APPARATUS SUITABLE FOR PLAYING A GAME OF THROWING AND CATCHING BALLS

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to an apparatus suitable for playing a game of throwing and catching balls.

Background to the Invention and Prior Art known to the Applicant

The following prior published documents are acknowledged: GB152,688; GB237.015; GB9971; FR2776935; GB929.247; GB Design 2082730 and GB Design 3008195.

The problem for which the invention provides a solution may be defined as how to improve an apparatus suitable for playing a game of throwing and catching balls in order to accommodate a width-wise variety of throws and to tend to return the balls for catching to the side of the apparatus from which they are thrown.

Summary of the Invention

In its broadest independent aspect, the invention provides an apparatus suitable for playing a game of throwing and catching balls, comprising a ramp at a lower, in use, region of said apparatus along the top surface of which balls are thrown; characterised in that said ramp extends into a bend which ends at an upper, in use, region of said apparatus and which is

of sufficient curvature to tend to return said balls for catching to the side of the apparatus from which they are thrown.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows balls to be thrown along the top surface of the ramp over a relatively wide region of the apparatus. Furthermore, since the balls will be released by the apparatus from an upper region, the balls are launched from the apparatus at a height which facilitates improved catching practice. The balls also appear to accelerate as they fly off the apparatus towards the catcher. The apparatus may also be used in a relatively confined space such as a domestic garden, since unlike some prior art devices, the apparatus allows the balls to tend to return to the side of the apparatus from which they are thrown.

In a subsidiary aspect, in accordance with the invention's broadest independent aspect, said ramp is initially downwardly inclined. This configuration is particularly advantageous because it contributes to the acceleration that the apparatus achieves. It also allows the thrower to throw the ball downwards and therefore with greater strength so as to even further cause the ball to reach higher propelled velocities than would otherwise be achievable.

In a further subsidiary aspect, said apparatus incorporates a first ramp portion with a downwardly inclined region and a second portion with at least part of said bend region; the first and second portion being separable from one another.

This optional configuration is particularly advantageous because it allows the user to readily stow the apparatus away so as to, for example, fit into an appropriately sized bag for transportation.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the apparatus further comprises a base which serves as a ballast. This would be particularly advantageous in that the apparatus remains in its preferred position during the game.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the apparatus comprises a tubular frame which supports a ramp made out of a first sheet of flexible material and a bend made out of a second sheet of flexible material; the first sheet and the second sheet being in close proximity to one

another. The tubular frame would be particularly advantageous because it would allow transportation since a user could simply grab one of the tubes forming the frame. Furthermore, this configuration would lend itself to separation into two parts for stowing away or transportation. This would also allow the ramp to be packaged for sale as a flat pack and assembled into the ramp.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the first sheet overlaps the second sheet. This would be particularly advantageous in order to allow balls to smoothly transit from one sheet to the other without any hindrance from a separation lying between the two flexible sheets.

In a further subsidiary aspect, the apparatus comprises a means for storing a pre-recorded soundtrack and a sensor which triggers the reading of a pre-recorded soundtrack dependant upon the travel direction or impact of the ball.

This configuration is particularly advantageous because it would allow a thrower to more accurately throw the ball and may also improve the reactions of a catcher dependant upon the soundtrack he/she hears before having to move into position for catching.

Brief Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a first embodiment of an apparatus suitable for playing a game of throwing and catching balls.

Figure 2 shows a perspective view from the rear of the first embodiment of the invention.

Figures 3A and B show respectively a perspective rear view and a perspective front view of a second embodiment of the invention.

Figures 4 show a variety of views of the second embodiment of the invention. In detail, figure 4A shows a front elevation view. Figure 4B shows a side elevation of the disassembled apparatus. Figure 4C shows a top view of the second embodiment. Figure 4D shows a side view of the two main parts of the apparatus assembled together. Figure 4E shows a bottom view of the apparatus. Figure 4F shows a rear view of the apparatus. Figure 4G shows a perspective view of the second embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Figures

Figure 1 shows an apparatus generally referenced 1, suitable for playing a game of throwing and catching balls. It incorporates a ramp 2 located at a lower, in use, region of the apparatus along the top surface of which balls are thrown. Ramp 2 is attached through releasable attachment means such as one or more appropriately spaced screw and nuts to a tubular frame 3. Frame 3 incorporates a transverse tubular member 4, extending across the width of the ramp. From the transverse member 4, extend three tubular support members 5, 6 and 7. Tubular support members 5, 6 and 7 extend underneath the sheet 8 of ramp 2 in the longitudinal direction of the apparatus.

Ramp 2 extends straight into a bend portion 9. Whilst the ramp appears to be formed from two sheets in figure 1, in one preferred embodiment, the ramp is formed of a single sheet. Bend portion has an arc in cross section of approximately 180°. The bend portion is formed by a flexible sheet which in this embodiment abuts against the flexible sheet of the ramp and is supported by members 5, 6 and 7 which are joined together by a second transverse member 10. As can be seen in figure 2, there is provided a third transverse member 11 which like transverse member 4 engages the ground in use. The transverse members may incorporate tubular friction pads such as friction pad 12 as shown in figure 1.

The rules of the game may be as follows. In a two player mode, a first player stands to one side of the rectangle 13, such as location 14 and throws a ball along the top surface of ramp 2. The ball travels along the ramp and around the bend before being released by the bend to substantially return towards the side of the apparatus from which the ball was thrown. In other words, it does not go to the other side of the apparatus. The catcher is required to stand behind the base line 15 to catch the ball. The base line extends beyond the side lines to accommodate for large angles. If the ball is caught the thrower and catcher switch places and the game continues. If the catcher fails to catch the ball then the thrower scores a point. If the ball lands on the base line it is out. Furthermore, both the catcher and the thrower are required to be behind their respective lines, otherwise foul play is committed. The game continues in this manner until a predetermined number of points is reached by either of the players. Once the game is completed, the apparatus may

be stowed away without any modification, or alternatively, it may be disassembled at least in part by separating ramp 2 from bend 9. The apparatus also allows full disassembly since transverse member 11 for example, may be detached from tubular elements 16, 17 and 18 since these are separated by push fits, such as push fit 19. Due to its ability to be assembled and disassembled in this manner, the apparatus may be sold in flat pack form for assembly and disassembled for transportation or stowing away by its user.

Figure 3B shows a second embodiment of the invention, where the apparatus for playing a game of throwing and catching balls is formed of principally two main plastic moulded components 20 and 21. These are separated by a line 22 along which part 21 and part 20 may be separated. When the two parts are separated, part 21 may be laid over part 20 as shown in figure 4B. This would minimise the size during transportation or whilst stowing away. In addition, figure 3 shows a number of triangular markings 23, 24 and 25 which are examples of indicators for assisting a thrower in his/her aim as he/she throws the ball against the apparatus. As can be seen the ramp portion 26 of the apparatus is inclined in order to assist the acceleration of the ball. A ball and a shadow line symbolising its path are illustrated in the figure. In addition to the triangular representations, two transverse lines 27 and 28 are shown in order to indicate to the thrower that on the near side of these lines when the ball is appropriately thrown, it will return back from the apparatus with greater efficiency than if the ball is thrown beyond the lines. The lower part of the apparatus which is referenced 20 in figure 3 may be sufficiently hollow so that the user may fill its cavity with ballast material such as sand which may be inserted into the cavity through an opening 29. Opening 29 is covered by a closure mechanism 30.

Figure 4E shows a cut-out 31, located between two lateral feet 32 and 33 of lower part 20. Feet 32 and 33 incorporate a number of transverse ribs such as rib 34 which form a surface of high frictional resistance. Recess 31 may serve as a handle to facilitate the transportation of the apparatus. Further handles 35 and 36 are provided at the opposite extremity of the apparatus to fulfil a similar function.

In addition, the apparatus may incorporate means for storing a pre-recorded soundtrack such as a digital storing medium and an optical sensor, which when the ball is thrown against the apparatus, is interrupted sufficiently to cause the triggering of the reading of a pre-recorded soundtrack stored on the digital store medium. Such optical sensors may be

provided at key locations on the apparatus where the apparatus may incorporate an illustration of a wicket or other similar representation.