OCTAGON BALL GAME APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREOF

Abstract

A game system includes a ring with a front, back, inner, and outer surface, a front member coupled to a back member, a stand with a top and bottom portion, a connector that fixes the ring to the stand, a base affixed to the bottom portion of the stand, and at least one ball. The ring may be composed of four segments, each defining two sides of an octagon. The stand may have an adjustable height and may include a telescoping mechanism. The game system may also include markings or sensors on the ring to record successful ball passages electronically. A method for providing a game to be played by multiple users is also disclosed, involving assembling the ring, providing a ball and a stand, and instructing users to form teams and play a game involving serving and returning the ball through the ring.

Claims

1. A game system, comprising: a ring having a front surface, a back surface, an inner surface, and an outer surface, wherein the inner and outer surfaces each have at least one side; a front member comprising the front surface coupled to a back member comprising the back surface; a stand having a top portion and a bottom portion; a connector that fixes the ring to the top portion of the stand; a base configured to be affixed to the bottom portion of the stand; and at least one ball.

2. The game system of claim 1, wherein the at least one side is eight sides forming an octagon.

3. The game system of claim 1, wherein the base is a tripod and wherein the stand is configured to place the connector at a fixed height or an adjustable height.

4. The game system of claim 3 wherein the maximum height of the connector is at least 62 inches.

5. The game system of claim 2, wherein the ring is composed of four segments, each segment defining two sides of the octagon.

6. The game system of claim 5, wherein each segment has a first end and a second end wherein the first end has a female slot having a tab hole and the second end has a male end and a tab wherein the male end is configured to be inserted into the female slot of an adjacent segment and lock into place with the tab in the tab hole.

7. The game system of claim 6, wherein the tab and tab hole are located on the outer surface of the ring.

8. The game system of claim 3, wherein the stand is configured to have an adjustable height and comprises a telescoping mechanism for adjusting the height of the ring when the game system is assembled.

9. The game system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a weight compartment to enhance stability during use.

10. The game system of claim 1, wherein the connector allows the ring to rotate during gameplay.

11. The game system of claim 1, wherein the ring is made of a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, aluminum, and composite materials.

12. The game system of claim 1, wherein the base includes a suction base or clamps to secure the apparatus to the ground or another surface.

13. The game system of claim 1, wherein the ball is a light weight padded ball, or which is made of light weight padded material or rubber filled with air.

14. The game system of claim 1, wherein the apparatus further comprises markings or sensors on the ring to record successful ball passages electronically.

15. A method for providing a game to be played by a plurality of users, the method comprising the acts of: providing a plurality of ring segments configured to be assembled into a ring, each ring segment having a front member and a back member; providing a ball and a stand configured to support the ring at a desired height; fixing the front member to the back member in each ring segment; instructing the users to: form at least two opposing teams on opposite sides of the ring standing at a distance from the ring; serve the ball from a specified distance from the ring through the ring to the opposing team; prevent the ball from hitting the ground and hit the served ball back through the ring to the opposing players; and award a point to a team when the opposing team allows the ball to hit the ground when the ball has passed to their side of the ring.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the desired height is the approximate height of the players.

17. The method of claim 15, further comprising instructing the users to avoid hitting the ball through the ring from an area within a specified distance from the ring.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the specified distance is three feet.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising instructing the users that a team receives a point when an opposing player touches the ring.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] A more complete understanding of the present invention may be derived by referring to the detailed description when considered in connection with the following illustrative figures. In the figures, like reference numbers refer to like elements or acts throughout the figures.

[0019] FIG. 1 depicts an exploded isometric view of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0020] FIG. 2 depicts a front view of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0021] FIG. 3 depicts a close-up isometric view of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0022] FIG. 4 depicts a close-up view of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0023] FIG. 5 depicts a ball used for the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments; and

[0024] FIG. 6 depicts an isometric view for the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 7 depicts an isometric view of another embodiment of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 8 depicts an exploded isometric view of another embodiment of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 9 depicts a front view of another embodiment of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments; and

[0028] FIG. 10 depicts a back view of another embodiment of the octagon ball game apparatus in accordance to one, or more embodiments.

[0029] Elements and acts in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and have not necessarily been rendered according to any particular sequence or embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0030] In the following description, and for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the various aspects of the invention. It will be understood, however, by those skilled in the relevant arts, that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, known structures and devices are shown or discussed more generally to avoid obscuring the invention. In many cases, a description of the operation is sufficient to enable one to implement the various forms of the invention, particularly when the operation is to be implemented in software. It should be noted that there are many different and alternative configurations, devices, and technologies to which the disclosed inventions may be applied. The full scope of the inventions is not limited to the examples that are described below.

[0031] Referring initially to FIGS. 1-6, an octagon ball game apparatus is shown generally at 10. The game system 10 can comprise a ring 11, a stand 42, a base 44, a connector 35, and at least one ball 50. The octagon ball game apparatus 10 can comprise a ring 11 having a front surface 19 and a back surface 21, an inner surface 23 and an outer surface 30 wherein the inner and outer surfaces each have at least one side. The ring 11 can have a front member 15 and a back member 13, which can be coupled together to form the ring. The front member 15 can comprise a front surface 19 and the back member 13 can comprise the back surface 21. In certain embodiments, the front member 15 and the back member 13 can be made from at least one piece.

[0032] In embodiments, the ring 11 can be characterized by having one or more sides forming an octagon, but in other embodiments the ring can be a polygon, hexagon, pentagon, triangle, rectangle, square, or the like. The ring 11 can be made from such as, for example, plastic, metal, ceramic, composite, or the like. The ring 11 can be such as, for example, at least 6 inches to 48 inches in diameter, but still more preferably 12 inches to 36 inches and still more preferably 32 inches. When determining the diameter of a non-circular ring, the diameter is measured from the center of the ring to the inner surface of portion of the ring that is furthest from the center of the ring. The ring 11 can have a thickness and the thickness can be such as, for example, for example, at least 0.5 inch to 6 inches, but still more preferably 0.75 inch to 3 inches and still more preferably 1.5 inches.

[0033] The ring 11 can be composed of four segments each segment defining two side of the octagon wherein the two sides can be the front member 15 and the back member 13. Each segment can have a first end 25 and a second end 27 wherein the first end has a female slot 36 having a tab hole 37 and a second end have a male end 34 that can be configured to be inserted into the female slot of an adjacent segment and locked into place with the tab in the tab hole. The front member 15 can have at least four front members, namely a first front member 14, second front member 18, third front member 22, and fourth front member 26. Each of these members can form at least one front surface 19 of the octagon and at least one female slot 26, as shown in FIGS. 7-10.

[0034] In embodiments, the back member 13 of the ring 11 can have at least four back members, namely a first back member 12, second back member 16, third back member 20, and fourth back member 24 which can form at least one back surface 21 and at least one side and at least one of the male end 34. In certain embodiments, the ring 11 can have more than four members or less than four members forming the front member 15 and the back member 13. Each member of the front member 15 and of the back member 13 can be assembled and can have a first end 25 and a second end 27. The male end 34 can be inserted into the female slot 36 and locked into place with the tab 35 and the tab hole 37. The tab 35 and tab hole 37 can be located on the outer surface 30 of the ring 11. In other embodiments, the tab 35 and the tab hole 37 can be replaced with such as, for example, snap-fit connections, mechanical fasteners, magnetic coupling, clips, adhesive bonding, interference fit or the like.

[0035] Referring to FIG. 3, the connector 32 of the apparatus can have with a top portion 31 and a bottom portion 33 wherein the connector can couple the ring 11 to the top portion 40 of the stand 42. The bottom portion 33 of the base can have a bottom hole, while the top portion 31 can be coupled to the ring 11 or in other embodiments the connector can be integral to the back member 13 or the front member 15 as shown in FIG. 8. The top portion 31 can be coupled to the ring 11 but such as, for example, fastener, inserting the ring into the top portion and clamping the ring, male and female holes, rivets, adhesive or the like. The connector 32 can be made of such as, for example, plastic, metal, composite, ceramics, or the like. The connector 32 can be made from one piece or multiple pieces and can be allow the ring to either be permanently or removably coupled to the stand 42.

[0036] In embodiments, the stand 42 can be coupled to the base 32 wherein the base can be configured to be affixed to the bottom portion 43 of the stand 42 wherein the stand can be configured to place the connector at a fixed height or an adjustable height wherein the base can be coupled to the stand by such as, for example, female and male hole, fasteners, rivets, clamp, interference or loose fit, or the like. The stand 42 can be configured to have an adjustable height and comprises a telescoping mechanism for adjusting the height of the ring when the game system is assembled. The base 44 can include a suction base or clamps to secure the apparatus to the ground or another surface or can have anti-skid material that keeps the apparatus 10 in place during game play.

[0037] The stand 42 can be such as, for example, a tripod, monopod, or the like which can be extended to such as, for example, at least 0.5 inch to 72 inches in diameter, but still more preferably 5 inched to 68 inches and still more preferably 62 inches. The stand 42 can be made from such as, for example, at least one of plastic, metal, composite, ceramics, or the like. The stand 42 once set at a certain height can be locked 40 at that height by such as, for example, clamp lock, collar lock, set screw lock, quick release clamps, or the like. In certain embodiments, the ring 11 can pivot on a joint or can be stationary to allow for different angle of game play. The game system can also include markings or sensors on the ring to record successful ball passages electronically which can allow the user to real-time keep track of the user's points and the number of times the ball goes back and forth through the ring 11. The sensor can be placed in the ring and can be such as, for example, infrared sensor, photoelectric sensor, ultrasonic sensor, inductive proximity sensor or the like.

[0038] The ball 50 used in the game apparatus can be such as, for example, a lightweight padded ball, made of lightweight padded material or rubber filled with air. The ball 50 can be such as, for example, custom ball, volleyball, balloons, soccer ball, or the like.

[0039] The octagon ball game 10 can include a method for playing the octagon ball game apparatus. The method can comprise providing a plurality of ring segments configured to be assembled into a ring, each ring segment having a front member and a back member. Providing a ball and a stand configured to support the ring at a desired height. Fixing the front member to the back member in each ring segment. Instructing the users to form at least two opposing teams on opposite sides of the ring standing at a distance from the ring. Serving the ball from a specified distance from the ring through the ring to the opposing team. Preventing the ball from hitting the ground and hit the served ball back through the ring to the opposing players. Awarding a point to a team when the opposing team allows the ball to hit the ground when the ball has passed to their side of the ring. The desired height can be the approximate height of the players. Instructing the users to avoid hitting the ball through the ring from an area within a specified distance from the ring. The specified distance is three feet. Instructing the users that a team receives a point when an opposing player touches the ring.

[0040] The shape of the ring 11, the height of the stand 42, and the material of the ball 50 can all affect the difficulty level of the game. The stand 42 can be of different heights, and it can be adjustable or fixed. The ball 50 can be of different materials, such as rubber, plastic, or fabric, and it can be filled with air or other materials to adjust its weight and bounce. The portability of the octagon ball game apparatus 10 can be easily assembly and disassembly by the players. The components can be securely coupled to each other to ensure the stability of the game apparatus and can be easily detachable for storage and transportation. Moreover, the ball can be light weight and easy for the player to hit to ensure a fair and enjoyable game.

[0041] In closing, it is to be understood that although aspects of the present specification are highlighted by referring to specific embodiments, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that these disclosed embodiments are only illustrative of the principles of the subject matter disclosed herein. Therefore, it should be understood that the disclosed subject matter is in no way limited to a particular methodology, protocol, and/or reagent, etc., described herein. As such, various modifications or changes to or alternative configurations of the disclosed subject matter can be made in accordance with the teachings herein without departing from the spirit of the present specification. Lastly, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure, which is defined solely by the claims. Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to those precisely as shown and described.

[0042] Certain embodiments are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the methods and devices described herein. Of course, variations on these described embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. Accordingly, this disclosure includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described embodiments in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.