic base with “

fill opening”

. Said base, may be manually filled with water or sand (or other material), which will support the goal and allow the goal to stand upright on any hard or soft surface (grass, sand, turf, cement, asphalt etc.)

5. A method of play for a projectile throw and target game, including the steps of:

choosing two teams wherein each team consists of two players (if not playing one on one);

placing two goals consisting of 3 hoops/targets of different sizes at a given distance from each other, so the hoops/targets are in facing arrangement;

choosing a starting team and a non-starting team be a coin flip;

standing a starting player of said starting team behind said first of said two goals;

standing a nonstarting player of said starting team behind a second of said two goals;

standing the starting player of said nonstarting team behind first goal;

standing a nonstarting player of said nonstarting team behind said second goal;

hurling the projectile by said starting player of said starting team at said second goal;

hurling of said projectile by each player in turn at whichever goal is furthest from a current player;

determining a score for each said throw of projectile by awarding points when said projectile goes into one of the three hoop targets of said goal furthest from the player hurling the projectile or deflects off any part of the said goal furthest from the player hurling the projectile and is caught by opposing player closest to said goal while in the air and prior to it coming in contact with the surface being played upon.

6. The method of play for the projectile throw and target game according to claim 5, said step of determining a score further including the steps of:

determining whether said projectile enters a large hoop target or small hoop target in said goal which is furthest from said current player;

scoring 1 point by a team which said current player is on if said projectile enters said large hoop target;

scoring 2 points by a team which said current player is on if said projectile enters either of said small hoop target;

determining whether said projectile being hurled by said player furthest from said goal is deflected off any part of said goal and caught by said opposing players closest to said goal prior to the projectile hitting the ground;

determination of scoring 1 point by team or player catching a deflected projectile or subtracting 1 point from team or player that hurled the deflected projectile; and

scoring no points by said starting player of said starting team if said projectile is not thrown into any of said large hoop target or small hoop targets and if said projectile is not deflected off said goal and is caught by said opposing nonstarting player prior to said projectile hits said ground.

7. The method of play for the projectile throw and target game tossing according to claim 5, said step of determining said winner of said throw and target game further including the steps of:

determining if either of said two teams has scored more than eleven points;

determining if both teams have had an equal number of turns if one of said two teams has scored more than eleven points;

hurling of said projectile by said starting player of a team which has had a lesser number of turns if said two teams have not had an equal number of turns and if one of said two teams has scored more than eleven points;

determining if both teams have scored more than eleven points if at least one of said two teams have scored more than eleven points and if both teams have had an equal number of turns;

determining a winner by playing even overtime rounds until one team has a 2 point higher score than another team if both teams have scored more than eleven points;

scoring said hurling of said projectile by said starting player of a team which has had a lesser number of turns if said two teams have not had an equal number of turns and if one of said two teams has scored more than eleven points;

determining if one of said two teams has scored more than eleven points if neither of said two teams has scored exactly eleven points;

scoring said hurled said projectile whenever said projectile is hurled by any player; and

declaring that a team with a score of more than eleven points is a winner of said projectile throw and target game if both teams have had an equal number of turns and if another team does not have a score of eleven points.

8. A method of playing a projectile throw and target game on a supporting surface for teams of at least two players comprising the steps of:

placing a first goal on top of a supporting surface a predetermined distance from a second goal so the hoop targets are in a facing relationship and the goals are located substantially entirely above the supporting surface;

standing both players on first team behind the first goal;

standing both players of the second team behind the second goal.;

hurling a projectile using a racket by the first player of the first team toward the second goal;

awarding 1 point when the projectile enters large hoop target on the second goal;

awarding 2 points when the projectile enters either of the smaller hoop targets;

awarding 1 point to the team or player catching a deflected projectile while in the air and without the projectile contacting the supporting surface or subtracting 1 point from a team or player that hurled the deflected projectile;

determining a point total for the first player of the first team;

hurling a projectile using a racket by the first player of the second team toward the first container;

awarding 1 point when the projectile enters large hoop target on the second goal;

awarding 2 points when the projectile enters either of the smaller hoop targets;

awarding 1 point to the team or player catching a deflected projectile while in the air and without the projectile contacting the supporting surface or subtracting 1 point from a team or player that hurled the deflected projectile;

determining a point total for the first player of the second team;

standing a second player of a first team behind the first container;

hurling a projectile using a racket by the second player of the first team toward the second goal;

awarding 1 point when the projectile enters large hoop target on the second goal;

awarding 2 points when the projectile enters either of the smaller hoop targets;

awarding 1 point to the team or player catching a deflected projectile while in the air and without the projectile contacting the supporting surface or subtracting 1 point from a team or player that hurled the deflected projectile;

determining a point total for the second player of the first team;

hurling a projectile using a racket by the second player of the second team toward the first container;

awarding 1 point when the projectile enters large hoop target on the second goal;

awarding 2 points when the projectile enters either of the smaller hoop targets;

awarding 1 point to the team or player catching a deflected projectile while in the air