AU777864B2

AU777864B2 - Item of games and sport equipment

Info

Publication number: AU777864B2
Application number: AU18346/01A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Reinhard Hertel
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1995-10-16
Filing date: 1996-10-13
Publication date: 2004-11-04
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-13
Also published as: AU1834601A

Description

Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

o oo o Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: REINHARD HERTEL Rollbaumsberg 7, D-27729 Hambergen, Germany HERTEL, Reinhard DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, of 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Victoria 3000, Australia Item of Games and Sport Equipment Invention Title: The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 Q \OPER\GCP\72918div cdoc 7/2/01 P.WERSA~k-)w 0412360 spw dm-22141O4 -2- A big variety of game and sport equipments are known.

Ball games of different kinds, most of which require a significant amount of space, are very popular. Due largely to traffic density and insufficient space in cities however, many ball games in such built-up areas are typically impractical, with those playful and sporting activities involving balls that are actually capable of being played in these constrained areas often having only limited appeal.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a game and sport equipment, which gives the user the opportunity to conduct playful and sporting activities in a small space without endangering themselves or others.

Preferred embodiments of the present invention further seek to provide a new game and sport equipment which offers the player many new and interesting game variations and 15 takes into account the actual "play-value" of a jumping ball, but prevents uncontrolled jumping or rolling away.

The present invention provides a game and sport equipment comprising: a rebounding body; 20 a pull cord attached to said rebounding body; a first sliding member, a first handle, and a first holder, .a first holder, P.OPERSASJ-Jw.) 04\239460 xspi doc-22/0404 -3whereby said pull cord runs from said rebounding body through said first sliding member to said first handle, said first handle being remotely arranged in respect to said first sliding member, said first sliding member being connected to said first holder, said first holder being separately carried out from said first handle, and the distance between said first handle and said first sliding member being variable.

The game and sport equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention consists of a resilient, preferably ballshaped rebounding body, which is connected through a distancing or pull cord to a holder, which in turn is mounted to a swing-providing device, e.g. a foot, in a manner that the distancing or pull cord is guided in a deviating and sliding member, e.g. a ring, an eyelet, or a channel, which is positioned at said holder, or is attached to said sliding member.

The distancing or pull cord, which is fixed to the rebounding body and is guided 15 through the sliding member has a grip or retaining region at its other end. The sliding element can be fixed directly to a shoe or can be present at a shoe itself, e.g. at the sole or upper area of the shoe.

o By skilful pivoting the foot at start of the game the ball is brought from one side of the foot 20 over the vertex to the other side of the foot. With the right swing the distancing or pull cord is tightened by the centrifugal force of said rebounding body so that the rebounding body moves in an orbit or an approximate orbit. By the resilience of the rebounding body the direction of the rebounding body is reversed at every impact. By guiding (distancing P OPER SASm-Jun 04,2384680 spi.doc-22/0W0(4 -4or pulling) of said distancing or pull cord the radius of the orbit is altered respectively.

By skilful moving of the body and skilful guiding (pulling and distancing) of said distancing or pull cord many variations of the game are possible which provide a sporting activity that challenges the skill and the condition of the player according to the intensity of the game.

There are many variations to play: e.g. playing in front, beside or behind the body. Skilful evading and/or changing the trajectory in connection with changing the length of the distancing cord results in always new game combinations.

Preferably, the distancing or pull cord is provided with a retaining region or a handle, which provides the opportunity to roll up or down the distancing or pull cord. This can also be done automatically, e.g. with a winding roller, which is fixed in or at the handle and which is biased 15 with a drilled rubber, and is rolled off by effect of the centrifugal force of the rebounding body during playing.

According to a further possible embodiment a stick, a pod, or a pipe may be used as a swing-providing device at which the distancing or pull cord is fixed or guided through.

*The game and sport equipment can also be formed in a manner, which allows the game to be played by two players concurrently.

Here the rebounding body is provided on both sides with a distancing or pull cord.

P:OPER\SAS1J=.J- O4\U23460 spti.d oc.-22OM.

The rebounding body can be attached in a fixed or sliding manner. Both of the ends are fixed to the swing-providing device foot, bar, pipe or similar.

Here the attraction is in the harmony of the activities of both players.

For the extension of the playing and sporting capabilities, there can be added to the game target objects or discs, which have to be hit with the rebounding body during playing.

These target objects or discs can have acoustical and/or optical and/or adhering properties for example, such that upon impact of the rebounding body with a target disc, the target disc adheres to the rebounding body or a sound is generated. The target objects can also be formed as self adhesive tails.

In a further possible embodiment the rebounding body itself outputs acoustical signals or has a light source.

15 A further embodiment is to provide the game and sport equipment with a counter. The counting pulses can be transmitted to the counter mechanically or contactless, e.g. by movement of the rebounding body or by movement of the pull cord.

The fastening of the rebounding body at the distancing or pull cord in one form of the game and 20 sport equipment may be effected by providing the rebounding body with a fastening groove that olo "can be held onto by an outer loop formed in the distancing or pull cord, or the rebounding body is connected to the distancing or pull cord by an intemal or external fastening, or the rebounding body may be inside a netlike grating that is connected to the distancing or pull cord.

P.'OPER\SAS\a-J 0O4\23S4680 sci doc-22/04/04 -6- The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying diagrams, in which: Figure 1 is a front view of an embodiment of a game and sport equipment according to the present invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the holder of the game and sport equipment shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a front view of a second embodiment of a game and support equipment according to the present invention; Figure 4 is a partial front view of an embodiment of a game and support equipment according to the present invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a game and sport equipment for two players according to the present invention; Figure 6 is a side view of an another holder of an embodiment of the present invention; o' Figure 7 is a front view of the holder of Figure 6; Figure 8 is a plan view of a holding member for holding a rebounding body a.

according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 is a sectional view of section A-A of Figure 8; Figure 10 is a side view of another holding member according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a front view of the holding member of Figure Figure 12 is a side view of another holder according to an embodiment of the P:OER\SAS'J.-. 04\233460 sai.do.-W4/04 -7present invention; Figure 13 is a front view of the holder of Figure 12; Figure 14 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a game and sport equipment according to the present invention; Figures 15 to 19 are side views of rebounding bodies according to embodiments of the present invention; and Figures 20 and 21 are bottom views of sliding members according to embodiments of the present invention.

The same reference numerals will be used in the below description of different embodiments of the present invention to denote like integers, as set out below: No. Description 1 rebounding body 2 distancing or pull cord 3 swing-providing device 4 holder fastener for the holder 6 sliding and deviating member 7 whirl 8 handle or grip zone 9 receptacle for the cord 10 net member 11 holder for the rebounding body 25 12 fastening member P.OPERSAS'Jl.Jm O.42384690 Swi doc-22/O4O -8- 13 counter 14 hook-pile elements hook-pile surface tail 16 fixture in the rebounding body at the rebounding body 17 valve Figure 1 shows schematically the playing action of a possible embodiment of the game and sport equipment according to the invention. Here the rebounding body 1 is fixed to a distancing or pull cord 2, which is guided through a sliding and deviating member 6. At the upper end of the distancing or pull cord 2 a handle 8, 9 with a winding-up-apparatus is attached. The sliding and deviating member 6 is fixed at the holder 4. The holder 4 in turn is fixed to the swing-providing device 3, in this case at the shoe, or at the foot. The rebounding body 1 at the outer radius is in use on an orbit above the foot and its direction is reversed by impact. The player can vary the distance between the rebounding body 1 and the sliding and deviating member 6 by pulling the distancing or pull cord 2.Figure 2 shows a possible adjustable holder 4 having a fastener 5, preferably a hook-pile fastener, for fastening at the shoe or directly at the foot. The holder 4 has a whirl 7, which has a laterally open sliding and deviating member 6, where the distancing or pull cord 2 is S. 20 guided through.

a Figure 3 shows a possible variation of the embodiment of the game and sport equipment in playing operation. Here a hollow bar with a handle 8 has a holder 4 and swing-providing P.OPER\SASB-JU 04(234690 spcci.doc-221040 -9member 3 is depicted. The distancing or pull cord 2 is guided through this bar and concurrently swing-providing member 3. At one end of the distancing or pull cord 2 the rebounding body 1 and at the other end a winding up and down apparatus 9 are shown.

The swing-providing member 3 is moved by hand. The different radiuses are showing the rebounding body 1 at different trajectories by shortened or elongated distancing or pull cord 2.

Figure 4 shows on its trajectory a rebounding body 1, comprising an ordinary ball, e.g. a tennis ball, in a netlike member 10, which is connected with the distancing or pull cord 2.

Figure 5 shows a possible embodiment of the game and sport equipment for two players.

The rebounding body 1 is provided with a tail 15, which is connected either fixed or detachable to the rebounding body 1. A second distancing or pull cord 2 is alternatively attachable to the rebounding body 1. The distancing or pull cords 2 are respectively guided in a sliding and deviating member 6 and will be operated by hand.

C

Figures 6 and 7 show a sliding and deviating member 6, formed as an elongated hollow body, which is detachably attached to a shoe 3 by a double-holder 4, or is fixed to the shoe 3. The elongated sliding and deviation member 6 has at its ends a thickening of the material, to withstand the friction of the distancing or pull cord 2, which is guided movable ee through the hollow body 6.

Figure 8 shows a possible embodiment of a holder 11 for the rebounding body 1 and for 4 P;WPER\SAS.-J- 04U23460 si.-22/WOD4 the distancing or pull cord 2. The rebounding body 1 is pressed respectively clamped into the holder 11. The distancing or pull cord 2 is winded up and can be fixed at any distance.

The holder 4 will be tensed to the cord holder 9 after winding up the distancing or pull cord 2 (not illustrated). Figure 9 shows a sectional view of Figure 8.

Figure 10 shows a sectional view of a further embodiment of a holder 11, which accommodates the rebounding body 1 and the holder 9 of the pull cord 2. The holder 11 has a fixing member 12, which can be hung in e.g. a belt. Figure 11 shows Figure 10, but turned by 90 degrees.

Figure 12 shows in a side view a schematically depiction of a possible embodiment of the game and sport equipment including a counter 13, which registers the number of swinging movements. Figure 13 shows an elevational view of Figure 12.

15 Figure 14 shows a possible embodiment of the game and sport equipment for concurrent use by two players. The rebounding body 1 is provided with two distancing or pull cords 2, which will be each operated through a sliding and deviating member 6, which is fixed at i the shoe 3. The rebounding body 1 has hook-pile and adhesive elements, which connect with the adhesive elements on the ground upon impact.

Figures 15 to 19 show some possible embodiment features of ballshaped rebounding bodies 1 or rebounding bodies 1 of other shapes.

oooo oooo P.I)PERSAS'Dm-Jn 04\2314680 spti.doc-22/O4 -11- Figures 20 and 21 each schematically show a representation of a shoe 3, by which at the sole region a sliding and deviating member 6 formed as an elongated hollow body extends below the foot 3 of the player, so that the distancing or pull cord 2 moves under the user's foot 3.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that that prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia.

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Claims

12- THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. A game and sport equipment comprising: a rebounding body; a pull cord attached to said rebounding body; a first sliding member, a first handle, and a first holder, whereby said pull cord runs from said rebounding body through said first sliding member to said first handle, said first handle being remotely arranged in respect to said first sliding member, said first sliding member being connected to said first holder, said first holder being separately carried out from said first handle, and the distance between said first handle and said first sliding member being variable. 2. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first holder is attachable to an extremity ofa first human being. *o 3. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first holder is attachable to said first human being's foot. o* o *0. *o P.IOPERSAS'h.-J. 04\23680 Rp-i d.-22JO4/O 13 4. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said pull cord is formed from a low-stretching material. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said first handle is provided with a winding-up apparatus for winding up said pull cord. 6. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said pull cord running from said first handle through said first sliding member to said rebounding body is extended and further runs through a second sliding member provided with a second holder to a second handle. 7. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 6, wherein said rebounding body is slidably connected to said pull cord. 8. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein said second holder is attachable to an extremity of a second human being. 9. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 8, wherein said second holder is attachable to a foot of said second human being. 00 P:.OPERAS-IaJ 04\2394690 spai dwc.22/0VO4 -14- A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, comprising at least one target. 11. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 10, wherein said at least one target is provided with a signal-device, which generates an acoustical signal upon impact of said rebounding body. 12. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 10 or claim 11, wherein said rebounding body is provided with a signal-device, which generates an acoustical signal upon a hit on said target.

13. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein said rebounding body is provided with a first adhesive element, and said target is 0 S provided with a second corresponding adhesive element.

14. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein I said rebounding body is self-illuminating. a. a

15. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein said rebounding body is provided with a flight stabilizing element. a P:QPER\SASU\J=-J 04\23946S 0 doC.?3IG4/V

16. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 15, wherein said rebounding body is provided with a tail.

17. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein said holder is a bar provided with another handle.

18. A game and sport equipment as claimed in claim 17, wherein said bar is hollow and the pull cord is guided through said bar.

19. A game and sport equipment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 18, comprising a counter for counting the swinging movements of said rebounding body. A game and sport equipment substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 2 2 nd day of APRIL, 2004 Reinhard Hertel by DAVIES COLLISON CAVE Patent Attorneys for the applicant(s) ee*** DAE ti 2 n ayo ARL,20