Racquet game with air ball thereof

• US 5,072,947 A
• Filed: 11/23/1990
• Issued: 12/17/1991
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/1990
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John D. Blue
• Original Assignee: John D. Blue
• Inventors: Blue, John D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Layno, Benjamin
• Application Number:
  US07/617,138
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 273/5 A, 273/58 BA, 273/58 B, 273/58 D, 273/58 J, 273/58 E, 273/61 R, 273/65 R, 273/1.5 A, 273/26 A, 273/29 B, 273/29 A, 273/29 BB, 273/371, 273/374 , 273/398, 273/402
• US Class Current: 273/371
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 47/02 for picking-up or collecting
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 59/80 Circular bats or paddles not provided for in groups A63B59/20 - A63B59/70
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/083 for basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for

Abstract

A competitive recreational game including: a foam game ball with symmetrical air holes throughout; a paddle or racquet; a target scoring net with holes or optional electronic sensor system attached to a frame with secured posts; a ball rebound catch set for each player; opposing basketball hoops with attached net to a backboard and a playing court with boundaries, scoring rules and regulations for all levels of play based on at least 1 opposing player. Points are scored in several strategic rewarding ways. The AIR BALL game is designed to be played on the beach, in the backyard or indoors on a floor surface. A one person practice board, designed to warmup touch and accuracy, is also part or an extention of this recreational game.

Claims

1. A competitive recreational ball game assembly in which opposed players return a ball within a prescribed court extending along a horizontal playing surface in opposite longitudinal directions from an apparatus located on the playing surface between the players such that the court is divided into first and second opposed playing areas with the apparatus placed therebetween, the ball game assembly comprising in combination:

at least one game ball;

at least one ball striking instrument;

and an apparatus, said apparatus comprising;

a frame having a first horizontal supporting means for supporting a net in a horizontal position, a second vertical supporting means connected to said horizontal supporting means for supporting another net in a vertical position above said horizontal net wherein the horizontal and vertical nets form right angles on either side of said vertical net, a plurality of target holes in said vertical net, each hole dimensioned for said ball, driven by said striking instrument, to pass therethrough, a plurality of supporting stands, each stand connected to and extending downwardly form an opposite lateral edge of said horizontal supporting means for supporting said apparatus on a playing surface, a plurality of third supporting means each connected to said vertical supporting means, each third supporting means supporting a basketball backboard, hoop and net assembly, said hoop and net dimensioned for said ball, driven by said striking instrument, to pass therethrough, each basketball assembly positioned on opposite sides of said vertical net and above said horizontal net.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said apparatus comprises an electronic target assembly having two electronic sensors mounted to either side of said vertical net, and an electronic score indicating device connected to said electronic target sensors by means of a wire.

3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said game ball is made of polyurethane foam having open cells.

4. The invention of claim 3 wherein said game ball comprises a plurality of holes formed therethrough wherein the amount of foam material removed to form said holes ranges from 5% 50% of the weight/volume of said original foam material forming said game ball.

5. The invention of claim 4 wherein the holes of said game ball intersect in the center of said ball forming a central cavity in said ball thereby allowing air to pass throughout said ball when struck by the game ball striking instrument.