Catching game

• US 9,387,380 B2
• Filed: 07/02/2014
• Issued: 07/12/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 04/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marshall Montgomery
• Original Assignee: Marshall Montgomery
• Inventors: Montgomery, Marshall
• Primary Examiner(s): WONG, STEVEN B
• Application Number:
  US14/322,100
• Publication Number:
  US 20150290512A1
• Time in Patent Office: 741 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0694 Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/801 Contact switches
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/50 Wireless data transmission, e.g. by radio transmitters or telemetry
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2225/74 with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2243/007 American football
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 37/00 Solid balls; Rigid hollow balls; Marbles heavy throwing balls A63B65/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/00 Balls with special arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 43/008 with means for improving visibility, e.g. special markings or colours illuminating or reflecting means A63B43/06
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/002 Games using balls, not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 67/06 Ring or disc tossing games , e.g. quoits; Throwing or tossing games, e.g. using balls; Games for manually rolling balls, e.g. marbles
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/06 Indicating or scoring devices for games or players , or for other sports activities
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0669 Score-keepers or score display devices

Abstract

The present application is directed to methods and apparatus for playing a throwing game, employing a ball in which the surface of the ball is divided into zones, with indicia contained in each zone. In preferred examples, the ball is shaped like a football, and the indicia indicate number of points to be awarded, if any. Preferably a player catching the ball will receive the number of points indicated by the indicia within a zone on which the catching player'"'"'s thumb lands. Reach player'"'"'s points are added in a running tally. The invention also concerning a ball to be used in such a game.

Claims

1. A prolate spheroid-shaped ball, structured to be lightweight, having a surface comprising a plurality of zones arranged around the circumference of the ball, with each said zone being at least as large as a human thumb, and displaying a word or number selected from the group consisting of:

Interception, 0, 7, 3, 2, 6, Fumble, 8, Turnover, Safety, Field Goal, Touchdown, Touchdown plus Extra Point, and Touchdown plus Conversion visible on the surface of the ball, and wherein said ball contains a touch-sensitive sensor associated with each zone structured to register score information when a body appendage touches a zone.

2. The ball of claim 1 wherein the ball comprises a foam polymer.

3. The ball of claim 1 wherein said ball is in the shape of an American football.

4. The ball of claim 3 wherein said ball comprises a foam polymer.

5. The ball of claim 4 wherein each zone of said plurality of zones are equal in size and shape to each other zone.

6. The ball of claim 1 wherein said sensor transmits said score information to a microprocessor for calculating a score.

7. The ball of claim 6 wherein said score information is wirelessly transmitted to said microprocessor.