The present invention relates to system and method for a game played with a racquet and a ball on playing surface having angled walls.
A number of games are currently played using a racquet and ball, most commonly tennis and racquetball. Although these games provide significant physical and mental challenges, their repeated play can become less challenging and lead to a diminished desire to play.
As such there exists a need to provide various alternatives to these basic games which provide variety beyond basic racquet and ball games.
The present invention looks to overcome the drawbacks associated with the prior art racquet and ball games by providing a system and method for a game, played with a racquet and a ball which is played on a playing surface having angled walls.
To this end, the present invention provides for an equipment for playing a game using a racquet and ball. The equipment includes a substantially horizontal playing surface having a first and second ends. The equipment also includes a plurality of playing walls, disposed at the first end of the horizontal playing surface, extending perpendicularly away from the playing surface. A first playing wall among the plurality of playing walls is disposed centrally between a second and a third playing wall among the plurality of playing walls. The second playing wall and the third playing wall are angled relative to the first playing wall.
The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
The present invention relates generally to a game, preferably having two players, played with racquets, a rubber ball, a playing surface having a floor and three walls, the three walls being movable between different angles relative to one another before, and during the course of gameplay. A more detailed description of the playing surface is described in more detail below.
The game, played on the playing surface can be played with any scoring system, such as a best 2 of 3, or best 3 of 5, or any other similar scoring using a majority of a predetermined number of games. Similarly each individual game is won preferably when one player gains a larger number of points than his/her opponent, according to the rules and methods described below.
In addition to the below described playing surface the game is typically played with a racquet and ball. Preferably the ball used is a hollow rubber ball with mass and dimensions similar to the ball used in the existing game of racquetball. Preferably the racquet is to be of a similar mass, dimension and construction to the typical racquet used in the existing game of racquetball.
In one embodiment of the present invention as shown in
Playing surface 100 preferably is constructed in a rectangle having length dimension of 40 feet from front to back and width dimension 30 feet from left to right, however, the invention is not limited in this respect. The rear of playing surface 100 is defined by rearcourt line 16 and the sides of playing surface 100 are defined by sidecourt lines 17. The front of playing surface 100 is supplied with three playing walls, namely left playing wall 23, center playing wall 3 and right playing wall 5, each abutting one another and each rising perpendicularly upwards from playing surface 100.
From front to back, playing surface 100 is divided into three sections: the forecourt 6, the serving boxes 11, 13, 15 and the rearcourt 10. Serving boxes include serving box a 11, serving box b 13, and serving box c 15. Forecourt 6 is preferably 20 feet lengthwise from front to back and extends the full width 30 feet of playing surface 100. Forecourt 6 is divided from the serving boxes by a forecourt line 10.
As illustrated in
It is understood that many of the elements, described above and shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention as, illustrated in
From front to back, playing surface 100 is divided into three sections: the forecourt 6, the serving boxes 11, 13, 15 and the rearcourt 10. Serving boxes include serving box a 11, serving box b 13, and serving box c 15. Forecourt 6 is preferably 20 feet lengthwise from front to back and extends the full width 30 feet of playing surface 100. Forecourt 6 is divided from the serving boxes by a forecourt line 10.
As illustrated in
It is understood that many of the elements, described above and shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention as, illustrated in
As illustrated in
Hinge 110 may be continuous or in sections and is sized according to the nature of the construction of playing walls 23, 3 and 5. Hinge 110 is located on the back side of walls 23, 3 and 5, so that the vertical joint between playing walls 23, 3 and 5 is tight and minimized on front surface of the walls, used to play the game.
Playing walls 23, 3 and 5 are preferably supported at their sidecourt ends, closer to sidecourt line 17, in such a way, dependant on the construction of walls 23, 3 and 5, to allow them to pivot in accordance with the description below. This support may include but is not limited to: casters, trucks, bearings, etc.
In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in
Playing walls 23, 3 and 5 each have an angled top portion 24, 2 and 4 respectively. Top portions 24, 2 and 4 are substantially the same width of the walls they sit upon and have a true length height of 3 feet, 0 inches. Top surfaces 24, 2 and 4 are angled towards the main playing surface 100 at an angle of 25° from the vertical as shown in
In one embodiment of the present invention, top portions 24, 2, and 4 are attached to tops of playing walls 23, 3 and 5 by hinges. The hinges allow top portions 24, 2 and 4, to pivot, varying the angle to greater or lesser than 25 degrees.
Playing walls 23 and 5 are able to pivot to one of three positions during the course of game play. This pivoting can be achieved through mechanical means, or by manual repositioning depending on the nature of their construction. The positions of the pivoting walls 23 and 5 for the purpose of gameplay is preferably angles of 45° from the plane of playing wall 3, towards playing surface 100, 50° from the plane of playing wall 3 towards playing surface 100 and 55° from the plane of playing wall 3 towards playing surface 100. These varied angles 500 and 55° for playing walls 23 and 5 are illustrated in
It is understood that the above described playing wall angles of 45 degrees, 50 degrees and 55 degrees are intended only as sample orientations and in no way limit the scope of the present invention. Playing walls 23, 3 and 5 can be set to be at any angle relative to one another based on the player's desire. For the purposes of illustration the above described angles are used in conjunction with the below described exemplary game play rules.
The angle of playing wall 23 from playing wall 3, towards playing surface 100, is preferably during gameplay matched to the angle of playing wall 5 from playing wall 3, towards playing surface 100.
In one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in
In one embodiment of the present invention, gameplay on playing surface 100 is preferably conducted according to the following rules. It is understood that playing surface 100 may be used for any purpose at all, regardless of the game played. However, for the purposes of illustrating a particular use for playing surface 100, the following gameplay is described in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
Each game is based on a 30 minute duration which is preferably divided into 6 sets of 5 minutes each. Each player is preferably given 2.5 minutes of service within each set, to score as many points against his/her opponent by following specific serve patterns, outlined below. Playing walls 23 and 5 are positioned at different yet symmetrical angles during different sets according to the pattern outlined below.
The serve patterns, outlined below in Table 1, are the shots that must be successfully achieved by the player who is serving, for play to commence. The service shot must be made by a serving player hitting the ball from behind service line 18 to the designated wall, and landing in the designated service box 11, 13 or 15, without otherwise touching playing surface 100. The order of serve patterns followed in each 2.5 minute segment of play are as follows:
An opposing player must then return the ball, utilizing any combination of playing walls 23, 3 or 5, so that the ball strikes one of playing walls 23, 3 or 5, or combination thereon, before landing on playing surface 100. If the opposing player is unable to return the ball, points are awarded to the serving player and the next service pattern within the set is utilized.
Play progresses with each player taking alternating turns returning the ball on its first bounce from playing surface 100, to playing walls 23, 3 and 5. If either player is unable to return the ball, points are awarded to the other player as outlined below and the next service pattern within the set is utilized. Although the players may utilize playing surface 100 as well as the areas outside playing surface 100 to conduct the game, the ball may only make contact with playing walls 100 or the playing surface within sidecourt 17 and rearcourt lines 16.
If in the course of the 2.5 minute service within the set, the serving player has run through all three serving patterns, subsequent serving patterns should be a repetition of the previous three.
At the end of the 2.5 minute service, the ball is given to the opposing player for their 2.5 minutes of service, following the same service pattern for the set. When both players have played their 2.5 minute service segments within the set—then the next set is begun.
Again, it is understood that this is only intended as one example of gameplay method that can be conducted using playing surface 100. However, any similar game utilizing playing walls 23, 3 and 5 with playing surface 100, is within the contemplation of the present invention.
In one embodiment of the present invention, assuming the gameplay follows the above described exemplary rules, points are awarded to the player who completes a shot that hits one or more of playing walls 23, 3 and 5, bounces from playing surface 100 and is not returned by the opposing player. Preferably the points awarded are based on the point value of playing walls 23, 3 or 5 that are struck by the ball before such a shot is completed. Playing walls 23 and 5 have values of 2 points, with center playing wall 3 having a value of 1 point.
In another possible scoring method, if in the course of play, a player completes a shot that hits all three playing walls 23, 3 and 5 (angleball), bounces from playing surface 100 and is not returned by the opposing player—then that player is awarded the total point value of all three playing walls 23, 3 and 5 (2+1+2=5 points) is awarded. However, if the opposing player is able to return this ‘angleball’ in such a way that the initializing player is not able to consequently return the ball then this opposing player is awarded the 5 points.
In another possible scoring method, if in the course of play, a player completes a serve in accordance with one of the service patterns described above and the opposing player is unable to return the serve, then the serving player is awarded 4 points.
In another possible scoring method, if a player accumulates a total of 6 of any of the following fouls during the course of play, then the offending player forfeits the remaining time of their service set and the opposing player is given service.
Fouls include but are not limited to: if during service, the player serving does not successfully complete a service pattern, with the ball landing in the designated service box 11, 13 or 15; if during service, the player serving serves the ball in such a way that it bounces from playing surface 100 before hitting designated playing wall 23, 3 or 5; if during service, the player hits the ball out of the bounds of playing surface 100 without first completing the designated service pattern; if during the course of play, a player is hit with any playing equipment (other then the ball). Such fouls are registered against the player whose equipment did the hitting.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the system tracks player's movements on the court, providing feedback and data in real-time, or after each game. In addition to the player, embedded sensors in the racquet provide information on the movement of the racquet, for storage, retrieval and data analysis, both during the game and after wards. Advantageously, the motion capture module tracks a player's moves, points scored and fitness condition. At the conclusion of a match, players will be able to download their personal data into any smart device and analyze their performance, in that particular match.
In accordance with another embodiment a point valuation arrangement is employed, such that the walls and areas of the court are split into different scoring zones, adding and additional element of strategy and precision to compliment the risk/reward strategies. As such the tracking system or embedded sensors on the playing surfaces both on the ground floor and on the walls can track the position of the players and the ball as the game progresses. In accordance with one embodiment, as the game progresses, the system dynamically changes the point values of the various locations on the playing surfaces, by notifying the players. For example, the surfaces can display the point values corresponding to their zone and locations, forcing the players to change the direction of the ball towards locations that can accumulate the most points.
In accordance with another embodiment, throughout a set of games, players are required to hit different zones for each serve on both the back walls and the service boxes. During a game, each zone represents different point values which are rewarded based on the last zone that the ball touches. Each and every volley is played differently. With the varying angles on each wall, the different strategies for striking the ball, as well as the in-depth point system provide a complex and innovative approach to fast-paced racquet sports.
This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional patent application No. 62/464,150, filed on Feb. 27, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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62464150 | Feb 2017 | US |