GAME APPARATUS

THIS INVENTION relates to games. More particularly it relates to a game apparatus and a game area.

According to the invention there is provided a game apparatus which includes: a central member defining a surface on which a ball can bounce; and a demarcation member which is dimensioned to extend around the central member such that a space is defined therebetween.

The apparatus may include retaining means for retaining the demarcation member in a desired spacial relationship relative to the central member.

The central member may be circular and the demarcation member may be in the form of a ring. The retaining means may be configured to retain the demarcation member in a concentric relationship with the central member.

The central member may have a diameter of between 100 cm and 200 cm.

Preferably, the central member has a diameter of 120 cm.

The radial spacing between the central member and the demarcation member may be between 80 cm and 200 cm. Preferably, the radial spacing between the central member and the demarcation member is 90 cm.

The retaining means may include a plurality of retaining elements which extend between the central member and demarcation member at circumferentially spaced apart positions. The retaining elements may be resiliently deformable. Preferably, each retaining element is an elongate tensile element which is mounted in tension between the central member and the demarcation member and hence serves as a self-centering arrangement.

The apparatus may be portable.

The demarcation member may include a plurality of segments which are disconnectably connected together end-to-end to form the demarcation member.

The apparatus may include a boundary marking means for marking a boundary around and spaced outwardly from the demarcation member. The boundary marking means may include a boundary element, e.g. a length of rope. The boundary marking means may include a marking element and an elongate marking element guide, one end of which is locatable at the centre of the central member, the marking element being secured or securable to the other end of the marking element guide to enable a boundary circle to be marked on the ground concentrically with the central member.

The boundary circle may have a diameter of between 8 m and 12 m. Preferably, the boundary circle has a diameter of 10 m.

The apparatus may include at least one and preferably a plurality of bats.

The apparatus may include at least one and preferably a plurality of balls.

The central member may comprise two semi-circular halves which are displaceable between an erect condition in which they together define the central member and a collapsed condition to facilitate transport and storage thereof. In the collapsed condition, the two halves of the central member may define a storage chamber in which the other components of the game apparatus can be stored.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a game area which includes a circular central zone in which a ball can be bounced; a concentric annular player zone which is concentric with and spaced radially outwardly from the central zone; and an annular intermediate zone defined between the central zone and the player zone.

The central zone may have a diameter of between 100 cm and 200 cm. Preferably, the central zone has a diameter of 120 cm.

The radial spacing between the central zone and the player zone may be between 80 cm and 200 cm. Preferably, radial spacing between the central zone and the player zone is 90 cm.

The player zone may have an outer diameter of between 8 m and 12 m. Preferably, the player zone has an outer diameter of 10 m.

The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 shows a schematic plan view of a game apparatus in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the apparatus; Figure 3 shows a central member of the apparatus in a collapsed condition; Figure 4 shows schematically how the game is played; and Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate the effect of the relative sizes of the central member and the demarcation member on the return angle.

In the drawings, reference numeral 10 refers generally to a game apparatus in accordance with the invention.

The game apparatus 10 includes a central member, generally indicated by reference numeral 12 and a demarcation member, generally indicated by reference numeral 14.

The central member 12 includes two semi-circular halves 16, 18 which are connected together by a hinge arrangement (not shown). The halves 16, 18 are displaceable between an erect condition (shown in Figures 1 ,2 and 4 of the drawings) in which they together define a rigid circular surface 20 or central zone and a collapsed condition (shown in Figure 3 of the drawings) in which they extend parallel with one

another and define a semi-circular storage chamber 22 in which the other components of the game apparatus can be stored. A strap 24 is attached to each of the halves 16, 18, the straps 24 forming a handle whereby the central member 12 can be carried when in its collapsed condition.

The demarcation member 14 comprises a plurality of arcuate segments which are disconnectably connected together end-to-end to form the circular demarcation member 14.

The apparatus 10 includes retaining means in the form of eight elongate elastic elements 26 which are connected to the central member 12 and the demarcation member 14 such that they extend radially therebetween at circumferentially spaced positions and serve to centre the central member 12 and demarcation member 14 relative to one another. It will be appreciated that more or fewer elements 26 could be used.

The apparatus 10 further includes a boundary element in the form of a length of rope 28 (Figure 1 ) which extends around the demarcation member 14 concentrically therewith and spaced radially outwardly therefrom. In order to locate the rope in the desired position, the apparatus 10 includes boundary marking means consisting of a marking element guide, e.g. a length of string the length of which corresponds to the desired radius of the boundary and one end of which is locatable in the centre of the central member. A marking element, e.g. in the form of a peg is connectable to the other end of the length of string which permits a circle to be marked on the ground having its centre at the centre of the central member 12. The boundary rope 28 can then be laid on the marked circle.

The apparatus 10 further includes a plurality of bats and at least one ball.

In use, in order to assemble the apparatus 10, it is transported to a desired location at which the two halves 16, 18 are displaced to their erect condition. The other components of the apparatus are removed and the erect central member 12 is laid on the ground approximately in the middle of the area in which the game is to be played. The segments of the demarcation member 14 are connected together to form the

demarcation member 14 which is then connected to the central member 12 by means of the elastic elements 26.

The boundary is then marked on the ground using the marking element and the marking element guide and the boundary rope 28 is laid in position.

A game can be played between two players or four players. In this regard, the area 30 defined between the boundary rope 28 and the demarcation member 14 is the player area or zone in which players stand and move. During play, players are not allowed to enter the intermediate area or zone 32 defined between the demarcation member 14 and the central member 12.

In order to start the game a starting player is decided, e.g. by tossing a coin. The starting player (player A in Figure 4) then positions himself between the boundary rope 28 and the demarcation member 14 and serves by hitting the ball with his bat and he attempts to bounce the ball on the central member 12 in such a way that the next bounce of the ball would be in the area 30 between the demarcation member 14 and the boundary rope 28. The opposing player (player B in Figure 4) must attempt to judge where the ball would bounce. If he judges that it will bounce within the area 30, then in order to return the ball he must strike it with his bat such that it once again bounces on the central member 12, with the next bounce occurring in the player area 30. If he adjudges that the ball would fall outside the player area and decides to leave it, should the ball fall within the player area, then the server will win a point and will serve again. Should it fall outside the player area then service will move to the opponent. If a player whose turn it is to strike the ball, adjudges that it would fall within the player area 30, he may contact the ball with any part of his body prior to striking it with his bat back towards the central member.

When playing the game, points are won when the ball lands within the player area 30 without the opposition player or players being able to prevent the ball from bouncing in this area. Points are lost when a player strikes the ball towards the central member 12 and it misses the central member 12, when the ball lands outside the boundary rope 28 after having bounced on the central member 12, or when the ball is deflected onto the central member 12 off any body part and not the bat.

A point will be played over should the ball strike an edge of the central member 12 resulting in uneven bounce or if one player interferes with another player during play. Instead or in addition the central member 12, when in its erect condition may have a curved or bevelled peripheral edge resulting in a more predictable bounce from a ball striking the edge.

Naturally, many variations in the rules are possible.

It will be appreciated, that the specific dimensions of the game apparatus can vary. It will further be appreciated that by varying the relative sizes between the two concentric circles defined by the central member 12 and the demarcation member 14 the maximum angle of return, i.e. the angle defined between the path of the ball before and after it is struck by a player whilst remaining in play (angle α) will vary. Hence, as illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings, where the circle defined by the demarcation member 14 is substantially larger than the circle defined by the central member 12, the maximum angle of return will be relatively small. Further, as illustrated in Figure 6 of the drawings, where the diameters of the central member 12 and demarcation member 14 are relatively close, then the angle α will be relatively large. Other aspects taken into account in determining the absolute and relative sizes of the central member 12 and the demarcation member 14 are how far a player can move to his left or right to retrieve a ball struck onto the central circle which is determined both by the maximum angle of return and the absolute sizes of the members 12, 14. Further, the surface area of the demarcation member 14 should be dimensioned to permit players of differing abilities to strike the ball onto it and at the same time, when in its collapsed condition should be small enough to be easily transportable. The Inventor believes that the relative dimensions of the central member 12 and demarcation member 14 should be such that the maximum angle of return, i.e. the angle defined between the path of the ball before and after it is struck by a player whilst remaining in play, (angle α in figure 4 of the drawings) should be less than 90°. To this end, the ratio of the diameter of the central member 12 to the demarcation member 14 may be between 1 :2 and 1 :4, preferably about 1 :2.5. As a specific example, the Inventor believes that a pleasurable game can be played making use of a central member 12 defining a central zone having a diameter D of about 120 cm. The demarcation member 14 is dimensioned such that the radial

spacing P between the central member 12 and the demarcation member 14 is between 80 cm and 200 cm, preferable 90 cm. The boundary rope 28 typically has a radius Q of about 5 m. This arrangement is illustrated in Figure 7 of the drawings and results in a maximum angle of return of approximately 24°. It will be appreciated that, when the incoming shot is directed diametrically, the ball can be returned either to the left or right of the incoming direction giving a total possible angle of approximately 48°. This means that a player standing diametrically opposite another player would have to contend with a cord of about 2.5 m on the perimeter of the demarcation member 14, i.e. assuming that he was centrally located and the ball was returned at the maximum angle of return, he would have to move approximately 1 .25 m to his left or right on the perimeter of the demarcation member in order to retrieve and return the ball.

The Inventor believes that the game apparatus 10 will provide an enjoyable and relatively inexpensive game which can be played in any number of locations. In addition, the Inventor believes that regular players of the game will benefit from improved hand-eye coordination.

The Inventor also believes that understanding the various properties surrounding circles, plays an important role in a person's mathematical development. A game apparatus, in accordance with the invention, can be used to help students obtain a basic understanding of the various properties surrounding circles, e.g. radius, circumference, concentric circles and annulus, as well as the calculations involved with these properties, e.g. to calculate the surface area of an annulus.