AU718054B2 - A football game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENTS ACT 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT (Original) APPLICATION NO:

LODGED:

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION LODGED:

ACCEPTED:

PUBLISHED:

RELATED ART: fBi a. a. 4* a.

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NAME OF APPLICANT: ACTUAL INVENTOR(S): GRAHAM RICHARD RICKMAN and LESLEY MARGARET RICKMAN GRAHAM RICHARD RICKMAN a.

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*a o ooo °oo ADDRESS FOR SERVICE: LORD COMPANY, Patent Trade Mark Attorneys, of 4 Douro Place, West Perth, Western Australia, 6005, AUSTRALIA.

"A FOOTBALL GAME APPARATUS" INVENTION TITLE: DETAILS OF ASSOCIATED PROVISIONAL APPLICATION NO'S: PO0843 filed on July 5, 1996 The following Statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me/us: 2

TITLE

A FOOTBALL GAME APPARATUS BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention related to a football game apparatus. In particular, the present invention relates to a football game apparatus wherein teams of players attempt to score points by kicking a ball at goals located at respective ends of the playing area.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The known game of Australian Rules Football is played on a large oval field normally with 18 players on each side. Points are scored by kicking the football between a set of inner and outer goals whereby points are awarded based on whether the ball travels between the inner of the outer goals.

The present invention provides a small, faster football game alternative to the known Australian Rules Game.

•i o• SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided apparatus 9**9 ooo for playing a football game including at least one set of goals comprising an inner goal .9 located between a pair of adjacent outer goals, the inner goal having an inner goal contact detection means and each outer goal having an outer goal contact detection means, wherein each inner and outer goal contact detection means are connected to a scoring means, the scoring means being arranged to allocate a score of a first value on receiving a signal from the inner contact detection means only and a score of a second value on receiving a signal from the outer contact detection means only and the scoring means further being arranged to allocate a score of a third value, which may be the same as or different from the second value on receiving a signal from both the outer 2a contact detection means and the inner contact detection means within a predetermined time interval.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF TILE DRAWIN4GS The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, in which: 0 9* Figure 1 is a plan view of the of the football game apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure la is a perspective view of the football game apparatus as shown in figure 1; Figure 2 is a side view of the of the football game apparatus as shown in figure 1; Figures 3 and 3a are expanded perspective views of the set of goals and surrounding areas of the football game apparatus in accordance with the present invention; Figure 4 is an expanded view of the fencing means and a wall of impact absorbing material used in the football game apparatus as shown in figure 1; Figure 5 is a circuit diagram used in accordance with the football game apparatus as shown in figure 1; and oooo Figure 6 is an expanded cut away perspective view of playing surface of the football game apparatus as shown in figure 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to the drawings, the football game apparatus 10 of the present invention includes a playing area 11 which is preferably an oval shape. The playing area 11 is still preferably about 25 metres wide by about 60 metres long. However, it will be appreciated that the shape of the playing area 11 may vary according to space requirements or so as to be capable of fitting the playing area 11 into existing indoor arenas.

The playing area 11 has an outer edge 13 which is enclosed by a fence 18. The fence 18 is preferably approximately 3 metres in height and has on an inner surface a substantially continuous barrier 20 of impact absorbing material. The impact absorbing material is preferably foam with a thickness of approximately 8 to 12 cm. The height of the layer 4 of impact absorbing material is less than the height of the fence 18. Preferably, the height of the barrier 20 is approximately 1.8 metres in height. The layer 20 comprises entry/exit openings 22 for players as best seen in figures 1 and la.

The upper portion of the fence 18 that is not covered by the impact absorbing barrier may be covered with a substantially rigid, transparent material 32 which is preferably plexiglass. This allows spectators to watch the game from a viewing area The surface of the playing area 11 is made from an impact absorbing layer 24 as shown in figure 6. The impact absorbing layer 24 is preferably covered by a flexible sheet 26 which may be plastics material tensioned over the layer 24 by tensioning means 28. The layer 24 is typically laid over a substantially rigid surface 29 such as concrete.

The playing surface of the arena 11 may also be approximately 10 to 30 mm of rubber base bonded to concrete. The layer of rubber base is then overlayed with synthetic turf or similar commercial playing surfaces which provide resilient properties.

At each end of the playing area 11, there is a set of inner goals 12 and a pair of outer 15 behind goals 14 respectively. The set of goals 12 and 14, respectively, are set back a suitable distance from an edge 13 of the playing area 11. The inner goal 12, at each end, is offset from the pair of outer goals 14 as best seen in figures 1 and la. The pair of outer goals 14 may also be slightly angled towards the centre of the playing area 11. The set of inner goals 12, the pair of outer behind goals 14 may also be attached to suitable means for indicating or registering scores or points from when a ball contacts either the inner goal 12 or outer goal 14. The goals 12 and 14, respectively, are also made of panels which are connected to a scoring means as will be described in more detail below.

There is also provided out of bound areas 16 in which the ball is deemed to be not in play. The out of bound areas 16 comprise a pair of angularly opposed surfaces extending from an outermost portion of the pair of goals 14 to the fence 18. There is also provided a lower out of bounds area 16a which is a downwardly sloping surface extending from a lowermost edge of the goals 12 and 14 respectively to the padded barrier The barrier 20 has a cut away portion 21 provided at each end of the playing area 11 to allow for the respective goal areas 12 and 14. The barrier 20 is cut away so as to be less in height than the remainder of the barrier 20 along the outer edge 13. Preferably, the height of the cut away portion 21 is about 1 metre in height.

As shown in Figures 2 to 4, there is a ceiling means 34 which is a suitable distance above the surface of the playing area 11. The ceiling means 34 is preferably about 4 to 6 metres from the floor surface of the playing area 11. The ceiling means 34 is supported by a depending member 36 which depends from a roof (not shown). The ceiling means 34 is preferably netting suspended by the depending member 36 shown as a rope from the roof.

If the game is played outdoors the ceiling means 34 is supported with supporting poles 15 (not shown). The ceiling means 34 will be adjustable in height from the floor surface especially towards the centre of the playing surface so as to allow kicks to travel higher in trajectory.

There may be kick in area markings 38 and 40 respectively which form a square area in front of the respective goals 12 and 14. A centre square marking 42 forms a square area provided on the substantial centre of the playing area 11. It is preferable to have the markings 38, 40 and 42 painted on the playing area 11.

Referring to Figures 3 and 3a, each of the respective set of inner and outer goals 12 and 14, respectively, extend from above the lower out of bound area 16a to approximately 6 half a metre beyond the full height of the fence 18. The panels that form the goals are connected to a detection means 44 that detects when a ball impacts the goals 12 or 14.

When the ball impacts either of the inner goal 12 or the outer goal 14 then a signal will be sent to a scoring means 46. The scoring means 46 will collate the scores of the respective teams and indicate the score by way of a scoreboard 48.

It is envisaged that the detection means 44 will be contact wires mounted in front of the panels such that when the wires contact the panels, a signal will be sent to a scoring means 46 in the form of a microprocessor. The panels are preferably formed from aluminium sheeting affixed to panels of ply wood. The contact wires are aligned in a substantially vertical manner along the length of the panels. It is envisaged that these f contact wires are made from stainless steel and are insulated from the aluminium sheeting face. The contact wires are aligned such that they are not more than approximately mm apart. An indicator light 50 is provided on each inner or outer goal to indicate when the ball has contacted the respective goal.

:°oooo o= 15 During the game, the ball as described previously makes contact with the scoring panel which thereby produces an electric impulse. The initial electric impulse may be small and of short duration, so circuitry will be provided to stretch the initial electric impulse.

Hence, the detecting means 44 will detect any small or short contact of the ball with the set of goals. Further, the lengthening of the electric impulse will allow the detecting means 44 to determine whether the ball has contacted the inner or outer goal first, when the ball contacts both goals within a short period of time.

The circuitry is illustrated in figure 5 in the drawings. A pulse stretcher 56 is connected in a circuit 60 with a gate 62. A 5 volt battery 64 is also present in the circuit 60. A buzzer 52 and an indicator light 50 will be connected to this circuit to indicate that either a goal or a behind is scored when the respective inner or outer goal is contacted by the ball. There will be provided different coloured indicating lights 50 and buzzers 52 to distinguish the goals from the behinds when the ball contacts the appropriate goal.

The microprocessor will collate the information from the circuit 60 relating to either the goals or behinds and assign scores to the either team. A goal will be worth 6 points whilst a behind will be one point. These scores after being processed will be displayed •oby the scoreboard 48.

A ball (not shown) that is used in accordance with the present invention is designed such 10 that the approximate maximum distance the ball is capable of being kicked is one quarter of the length of the playing area 11. The ball is a scaled down version of a standard Australian rules ball. The football is preferably 230 mm by 150 mm. The ball may be foam filled with a cloth or vinyl outer casing. The ball will be substantially lighter in weight than a standard Australian rules football.

In a preferred form, the ball of the present invention will be made from a polyethylene foam with a cloth or vinyl outer casing. The shape of the football may be varies to accommodate the proposed touch sensitive panels in the set of goals such as being more of a rounded shape when compared to the present Australian rules football.

The following is an example of how to play the game using the football game apparatus of the present invention.

Under the rules of the game, there are two teams of players. Preferably, each team contains seven players. The game involves full contact tackling between opposing players substantially along the same rules asthe known Australian rules type games. The 8 foamed barrier 20 and the padded surface floor 26 attempt to minimise the impact of the full contact between the players.

The game starts with the ball being thrown up by the umpire at the centre square 42 and a player from each team jumps to get the ball. The ball may not be bounced on the surface 26. Each player attempts to kick or handpass the ball until a goal is scored by kicking the ball through either the inner goal 12 or the outer goals 14.

The automatic detecting means 44 and the scoring means 46 which is displayed on the scoreboard 48 provides an objective method of scoring that does not involve human error.

ooo* .i 10 The ball is out of bounds by contacting areas 16 or 16a. A freekick is awarded to the opposing team-when the ball is out of bounds. It is envisaged that 6 points are awarded for a goal whilst one point is awarded for a behind. Other than when the ball contacts the *out of bound areas 16 and 16a, the ball is deemed to be in continuous play when rebounded off the ceiling means 34, fence 18 or padded barrier 20 or padded entry areas **oo 22.

When a Goal is scored by kicking the ball through the inner goal 12, the ball is thrown up again at the centre square 42. When a Behind point is scored, the ball is kicked into play by the defending team from within the marked Kick In Area 38 or Preferably, under the rules of the game, the game play is divided into two halves and the direction of play changes in the second half. The preferred length of time for each half is 20 minutes.

The ball remains in play and may be marked if it bounces off netting 34, the padded walls the fence 18 or another player. Hence, there is no touched ball rule as in the 9 normal game of Australian rules type football.

To score the ball must be kicked, although it may bounce off netting 34, the padded walls the fence 18 or another player. If a defending player causes the ball to hit his/her own goal areas 12 or 14 then this will still be a goal for the attacking team or a Behind point. Hence, "rushed" behinds are not envisaged for this game.

The ball must be disposed on by a kick or hand-ball before the player travels 5m from the point at which the ball was obtained. The ball may not be bounced to continue travel further than 5 metres. A player may get in the way of (or shepherd) another player within 3 metres of the ball.

.i 10 Once a free kick is awarded, time wasting, displays of temper or disputes with the umpire may result in a 10 metre penalty being awarded by the umpire.

Play continues until the end of the two halves, at which point the team with the most points wins the game.

Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (8)

1. 4. Apparatus for playing a football game in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the inner and outer goal contact detection means comprises a plurality of wires mounted adjacent a conductive sheet extending substantially across the area of the goal such that at least one of the wires will come into contact with the conductive she& when the goal is struck by the ball. Apparatus for playing a football game in accordance with claim 4, wherein the wires and the conductive sheet are connected by way of an electrical circuit to the scoring means, the scoring means being in the form of a microprocessor.
2. 6. Apparatus for playing a football game in accordance with claim 5, wherein the electric circuit includes a pulse stretcher to lengthen the initial electric pulse so that the S microprocessor is able to determine whether the modified ball has first contacted either o9 the inner goal or the outer goal in the set of goals. roe
3. 7. Apparatus for playing a football game in accordance with any one of the o! preceding claims, wherein a light display means and a sound buzzer means in connected to both the inner and outer goals so as to indicate which goal has been contacted. 20 8. A football game in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the *5995* ball is adapted so as to be kicked a maximum of approximately one quarter of the distance of the length of the playing arena. 12
4. 9. A football game in accordance with claim 8, wherein the modified ball is approximately 200 to 230mm in length and 130 to 150mm in width. A football game in accordance with claim 8 or 9, wherein the modified ball is made from a polyethylene foam with a cloth or vinyl outer casing.
5. 11. A football game in accordance with anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the playing arena is enclosed by a fence means which has a layer of impact absorbing material attached on the inside surface.
6. 12. A football game in a\ccordance with claim 11, wherein the impact absorbing material is foam with a thickness of approximately 8 to 12 cm and extends to a height of o 180 to 220 cm. 0 0e Go* se 15 13. A football game in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 0 floor surface of the playing arena is made of an impact absorbing material. 00 0* 006 A football game apparatus in accordance with any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein there is provided a ceiling means which extends from the fence means at a suitable height to cover the playing area and is adjustable in height relative to the playing area. 13
7. 16. A football game apparatus in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the inner goal of the set of goals is offset from the pair of outer goals which are located in front of the inner goal.
8. 17. A football game apparatus substantially as herein before described with reference with any one of the accompanying drawings. DATED THIS 15 th DAY OF DECEMBER 1999 GRAHAM RICHARD RICKMAN LESLEY MARGARET RICKMAN By their Patent Attorneys 15 LORD COMPANY PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA