Patent Application
20240001209
This invention relates in general to games and game apparatus. In particular, this invention relates to an improved ball game to be played in a swimming pool and a suspended target for use in the game.
It has been popular for a long time to play ball games in swimming pools. Such games have included versions of basketball wherein a basketball basket is positioned either at or near an edge of the pool, or is configured to float in the pool. In such known swimming pool ball games, a ball that is thrown or tossed by a player may miss its basket target and travel outside of the pool where the player or another person must retrieve it. In addition to the inconvenience of having to retrieve the ball when outside of the pool, a ball that travels out of the pool may land in dirt or debris and become disadvantageously dirty.
Thus, it would be desirable to provide an improved swimming pool ball game that is structured and configured such that, when played, the ball is more likely to stay within the pool, even if the players miss the ball basket or other target.
This invention relates to an improved ball game to be played in a swimming pool and a suspended target for use in the game. A first embodiment of the swimming pool ball game includes a ball target, poles mounted on opposite sides of a swimming pool in which the ball target is deployed, and cable assemblies extending from the ball target to each of the poles, the cable assemblies configured to allow the ball target to remain suspended above and, substantially parallel with, the surface of water within the swimming pool when the swimming pool ball game is being used.
A second embodiment of the swimming pool ball game includes a game deck having a ball hole formed therethrough and a basketball-type net mounted to the game deck below the ball hole, poles mounted on opposite sides of a swimming pool in which the game deck is deployed, and cable assemblies extending from the game deck to each of the poles, the cable assemblies configured to allow the game deck to remain suspended above and, substantially parallel with, the surface of water within the swimming pool when the swimming pool ball game is being used. Each cable assembly includes a pair of first cables, a first end of each first cable attached to a corner of the game deck and second ends of each first cable are attached to a second cable.
Various aspects of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, when read in view of the accompanying drawings.
Referring now to the drawings, there is illustrated in
Referring again to
Each cable assembly 18 includes a pair of first cables 24. A first end 24A of each first cable 24 is attached to a corner of the game deck 16 and the second ends 24B of each first cable 24 are attached to a second cable 26. The second ends 24B of the first cables 24 may be attached to the second cable 26 by a tensioning device, such as a turnbuckle, shown schematically at 28. Similarly, the first ends 24A of the first cables 24 may be attached to the corners of the game deck 16 by the tensioning devices 28.
Distal ends of each of the second cables 26 may be attached to a pole 30. If desired, the distal ends of each of the second cables 26 may be attached to the pole 30 by the tensioning devices 28. The poles 30 may have a unitary, single piece construction, may be telescoping, or may be formed of one or more connected segments. The poles 30 may be mounted to a base 32 that rests on, or is attached to, the ground, or may be anchored in the ground adjacent the swimming pool 10.
The game deck 16 and the connected cable assemblies 18 are structured and configured to allow the game deck 16 to remain substantially parallel with the surface of the water W when the swimming pool ball game 12 is being used. The poles 30, especially if telescoping, the game deck 16, and the attached cable assemblies 18 are further structured and configured to allow the game deck 16 to be selectively positioned at any desired distance D above the water W in the swimming pool 10, such as within about 12 inches to about 60 inches above the water W. It will be understood that the game deck 16 may be positioned at any desired distance D above the water W. It will also be understood that the poles 30 may also include multiple attachment members, such as hooks or eyelets (not shown), arranged longitudinally thereon to allow the game deck 16 and the attached cable assemblies 18 to be selectively positioned at a plurality of different distances D above the water W. As shown in
The game deck 16 may be formed from any desired material, including but not limited to plastic, wood, and composite materials. The cable assemblies 18 may also be formed from any desired material, including but not limited to steel or other metal cables, and ropes formed from nylon or other man-made or natural fiber.
Although the illustrated swimming pool ball game 12 includes the cable assemblies 18, it will be understood that other means of attaching the game deck 16 to the poles 30 and suspending the game deck 16 above the water W may be used, including but not limited to other types of cables, ropes, straps, chains, and the like.
Referring now to
Alternatively, the swimming pool ball game 42 may include poles 44 configured to be securely mounted to a side wall 41 of the above-ground swimming pool 40. Like the poles 30, the poles 44 may have a unitary, single piece construction, may be telescoping, or may be formed of one or more connected segments.
If desired, a detachable basketball style backboard 46 may be mounted to one side of the game deck 16 to limit game play to one side of the game deck 16, as shown in
Advantageously, the game deck 16 may be suspended centrally above the pools 10 or 40. Thus, when the swimming pool ball games 12 and 42 are played, the ball 14 is tossed toward the ball hole 20 in the game deck 16, which minimizes the opportunity for the ball 14 to be inadvertently tossed out of the pool 10, 40.
The principle and mode of operation of this invention have been explained and illustrated in its preferred embodiment. However, it must be understood that this invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically explained and illustrated without departing from its spirit or scope.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63357258 | Jun 2022 | US |
