Speed and Agility Game Platform

Abstract

An athletic game, or sport where a player interacts with ricocheting ping pong balls emitting from an apparatus, challenging the player's reaction speed, and dexterity. The apparatus is wall mounted at about eye-level, or higher, said apparatus containing one or more ball retaining, and dispensing apertures that are controlled by a programmed chip. The game is played by a player anticipating a series of balls, that have no predictable sequence, being dropped from any one of several orifices, seeing each ball drop, strike a shelf, then bounce upward, giving the player an attempt to catch, net, hit, or shoot at a time interval controlled series of balls, before any can reach the floor.

Claims

1. An apparatus for providing a game or agility training, the apparatus comprising: a ball housing: a plurality of balls disposed within the ball housing; an adjustable shelf coupled to the ball housing; and a control box coupled to the ball housing, wherein the control box comprises means for regulating how the plurality of balls are dispensed from the ball housing.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ball housing comprises: at least one chamber defined within the ball housing: an aperture defined in a surface of the ball housing and communicated to a distal end of the at least one chamber; and a mechanical switch adjacently disposed to the aperture, the mechanical switch comprising a closed configuration which closes the aperture and an open configuration which opens the aperture, wherein the control box comprises means for alternating the mechanical switch between the closed configuration and the open configuration.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the shelf is coupled to the ball housing by a plurality of telescoping rods directly beneath a bottom surface of the ball housing.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the control box comprises means for communicating with the mechanical switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for alternating the mechanical switch between the closed configuration and the open configuration comprises means for alternating the mechanical switch between the closed configuration and the open configuration according to predetermined sequence.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the means for alternating the mechanical switch between the closed configuration and the open configuration comprises means for alternating the mechanical switch between the closed configuration and the open configuration according to random sequence.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the ball housing comprises a recess defined around the perimeter, the recess configured to accommodate a cover plate therein.

8. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the at least one chamber comprises a zigzag configuration defined throughout a height of the ball housing.

9. A system for providing a game or agility training, the system comprising: a ball housing; an extendable shelf coupled to the ball housing: a plurality of chambers defined within the ball housing; a plurality of balls disposed within at least one of the plurality of chambers; and a plurality of mechanical switches disposed within the ball housing, wherein the extendable shelf is disposed beneath each of the plurality of mechanical switches.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the extendable shelf comprises means for rotating the extendable shelf relative to a vertical plane defined by the ball housing.

11. The system of claim 9 further comprising a control box communicated to each of the plurality of mechanical switches, the control box comprising means for controlling each of the plurality of mechanical switches.

12. The system of claim 9 wherein at least one of the plurality of chambers comprises a zigzag configuration defined within the ball housing.

13. The system of claim 9 wherein each of the plurality of chambers comprises an aperture disposed at its distal end and at least one surface disposed adjacent to the aperture.

14. A method for playing a game or engaging in agility training comprising: disposing a plurality of balls in a ball housing; dispensing the plurality of balls from the ball housing; reflecting at least one of the dispensed plurality of balls in a direction away from the ball housing; and engaging with the at least one reflected plurality of balls by a user.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein reflecting at least one of the dispensed plurality of balls in a direction away from the ball housing comprises dropping the at least one of the dispensed plurality of balls from the ball housing onto an angled shelf disposed beneath the ball housing.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein dispensing the plurality of balls from the ball housing comprises dispensing the plurality of balls from a plurality of chambers defined within the ball housing according to a predetermined sequence.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein dispensing the plurality of balls from the ball housing comprises releasing at least one of the plurality of balls from the ball housing by actuating a mechanical switch disposed within the ball housing.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein dispensing the plurality of balls from the ball housing comprises controlling the operation of a plurality of mechanical switches through a control box communicated to the ball housing.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein disposing the plurality of balls in the ball housing comprises distributing the plurality of balls between a plurality of chambers defined within the ball housing, each of the plurality of chambers comprising at least one surface which comprises an angle relative to a horizontal axis of the ball housing.

20. The method of claim of claim 14 wherein disposing the plurality of balls in the ball housing comprises stacking the plurality of balls in a zigzag configuration within at least one chamber defined within the ball housing.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0070] FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the apparatus set up indoors. A wall with an eight foot ceiling is depicted, with unseen wall mounting device 10. In one embodiment, a shelf 22 are coupled to the body 9 via a plurality of cords or strings, or it may be independently affixed to the wall. In a separate embodiment, instead of the shelf 22 being affixed to the wall, it is supported by rods 23 that are connected to the apparatus body above 9. The recess holes for the rods to retract into are also depicted, but not the telescoping, (neither are numbered). A trough 41 to catch discarded balls is shown containing a bounce resisting net, or dampening material 39. The tightening and release nut 24 for adjusting the shelf angle is shown. The control box 43 and wire, or cable 18 that connects the apparatus to the controls, the AC to DC transformer 32.

[0071] FIG. 2A is an illustration of an alternate version of the apparatus seen in FIG. 1 which is constructed of five tubes 7 affixed to a mounting board 6.

[0072] FIG. 2B is a bottom view of the mounting board seen in FIG. 2A, showing the component strip 15 that is the lower part of the apparatus. Shown turned sideways in line as it connects to the main body 9, showing apertures 12 and solenoids 17, (or any other appropriate component).

[0073] FIG. 2C is a side view of component strip as it connects to the body housing 9, showing solenoids 17, (or other appropriate component 17), and LEDs 5.

[0074] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional frontal view of a modular unit (one ball chamber void 11, with a single aperture 12), (minus shelf, and controls), featuring a shorter, more compact ball chamber apparatus' material saving design. The use of zigzag channels 11 uses significantly less material than a vertical ball housing construction would, like depicted in FIG. 2A. Here, there is a slower gravity feed slope adjacent the aperture which allows for more time for the solenoid post to return to the normal ball blocking position.

[0075] FIG. 4 is a frontal view of a home version of the apparatus seen in FIG. 1 with five disbursement points (apertures 12). The unit depicted has a clear cover that retains the balls. The shelf 22 is normally located lower, and further from the main body 9 than shown. The adjustment nut(s) 24 that adjust the angle, or are removed temporarily to flip, and reverse the shelf s side are shown.

[0076] FIG. 5 is a partial cross sectional view of a molded ball housing of rigid foam like EPS (expanded polystyrene foam) with just a single aperture 12. The foam density would be similar to an ice chest, (two pounds per PSF or so).

[0077] FIG. 6 is a frontal view of a goal target 36 that hangs from a ceiling for paddle play.

[0078] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a goal target 36 propped up from the floor.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a side view of the goal target 36 with nets 39 and with ball stopping net retainers. Base 40 is of a heavy material, or weighted down, or can be propped up, or both.

[0080] FIG. 9 is a frontal view of the multiple goal with the net system shown in FIG. 8.

[0081] FIG. 10A is a partial perspective view of a wall mountable, angle adjustable, and reversible shelf 22 that has a threaded post 51.

[0082] FIG. 10B is a magnified view of the hand tightening type threaded nut (one of a pair) 24.

[0083] FIG. 10C is a side view of a wall mount (one of two) 20, having a slot for the post

[0084] The disclosure and its various embodiments can now be better understood by turning to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments which are presented as illustrated examples of the embodiments defined in the claims. It is expressly understood that the embodiments as defined by the claims may be broader than the illustrated embodiments described below.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0085] A rebounding ball game, or recreational pastime facilitated by a programed electronic chip and player controls 25-31 as seen in FIG. 1, comprising of an apparatus/system of gravity fed containers, which open briefly to allow the release of one, or multiple, balls to drop out of a tube 7 within a ball housing 9 at precise time sequences, to descend to strike a horizontally disposed narrow shelf like structure 22 about the same length as the ball housing, but placed approximately two, or three feet lower than the ball housing 9. The shelf 22 is either affixed to the wall with a mount 10, or held by rods 23 connected to the ball housing 9. A practical home version could be about one meter wide, with five microchip controlled aperture blockers, and corresponding ball storage chambers. The games are played by turning on the electrical system with the control box 43, and selecting the disbursement speed, and then instigating the start sequence. The preferred embodiment has three electronic tones about a half second apart, signaling that the ball dropping sequence is about to start. The apparatus can be made with no component cable 18 by placing the wiring, and components into the ball housing 9. Adjacent to each tube 7 is mechanical switch 17 and an LED 5 as seen in FIG. 2C which lights up when the mechanical switch is electrified.

[0086] As seen in FIGS. 2A-2C, the ball housing body 9 retains a plurality of balls 8 and is coupled to an electronic strip 15 which in turn contains the wired electronic ball releasing components, namely the mechanical switches 17, LEDs 5, and associated wiring. The shelf 22 is the length of the ball housing 9 but comprises a narrow width. The shelf 22 can have two playable sides and comprises a threaded post 51 with corresponding tightening nuts 24 on each end to adjust the angle of the shelf 22 relative to the ball housing 9, or to change the playing side of the shelf. One side of the shelf 22 is flat, and smooth, while the other side 50 can be irregular to cause the ball 8 to take a less predictable direction after bouncing from the shelf 22 surface. The shelf can be attached to a wall, or held by rods 23 that can be solid, or able to telescope shorter for when the game is not in use. In a preferred embodiment, the width of the shelf 22 is about two inches wide.

[0087] The apparatus further comprises an electrical control box 43 that contains a programed microchip, control buttons/dials 25-31, power supply 32, wiring, and optional wireless transmitters. The preferred embodiment comprises the option of having electronic tones sounding about a half second apart as a countdown.

[0088] The game balls 8 are preferably light weight balls made of plastic or plastic composites, similar to a ball used for table tennis.

[0089] Turning to FIG. 5, the apparatus in one particular embodiment is a single modular unit 34 having only one ball housing chamber 12, one aperture, and one release mechanism. The module could be placed side by side with other modules on the same plane, to form a plurality necessary for a good game set-up. This method of construction would be practical because the molds would cost considerably less. Also, if each unit was set a few feet apart, instead of the closer distance apart in the home version seen in FIG. 4, it would provide a quick basketball type of workout.

[0090] The control box housing 43 is provided with a plurality of operational buttons, (not shown in drawings), with on/off, start, pause, with a dial that adjusts the frequency of the ball disbursement, for setting various skill level speeds, and may contain an optional short play selector to only allow a given number of balls to be released. The microchip can be programed with a random command, or with an extremely long command code that lasts for many play sequences, (starting where the last play ended, or arbitrary). Thus, a player can not anticipate from which aperture the next chambered ball will descend from.

[0091] The electronic strip 15 as seen in FIG. 2C holds the electrical components 16 and wiring that fits snugly into the bottom portion of the ball housing 9, made to line the mechanical switches 17 adjacent to the apertures 12. The drop sequence is generated by a random firing chip technology, or by having code a very long drop sequence programed that the player is dissuaded to try to memorize, preferably incorporating mechanical switches 17, resistors, diodes, transistors, or any suitable electronic mechanism that will unblock the apertures 12 when electrified. The electronic strip 15 may be an elongated bar or strip of plastic, wood, metal, or suitable material of similar length as the ball housing 9 that has integrated within the wiring, and so that the electrical components are arranged in a position to line up with the corresponding apertures 12 above. The electronic strip 15 fits snugly or has snap-in type plastic fasteners to attach to the bottom of the ball housing.

[0092] The shelf 22 is connected to the ball housing 9 by rods 23 that telescope to be shorter so the rods can retract into, or behind the apparatus, so as not to be seen when the game is not in use. The rods would be similar in structure to the lower half of a typical car antenna. The shelf 22 is mounted directly to a wall with support arms 20 seen in FIG. 10C that are angled away from the wall with an adjustment nut 24 on each end of the shelf 22 for angle adjustment and to reverse and flip the shelf surface. The shelf 22 is adjustable to change the angle of deflection to alter the ball trajectory. At the connection point the adjustment nut 24 allows for angle changes and the ability to flip the shelf over. For example, for shooting at balls, the player might prefer the balls to bounce straight up, instead of the slight angle toward the player that is preferred for catching or batting. To provide more variety, one side of the shelf is smooth, the other side 50 may be textured, bumpy, or slightly uneven to provide a more unpredictable trajectory after bouncing from the shelf 22 surface. In another embodiment, the shelf 22 may be built of a shape or material that provides an enhanced impact sound when a ball strikes the shelf 22.

[0093] In another embodiment, the game could also be utilized if broken into separate units, as seen in FIG. 3, and FIG. 5, each unit being comprised of a single unit housing with ball holding capacity, release mechanism, corresponding shelf, wall mounting attachment, wires, or wireless receiver. The apparatus having exterior (first and last) units being detachable, and movable to offer a wider “playing field”, requiring more player mobility, more difficulty, and challenge. Such single units can be controlled by microwaves with a battery connected to an electronic ball release circuit for wireless operation, or just longer wires going to each unit from the control and power source.

[0094] Alternatively, the ball housing 9 may be used without a shelf 22 for games entailing the ball striking, and bouncing upward after hitting a hard floor or concrete surface.

[0095] The molded ball container units have a recess 13 around the perimeter to accommodate a cover plate (not seen) as best seen in FIG. 5. The plate that covers any ball housing 9 can be made of a clear material to enhance the game apparatus' looks, and to provide an observant player an advantage with games using colored balls. The cover plate can be rigid, stiff, or flexible.

[0096] The system can easily be taken down to be stored out of sight when not in use. If the players or co-residents desire only normal appearing wall decor when the game is not being used, there is an alternative. The cord to the power strip can be unplugged, the shelf 22 retracted up into the ball housing 9. The apparatus' cover panel can be temporarily re-covered by artwork, family photos, or the like, by being attached with super strong magnets, clips, or other temporary fastening means.

[0097] In a series of embodiments meant for illustrative purposes only, in a version of play the ball housing 9 would incorporate a hand held net to catch balls 8. Similarly, a ping pong paddle, wicket, tennis, or badminton racquet could be used to propel the balls 8 toward a target 36 with a cut-out 37 void containing a catch 39 net for a score as seen in FIGS. 6-9. Using balls 8 of a plurality of colors may be used in various games, for instance catching a yellow ball lefthanded, or hit it toward a color matching target 36 seen in FIG. 9. The shelf 22 may comprise a shape, or one or more materials to provide longitudinally distinctive impact sounds where a ball strikes the along the shelf, giving an unsighted sighted player a clue. Additionally, the apparatus could be used for martial arts training by hitting, kicking, or dodging the balls. The balls 8 can be shot at as moving targets with airsoft BB's.

[0098] The ball housing 9 may be manufactured by boring out a foam block that is, for example, approximately 10″ tall by 36″ long by 2″ thick, with the chambers or voids 11 routed/machine cut into the foam to allow for the storage, and disbursement voids 11 in the upper area of the ball housing 9. This would offer the cheapest way to start-up, using hot wire cutting to cut blocks to size, and then CNC routing out chambers that are just slightly larger than the diameter of the balls, but leaving enough foam remaining for a back panel on the uncut side. For larger scale production a better method to produce large quantities is by molding a rigid foam block of material like expanded polystyrene with voids within that will contain the balls, (and exit holes), but again still offer enough material to form the back panel of the ball housing 9. Said block has a slight recess 13 to accommodate a cover plate that can be clear plastic to form a window, and mounting brackets 20 to affix the ball housing 9 to a wall, and means for attaching a shelf 22. The chambers or voids 11 are formed in a zigzag configuration best seen in FIG. 4 that will allow a gravity feed to replace dispersed balls. The chamber 11 portion near the aperture 12 has a gentle angled slope no more than fifteen degrees relative to a horizontal axis of the ball housing 9 so as to slow the ball and to give the mechanical switch 17 more time to block the next ball. The mechanical switch 17 comprises an armature in the non-electrified “off” to block the ball from falling. It may be necessary to extend the armature, that serves to block balls.

[0099] In a preferred embodiment, the majority of the apparatus is constructed from molded EPS. This reduces assembling and material costs by eliminating the need for parts like tubular structures 7 and a back panel 6. Furthermore, the need for machining prior to assembly is reduced because the recess 13 for the cover plate, and the recess' for the mechanical switches 17 and wires are molded in, thus fewer parts are needed including the body of the electronic strip 15. The ball housing 9 may be molded with a technique that causes denser plastic foam to be on the part surface resulting in imparting a hard shell.

[0100] The ball housings 9 may be molded in two parts, a softer low density (say one pound per sq. ft.) forming the interior, and a harder, higher density foam of similar, or different composition, to form a “frame” that will be assembled onto/around the interior part resulting in making the edges of the apparatus stronger.

[0101] Turning to FIGS. 6-9, a series of open “pass thru” targets 36, which may be distinguished by color, with a net trap 39 to catch the balls that “score” by going through the hole or void 37. The target colors correspond to the ball's color, (red ball aimed toward the red target, etc.). Each target 36 is mobile and be placed on a flat surface using a stand 38 anywhere the user desires as seen in FIG. 7 or even attached to a ceiling as seen in FIG. 6 or another fixture disposed above the target 36 such as a doorway or the like. The apparatus can be played using a trough like container 41 that is angled and padded to catch and retain balls that are quickly deposited, to enable the player to empty their hands in order to catch more balls. The trough may also be used in the shooting game variation discussed above to catch balls that were hit, and knocked backward towards the wall behind the ball housing 9.

[0102] It should be noted that other and further embodiments utilizing one or more aspects of the invention described above can be devised without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the ball housing 9 may drop more than one ball simultaneously and/or a plurality of players may practice their skills together. Additionally, any number of different activities like ambidextrous catching, sightless catching, pet training, shooting airsoft guns at moving targets, and martial arts punching and kicking practice could be engaged in and are contemplated herein.

[0103] Many alterations and modifications may be made by those having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments. Therefore, it must be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following embodiments and its various embodiments.

[0104] It must also be understood that the illustrated embodiment has been set forth only for the purposes of example and that it should not be taken as limiting the embodiments as defined by the following claims. For example, notwithstanding the fact that the elements of a claim are set forth below in a certain combination, it must be expressly understood that the embodiments includes other combinations of fewer, more or different elements, which are disclosed in above even when not initially claimed in such combinations. A teaching that two elements are combined in a claimed combination is further to be understood as also allowing for a claimed combination in which the two elements are not combined with each other, but may be used alone or combined in other combinations. The excision of any disclosed element of the embodiments is explicitly contemplated as within the scope of the embodiments.

[0105] The words used in this specification to describe the various embodiments are to be understood not only in the sense of their commonly defined meanings, but to include by special definition in this specification structure, material or acts beyond the scope of the commonly defined meanings. Thus if an element can be understood in the context of this specification as including more than one meaning, then its use in a claim must be understood as being generic to all possible meanings supported by the specification and by the word itself.

[0106] The definitions of the words or elements of the following claims are, therefore, defined in this specification to include not only the combination of elements which are literally set forth, but all equivalent structure, material or acts for performing substantially the same function in substantially the same way to obtain substantially the same result. In this sense it is therefore contemplated that an equivalent substitution of two or more elements may be made for any one of the elements in the claims below or that a single element may be substituted for two or more elements in a claim. Although elements may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, it is to be expressly understood that one or more elements from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination and that the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.

[0107] Insubstantial changes from the claimed subject matter as viewed by a person with ordinary skill in the art, now known or later devised, are expressly contemplated as being equivalently within the scope of the claims. Therefore, obvious substitutions now or later known to one with ordinary skill in the art are defined to be within the scope of the defined elements.

[0108] The claims are thus to be understood to include what is specifically illustrated and described above, what is conceptionally equivalent, what can be obviously substituted and also what essentially incorporates the essential idea of the embodiments.