A WATER SPORT GAME

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally pertains to games and game apparatus, and is particularly directed to a ball game and the apparatus of the game to be played in a swimming pool.

BACKGROUND ART

It has been popular for a long time to play games while swimming in a water environment such as a swimming pool. These activities are advantageous to health and typically involve a very low risk of injury. The buoyancy of water can decrease the effects of gravity and therefore it takes less effort to move in water. Most water sports can promote strength and enhance balance of the body, without causing impacts to the joints.

There are many water games known to the public, such as water gymnastics, water aerobics, water polo, etc. In addition, there are other adaptations of games that can be played in a swimming pool. Some of them are ball games such as basketball or volleyball.

Examples of such games are disclosed in various prior art documents. For example, US Patent No. 3582078 teaches a hoop ball type of arrangement. US Patent No. 4220337 discloses a ball game to be played in a swimming pool, wherein a tilted backstop is installed at the curb of the pool for bouncing the ball to the player. US Patent No. 4307887 is directed to a combination of a pair of basketball backboards with a volleyball net suspended between the basketball backboards. US Patent. No. 5375849 relates to a water volleyball type of game. US Patent No. 5499822 provides a soccer type game for playing in a swimming pool, wherein the goals and the ball are under water.

While these games can be enjoyable, there is always a demand for different types of games which can be played in swimming pools, and there is a continuing need to develop games for use in a swimming pool that are simple and safe to play. Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a water sport game, which may overcome at least some of the disadvantages of previously known approaches in this field, or would provide a useful alternative.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

According to the first aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for a water sport game comprising:

at least one floatable wicket including a frame being adapted to engage with a plurality of stumps and having an anchor for keeping the wicket within a pre-determined locality in an aquatic environment, wherein the frame includes a plurality of arms extending from a base bar, each one of the arms being coaxially connected to one of the stumps in a coplanar arrangement; and

a floatable bat comprising a striking blade and a handle located at one end thereof, wherein the blade has a longitudinal axis and the handle is spliced thereto along the longitudinal axis of the blade.

In a preferred embodiment, the kit further comprises at least one floatable ball.

Preferably, the anchor is a bag containing a weight which is selected from the group consisting of cast iron, stones, lead, stainless steel or sand.

Preferably, the anchor comprises at least one weight object encapsulated in the frame.

Preferably, each of the stumps is removably connected to each of the arms such that each of the stumps may be readily struck off each of the arms of the frame upon the ball contacting one or more of the stumps.

Preferably, each of the stumps is formed from a single piece material selected from the group consisting of soft plastic, soft rubber foam, thermosetting polymer or thermoplastic polymer.

Preferably, the striking blade is formed from a single piece material selected from the group consisting of soft plastic, soft rubber foam, thermosetting polymer or thermoplastic polymer.

Preferably, the striking blade is cylindrical in shape.

Preferably, the handle is formed from a rigid floatable material selected from the group consisting of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), rigid plastic, thermosetting polymer or thermoplastic polymer.

Preferably, the striking blade has a diameter of between 60mm and 110mm.

Preferably, the floatable ball is formed from a single piece material selected from the group consisting of soft plastic, soft rubber foam, thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer.

Preferably, the floatable ball is spheroid in shape and has a diameter of between 70mm and 73mm.

Preferably, the kit further comprises a tether adapted to connect to the wicket.

Preferably, the kit further comprises a container adapted to hold the wicket, the bat and the ball, wherein the container is also adapted to be filled with at least one weight object and to connect to the tether for keeping the wicket within a pre-determined locality in an aquatic environment.

Preferably, the aquatic environment is a swimming pool.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of playing a water sport game having the steps of:

dividing an aquatic environment into a batting team region and a defending team region;

installing a first floatable wicket at one end of the batting team region and a second floatable wicket at one end of the defending team region;

providing one partially submerged member of the defending team with a floatable ball adapted to be propelled by the member of the defending team from an area within the defending team region towards the first wicket in the batting team wicket; and

providing one partially submerged member of the batting team with a floatable bat adapted to be used by the batsman to strike the ball;

wherein the first and second floatable wickets include a frame being adapted to engage with a plurality of stumps and having an anchor for keeping the wicket within a pre-determined locality in the aquatic environment; and

the floatable bat comprises a striking blade and a handle located at one end thereof, wherein the blade has a longitudinal axis and the handle is spliced thereto along the longitudinal axis of the blade.

Preferably, the aquatic environment is a swimming pool.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a floatable wicket comprising a frame being adapted to engage with a plurality of stumps and having an anchor for keeping the wicket within a pre-determined locality in an aquatic environment, wherein the frame includes a plurality of arms extending from a base bar, each one of the arms being coaxially connected to one of the stumps in a coplanar arrangement.

These embodiments are not necessarily limiting on the invention, which is described fully in this entire document.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention is now discussed with reference to drawings, where:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a bat according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the bat of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the bat of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a plan view of a wicket according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a front view of the wicket of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a side view of the wicket of Figure 4;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the wicket of Figure 4 attached to a load;

Figure 8 is a front view of a floatable ball; and

Figure 9 is a schematic view of a swimming pool area of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to Figures 1 to 3, a bat 10 according to the present invention is shown comprising an elongate striking blade 14, and a handle 12 spliced to one end of the blade along the longitudinal axes of the blade and handle. The blade 14 has one end 15, which is remote from the handle 12 (which end is known as the toe), in a flat shape. The striking blade 14 is preferably cylindrical with either a solid or hollow core. However, it can also be envisaged that the striking blade 14 has a striking surface which is substantially flat, and a back surface which has a ridge along the longitudinal axis of the blade 14.

The striking blade 14 is fabricated of a floatable material such as soft plastic or soft rubber foam having a softness and flexibility sufficient to cause the outer surface of the bat 10 to yield on a successful strike, whilst also being able to avoid any harmful impact. Preferably, the material has an elasticity which permits the striking blade 14 to deform and resume its original shape immediately after impact. One example of such material comprises a thermoplastic or thermosetting material. In another embodiment, the bat 10 can be made of polyethylene, polypropylene, polychloride or a mixture thereof. The diameter of the striking blade 14 is within the range of 65mm to

110mm, which is usually larger than the diameter of the handle. The length of the striking blade 14 is between 200mm and 1000mm. Both the length and the diameter of the striking blade 14 can be customized to suit the intended user, who may be an adult or a child.

On the other hand, the handle 12 of the bat 10 is formed from a more rigid floatable material such as plastic or PVC. The diameter of the handle 12 is typically smaller than the diameter of the striking blade 14 and is usually in the range of 20mm to 50mm. The length of the handle 12 is typically around 100mm to 300mm, and is preferably 200mm.

Both the handle 12 and the striking blade 14 can also be made of a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer. In another embodiment, the handle 12 and the striking blade 14 are integrally formed from a single piece material.

Figures 4 to 7 illustrate a wicket 20 according to the present invention, which comprises a frame 22 having three arms 23 extending from a base bar 24. Each of the arms 23 is coaxially connected to a cylindrical stump 26.

The frame 22 and the stumps 26 are thereby joined together in a coplanar manner. The frame 22 is further adapted to connect to an anchor 28 which keeps the wicket 20 afloat within a particular location in a swimming pool or aquatic environment. In one embodiment, the anchor 28 comprises a weight bag of stones or cast iron.

The frame 22 is preferably formed from a rigid floatable material such as plastic or PVC, while the stumps 26 are made of soft plastic or soft rubber foam, and preferably are made of a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer. In another embodiment, the stumps 26 are removeably engaged with the frame 22 such that the stumps may readily be struck off by the ball 29. In another embodiment, the frame 22 and the stumps 26 are integrally formed from a single piece material.

In the preferred embodiment, the diameter of each stump 26 is 65mm and the length of each stump is 500mm. Each arm 23 of the frame is preferably 20mm in diameter and 500mm in length. The length of the base bar 24 is 175mm and the diameter of the base bar 24 is 20mm.

Figure 10 shows another embodiment of the wicket 20 which comprises a frame 22 configured to serve as an anchor for keeping the wicket 20 afloat within a particular location in a swimming pool. In one embodiment, the frame 22 encapsulates weight objects such as lead or stainless steels in the lower region of the frame. Alternatively, a metal frame 22 can also be used as an anchor.

In another preferred embodiment, a tether 40 is provided to chain the wicket 20 to the swimming pool. The tether 40 can also chain to a brick or a similar weight object 41 at the side curb of the swimming pool. In one embodiment, the tether is in the form of a plastic chain.

In one preferred embodiment, a plastic container provided for keeping the equipment of the present invention is filled with sand and water to serve the purpose of the weight object 41.

In another preferred embodiment, a suction cap may be used for keeping the wicket 20 afloat within a particular location in a swimming pool by sticking the suction to the side of a tiled pool.

Reference is now made to Figure 8, which shows the ball 29 for the game being spherical and comprising a floatable material. Preferably, the ball 29 is formed from a piece of soft plastic or soft rubber foam, and

preferably is made of a thermosetting or thermoplastic polymer. The diameter of the ball is typically between 70mm and 73mm.

Referring to Figure 9, the swimming pool 30 is divided into two regions, the batting team region 32 and defending team region 33. The two regions are separated by a designated centre line 34. One wicket 20 is located at the end 35 of the batting team region 32 and another wicket 20 is placed at the end 39 of the defending team region 33. In front of the wicket 20 is the crease region 36, where the batsmen stay. The fielders are allowed to spread around the pool 30, but typically they stay in the vicinity of the location 37 near the designated centre line 34. Outside the pool, a boundary 38 is designated for dividing the gaming area and non-gaming area.

The ball game is then played with the abovementioned equipment within the swimming pool. The participants of the ball game are divided into at least two teams, the batting team, comprising at least one batman, and the defending team, comprising at least one bowler and preferably at least one fielder although the game can be played with the fielding team having only one bowler and no additional fielders. The aim of the batting team is to score the most Yuns' (points) while the aim of defending team is to prevent the batting team from scoring any Yuns' and to dismiss each of the batsmen by getting them "out".

The game is divided into overs of a predetermined number of deliveries. At the end of an over, the teams swap roles, so that the defending team becomes the batting team and the batting team becomes the defending team.

The ball game begins with a batsman standing in front of the wicket 20 within the designated crease region 36 of the batting team region 32, holding the bat 10 above the water. Then, the bowler bowls the ball 29 from the defending team region 33 of the swimming pool 30 attempting to hit the wicket 20 located at batting team region 32 with the ball 29. Depending on

the result of the strike, scores are awarded to each individual' batsman, and the batting team. If the defending team gets the batsman out, the undivided bowler and the defending team are awarded a point.

Each batsman may have a predetermined number of tries to strike the ball 29, and preferably maximum of 10 tries are given for each batsman. This could be varied and decided before the start of the game to ensure every participant has a chance to bat.

Scores are awarded to each individual batsman or team in the following conditions:

a. If the batsman hits the ball 29 within the swimming pool 30 and the ball hits the edge of the pool, four runs will be awarded to the batsman. b. If the batsman hits the ball into the designated boundary 38 outside the swimming pool 30, six runs will be awarded to the batsman.

c. If the batsman hits the ball and is able to swim across the designed centre line 34 to the defending team region 33 without being Yun out', one run will be awarded to the batsman.

During the game, the defending team tries to prevent the batting team from scoring runs. In order to do so, the defending team will try to get the batsmen out. The batsman is considered to be ^λ out' when: a. the batsman strikes the ball 29 and the ball is caught "on the full" by one of the defending team's fielders;

b. the bowler bowls the ball 29 and the ball subsequently hits the wicket 20;

c. the batsman is swimming on the way to cross the designated centre line 34 after the batsman hits the ball 29, but a fielder catches the ball and is able strike the wicket 20 with the ball; and e. the batsman hits the ball 29 out of the designated boundary 38 outside the swimming pool 30.

It will be apparent that obvious variations or modifications may be made in accordance with the spirit of the invention that are intended to be part of the invention, and any such obvious variations or modification are therefore within the scope of the invention.