Patent Application
20240390755
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present disclosure. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art nor material to the presently described or claimed inventions, nor that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of ball games of existing art and more specifically relates to a ball tossing game and method of play.
Ball based games have been widely enjoyed as a means of entertainment and exercise. In such games, a ball is used as the central implement to score points or prevent the opposing team from scoring. Some variations of these games incorporate elements from other sports, such as nets, adding layers of complexity and excitement. Basketball and volleyball are examples of such sports.
Basketball is a ball-based game played on a court with two netted hoops at opposing ends of the court. One of the most iconic maneuvers in basketball is the ‘jump shot.’ This skillful technique requires precision timing and coordination as players leap into the air, suspended momentarily, before releasing the ball towards the hoop.
Volleyball is another ball-based sport played on a court divided by a net. Volleyball requires players to skillfully pass, set, and spike the ball over the net in an effort to score points. Rallies are the pulse of the game, where both teams engage in intense exchanges to score points. A rally commences when a player from one team serves the ball, tossing or releasing it and then striking it with a hand or arm over the net, and into the receiving team's court. The receiving team's objective is to prevent the ball from touching the ground within their court, which typically involves players jumping at the net to intercept the ball.
Despite the popularity of these games, there remains an ongoing quest for fresh games capable of spotlighting players' athletic ability and skill sets. Accordingly, a suitable solution is desired.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known ball game art, the present disclosure provides a novel ball tossing game and method. The general purpose of the present disclosure, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a ball tossing game that includes one or more crossbars for two or more players to toss a ball back and forth over or through.
A ball tossing game apparatus is disclosed herein. According to one or more embodiments, the ball tossing game apparatus may include a playing court, a bar assembly and a ball. The playing court may include a court boundary defined by a pair of longitudinal side lines and a pair of lateral end lines, and first and second play zones defined by a lateral central line, splitting the playing court into two equal halves. The bar assembly may be positioned at the central line of the playing court and may include a pair of parallel vertical bars arranged at opposite sides of the central line and extending vertically upwardly from the playing court; and at least one crossbar arranged horizontally between the pair of parallel vertical bars at a predetermined height and substantially parallel to the central line of the playing court. The ball is configured to be thrown over the at least one crossbar by a player.
According to another embodiment, a method of playing a ball tossing game is also disclosed herein. The method may comprise the steps of: providing the ball tossing game apparatus; standing, by at least one first player, in one of the first and second play zones, and standing, by at least one second player, in another of the first and second play zones; and rallying, by the at least one first player and the at least one second player, the ball back and forth over the at least one crossbar for a predetermined number of rallies.
Each rally may include simultaneously jumping, for example by a first player, and tossing the ball over the at least one crossbar, such that the tossing of the ball is completed whilst the first player is airborne. A second player may then simultaneously jump, catch and return toss (i.e., toss back) the ball tossed over the at least one crossbar by the first player, such that the catching and returning of the ball is completed whilst the second player is airborne. One rally is completed once the ball is grounded (e.g., one of the players fails to catch the ball and it falls to the ground, one of the players fails to get the ball over or through the crossbar(s) and it falls to the ground, one of the players fails to return the ball whilst airborne and lands on the playing court whilst holding the ball in their hand(s), etc.).
According to one or more additional embodiments, the ball tossing game apparatus may include a playing court, a bar assembly and a ball. The playing court may include a court boundary defined by a pair of longitudinal side lines and a pair of lateral end lines, and first and second play zones defined by a lateral central line, splitting the playing court into two equal halves. The first and second play zones may each be separated into a free zone and a closed zone by first and second lateral zoning lines, respectively, that may be parallel with the central line. The closed zone of each of the first and second play zones may span from the central line to a respective zoning line of the first and second lateral zoning lines; and the free zone of each of the first and second play zones may span from the respective zoning line to one of the pair of lateral end lines.
The bar assembly may be positioned at the central line of the playing court and may include a pair of parallel vertical bars arranged at opposite sides of the central line and extending vertically upwardly from the playing court. A pair of crossbars may be arranged horizontally between the pair of parallel vertical bars at a predetermined height and substantially parallel to the central line of the playing court. The pair of crossbars may be separated by a predetermined distance and defining a space therebetween. As such, the ball may be thrown through the space between the pair of crossbars, by a player.
For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and methods of use for the present disclosure, a ball tossing game and method, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present disclosure.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a ball tossing game. Generally, the ball tossing game may include a combination of basketball and other net sports, like volleyball, replacing the net with one or two horizontal crossbars. An official sized ball is tossed over a crossbar, for standard play; or through two crossbars for enhanced play, back and forth between two players or two teams. The tossing, catching and returning of the ball must be done mid-air, similar to a jump shot in basketball. As such, the ball tossing game is played mid-air (i.e., airborne) whilst the ball is in play.
Referring now more specifically to the drawings by numerals of reference, there is shown in
Referring first to
In some embodiments, a referee may be stationed on one side of a playing court 110 (that the ball tossing game is played on) to determine score, points and resolve any discrepancies between players by applying game rulings. A governing body of the ball tossing game may consist of an amateur and a professional organization. A commissioner, officer and referees may run both organizations.
As shown in
As shown here, first and second play zones 114a, b may be defined by a lateral central line 115, splitting the playing court 110 into two equal halves. As shown in
The bar assembly 120 may include a pair of parallel vertical bars 121a, b arranged at opposite sides of the central line 115 and extending vertically upwardly from the playing court 110; and one or more crossbars 122 arranged horizontally between the pair of parallel vertical bars 121a, b at a predetermined height and substantially parallel to the central line 115 of the playing court 110.
Further, as shown here, the pair of parallel vertical bars 121a, b may each include a base 123a, b disposed at a bottom thereof for supporting the bar assembly 120 on the playing court 110. In some embodiments, each base 123a, b may be configured for alignment with one of the pair of longitudinal side lines 112a, b. It should however be appreciated that each base 123a, b is not limited to the configuration shown here. For example, instead of the bars illustrated here, each base 123a, b may include (but again is not limited to) square metal plates, concrete blocks, or the like. It is contemplated that each base 123a, b can be any configuration able to support the bar assembly 120 and keep it in place.
As demonstrated in
The ball tossing game may consist of a predetermined number of rallies. For example, the ball tossing game may consist of (but is not limited to) 3 or 7 sets of rallies. Each set may be (but is not limited to) 5 points and the winner of the ball tossing game is the player who wins the most sets. One rally may be completed once the ball 130 is grounded. It should be appreciated that the term “grounded” here can encompass both: scenarios where the ball 130 is physically ‘grounded’ (contacting) the playing court 110; and scenarios where the ball 130 is not physically contacting the playing court 110, but a player holding the ball 130 is contacting the playing court 110 (or ‘grounded’). For example, one rally may include the ball 130 being tossed between the two teams or players until a player either 1) misses putting the ball 130 over or through the crossbar(s) 122; 2) drops the ball 130 in their half of the playing court 110; or 3) fails to return the ball 130 and lands on their feet whilst holding the ball 130 in their hand. If any of these scenarios happen, a point is awarded to the opposing team.
As also demonstrated in
Referring now more specifically to
As discussed above, the playing court 110 includes the court boundary 111 defined by the pair of longitudinal side lines 112a, b and the pair of lateral end lines 113a, b; and first and second play zones 114a, b defined by the lateral central line 115, splitting the playing court 110 into two equal halves.
As also shown here, the first and second play zones 114a, b may each be separated into a free zone 116a, b and a closed zone 117a, b by first and second lateral zoning lines 118a, b, respectively. The first and second zoning lines 118a, b may be parallel with the central line 115. The closed zone 117a, b of each of the first and second play zones 114a, b may span from the central line 115 to a respective zoning line of the first and second lateral zoning lines 118a, b (i.e., the section of the playing court 110 nearest the bar assembly 120 and central line 115). Accordingly, the free zone 116a, b of each of the first and second play zones 114a, b may span from the respective zoning line (118a or b) to one of the pair of lateral end lines 113a, b. As shown in
In some embodiments, each line (112a, b, 113a, b, 115a, b, and 118a, b) on the playing court 110 may be marked on the playing court 110; for example, in yellow or white paint, or other marking media. In other embodiments, such as for playing courts 110 on sand, each line (112a, b, 113a, b, 115a, b, and 118a, b) may be marked using ropes.
As shown here, the free zone 116a, b may be a larger area than the closed zone 117a, b. In some embodiments, if, during play, the ball 130 lands in the closed zone 117a, b no point is awarded; if the ball 130 lands in the free zone 116a, b, a point is awarded against the player (i.e., one point given to the opposing player or team) that is in the involved free zone 116a, b. In other words, if player 1 throws the ball 130 into the free zone (116a or b) of player 2, player 1 is awarded a point. If player 1 throws the ball 130 in the closed zone (117a or b) of player 2, the ball 130 is dead and no point is awarded to player 2. Further, when the ball 130 lands outside of the court boundary 111, one point is awarded against the player who last contacted the ball 130 (i.e., the player who caused the ball 130 to land outside of the court boundary 111). In other words, if player 1 throws the ball 130 and it lands outside of the court boundary 111, a point is awarded to player 2.
Referring now more specifically to
For example, as shown in
As shown in
In some embodiments, the bar assembly 120 may be made from a material such as (but not limited to) metal, rigid plastic or fiberglass. Further, each of the bars (121a, b and 122 or 122a, b) may include (but are not limited to) an outside diameter between 1 to 5 inches (inclusive).
Referring now to
As illustrated, the method 200 may include the steps of: step one 201, providing the ball tossing game apparatus as above; step two 202, standing, by at least one first player, in one of the first and second play zones, and standing, by at least one second player, in another of the first and second play zones; step three 203, rallying, by the at least one first player and the at least one second player, the ball back and forth over the at least one crossbar for a predetermined number of rallies, wherein a rally includes: simultaneously jumping and tossing 203a, by one of the at least one first player and the at least one second player, the ball over the at least one crossbar, such that the tossing of the ball is completed whilst said one of the at least one first player and the at least one second player is airborne; and simultaneously jumping, catching and return tossing 203b, by another one of the at least one first player and the at least one second player, the ball tossed over the at least one crossbar by said one of the at least one first player and the at least one second player, such that the catching and return tossing of the ball is completed whilst said another one of the at least one first player and the at least one second player is airborne.
In other words, each rally may include simultaneously jumping, for example by a first player, and tossing the ball over the at least one crossbar, such that the tossing of the ball is completed whilst the first player is airborne. A second player may then simultaneously jump, catch and return (i.e., toss back) the ball tossed over the at least one crossbar by the first player, such that the catching and return tossing of the ball is completed whilst the second player is airborne. As discussed above, one rally is completed once the ball is grounded (e.g., one of the players fails to catch the ball and it falls to the ground, one of the players fails to get the ball over or through the crossbar(s) and it falls to the ground, one of the players fails to return the ball whilst airborne and lands on the playing court whilst holding the ball in their hand(s), etc.).
If a player doesn't return the ball (after catching) whilst airborne, that player loses a point (or a point is awarded to the other player/team). In other words, whilst the ball is in play, any player that lands on the surface of the playing court whilst holding the ball loses a point (or, again, a point is awarded to the other player/team).
As above, the bar assembly may include one crossbar arranged horizontally between the pair of parallel vertical bars and, as such, the tossing and return tossing steps includes tossing the ball over the one crossbar. In embodiments including two crossbars, the tossing and return tossing steps include tossing the ball through the space between the two crossbars.
As above, a point is awarded against a player not airborne during at least the jumping and tossing step. Particularly, if the player lands on the ground prior to returning the ball to the opponent's side, a penalty applies (i.e., a point is awarded to the opposing player).
If the ball lands in the closed zone, no point is awarded (the ball is considered dead); and if the ball lands in the free zone, a point is awarded against a player associated therewith (i.e., the player in that particular free zone). Further, if the ball lands outside of the court boundary, one point is awarded against a player who caused the ball to land outside of the court boundary (i.e., the player who last had contact with the ball).
It should be noted that certain steps may be optional and may not be implemented in all cases. It should also be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. The use of “step of” should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112 (f). It should also be noted that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods for playing a tossing game apparatus are taught herein.
It should be understood by one of skill in the art that the disclosed invention is described here in a few exemplary embodiments of many. No particular terminology or description should be considered limiting on the disclosure or the scope of any claims issuing therefrom.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the relevant patent offices and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application.
The present application is related to and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/469,298 filed May 26, 2023, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63469298 | May 2023 | US |
