PORTABLE HOCKEY GAME

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application is related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 60/906,032 filed March 9, 2007.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to games of skill which require excellent hand to eye coordination as well as speed of hand movement and, more particularly, this invention relates to a portable hockey game which can be played both on carpeted surfaces and hard surfaces as well as indoors and outdoors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, table hockey games have been in relatively widespread use for many years. Many of these games use compressed air to reduce the friction between the puck and the surface such hockey game is being played on.

Table hockey is a generally a game for at least two competing players trying to score points in the opposing player's or team's goal. The game has been very successful and has been very widely accepted. One of the favorite games is the air hockey game which has caught on to the extent that there are air hockey leagues with official rules and even championship series.

There is one major problem with the air hockey game and with most table hockey games for the general population. The game requires a table and in the case of air hockey, such table and equipment is rather expensive and generally the table is between 6 and 8 feet in length and approximately 3 feet wide . Tournament play requires 8 foot tables. Thus, the game requires a space for the table to be set up when games are being played and since the table isn't designed for disassembly or for easy storage there must be a place in which the table can be stored when not in use. Many times the table is just left in the area, such as a game room, where it is to be played without a separate storage area. Another problem with such air hockey games is that the game requires a source of power to run the compressor to supply the air. Obviously this limits the use of the device to an area where such source of power is available. This then eliminates the possibility of having a game which can be taken, for example, on sleepover' s or to Grandma's house, etc. Also, this prior art type hockey game requires a hard surface to play.

Thus, it would be advantageous if there were a game which had the joy and excitement of air hockey and one that does not require the large outlay of money for the purchase of table game along with other accoutrements and which would not require the space that must be devoted to such game .

SUMIVIARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a hockey game which can be played on a variety of surfaces. Such hockey game comprises a perimeter framework having each of a predetermined size and a first predetermined shape and produced from a first predetermined material. An elastomeric means is disposed adjacent a lower inner portion of the perimeter framework at predetermined locations for providing a requisite amount of resiliency. A means is disposed on preselected members of the perimeter framework for retaining the elastomeric means in a required position.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a hockey game which can be played on a variety of surfaces .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game which does not require the use of air to reduce the friction between the puck and the surface the game is being played on.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game which is light enough to be portable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game which can be played by up to four players at a time.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture.

An additional object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game that is easily assembled and disassembled.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game that can be played on a carpeted surface .

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game which does not require any electrical power to play.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a hockey game which can be produced using a variety of materials.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention in which the apparatus has a single elongated member on each side.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 wherein there are two elongated members on each of the two sides of the apparatus.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in Figure 1 wherein there are three elongated members on each of the two sides of the apparatus.

Figure 4a is a perspective view of the elongated member wherein the elongated member has male fittings on each end of the member .

Figure 4b is a perspective view of the elongated member wherein the elongated member has female fittings on each end of the member.

Figure 4c is a perspective view of the elongated member wherein the elongated member has a male fitting on one end and a female fitting on the other end of the member.

Figure 5a is a perspective view of the corner member wherein the corner member has female fittings on each end of the member.

Figure 5b is a perspective view of the corner member wherein the corner member has a male fitting on one end and a female fitting on the other end of the member.

Figure 5c is a perspective view of the corner member wherein the corner member has male fittings on each end of the member.

Figure 6a is a perspective view of the upright member wherein the upright member has male fittings on each end thereof.

Figure 6b is a perspective view of the upright member wherein the upright member has a male fitting on one end and a female fitting on the other end of the member.

Figure 6c is a perspective view of the upright member wherein the upright member has female fittings on each end thereof.

Figure 6d is a side view of the upright member showing the double hooks and the 0-ring.

Figure 7a is a perspective view of the elongated member used as a goal member.

Figure 7b is an end view of the goal member shown in Figure 7a showing the gate portion.

Figure 7c is an end view of the goal member shown in Figure 7a.

Figure 8, is a side view of the mallet used to propel a hockey puck.

Figure 9 is a bottom view of the mallet shown in Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a side view of the hockey puck according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the hockey puck showing a felt pad used to cover the low friction plastic material when the hockey puck is used on hard surfaces.

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a portion of the perimeter framework flipped upside down so as to show the installation of the elastomeric means (Power Bands) in the framework.

Figure 13 is an angled perspective view of the perimeter framework showing the goal member and the elastomeric means.

Figure 14a is an enlarged perspective view of the upright member flipped upside down so as to show the double hooks and the 0-ring.

Figure 14b is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the upright member showing the 0-ring attachment.

Figure 15 is a perspective view of a portion of the perimeter framework flipped upside down so as to show the installation of the elastomeric means (Power Bands) in the framework when such corner member and such upright member are molded as a single unit.

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the apparatus according to an alternate embodiment of the invention in which the perimeter framework is molded as a single unit.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY

PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

In a first aspect the present invention provides a hockey- game, generally designated 10, which can be played on a variety of predetermined surfaces. These predetermined surfaces can be either carpeted surfaces or hard surfaces such as wood or tile floors.

The hockey game 10 comprises a perimeter framework, generally- designated 1, which has each of a predetermined size and a first predetermined shape and is produced from a first predetermined material. There is also an elastomeric means 24 that is disposed adjacent a lower inner portion of such perimeter framework 1 at predetermined locations for providing a requisite amount of resiliency. There is also a means, generally designated 20, that is disposed on preselected members of the perimeter framework 1 for retaining such elastomeric means 24 in a required position. In this embodiment, as seen in Figure 16, such perimeter framework 1 could be molded as a single piece. It is also within the concept of the invention that it could also be molded as two separate pieces or four pieces that can be easily fitted together to form the perimeter framework. However, it is presently preferred that such perimeter framework 1 of the hockey game 10 be formed to further include at least four elongated members 2 which have a second predetermined shape and a first predetermined length and four corner members 18 having a third predetermined shape engageable at respective ends thereof with respective ends of respective ones of the at least four elongated members 2. The game 10 also includes a hockey puck, 26, which has a fourth predetermined shape and is produced from a second predetermined material which has a predetermined coefficient of friction.

Such hockey game 10 further includes at least one mallet 36 produced from a third predetermined material for striking the hockey puck 26 during play.

Thus, the present invention provides a hockey game 10 for playing such game on a predetermined surface. The hockey game 10 comprises at least four elongated members 2, such at least four elongated members 2 having each of a first predetermined length and a second predetermined shape for forming four sides for such hockey game 10. As seen in Figures 4a,b,c each of the at least four elongated members 2 have one of a female fitting formed on each end thereof, a male fitting formed on each end thereof and a combination of a male fitting formed on one end thereof and a female fitting formed on an opposite end thereof.

In a preferred embodiment there are at least eight upright members 4, the upright members 4 include an upper portion 6 having a fitting formed on each end thereof for mating engagement with a respective fitting formed on each end adjacent an upper surface thereof of the at least four elongated members 2. The upright members 4 are seen in Figures 6a-6d. There is a lower portion 8 of the upright members 4 connected to a bottom surface of the upper portion 6 and a bottom surface of the lower portion 8 that is engageable with a relatively flat predetermined playing surface. A vertically disposed slot 12 is formed in the lower portion 8 intermediate each end thereof and a pair of double hook members 14

are vertically aligned on an inner surface of the lower portion 8 and extend inwardly therefrom adjacent each end of the lower portion 8. Such means 20 for retaining such elastomeric means 24 in place includes a pair of O-ring like members 16 that are vertically disposed over a respective pair of the double hook members 14. This can be seen more clearly in Figures 14a and 14b.

The apparatus 10 also has four corner members 18 which have at least one of a female fitting formed on each end thereof, a male fitting formed on each end thereof and a combination of a male fitting formed on one end thereof and a female fitting formed on an opposite end thereof for mating engagement with a respective fitting formed on an end of the upright member 4 for forming a substantially rectangular playing area. The corner members 18 are shown in Figures 5a, b and c.

It is within the scope of the invention that such corner members 18 and such upright members 4 may be formed as a single unit as seen in Figure 15, or they could be, as is seen in Figures 1-3, 5a-c and 6a-c, formed as two separate entities which just fit together. If such corner members 18 and such upright members 4 are formed as a single unit then the previous description which included at least eight upright members 4 would not include any upright members 4 since the eight would all be part of the corner members 18. However, as stated previously it is presently

preferred that such corner members 18 and such upright members 4 be formed as separate pieces.

At least one of the at least four elongated members 2 serves as a goal member 22. The goal member 22 has an opening that is defined by the bottom surface of the elongated member 2 and the inside edges of the adjacent upright members 4. The opening has a second predetermined length and a predetermined height which is at least sufficient to permit such hockey puck 26 to slide therethrough. Such elongated member 2 that is being used as a goal member 22 further includes a pivotable gate member 42 that is engageable with the bottom surface of the goal member 22 and is disposed in front of the opening for covering the opening. The pivotable gate member 42 moves backward when struck by a hockey puck 26 in scoring a goal. Such pivotable gate member 42 only moves in one direction from the starting point. That is, such pivotable gate member 42 moves backward when struck by a hockey puck 26 but only returns as far as the starting point after a goal is scored which means that the hockey puck 26 cannot return to the playing area without being moved by a player.

The goal member 22 further includes a scoring means 44 that is disposed on an outer upper surface of said goal member 42 as seen in Figure 7A. Such scoring means 44 also includes numbers disposed on the outer upper surface which range from zero to ten. There is also a slidable member 46 that is engageable with such outer upper

surface of each goal member 22 for indicating the score for one side. The opposite goal member 22 has a similar arrangement for indicating the score of the opposite side.

It is within the concept of the invention that such scoring means could also include a battery controlled, an electric or electronic means for keeping the score wherein the score will be shown with visible lighted numbers. Such scoring means could also be a light sensor that would be positioned such that it would detect any time a puck crossed the goal. It could also be used where the elastomeric means were continuous throughout the lower inner surface of the perimeter without being removed in the goal area, in this case the light sensor would detect a puck striking the elastomeric means in the goal area. Such hockey game 10 could also include a timing means. The timing means could be an electronic timer or a manual timer.

It is also within the concept of the invention that the game can be modified to include more than two goal members so that four persons can play the game at the same time. In this case there are four goal members, one goal member disposed on each side of the perimeter framework. As stated previously this arrangement is designed for use by at least four individuals. Goals can be scored in any of the openings. The four individuals can be set up wherein there are two teams and where only two of the openings will count as being goals for one team while the other two openings are goals

for the other team. Or such game can be played where the four individuals are separate individuals and not as teams with each individual having his/her own score and each individual being able to score in any of the three openings 16 that are not his/her own goal which is defended by him/her. In this arrangement there is further included a means for closing off or replacing the opening of a goal when a player defending that goal has been eliminated. It could be done with hook and loop or other means.

As stated previously, in a first embodiment such perimeter framework 1 further includes at least eight upright members 4. Again, as indicated previously these eight upright members 4 are not needed if the upright members 4 and the corner members 18 are molded as a single unit. But where they separate entities then radially opposed sides of the upright members 4 are connected to adjacent sides of the at least four corner members 18 and the at least four elongated members .

In an alternate embodiment such perimeter framework 1 includes at least six elongated members 2 and at least two additional upright members 4 disposed between respective ends of the four respective elongated members 2. At least one of the six elongated members 2 serves as a goal member 22 and includes an opening which has such second predetermined length.

In still an alternate embodiment such perimeter framework includes at least eight elongated members 2 and four additional

upright members 4, Such additional four upright members 4 are disposed between respective ends of the six respective elongated members 2 that are used on the sides of the perimeter. Two of the eight elongated members 2 that serve as a goal members include an opening which has the second predetermined length.

Such predetermined surface that such hockey game 10 is played on is one of a carpeted or a hard surface such as tile floor, wood floor or a table top.

Such elastomeric means 24, also referred to as a Power Band, covers all areas closely adjacent the predetermined playing surface except for the open areas that are being used as a goal member 22. Such open areas are defined by the bottom surface of the elongated members 2 and the inside edges of the adjacent upright members 4. As seen in Figures 12 and 13 such elastomeric member 24 is threaded behind the O-rings 16 and is secured at the ends of the elastomeric means 24 by engagement with the vertically disposed slot 12 on the outer portion of the upright members 4. The elastomeric means 24 is folded over to form a double thickness on the end of the Power Band that fits into the slot 12.

Such hockey puck 26 includes a resilient material 28 having each of a first predetermined configuration, a first predetermined thickness and a predetermined hardness. The resilient material 28 has a centrally disposed opening therein. A first disk 32 has a second predetermined configuration and a second predetermined

thickness. A portion of the first disc 32 is engageable with a first side of the resilient material 28, such first disk 32 is produced from a preselected material which has a predetermined coefficient of friction. There is a second disk 34 that has a third predetermined configuration and a third predetermined thickness. A portion of the second disc 34 is engageable with an opposed second side of the resilient material 28, such second disk 34 is produced from the preselected material having the predetermined coefficient of friction and wherein the resilient material 28 extends beyond a periphery of said the first disk 32 and the second disk 34 for a predetermined distance. It is presently preferred that such preselected material is polyethylene. When such hockey game is used on a hard surface the outer surfaces of such first disc 32 and such second disc 34 are covered with a felt attachment 35 as seen in Figure 11.

As can be seen in Figures 1-3 the first predetermined shape of the perimeter framework 1 is generally rectangular. However, it is within the concept of the invention that such predetermined shape could also be circular, oval, hexagonal, octagonal or virtually any other shape desired.

It is also preferred that elastomeric means 24 includes at least one band like member that is selected from the group consisting of natural rubber, synthetic rubber, elastic webbing

and combinations thereof . It is presently preferred that such elastomeric means is elastic webbing.

Such first predetermined material for forming such perimeter framework is selected from the group consisting of plastic, wood and metal . It is presently preferred that such material is plastic. Such third predetermined material is one of a plastic and a composite type material .

It should also be noted that the present invention provides a hockey game 10 that is easily assembled and just as easily disassembled or is also easily stored even if the unit is formed as a single piece because the material forming the unit is very light and, thus, is easily portable. Thus, the hockey game 10 can be disassembled when not in use and the parts stored in a relatively small box making storage of the unit quite easy. When desired the unit can be assembled in a matter of minutes and set up on a carpeted floor or a hard surface floor without the need of a table. However, for convenience the game can be set up on a table. It is within the concept of the invention that the user could keep a section of carpet that can be laid on the table and the game set up on the carpet or it could be set up directly on the table, whichever is preferable. Once the users are finished playing the game it can be disassembled, again in a matter of minutes, and the game put away for storage.

The game is easily portable as the individual pieces are quite light and, thus, can be taken and set up virtually anywhere that a flat surface is available.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.