| CA1202045A | 1986-03-18 | |||
| US5312109A | 1994-05-17 | |||
| US3580578A | 1971-05-25 |
CLAIMS
1. A playing area for playing a game involving at least two players striking a projectile using handheld strikers, the playing area including a playing surface having markings defining a playing zone with opposite ends; and at each end, a scoring assembly defining at least two openings through which a projectile can be struck by a player in order to score points.
2. A playing area as claimed in claim 1 , in which each opening has an area of between 0.1m 2 and 0.36m 2 .
3. A playing area as claimed in claim 1 or in claim 2, in which the playing zone is rectangular.
4. A playing area as claimed in claim 3, in which the length of the playing zone is between 15m and 30m.
5. A playing area as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 4, in which the width of the playing zone is between 7m and 12m.
6. A playing area as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 5, in which the markings include a pair of outer longitudinal lines defining the length of the rectangular shape.
7. A playing area as claimed in claim 6, in which the markings include a pair of inner longitudinal lines parallel to the outer lines and spaced inwardly from the respective outer lines.
8. A playing area as claimed in claim 7, in which the spacing between each inner longitudinal line and the proximate outer longitudinal line is between 0.7m and 1.5m.
9. A playing area as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, in which the markings include a pair of cross-lines demarcating respective service blocks at the ends of the playing zone and in which the scoring assemblies are behind the respective service blocks.
10. A playing area as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 8, in which the markings include two semicircles within the playing zone at the respective ends of the playing zone, each semicircle having its centre on a centreline of the playing zone and having a radius of between 3m and 5m.
11. A playing area as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which each scoring assembly includes an at least substantially upright, transverse barrier defining therethrough the openings of the assembly.
12. A playing area as claimed in claim 11 , in which each scoring assembly includes a support structure supporting the barrier of the assembly.
13. A playing area as claimed in claim 12, in which the barrier of each scoring assembly is a net and in which the net has the openings of the assembly defined therethrough.
14. A playing area as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 13, in which the openings defined through each barrier include two side-by-side diamond formations of four openings each.
15. A playing area as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, which includes a catchment member behind each opening, for catching projectiles that have passed through the opening during play.
16. Game playing equipment including at least one set of components for forming a scoring assembly, the set including at least one barrier member for forming a barrier and interengageable support members for forming a support structure for supporting the barrier in a substantially upright configuration, the barrier having a plurality of openings defined therethrough through which a projectile can be struck during a game involving the scoring assembly.
17. Equipment as claimed in claim 16, in which each opening has an area of between 0.1 m 2 and 0.36m 2 .
18. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 17, in which the support members are frame members for forming a support structure in the form of a frame.
19. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, in which the barrier is a net.
20. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 19, in which the openings defined through each barrier include two operatively side-by-side diamond formations of four openings each.
21. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 20, which includes a catchment member operatively behind each opening, for catching projectiles that have passed through the opening during play.
22. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21 , which includes two sets of components, as defined, for defining two opposing scoring assemblies.
23. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 22, which includes at least one projectile and at least two projectile strikers.
24. Equipment as claimed in claim 23, in which the projectile is a ball.
25. Equipment as claimed in any one of claims 23 to 24, in which the ball striker is one of a bat, a racquet, and a paddle.
26. A playing area as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.
27. Equipment as claimed in claim 16, substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying diagrammatic drawings. |
A PLAYING AREA FOR A GAME AND RELATED GAME PLAYING EQUIPMENT
This invention relates to a game. It relates, in particular, to a playing area for playing a game involving at least two players striking a projectile using handheld strikers and to game playing equipment for use in the game.
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a playing area for playing a game involving at least two players striking a projectile using handheld strikers, the playing area including: a playing surface having markings defining a playing zone with opposite ends; and at each end, a scoring assembly defining at least two openings through which a projectile can be struck by a player in order to score points.
For the purposes of this specification, the word "striker" should be construed to include stringed racquets, bats, paddles and the like which can be used to hit a projectile. Also, the word "projectile" should be construed to include a ball, a shuttlecock, and the like. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the game will be played with a small oval or round-headed racquet using a small, round, soft ball.
Each opening defined by each scoring assembly may have an area of between 0.1m 2 and 0.36m 2 .
The playing zone may be rectangular. In this case, at least one of the following may apply:
The length of the playing zone may be between 15m and 30m. The width of the playing zone may be between 7m and 12m.
The markings may include a pair of outer longitudinal lines defining the length of the rectangular shape. In this case, the markings may include a pair of inner longitudinal lines parallel to the outer lines and spaced inwardly from the respective outer lines. The spacing between each inner longitudinal line and the proximate outer longitudinal line may be between 0.7m and 1.5m.
The markings may include a pair of cross-lines demarcating respective service blocks at the ends of the playing zone and the scoring assemblies may be behind the respective service blocks.
The markings may include two semicircles within the playing zone at the respective ends of the playing zone, each semicircle having its centre on a centreline of the playing zone and having a radius of between 3m and 5m.
Each scoring assembly of the playing area may include an at least substantially upright, transverse barrier defining the openings of the assembly. Each scoring assembly may include a support structure supporting the barrier of the assembly. In this case, the barrier of each scoring assembly may be a net and the net may have the openings of the assembly defined therethrough. The openings defined in each barrier may include two side-by-side diamond formations of four openings each.
The playing area may include a catchment member behind each opening, for catching projectiles that have passed through the opening during play.
In different embodiments of the invention, the ball game can be played as a singles game, a doubles game or a quads game and scoring is achieved by hitting the ball through any of the, say for example, eight holes in the net on the opponent's side of the court. Gloves are preferably used during quads play to reduce possible injury because of the high level of contact and interaction during quads play.
The ball game of the invention will typically be played for about sixty minutes. In singles play, the game may include four rounds with three breaks of three minutes each after every fifteen minutes. In doubles play, the game may include three rounds with two breaks of three minutes each after every twenty minutes and in quads
play the game may include two rounds with one break of ten minutes after thirty minutes of play.
In a preferred embodiment of the game, three points will be awarded to the player or team scoring in one of the two inner, or "diamond", openings and one point will be awarded to the player or team scoring in any of, say for example, a remaining outer six or "domain" openings. The player who scores first after the start of the game or after a break, referred to as the "opener", will be awarded three points. The player or team with the highest cumulative score at the end of the game wins.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided game playing equipment including at least one set of components for forming a scoring assembly, the set including at least one barrier member for forming a barrier and interengageable support members for forming a support structure for supporting the barrier in a substantially upright configuration, the barrier having a plurality of openings defined therethrough through which a projectile can be struck during a game involving the scoring assembly.
Each opening may have an area of between 0.1 m 2 and 0.36m 2 .
The support members may be frame members for forming a support structure in the form of a frame.
The barrier may be a net.
The openings defined in each barrier may include two operatively side-by- side diamond formations of four openings each.
The equipment may include a catchment member operatively behind each opening, for catching projectiles that have passed through the opening during play.
The equipment may include two sets of components, as defined, for defining two opposing scoring assemblies.
The equipment may include at least one projectile and at least two projectile strikers. The projectile may be a ball. The projectile striker may be one of a bat, a racquet, and a paddle.
The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows the layout of an embodiment of a playing area or court for the game of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of the layout of the scoring assembly of the invention;
Figure 3 shows a part of a net of the scoring assembly of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the frame of the scoring assembly of Figure 2; Figure 5 shows a part of the frame of Figure 4; Figure 6 schematically shows an opening in the net of Figure 3; and
Figure 7 shows another detail of the net of Figure 3.
Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 generally indicates a playing area or court for the game of the invention. The game particularly involves at least two players striking a projectile in the form of a ball using handheld strikers in the form of racquets.
The court 10 is defined in a pair of outer parallel side lines 12 which are 20m long, a pair of inner parallel side lines 14 parallel to the outer lines 12 and spaced inwardly from them by 1 ,0m and end lines 16 extending between the pairs of lines 12,
14. The distance between the inner lines 14 across the court 10 is 8m. First cross-lines 18 extend between the inner lines 14 and are spaced about 1 ,5m from the end lines 16. Second cross-lines or "no-go" lines 20 extend between the inner lines 14 and are spaced 3,5m from the cross-lines 18.
Scoring assemblies, generally indicated at 26 extend between the inner lines 14 adjacent the end lines 16. A centre line 22 extends between the inner lines 14 across the middle of the court 10 and is straddled in the middle by a box 24. A semicircle 28 extends outwardly from the ends of the inner lines 14 and has a diameter
of 4m. The semicircle 28 serves to restrict the movement of certain players under certain conditions during play.
The areas 29 between the scoring assemblies 26 and the first cross-lines 18 are the service blocks. The lines 20 are the no advance lines. The outer and inner side lines 12, 14 are, respectively, the quads out lines and the singles and doubles out lines. The areas 30 between the lines 12, 14 are the quads blocks. The box 24 is a freeshoot block or penalty block and may, in some embodiments, be replaced by a circle.
Referring now to Figure 4, the scoring assembly 26 comprises a support structure including a rectangular frame 32 (shown in exploded view in the drawing) over which a barrier in the form of a net (not shown in the drawing) is drawn. The frame 32 comprises four L-members 34 (being left, right, top and bottom corner members) (1 ,45 x 0,8m), four 1 ,1 m straight sections 36, and two T-members 38 (1 ,4 x 0,8m) (being a top
T-section and a bottom T-section). The frame members 34, 36, 38 are telescopically engaged in the assembled frame 32. The frame 32 has dimensions of 4,5 X 2,8m. The left and right L-members 34 are provided with rearwardly projecting 0,4m struts, shown schematically at 41. The ends of the struts 41 are about 0,15m from the frame members 34. A portion of the frame member 34 with the rearwardly projecting strut 41 is shown in more detail in Figure 5. In use 1 ,2m support pipes 37 are telescopically engaged with the struts 41 and with the ground behind the frame 32 so that the frame 32 is supported in an upright but rearwardly leaning orientation.
The frame members 34, 36, 38 are provided with hooks 39 (shown in
Figure 5) so that a net 38, as described in further detail below, can be attached to the frame 32.
The frame 32 is assembled by initially placing the various frame components on the ground in the order shown in Figure 4 with the hooks 39 facing upwardly and inwardly. The two stay pipes 37 are positioned next to the lower left and right L-members 34. The L-members 34 are positioned so that the struts 41 face downwardly. The frame 32 is assembled by engaging the frame members 34, 36, 38 spigot and socket fashion. Once the frame 32 has been assembled, and while it is still
on the ground, the net 38 is fitted by attaching it to the hooks 39 on the frame members. The frame 32 and the attached net 38 are then raised into a vertical position. When the frame is in a vertical position, it is tilted forward slightly and the stay pipes 37 are fitted to the struts 41 and the assembly is slowly returned to a leaning position until the two stay pipes 37 support it to form the scoring assembly of the invention.
The net, shown schematically at 38 in Figure 2 has dimensions of 4,2 x 2,5m and is provided with eight ball catchment members in the form of pockets 40. A pocket 40 is shown in more detail in Figure 6. Each pocket 40 has a square opening, shown at 42 in Figure 6, which is defined in a length 56 of 6mm stitching cord. The pockets 40 extend rearwardly from the openings 42 and are formed by sheaths 60 of the same netting material from which the net 38 is made, as shown in Figures 3 and 6. The openings 42 have dimensions of 360 x 360mm and the pockets 40 extend rearwardly about 400mm. The pockets 40 are optionally made of 1 mm white twine.
The positions of the pockets 40 in the net 38 are shown in Figure 2. Four pockets 40 are arranged in a diamond pattern at positions A, B, C and D on the left side of the net 38 and a further four are arranged in a diamond pattern at positions E, F, G and H on the right side of the net 38 as can be seen in the drawing. The positions A and E are horizontally aligned, the positions D, B 1 F and H are horizontally aligned and the positions C and G are horizontally aligned. The positions A and C are vertically aligned and the positions E and G are vertically aligned.
The positions A, C, E and G are each approximately 855mm from the shorter sides of the net 38 and approximately 495mm from the longer sides of the net
38. The positions D and H are each approximately 315mm from the shorter sides and the positions B and F are each approximately 540mm apart and are equidistant from the longer sides.
The positions A and E are referred to as the Upper Left Domain (ULDm) and the Upper Right Domain (URDm). The positions C and G are referred to as the Lower Left Domain (LLDm) and the Lower Right Domain (LRDm). The positions D and H are referred to as the Outer Left Domain (OLDm) and the Outer Right Domain
(ORDm) and the positions B and F are referred to as the Left Diamond (LD) and the Right Diamond (RD).
When the game of the invention is played the ball is served from one of the service blocks 29.
The quads block is the area between the outer two lines 12 and the ends of the court as shown by the lines 16 and the area 26 and its play area is 200m 2 (20m x 10m) the full are of the court. Only one opposing and one attacking player are allowed in the area enclosed by lines 18.
The singles-block and the doubles block is the area between the inner two lines 14 and the two lines 20 and its area is 160m 2 (20m x 8m). During singles and doubles play a player may not pass over the no-go line 20.
The ball game of the invention can be played by anyone who is physically mature and fit enough to handle the equipment and to meet the demands required to master the game. During a singles game a player may make advancing moves during the game, bouncing the ball on the racquet or floor with no limit on the number of bounces allowed. The player should use both hands if possible and may raise the ball using the racquet if it stops bouncing within that player's area of play. Protective clothing may be worn. The player may not cross the borderlines, take too long to serve the ball or use anything other than the racquet to stop the ball. No part of the body may be used to stop the ball.
During a doubles game a player may pass the ball to his team-mate directly from serving or during the game, contest for possession of an aerial ball if a pass is affected by an opponent, make advancing moves, but must after ball stoppage, trap, raise or collection, stand behind the player who wins an aerial ball or pass, on the opposite side of the hand holding the racquet and raise the ball with the racquet if it stops bouncing within the player's area of play. Protective clothing may be worn. The player may not stand directly opposite a player with whom he was competing for an aerial ball he has lost, push his opponent or do anything that will render him or her less
able to play, use anything other than the racquet to stop the ball, cross over borderlines or take too long before serving the ball.
In quads, a player may pass the ball to his team-mate, make unlimited advancing moves, stand behind the player who wins an aerial ball or pass opposite the hand holding the racquet, raise the ball with the racquet if it stops bouncing within the player's area of play, wear all available protective clothing and wear gloves on both hands. The player may not use any part of his body to stop the ball, push or obstruct a player in possession of the ball, take too long before serving the ball, do anything that may physically harm another player, stand in front of a player who won the ball. He or she may stand behind him or her opposite the hand holding the racquet.
The general rules of the ball game of the invention are the following. Any foul will be punishable by a free play. Any ball played out of bounds will be to the advantage of the opposing player or team. During quads play one player may be substituted. A deciding 20-minute round is played in the case of a draw. If the score is still level after the deciding round, a free diamond shoot-out will follow. Players will take position in the blocks allocated for diamond shoot-out. A total of ten balls will be allocated per player or team. If the shoot-out ends in a draw, a deciding ball will be allocated. The player or team which scores the first deciding ball will be overall winner.
In the singles game the following rules are followed. The first service will go to the player or team which wins the toss of a coin. A service is taken by bouncing the ball on the floor once and striking it before it bounces again. During service the player must remain in his service block. During play a player is confined to the singles- and double block line. All service balls must fall beyond the centreline into the opponent's half. After service, an opponent is free to stop or trap the ball and strike it or make advancing moves. All balls that bounce off the score post (frame and net) are active and available to be played. A player is free to trap the ball, bounce it and position him or herself anywhere within his or her half. During play opposing players are not allowed to exchange words. A player is free to use both hands in any manner during singles. Only the racquet may be used to stop the ball. The ball may not touch any part of a player's body.
9 fCP Z U U / / uw v i ^
In the doubles game all of the rules that apply to singles will also apply, except the following. Use of both hands is prohibited. A trap may be made in favour of a team-mate.
During the quads game the following rules apply. After a service and during play the player who traps the ball or his or her team-mate is allowed to effect a strike. After a trap the opponent may not interfere with the ball. If after a trap the player cannot find a way of aiming at the score post the ball may be passed to a team-mate. An aerial pass is subject to contest. During a service a player may either aim at the post or pass the ball to a team-mate. During quads the number of bounces per player is unlimited. Use of both hands is prohibited. Players are free to play up to the opponent's service block line. Replacement or substitution of a player is allowed during quads. Two players may be replaced or substituted in either team.
Glossary
In a preferred embodiment of the invention the following terminology is used.
SERVE/PITCH is used to signal to a player that he or she may start the game.
DROP refers to a ball that approaches the score post in a dropping manner.
DIRECT REFLEX/VOLLEY refers to a ball that is played directly from the opponent before it bounces on the ground.
STRIKE refers to a ball that is aimed at the score post.
FORE STRIKE refers to striking the ball with the front part of the racquet (forehand).
HIND STRIKE refers to striking the ball with the rear part of the racquet (backhand).
TRAP refers to an instance where a player stops the ball before he can effect a strike. FOUL refers to an instance where a player has violated a rule.
REAK refers to a temporary stoppage of the game.
SUSPENSION refers to an instance where the game has to be stopped temporarily while some technicalities are being addressed ("time out").
STEKMA is the name given to the court, pitch or ground and to the ball game in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention
DECIDING BALL refers to a ball allocated to each player/team after an indecisive diamond Shootout.
DIAMOND SHOOTOUT is played when the game ends in a draw in order to determine a winner.
TIE refers to an instance where the match ends in a draw.
OPENER (Op) refers to the first points scored in a match.
HANDOVER refers to a forfeiture of a service.
DECIDER ROUND refers to additional time given in the case of a tie. BODY CONTACT means that the ball has touched any part of a player's body.
FORE TRAP refers to stopping or trapping the ball with the front part of the racquet.
HIND TRAP refers to stopping or trapping the ball with the hind part of the racquet.
OUT OF BOUNDS refers to an instance when the ball falls outside the pitch or court boundaries. DOMAIN (Dm) refers to a particular position of a pocket. It also refers to the number of points collected in a domain pocket. One point is awarded for a domain pocket. There are six domain pockets.
DIAMOND (D) refers to a particular position of a pocket. It also refers to the number of points collected in a diamond pocket. Three points are awarded for a diamond pocket. There are two diamond pockets in the middle of the score post.
OLDm refers to the Outer Left Domain.
ULDm refers to the Upper Left Domain.
ORDm refers to the Outer Right Domain.
LLDm refers to the Lower Left Domain. LRDm refers to the Lower Right Domain.
URDm refers to the Upper Right Domain.
LD refers to the Left Diamond.
RD refers to the Right Diamond.
Op refers to the Opener. Rd refers to the Right domain.
Ld refers to the Left domain
An umpire will ensure the smooth running of the game by ensuring that the rules of the game are adhered to. The umpire will administer the toss at the beginning of the game and thereafter take up his position on the side of the pitch, give instructions during stoppages of the game, issue relevant penalties if fouls are committed, resolve disputes that may arise by using his expertise or discretion and announce the score at the end of the game. The umpire's decision will be final.
Assistant umpires will assist the umpire in administering play. One assistant umpire will be employed during singles and doubles play and two during quads play. The assistant umpires will take up positions on both sides of the pitch where they will be able to monitor the moves the players make, raise flags when a foul is committed and assist in making sure that players remain within their boundaries.
The invention extends also to equipment for playing the game of the invention, the equipment including a set of components for forming a scoring assembly such as the scoring assembly 26. The equipment may include also at least one ball and at least two racquets as envisaged herein.
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