INVENTION PRIORITY

[001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/335,580 filed April 27, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[002] Embodiments are generally related to recreational board games that facilitate exercise and fun. More particularly, embodiments are related to a multi-participant, octagon-shaped board game including utilization of paddles and a low compression ball during gameplay.

BACKGROUND

[003] Spikeball and Boardball are two games that utilize a horizontal surface, such as net or a table top, a ball and rely on more than one player for interaction and gameplay. There is a lot of subjectivity in both Spikeball and Boardball if the ball switches possession cleanly.

[004] Spikeball is played 2v2 (two people versus two people) on a round plastic rimmed set that stands 8 inches tall and is 36 inches wide. It has a thin net that is stretched across to create a platform to bounce a ball from after action by a player’s hands utilizing 360 degrees with no boundaries. Teams have 3 alternating contacts using players’ hands or bodies to return the ball back onto the game set switching possession to the opponents. The game set breaks down into 5 rim portions, 5 legs, and a net to transport it in a compartment the size of a backpack. The 5 rims attached to 5 legs. The rims break easily if they are landed on. The net can also unravel after some time. The balls are thin rubber which change shape in the sun or cold. It can also take about ten minutes to set up the game set.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [005] Spikeball uses a small ball that must be hit with players’ hands, which has a smaller surface and create less clean touches. The ball is not allowed to bounce. If there is one bad touch the play is dead ending the rally. Players can use either hand to quickly manipulate the ball on offense easily putting the ball away quickly ending rallies. Players can serve underhanded, side arm, or overhanded wrapping their fingers around the ball creating a lot of spin when the bah hits the net. During gameplay, if the ball hits a pocket where the net is connected to the plastic set changing the direction of the balls exit, it is a fault during a serve and clean during rally play. Most selves end in aces or faults due to the smaller set and pockets creating faults. If the ball contacts the rim, it is also a fault during a serve and a dead ball during rally play. Given the pockets and small plastic round rims it can be hard to tell if a play is clean or not.

[006] Boardball is played 2v2 (two people versus two people) on a square table standing about 15 inches tall and about 32 inches wide. The top of the table has a hard rubber mat, and its sides are made of red plastic sloped 45 degrees from the top. The game is pl ayed utilizing 360 degrees with a 40 foot boundary formed around it. Teams have 3 alternating contacts to return a volleyball to the top of the table changing the possession to the opponent. If the ball hits the red sloped plastic sides “Redball” it resets the possession of the offensive team The table folds in half for transport, and weighs about 30 lbs. Boardball has the 45 degrees apron that is also hard to tell if the ball came off cleanly or changes possession “redball”. Boardball uses a much bigger/heavier ball (volleyball), which can be hard for younger players to play with. The ball is not allowed to bounce. If there is one bad touch the play is dead, ending the rally. The ball can be easily manipulated with both hands and bounce far fast. A boardball set is sturdy yet heavy. It comes with one ball and can be set up in less than 10 seconds,

[007] Spikeball and Boardball games are well received by the public. They offer recreation and exercise to their users. Despite the popularity and acceptance of Spikeball and Boardball, there remains a need for alternative games that are easy to set up, are challenging and provide meaningful entertainment and exercise to its users. There is also a need for games that can overcome the structural and performance limitations of Spikeball and Boardball.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) SUMMARY

[008] To overcome limitations in the prior art, what is described herein is a multiplayer game that includes a folding, octagon-shaped board, more than one paddle, and a low compression ball and methods for its use.

[009] A multiplayer game can be provided in the form of an octagon-shaped table that i s foldable, provided in two halves, each halve having a topside, an underside, and an outer edge. An apron can be formed onto the underside of each halve around a perimeter of each halve near the outer edge, and at least one hinge mounted can be onto and connecting the two halves at the underside, in accordance with the embodiments.

[0010] The at least one hinge can hold the two halves together forming an octagon shape during gameplay and enables the two halve to fold against each with the underside of each halve facing each other and forming a four-sided, half octagon shaped storage compartment within the edge or apron and underside of each halve once the octagon-shaped foldable table is folded, in accordance with an embodiment.

[0011] At least two legs can be retractably mounted onto the underside of each halve of the octagon-shaped board, wherein the at least two legs are extendable away (unfolded) from the underside to support the octagon-shaped foldable table above ground during gameplay and can be retracted (folded) flat against the underside of their respective halve for storage prior to the octagon-shaped foldable table being folded at the at least one hinge and closed, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0012] A locking mechanism can be mounted onto at least one side of at least one of the two halves, along the apron and opposite the hinge, and can be configured to keep the halves together in a closed position and release the halves by operation of the locking mechanism to enable full deployment of the octagon-shaped foldable table for gameplay, in accordance with another embodiment.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0013] A handle mounted onto at least one side of at least one of the two halves, along the apron and opposite the hinge, and can be configured to facilitate carrying of the octagon-shaped foldable table when the halves are in the closed position and held together by the locking mechanism, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0014] A rubber mat can be mounted on the topside of each halve within the outer perimeter of each of the two halves, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0015] A slip-reducing surface material layer can cover the topside of each of the two halves, in accordance with another embodiment. The slip-reducing surface material can provide more control over the ball when it impacts the topside.

[0016] The slip-reducing surface material can be a rubber mat material, or it can be a grit material having a grit rating of about 24 grit to about 80 grit, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0017] The slip-reducing surface material can be a grit material having a grit rating of 60, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0018] The multiplayer game can include more than one paddle, wherein the more than one paddle can be stowable in the storage compartment, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0019] The multiplayer game can include at least one low compression ball, wherein the at least one ball can be stowable in the storage compartment, in accordance with another embodiment.

[0020] Aspects, advantages and novel features, and further scope of applicability of the present invention will be set forth in part in the detailed description to follow, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) BRIEF' DESCIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating one or more preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings:

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a top perspective of the DotBall360° game, in accordance with the embodiments,

[0023] FIGS. 2A-2B illustrate side perspectives of the DotBall360° game, in accordance with the embodiments;

[0024] FIG. 3 i llustrates a side cutaway perspective of the octagon-shaped table, in accordance with the embodiments;

[0025] FIG. 4 illustrates an underside perspective of the octagon-shaped table with paddles secured against the underside within a storage area created within an apron, in accordance with the embodiments;

[0026] FIG. 5 illustrates a cutaway perspective of the octagon-shaped table with the two halves folded against each other at the at least one hinge, in accordance with the embodiments;

[0027] FIG. 6 i llustrates a photograph of a closed condition of octagon-shaped table, wherein halves are folded at the at least one hinge and are facing each other, in accordance with the embodiments;

[0028] FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a front view (7 A), side view (7B) and top view (7C) of a paddle 800 that can be used in the DotBall360° game, in accordance with an embodiment; and

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0029] FIG. 8A-8B illustrate an example of compression, just before a ball hits the ground (8A) and when a ball hits the ground (8B), and how its center of mass keeps moving down for as long as the ball’s elasticity allows.

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SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0030 ] A multiplayer game that includes use of a folding, octagon-shaped board, more than one paddle, and a low compression ball will now be described. The multiplayer game will be referred to herein after as “DotBall360” or “the DotBall360° game’’ for convenience of the following description. Although specific dimensions may be provided within this description, they are being provided without suggesting limitations. It should be appreciated that the size of the disclosed DotBall360° game can be scaled to accommodate more or less players Other dimensions are possible and can be utilized in fabricating aspects of the DotBall360° game.

[0031] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2A-B, illustrate top and side perspectives the DotBall360° game, in accordance with the embodiments. DotBall360° can be played Ivl (one person versus one person), 2v2, 3v3, or 4v4, on an octagon-shaped table 100 that can be provided in two halves 101/102 standing on retractable legs 104/105 at about 16 inches off the ground 103 beneath it. A topside 107 of the octagon-shaped table 100 can be about 40 inches wide from each opposing octagon side represented by the two halves 101/102. The topside 107 of the table can include a nonslip surfacing layer 106 adhered onto the topside 107 (i ,e., onto the surface of the topside 107). The nonslip surfacing layer 106 can be a rubber mat, or it can be a grit material having a grit rating between 24 grit to 80 grit, A 60 grit grip surfacing layer has been shown to be effective when adhered to the topside 107, or the game playing surface, of the octagon-shaped table 100. At least one handle 510 can be provided for carrying the game, as will be described further.

[0032] Referring to FIG. 3, a side cutaway perspective of the octagon-shaped table 100 is illustrated. The nonslip surface layer 106 is shown formed in the topside 107 of the octagonshaped table 100. In this illustration, an inner edge thickness formed in the topside 107 of the tabletop can be about 1/8” in a flat lip form that can be flush with a 1/8” rubber mat material that can act to absorb ball compression (slowing down the ball) and/or as a nonslip surface (providing additional control over the ball). The rubber mat material can be adhered to the top using industrial strength glue to avoid peeling and withstand mild weather and direct sunlight. The octagon-shaped table 100 can also include an edge 211 and an underside 212. The octagon-shaped table 100 can also include and apron 213 that extends down from the underside 212 or from the edge 211. DotBall360° is different than Spikeball and Boardball. DotBa11360 requires very' little subjectivity

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) as to whether the low compression bah was clean off the table given the edge 211 is at an angle of about 90 degrees from the topside 107 (game playing surface) of the octagon-shaped table 100. The edge 211 can be formed between the topside 107 and underside 212 based on the thickness of the octagon-shaped table 100. The thickness can be about 1 inch.

[0033] An apron 213 can be formed on the underside 212 of the octagon-shaped table 100 along its edge 211. The apron 213 can also be formed at a short distance inward from the edge 211. For example, but without limitation, the apron 213 can be formed at least one inch in from the edge

211 and attached to or extend from the underside 212. With this placement the apron 213 is also unlikely to interfere with the low compression ball when in-play because the sides of the apron 213, like the edge 212, go down at a 90 degree angle from the top surface. The apron 213 can extend up to 1.5 inches from the underside 212 of the octagon-shaped table 100. This can provide up to a 3” enclosure when the two halves 101/102 are closed together, which can be ideal for storage of paddles, balls, and table legs.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4, an underside perspective of the octagon- shaped table 100 is illustrated. Four retractable legs 104 can be retractably mounted to hardware 410 mounted to the underside

212 located at evenly spaced points within the outer edge of each of the two halves 101/102 of the octagon-shaped table 100. The at least two legs 104 can be extended away (i.e., unfolded) from their storage position at the underside to support the octagon-shaped foldable table 100 above ground during gameplay and then can be retractable (i ,e., folded) flat against the underside surface 212 of each of their respective halves 101/102 for storage prior to the octagon-shaped foldable table 100 being folded about at least one hinge 410 that is mounted to each halve 101/102 and holds the two halves 101/102 together an enables their opening and closing operation. The hinge 410 can be designed in a way for the table to open flat and lock in place for a seamless surface for gameplay. Interlocking teeth can be formed on underside 212 of the octagon-shaped board 100 that could provide ideal stability and support. When the octagon-shaped table is folded in half it can snap or be lock closed as to not accidently open while carrying from the handle 510. What is also illustrated is the underside 212 of the octagon-shaped table 100. Paddles 800 and balls 810 are shown secured against the underside 212 within the storage area created between the halves 101/102, and within the apron 213 if provided.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0035] Referring to FIG. 5, illustrated is a cutaway perspective of the octagon-shaped table 100 with the two halve 101/102 folded against each other at the at least one hinge 410 creating a storage area 505 wherein the two halves 101/102 meet along the edge 211 and/or apron 213 if provided. Paddles and balls can be stowed inside the storage area 505 created when folding the octagonshaped table 100 for ease in transport of the octagon-shaped table 100 and its stored contents. When folded, the octagon-shaped table 100 can be about 20 inches wide by 40 inches long. The two halves 101/102 can lock together by a locking mechanism 507 when folded, and a carrying handle 510 can be integrated onto any one of the halves 101/102 at the edge or the apron 213 near the center of one of the halves 101/102 of the octagon-shaped table 100 for easy carrying of the DotBall360° game. The DotBall360° game can weigh about 271bs. All equipment can be stored inside the halves 101/102 when folded for easy transport, storage, and protection. The DotBaU360° game can be easily set up in less than ten seconds.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 6, illustrated is a photograph of a closed condition of octagon-shaped table 100, wherein halves 101/102 are folded and their inner surfaces are facing each other. The octagon-shaped table can be provided as a bi-folding table in the shape of a regular six-sided octagon when open and a three-sided container when closed/folded as shown in FIG. 6. Each side can be 18 inches in length making the width of the table appx 44 inches. The table can be designed to fold in half at the middle where the two halves 101/102 are connected by at least one hinge 410, but can remain generally seamless on top. When folded it can create an enclosure and storage area within the underside (inner surfaces) of the halves 101/102 for the paddles 800 and balls 805 necessary for game play as well including sturdy folding legs 104 mounted onto the underside 212 and storage area 505 of the octagon-shaped table 100 to ensure table stability when fully deployed as an octagon. The weight of a full game set (including table, paddles and balls) can be about 251bs-301bs.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 7A-C, illustrated are a front view (7A), side view (7B) and top view (7C) of a paddle 700 that can be used in the DotBall360° game. The paddle 700 can be made from light plastic material. Injection molding utilizing plastics such as polypropylene can be used to make the plastic paddles from a mold. Other plastics suitable to provide a sturdy plastic paddle

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) can be considered. The DotBa!1360° Paddles can ideally be provided in various shapes, such as the shape of familiar table tennis paddles, pickle ball rackets, racket ball rackets, or tennis racquets. The size of the DotBall360° paddle should ideally be between that of a pickle ball racket or racket ball racket. A DotBall360° rachet can be up to about nineteen inches long including a handle area 805 of about 5 inches long extending from a ball contact area 710 of the paddle that can taper away from the handle area 705 to about nine inches wide at a length of about up to fourteen inches, creating approximately a fourteen inch by nine inch ball contact area 710 on the paddle 700 that extends from the handle area 705. The handle 707 can be about 1 inch in diameter and can include grip material thereon. The ball contact area 710 can be less than one inch thick and can have a plurality of holes 715 formed in a circle between the center 711 of the ball contact area 710 and its outer permittee 712. The holes 715 can promote the passage of air through the paddle and can reduce resistance during gameplay.

[0038] DotBall360 ^,J game balls 800 can be provided at the size of a tennis ball or racket ball. Balls provided for use in the DotBall360° game are ideally low' compression balls, also known as Stage 3 balls. Ideally, two balls can be provided with a DotBall360° game. Low compression balls are soft so that they can bounce lower and slower than standard tennis and racquet balls. For example, yellow tennis balls are harder and less compressible, therefore they bounce higher and faster than red, orange or green low compression tennis balls that are much softer by design than the yellow tennis balls so that they will bounce lower and allow for better control to trainees. Referring to FIGS. 8A-B, illustrated is as an example of compression, just before a ball hits the ground (8A) and when a ball hits the ground (8B), and how its center of mass 805 keeps moving down for as long as the ball’s elasticity allows. As a result, the ball 800 is vertically squished for a moment before it bounces back up. Its bounce can be controlled by its mass and structure. Materials can affect elasticity. A DotBall360° game ball can be produced at a low'er compression rating so that it will bounce lower and slower during game play. A stage 3 DotBall360° game ball should ideally have less bounce, so it comes off slower and doesn’t go as far allowing the defense a better opportunity to receive it, thereby promoting longer/easier rallies.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) [0039] During gameplay, teams can have 3 contacts utilizing a DotBall paddle and a bounce between each contact to return a stage 3 DotBall clean off the top of the octagon changing possession to the opponent. There are no boundaries for teams when playing DotBall360°.

[0040] DotBall 360 is easy to play for all types of players given its large surface and paddles with large ball contact surfaces to create cleaner touches with the low compression DotBall360° ball. The ball can bounce after contact with the surface of the octagon and after each hit giving the defense/offense time to return the ball keeping rallies alive, thus translating into more enjoyment for players and spectators. The offense can only put the ball away utilizing the paddle which is hard to manipulate and easier for the defense to read creating more touches. The serving team must serve overhand using the paddle making it predictable for the receiving team allowing the point to start with a return more often than not.

[0041] The DotBall360° complete set can include six DotBall360° paddles, 3 DotBall360° balls, and the octagon-shaped folding table. DotBall360° is a portable octagon-shaped game table that is foldable and can be easily set up basically anywhere. No boundaries, no designated court needed. Play Ivsl (one person versus one person), 2vs2, 3vs3, and so on. Paddles and balls can all be enclosed within the octagon-shaped game table when it is folded, closed for easy transportation. Users can simply open the table, grab the paddles and ball, find level ground, extend the support legs, and begin playing a game

[0042] The table and paddles can be made from wood as well as a variety of plastic materials using known injection molding or blow molding processes. The DotBall360° game would be durable, rugged and weather resistant dependent on the choice of materials used for its fabrication.

[0043] Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to these preferred embodiments, other embodiments can achieve the same results. Variations and modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art and it is intended to cover all such modifications and equivalents. The entire disclosures of all references, applications, patents, and publications cited above and/or in the attachments, and of the corresponding application(s), are hereby incorporated by reference.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)