Method and apparatus for playing a game with a projectile

Abstract

A multiplayer game, having rules with aspects of the games of Four Square and Volleyball, is played with an apparatus that can optionally be respectively disassembled and set up.

Description

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0001] Not applicable. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to method and apparatus for playing a ball game. More specifically, the present invention provides for an apparatus that enables players to engage in a fast-paced game that combines aspects of the games of volleyball and foursquare while providing a game frame that is portable and deployable in a variety of environments. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art [0005] There are several prior art variations of the traditional playground game of Four Square, but they share many of the same characteristics. Typically, the game is played with an elastic ball such as a rubber playground ball on a solid ground surface such as a concrete or asphalt playground or parking area. Referring to a top view of the prior art game square arrangement shown in FIG. 1A, a large square (10) is marked on a solid horizontal surface with a p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to improve various problems associated with the prior art. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a portable game apparatus that enables players to perform a method of game play that combines aspects of volleyball and foursquare into a fun, exciting, multi-player game. To that end, the method and apparatus of the present invention provides a Four Square-like game that is played in the air above players' heads. By-providing for a portable, elevated game frame, player squares that are provided on a hard ground surface in Four Square are now elevated above the players' heads, and a player now uses volleyball-like ball strikes to hit the ball up and out of the players' game square and into another player's game square. Alternatively, the present invention may be viewed as a 4-way volleyball game without the need for nets or markings on the ground.

Problems solved by technology

Yet in play areas such as sandy-beaches, court boundaries (210) can be difficult to create in a manner that resists scuffing, player footsteps, and ball strikes.

The erection of a temporary volleyball court on a soft play surface therefore presents challenges that delay players' abilities to quickly begin a game, and once the game is begun, boundaries (210) may have to be periodically redrawn.

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