Game projectile and method of playing a game

• US 5,328,191 A
• Filed: 06/30/1993
• Issued: 07/12/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Toshiba America Information Systems Incorporated (Toshiba Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Douglas W. Taylor Jr
• Inventors: Taylor, Douglas W. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Grieb, William H.
• Application Number:
  US08/085,753
• Time in Patent Office: 377 Days
• Field of Search: 273/411, 273/415, 273/428, 273/58 R, 273/58 A
• US Class Current: 473/470
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/06 Elastic cores
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/12 Special coverings , i.e. outer layer material balls with finger holes A63B37/0001, golf ball covers A63B37/0023

Abstract

The present invention describes a game projectile having an energy dissipative core having an irregular shape, a pliant moisture-resistant cover enclosing said core to form an irregularly-shaped inner body and a pliant, substantially puncture-resistant, exterior casing enveloping said inner body. The game projectile is used to play a soccer-like game on ice.

Claims

1. A game projectile comprising:

an energy dissipative core having an irregular shape, said core formed from a plurality of material strips;

a pliant moisture-resistant, cover enclosing said core to form an irregularly-shaped inner body; and

a pliant, substantially puncture-resistant, exterior casing enveloping said body, said exterior casing and cover loosely enveloping said core preventing said projectile from rolling when impacted wherein said game projectile has a weight in a range from 2 to 8 pounds.

2. The game projectile as in claim 1 having a weight ranging from 2-5 pounds.

3. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said exterior casing loosely envelopes said inner body allowing said projectile to deform when impacted.

4. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said energy dissipative core comprises a plurality of fabric strips.

5. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said energy dissipative core comprises a plurality of elastomeric strips.

6. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said energy dissipative core comprises a plurality of polymeric strips.

7. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said cover is made of a polymeric material.

8. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said cover is made of an elastomeric material.

9. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said cover is made of a laminate material.

10. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said cover is made of a composite material.

11. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said cover further includes a cover closure and said cover and cover closure are substantially watertight.

12. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said exterior casing is made of a fabric material.

13. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said exterior casing is made of a fiber based material.

14. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said exterior casing is made of a polymeric material.

15. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said exterior casing is made of a elastomeric material.

16. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said exterior casing and cover are made of a laminate material and said exterior casing portion faces out away from said inner core.

17. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said energy dissipative core is approximately 65-90% of the overall weight of the projectile.

18. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said cover is approximately 1-6 millimeters thick.

19. The game projectile as in claim 1 wherein said exterior casing is approximately 2-15 millimeters thick.

20. The game projectile as in claim 1 having an overall length ranging from 36 to 42 inches and a girth ranging from 30 to 36 inches.

21. The game projectile as in claim 1 having an overall length ranging from 18 to 24 inches and a girth ranging from 12 to 18 inches.

22. A game projectile comprising:

an energy dissipative core having an irregular shape;

a pliant moisture-resistant, covering closing said core to form an irregularly-shaped inner body; and

a pliant, substantially puncture-resistant, exterior casing enveloping said inner body, said exterior casing and cover loosely enveloping said core preventing said projectile from rolling when impacted wherein said game projectile has a weight in a range from 2 to 8 pounds and a horizontal girth ranging from 18 to 42 inches and a vertical girth ranging from 12 to 36 inches.

23. A game projectile as in claim 22 wherein said energy dissipative core comprises a plurality of plastic pellets.

24. A method of playing a soccer-like game on ice between at least a first player and a second player, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a game projectile comprising an energy dissipative core, a pliant, moisture-resistant cover enclosing said core to form an irregularly shaped inner body, and a pliant, substantially puncture-resistant, exterior casing enveloping said inner body, said exterior casing and cover loosely enveloping said core preventing said projectile from rolling when impacted wherein said projectile has a weight in a range from 2 to 8 pounds;

(b) providing a first goal on a first end of said playing area and a second goal on a second end of said playing area opposite said first side;

(c) advancing said game projectile across said playing area by the use of a player'"'"'s legs, torso or arms;

(d) awarding points to said first player for moving said game projectile across said playing area through said second goal member; and

(e) awarding points to said second player for moving said game projectile across said playing area through said first goal member.

25. A method of playing a soccer-like game on a substantially smooth surface between at least a first player and a second player, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a game projectile comprising an energy dissipative core, a pliant, moisture-resistant cover enclosing said core to form an irregularly shaped inner body, a pliant, substantially puncture-resistant, exterior casing enveloping said inner body;

(b) defining a playing area using at least four boundary markers;

(c) providing a goal on a first end of said playing area and a second goal on a second end of said playing area opposite said first side;

(d) advancing said game projectile across said playing area by said first player toward a selected one of said first and second goals by the use of a player'"'"'s legs, torso or arms;

(e) advancing said game projectile across said playing area by said second player toward the other of said first and second goals by the use of a player'"'"'s legs, torso or arms; and

(f) awarding points to a player for moving said game projectile from said playing area through said opponent'"'"'s selected goal.