Apparatus for playing a racquet and ball game in a confined space

• US 4,962,935 A
• Filed: 02/16/1988
• Issued: 10/16/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/1986
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Squennis Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Squennis Pty Limited
• Inventors: Williams, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US07/183,185
• Time in Patent Office: 973 Days
• Field of Search: 272/2, 272/3, 273/411
• US Class Current: 473/474
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/08 Paddle tennis, padel tennis or platform tennis
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2209/00 Characteristics of used materials
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2210/50 Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/022 Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/00 Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor golf courses A63B69/3691; water roundabouts A63G3/00; construction of surfaces of foundations E01C; roofs E04B7/00; buildings or groups of buildings for sports E04H3/10; swimming or splash baths or pools E04H4/00; coverings for baths E04H4/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 19/08 Mechanical means for marking-out
• CPC Class Codes: A63C 2019/085 Fences; Nets; Barriers
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 3/10 for meetings, entertainments, or sports

Abstract

An apparatus for playing a racquet and ball game in a confined space comprises an enclosed playing arena having a generally rectangular playing area; upright walls surrounding said playing area; a roof extending over said playing arena and extending between opposed upper regions of the walls; and a pair of upright spaced substantially parallel barriers. The barriers extend transversely of the playing area to divide the playing area into two substantially equal player'"'"'s zones. The player'"'"'s zones each include a ball service boundary marked on and extending transverely of each of the player'"'"'s zone. An upper edge of each of the barriers is spaced from the roof.

Claims

1. An apparatus for playing a ball game, said apparatus comprising:

an enclosed playing arena having a generally rectangular playing area;

upright wall means surrounding said playing area and including at least one pair of opposed side walls;

roof means extending over said playing arena and extending between opposed upper regions of said wall means; and

,

a plurality of upright spaced substantially parallel barrier means extending transversely of said playing area to divide said playing area into two substantially equal player'"'"'s zones, said player'"'"'s zones each including a ball service boundary marked on and extending transversely of each said player'"'"'s zone, an upper edge of each said barrier means being spaced from said roof means; and

wherein upper portions of said at least one pair of opposed side walls are inclined inwardly at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees relative to upright portions of respective ones of said opposed side walls.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said barrier means comprise a coarse weave net-like material.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said upper portions of said at least one pair of opposed side walls are inclined inwardly at 45 degrees relative to upright portions of respective side walls.

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein said apparatus includes a frame structure mountable on a base surface, said frame structure supporting substantially planar wall and roof surfaces, each said base surface, wall and roof surface forming playing surfaces for a ball game played within said apparatus.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said frame structure is foldable and/or demountable.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said wall surfaces comprise a woven mesh material.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein said roof surface comprises a weatherproof material.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 4 including securable access means in a side wall to allow entry to or exit from the playing arena.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein said securable access means communicates with the space between said spaced barrier means.