Automated ball game training and playing system
First Claim
1. A ball game system, comprising:
- a planar playing surface including a surface adjacent one or more deformable elastic surfaces;
a hoop dimensioned to receive a ball and disposed at an elevated position proximate an end of the playing surface;
means for adjusting or limiting the elasticity of rebounds provided by the one or more deformable elastic surfaces;
means for receiving a payment and providing a signal indicative of a payment being made;
means operably connected to the elasticity adjusting or limiting means for controlling the elasticity adjusting or limiting means in response to the signal from the payment receiving means so as to restrict or enable player use of the one or more deformable elastic surfaces;
the one or more of deformable elastic surfaces comprise trampolines, each including a flexible fabric to which is connected about a perimeter of the flexible fabric a plurality of biasing members providing elastic forces resisting deformation of the flexible fabric; and
the elasticity adjusting or limiting means comprises an inflexible member which is operably connected to the plurality of biasing members to constrain the motion and/or extension of the plurality of biasing members; and
at least one movable piston connected to the inflexible member to move the inflexible member to a position so as to oppose the resistive forces provided by the plurality of biasing members, the at least one movable piston being controlled by the control means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A ball game system for training and/or play comprising a one or more playing areas suitably large to accommodate running and jumping players, each playing area including adjacent surface areas forming a court and having distinctly different properties, such as a first surface suitable for bouncing a ball and a second surface comprised of a deformable elastic material. The system includes an automatic ball feeder and sensors for monitoring the positions and trajectories of one or more players and/or balls on the court. Options include visual displays and/or audio outputs reflective of player performance, and payment-driven operation of the system components, including a means for adjusting the degree of rebound provided by the deformable elastic surface(s).
56 Citations
32 Claims
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1. A ball game system, comprising:
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a planar playing surface including a surface adjacent one or more deformable elastic surfaces; a hoop dimensioned to receive a ball and disposed at an elevated position proximate an end of the playing surface; means for adjusting or limiting the elasticity of rebounds provided by the one or more deformable elastic surfaces; means for receiving a payment and providing a signal indicative of a payment being made; means operably connected to the elasticity adjusting or limiting means for controlling the elasticity adjusting or limiting means in response to the signal from the payment receiving means so as to restrict or enable player use of the one or more deformable elastic surfaces; the one or more of deformable elastic surfaces comprise trampolines, each including a flexible fabric to which is connected about a perimeter of the flexible fabric a plurality of biasing members providing elastic forces resisting deformation of the flexible fabric; and the elasticity adjusting or limiting means comprises an inflexible member which is operably connected to the plurality of biasing members to constrain the motion and/or extension of the plurality of biasing members; and at least one movable piston connected to the inflexible member to move the inflexible member to a position so as to oppose the resistive forces provided by the plurality of biasing members, the at least one movable piston being controlled by the control means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32)
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Specification