Indoor activity games

Abstract

Indoor activity games for contests of skill and amusement. A soft, foam ball or cube is suspended by a cord and can be wrapped around a releasable device or temporary pole secured within a doorway. The ball can be struck by the players using their hands or using soft, foam paddles, in order to wrap the cord and the ball around the pole. In one embodiment the game played can be tetherball, and opposing players, on opposite sides of the doorway, attempt to strike the ball and propel it around the pole until the cord is completely wrapped around the pole. In another embodiment tennis or volleyball can be played, and a net is suspended across the open doorway.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to activity games for children and adults, and more particularly to paddle ball games that can be safely enjoyed indoors.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention is intended to help solve the age-old problem of finding things to do inside when the weather is inclement, or when parents want their children to play indoors. Parents often like to play games that get their children off of the couch, away from video games and television, and allow them to get exercise and have fun indoors. Also, it is preferred to be able to play games that do not harm the indoor furniture, and which can be easily assembled and disassembled for clean up and storage.[0003]Games that are typically played outdoors, such as tetherball, tennis and volleyball, involve the striking of a ball with a bare hand or a racquet. Such games require the ability to strike the ball with force in a desired direction. However, such games typica...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention provides indoor activity games that can be played within a doorway or passageway. The games include a soft, lightweight ball that is suspended from the end of a cord or tether. The tether is pivotally connected at its proximal end to a releasable clamp, which is reversibly secured to the top and center of a doorway. The clamp can be a scissors-like clamp or a spring-loaded, telescoping pole. The game kit also includes a releasable device, a lightweight ball, and a cord with a proximal end attached to the releasable device and a distal end attached to the ball. The invention allows for easy assembly and reversible mounting within an open doorway.

Problems solved by technology

However, such games typically cannot be played inside the house, for fear of breaking furniture or other valuable fixtures.

In addition, it is difficult for a young child to play these games due to the typically heavy ball that is used in tetherball or volleyball, or the heavy racquet that is used in tennis.

To date, games such as tetherball, tennis and volleyball have not been appropriate for playing indoors, due to the need for a heavy ball or a permanent structure with which to play the games.

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