Audio sports game

• US 5,326,094 A
• Filed: 02/19/1993
• Issued: 07/05/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 02/19/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Timothy G. Quinn
• Original Assignee: Timothy G. Quinn
• Inventors: Quinn, Timothy G.
• Primary Examiner(s): SHAPIRO, PAUL
• Application Number:
  US08/019,761
• Time in Patent Office: 501 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1.5 R, 273/1.5 A, 273/57.2, 273/371, 273/55 D
• US Class Current: 273/371
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2024/0037 on a target surface or at impact on the ground
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0625 Emitting sound, noise or music
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2102/22 Field hockey
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0025 Football American football A63B2243/007
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0037 Basketball
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/0066 Rugby; American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 24/0021 Tracking a path or terminating locations
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 63/00 Targets or goals for ball games golf cups A63B57/40
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities

Abstract

An audio sports game is provided. This sports game utilizes an audio message generator that selectively generates one of a plurality of audio messages. When the message generator is actuated by a switch, it generates a message that presents a setting for a user of said sports game. This message is generated prior to and during said user attempting to cause an object to pass through said opening in a structure such as a sports goal.

Claims

1. A basketball goal apparatus comprising:

(a) a hoop defining an opening therethrough such that an object can pass through said opening;

(b) net means depending from said hoop such that as said object passes through said hoop, said object must pass through said net means;

(c) an audio message generator for selectively generating one of a plurality of user selectable audio messages prior to a user attempting to cause said object to pass through said opening, each of said messages providing a setting for said user by generating a description of a fictional game situation, cheers and a count down, said audio message generator also being capable of generating at least one final message;

(d) a user operable switch for actuating said audio message generator to generate a user selected one of said plurality of messages which provide settings for said user; and

(e) a sensor operably associated with said hoop such that said sensor is in a position to sense an object passing through said hoop, said sensor being in communication with said audio message generator such that when one of said messages providing said setting is being generated, and said object is sensed passing through said opening, a signal is transferred from said sensor to said audio message generator for generating said final message and terminating said message providing said setting until another of said messages providing another setting is selected by a user.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said audio messages have an audio reference to said user of said basketball goal.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said audio reference to said user is a personal reference to said user by name.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein after said audio message generator is actuated, said audio message generator further provides means for selectively generating one of said at least one final audio messages as a result of said object passing through said hoop and causing said sensor to send a signal to said audio message generator.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensing means is affixed to said hoop.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said switch means is located at a remote location from said hoop.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said description of said game situation describes a fictional sports event leading to an opportunity for said user to take the last shot in said fictional sports event.

8. An audio sports game comprising:

(a) an audio message generator having a plurality of user selectable audio messages each of which present a setting for a user of said game, said message generator further having at least one different audio message;

(b) a user operable switch for actuating said audio message generator to generate a user selected one of said plurality of audio messages; and

(c) a sensor for attaching to a structure defining an opening therein such that said sensor is in a position to sense an object passing through said opening, said sensor being in communication with said audio message generator such that as said object is sensed passing through said opening, a signal is transferred from said sensor to said audio message generator to stop a selected audio message and generate said different message.

9. The sports game of claim 8 wherein said user selectable and different audio messages have audio reference to said user of said sports game.

10. The sports game of claim 9 wherein said audio reference to said user is a personal reference to said user by name.

11. The sports game of claim 8 wherein said switch is located on said structure.

12. The sports game of claim 8 wherein said switch is located at a remote location from said structure.

13. The audio sports game of claim 8 wherein said selected message presented by said audio message generator includes a countdown of time remaining in a sporting event.

14. The audio sports game of claim 8 wherein said structure defining an opening therein is selected from the group consisting of a soccer goal, a hockey goal, a football goal and a basketball goal.

15. The audio sports game of claim 8 wherein said sensing means is positioned at a remote location from said audio means.

16. The audio sports game of claim 8 wherein said audio sports game further comprises attaching means for removably securing said audio message generator to said structure.

17. The audio sports game of claim 16 wherein said attaching means is a removable strap.

18. The audio sports game of claim 17 wherein said strap has hook and loop fastener strips for facilitating attachment of the audio message generator to said structure.