Dodge ball game and method of play

• US 6,598,882 B2
• Filed: 08/02/2001
• Issued: 07/29/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Evapco Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Veronica M. Stubberfield
• Inventors: Stubberfield, Veronica M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/919,874
• Publication Number:
  US 20030025267A1
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 273/459, 273/460, 273/461, 273/440, 273/441, 273/453, 273/454, 273/455, 273/317
• US Class Current: 273/460
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2208/12 specially adapted for children
• 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

Abstract

A game suited for children from five years to adulthood. Game apparatus is spider or web shaped electronic device having a grounding stake. Included are 25 foot spider or web-like attachments, having a corresponding colored lights thereon disposed. A proximity sensor monitors a specified perimeter triggering a signal light and/or buzzer, and, alas, cause for elimination. In play, the game involves two ball tossers who attempt to hit the other participating players with web-like round balls, each tosser having five chances to do so. When a player is hit, that player is deemed “snarled,” and ousted. Players are “snarled” by crossing a perimeter defined by a pre-set proximity sensor. The tosser may replace the “snarled” player. The last remaining un-“snarled” player wins. Other rules are contemplated.

Claims

1. A game apparatus for playing a dodge ball type game comprising:

an immobilized spider body having accommodations for a plurality of players, each of said accommodations comprising;

a source of electrical power;

an electrical switch;

a line having a proximate end attached for activating

said switch and a distal end;

a handle connected at the distal end of said line; and

a colored electric light activated by said switch; and

at least one tossing ball;

whereby, each of the of players respectively grasps the handle while at least one other player throws the at least one ball at one of the players in an attempt to hit the one player, and wherein the one player attempts to dodge the thrown ball while maintaining grasp of the handle without activating the electrical switch.

2. The game apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a buzzer activated by said switch.

3. The game apparatus of claim 2, wherein there is a light of a different color for accommodating each of said players.

4. The game apparatus of claim 2, wherein there is a separate buzzer for each player.

5. The game apparatus of claim 2, wherein there is a single buzzer for all players.

6. The game apparatus of claim 1, wherein each said line is about 25 feet in length.

7. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said game apparatus has separate accommodations for eight players.

8. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said game apparatus comprises a plurality of tossing balls.

9. The game apparatus of claim 1 wherein said spider body includes a removably attached doll resembling a spider.

10. A method of playing a dodge ball game comprising:

designating up to eight players as dodgers, known as prey;

designating two players as ball tossers, known as spiders;

each of said prey maintaining a grasp on one of eight handles which are attached to electric switches by intervening lines, said switches being mounted on a central immobile body and operating corresponding colored lights and a buzzer mounted on said body;

whereby one of said spiders alternately tosses a ball in an attempt to hit prey, a hit prey being considered “

snarled” and

out of the game; and

whereby a prey who travels further than the length of the line between the handle and said immobile body trips the corresponding switch which lights the associated light and buzzer, designating that prey to be “

snarled” and

, thus, out of the game.