EP2818213A1 - Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Spielen eines Rückschlagballspiels - Google Patents

Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Spielen eines Rückschlagballspiels Download PDF

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Publication number
EP2818213A1
EP2818213A1 EP20130173364 EP13173364A EP2818213A1 EP 2818213 A1 EP2818213 A1 EP 2818213A1 EP 20130173364 EP20130173364 EP 20130173364 EP 13173364 A EP13173364 A EP 13173364A EP 2818213 A1 EP2818213 A1 EP 2818213A1
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EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ball
game
rebound
deflectors
game ball
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Application number
EP20130173364
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
Robert Martyn
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Individual
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Individual
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Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP20130173364 priority Critical patent/EP2818213A1/de
Publication of EP2818213A1 publication Critical patent/EP2818213A1/de
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    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B43/00—Balls with special arrangements
    • A63B43/002—Balls with special arrangements with special configuration, e.g. non-spherical
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B71/00—Games or sports accessories not covered in groups A63B1/00 - A63B69/00
    • A63B71/06—Indicating or scoring devices for games or players, or for other sports activities
    • A63B2071/0694—Visual indication, e.g. Indicia
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63B—APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT
    • A63B45/00—Apparatus or methods for manufacturing balls
    • A63B45/02—Marking of balls

Definitions

  • This invention relates generally to the field of ball games. It relates in particular to an apparatus and method for playing a rebound ball game.
  • Balls are commonly used for purposes of sport and entertainment.
  • One type of ball game involves a player bouncing and catching a ball.
  • Some balls are designed to provide a predictable bounce while others have an erratic or unpredictable bounce.
  • WO1995001818 An example of a ball-like play object having an unpredictable bounce is disclosed in WO1995001818 , which teaches a play object suitable for sharpening one's catching skills in the game of cricket.
  • This play object is made up of a polyhedron with a number of faces.
  • US6443863 describes a sports training ball designed to develop reaction skills.
  • the ball defines seven semi-spherical knobs which deliver an erratic bounce.
  • US Design Patent USD317805 discloses a similar object having six hemispherical knobs distributed over a part-spherical body portion.
  • EP2433687 discloses a playing object having a bounce with "limited unpredictability", said to increase the fun of games involving bouncing and catching of the object.
  • the object has protrusions of different configurations, some of which may be detachable. According to the disclosure, a hard throw of this object has a less erratic bounce than a soft throw.
  • WO2004035148 discloses a non-circular, asymmetrical ball which can be hit or thrown against an angled wall such that unpredictable rebound behaviour occurs. According to the specification, "a ball or game is thus achieved which requires good reactions and is thus interesting for player and spectator.”
  • US2011256967 discloses a "random direction bouncer" which can be made from a sphere, cube, tetrahedron, octahedron, etc.
  • the bouncer comprises a solid sphere having a core removed therefrom to define a concentric hollow within the solid sphere, and cut-outs removed from the solid sphere to define openings which communicate with the concentric hollow.
  • the bouncer is preferably manufactured from Indian rubber.
  • US6432008 discloses an octahedron body made of a resilient material and dimensioned to be kicked, rolled, or thrown.
  • the octahedron body has eight equally sized, generally triangular shaped faces which are substantially flat-surfaced and which are evenly spaced about the exterior of the octahedron body.
  • the faces each have indicia displayed thereon, which indicia are intended to be used in determining an event during a game of particular rules which bear on the random occurrence of each of the varying indicia.
  • the octahedron body disclosed in this teaching is approximately the size of a football and there is no suggestion that it is intended to be bounced on the ground and caught repeatedly. The body is said to behave in a "flip flopping manner.”
  • game apparatus for use in a rebound ball game in which a player causes a ball to impact a target surface and to rebound therefrom; said apparatus comprising:
  • the term "ball” is intended to be interpreted broadly and includes all resiliently deformable, ball-like playing objects of any configuration and/or structure, which are adapted to bounce. The term covers balls that have both regular and irregular topographies. While the balls described in this specification have generally spherical configurations, the term “ball” as used herein is not limited to balls having this type of configuration.
  • the term "deflector” means a deflector formation.
  • the deflectors may be dimensioned so that the surface area of each deflector as a percentage of the total surface area of the game ball (hereinafter the "percentage surface area”) falls in a range from 1% to 12% inclusive.
  • the indicia are selected from the group consisting of numbers, letters, symbols and pips.
  • the indicia are preferably adapted to denote integers selected from the range consisting of the numbers 1 to 10 inclusive, with a non-numeric symbol representing one of said integers.
  • the indicia may include a special non-numeric symbol (for example the letter "Q") whose purpose is to denote a numerical value, e.g. "10".
  • the indicia may be marked exclusively on the deflectors.
  • the indicia may be embossed on the deflectors, or indented into the deflectors.
  • the deflectors preferably have configurations selected from the group consisting of facets and protrusions.
  • the deflectors may each define a geometric shape.
  • the deflectors may each define a circular shape.
  • the deflectors may each define a planar surface or face.
  • the number of deflectors may range from five to 26, but is preferably ten since this number is the minimum which allows the full range of integers 0 to 9 (or 1 to 10) of the decimal system to be represented. This allows a wide array of arithmetic or mathematical games to be played using the game ball.
  • the game ball may have properties adapted to provide a vertical height of rebound of the ball, when it is dropped onto a level, hard, target surface, which falls in a range from 50% to 80% inclusive, said height being expressed as a percentage of the height from which said ball is dropped.
  • a hard surface is one which presents high resistance to localized deformation, of the order of that presented by concrete and ceramics.
  • the game apparatus may comprise a set of at least two of said game balls.
  • the game balls may each have deflectors and bounce characteristics which differ from one ball to the next, so that, in use, a first type of said game balls (hereinafter referred to as an "advanced ball”) bounces more erratically than a second type of said game balls (hereinafter referred to as an "intermediate ball").
  • Distortions from the spherical may be present on the ball surfaces of the intermediate and advanced game balls, and the distortions of the advanced ball may be greater in magnitude than the distortions of the intermediate ball.
  • the game apparatus may further include at least one regular ball having a generally spherical configuration.
  • this ball is resiliently deformable and marked with indicia of the type described above.
  • The, or each, ball may be constructed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of: synthetic polymers; elastomers such as natural and synthetic rubbers; resins; foams; and plastics materials.
  • synthetic polymers such as natural and synthetic rubbers
  • resins such as natural and synthetic rubbers
  • foams such as foams
  • plastics materials such as plastics materials.
  • An example of a suitable synthetic polymer is polybutadiene.
  • The, or each, ball may have a multi-layered or multi-piece construction.
  • The, or each, ball may have a predominant colour. Additionally, the indicia on each ball may have a predominant colour pre-selected so that it contrasts with the predominant colour of the ball concerned.
  • the predominant colours of the balls may differ from one ball to the next.
  • the target surface against on which the balls are bounced may be delineated from areas which surround it (on the ground, wall, etc.).
  • the target surface has a maximum linear dimension falling in a range from 0.2 to 0.8 metres inclusive, preferably approximately 0.5 metres.
  • a game apparatus for use in a rebound ball game in which a player causes a ball to impact a target surface and to rebound therefrom; said apparatus comprising:
  • the deflectors preferably have a surface parallel to a tangent of the partially spherical surface region.
  • the deflectors are preferably equally spaced about the partially spherical surface region.
  • Each deflector is preferably marked with indicia.
  • a game apparatus for use in a rebound ball game in which a player causes a ball to impact a target surface and to rebound therefrom; said apparatus comprising:
  • a method of exercising reactions with a rebound ball in which a player causes a ball to impact a target surface and to rebound therefrom; said method comprising:
  • the method may comprise a step of defining a predetermined numerical value to serve as a starting value for the running total.
  • the method may comprise a step of defining a predetermined numerical value to serve as a target value for the running total, and repeating steps (c) to (f) until the running total reaches the target value, starting from the starting value.
  • the method may comprise measuring the time elapsed to reach the target value, starting from the starting value. (For purposes of this specification the term "reach" in the context of a target value, includes reference to an act of passing said value.)
  • the arithmetic or mathematical operation performed in step (f) may comprise adding the numerical value that has been read in step (e) to a previously established value of the running total.
  • the arithmetic or mathematical operation performed in step (f) may comprise subtracting the numerical value that has been read in step (e) from a previously established value of the running total.
  • the arithmetic or mathematical operation performed in step (f) may comprise multiplying the numerical value that has been read in step (e) by a previously established value of the running total.
  • step (f) may comprise dividing a previously established value of the running total by the numerical value that has been read in step (e).
  • the method may comprise additional steps of:
  • the method may comprise additional steps of:
  • the method may comprise a preliminary step of providing the player or players with game apparatus as described above.
  • the balls of the apparatus can be used for recreation and sport or as an effective training tool to increase eye-hand coordination and to speed up cognitive reaction times.
  • reference numeral 10 indicates generally a ball found in some embodiments of the apparatus according to the invention.
  • This ball is generally spherical and is resiliently deformable so that it is adapted for bouncing.
  • the ball 10 may, for example, be a round rubber ball with no deviations in its surface. This type of ball is referred to herein as a regular ball.
  • the surface of the regular ball 10 bears ten indicia in the form of the numbers 1 to 9 as well as a letter "Q".
  • One of the indicia is indicated by reference numeral 12 in Figure 1 . Since only one side of the ball 10 can be seen in Figure 1 , only four of the numbers and the letter "Q" are visible, the other indicia being obscured by the body of the ball 10.
  • the number of indicia being ten is significant as it allows for an array of arithmetic or mathematical games to be played with the ball.
  • the "Q" marking may serve the function of representing either a "0" or a "10".
  • the indicia may be embossed on the ball 10 or they may be indented into it, for example to a depth of 0.5mm. Indentation serves to protect the paint of the indicia from damage and wear during use of the ball 10.
  • the ball 10 is predominantly green in colour.
  • the indicia 12 have at least one contrasting colour, for example white.
  • reference numeral 210 indicates a second type of ball, called an intermediate ball in this specification.
  • the surface of the ball 210 also bears indicia in the form of the numbers 1 to 9 and the letter "Q".
  • One of the indicia is indicated by reference numeral 12.
  • the ball 210 defines ten planar surfaces or facets distributed over its external surface. Reference numeral 14 indicates one of these facets.
  • the indicia are located on the facets, either by embossing or by indentation.
  • each facet is circular, although other geometric shapes are permissible and fall within the scope of the invention.
  • the facets can be created during moulding of the ball 210 during manufacture, or may be produced by cutting spherical caps away from a regular spherical blank. In the latter case the facets may also be referred to as "cut outs”.
  • the facets 14 are surrounded by partially spherical regions of the ball 210.
  • the otherwise regular spherical surface of the ball 210 is thus distorted. This influences the bounce properties of the ball 210, causing the ball 210 to bounce in a manner which is erratic or unpredictable.
  • the reason for calling the ball 210 an intermediate ball is that the erratic quality of its bounce properties provides more of a challenge to a player than the bounce properties of the regular, spherical ball 10.
  • the ball 210 is predominantly blue in colour.
  • the indicia 12 have at least one contrasting colour, for example white.
  • FIG 3 shows a third type of ball, which is called an advanced ball in this specification.
  • the advanced ball 310 has ten circular facets like the ball 210. However, in this case each facet has a larger surface area than the surface area of each facet 14 of the intermediate ball 210.
  • Reference numeral 16 indicates one of the facets of the advanced ball 310. The larger facets 16 imply larger distortions in the surface of the ball 310, which in turn provide a more erratic bounce than that of the intermediate ball 210. This explains why the advanced ball 310 is so called.
  • Indicia are present on the facets 16 in the form of the numbers 1 to 9 and the letter "Q".
  • One of these indicia is indicated by the reference numeral 12.
  • the indicia can be embossed on the ball 310 or indented into it.
  • the ball 310 is predominantly black in colour.
  • the indicia 12 have at least one contrasting colour, for example white.
  • the deflectors of the balls 210, 310 are preferably dimensioned such that the surface area of each deflector, as a percentage of the total surface area of the ball, falls in a range from 1% to 12% inclusive.
  • each deflector may be approximated by using the following formulae:
  • the regular, spherical ball 10 has a diameter of 60mm.
  • the intermediate ball 210 also has a diameter of 60mm and each facet has a diameter of 21 mm, giving a percentage surface area of approximately 3.1% for each facet, or 31 % for the total percentage surface area of all ten facets.
  • the advanced ball 310 has a diameter of 60mm and each facet has a diameter of 26mm, giving a percentage surface area of approximately 4.7% for each facet, or 47% for the total percentage surface area of all ten facets.
  • the deflectors do not take the form of facets, but have other configurations.
  • the deflectors may comprise protrusions or dimples instead of the planar facets.
  • Materials suitable for manufacture of the balls are preferably resiliently deformable and flexible so that the balls will bounce well. Examples of suitable materials are given elsewhere in this document.
  • the balls are shaped, dimensioned and configured such that they can be held in the hand.
  • Those skilled in the art will appreciate that numerous variations in size, configuration and materials of manufacture fall within the scope of the invention.
  • the indicia typically take the form of numbers but they may, instead, comprise other markings representative of numerical values, for example words or pips of the type found on dice.
  • the spherical, green ball 10 is the most predictable in its bounce and the easiest ball to use to master the skills and activities outlined below.
  • the green ball 10 is suitable for beginners and those trying to master a new skill.
  • a player can proceed to the intermediate, blue ball 210 and try the same skill.
  • the blue ball 210 is different in that its shape has been modified to make it bounce erratically.
  • the same skills done with the green ball 10 can be performed with the blue ball 210 although it will be more difficult and require greater concentration and skill.
  • the black ball 310 has an even greater distortion in its shape causing the black ball 310 to bounce more erratically than the blue ball 210. Mastering the black ball 310 requires the most concentration and eye-hand coordination, and arguably brings the greatest reward to a player.
  • the element of time and speed can be added to make the skills and activities more difficult. This allows a player to compete with himself and others.
  • the aim is to take any of the skills or activities described below and to try to do it faster. For example, a player may count the number of bounces completed in one minute. The faster the bounces are performed, the more difficult the skill or activity becomes.
  • Q Balls are used for games or mental and physical training. Many different kinds of people may benefit from the use of Q Balls. By simply bouncing one of the Q Balls off a hard surface and catching it with either hand, a player will be developing eye-hand coordination, enhancing reaction time and exercising both body and mind. Below are some exercises to experiment with using the Q Balls:
  • Reaction Q Ball Reaction Q Ball
  • Counteraction Q Ball Counteraction Q Ball
  • Count Q Ball is a reaction game combined with mathematical addition, where a player bounces one of the Q Balls and counts the number on top adding it to the previous total until 100 is reached. The goal is to reach 100 in the least amount of time.
  • Count Q Ball is played within a 0.5 meter circle on a hard concrete surface of contrasting colour.
  • a player must bounce a ball from a minimum height of 0.75 meters. The player must alternate hands with each bounce. With each bounce the player must catch the ball in such a way that the number closest to the top may be seen clearly. The number on top is added to the sum of the previous numbers and the total is said out loud for observers to hear clearly.
  • the object of the game is to reach 100 or greater in the least amount of time, or alternatively, get the highest total in one minute. If two numbers both appear to be closest to the top of the ball, the player may add the number they determine to be the top number. The player reaching 100 in the least amount of time wins.
  • a further type of game in which two of the Q Balls are bounced and caught at the same time.
  • the invention described herein provides industrial applicability insofar as the apparatus and balls disclosed can be manufactured industrially and marketed for purposes of entertainment, sport and exercise.
EP20130173364 2013-06-24 2013-06-24 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Spielen eines Rückschlagballspiels Withdrawn EP2818213A1 (de)

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EP20130173364 EP2818213A1 (de) 2013-06-24 2013-06-24 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Spielen eines Rückschlagballspiels

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EP20130173364 EP2818213A1 (de) 2013-06-24 2013-06-24 Vorrichtung und Verfahren zum Spielen eines Rückschlagballspiels

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Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE446027C (de) * 1927-06-23 Ernst Helft Dr Als Spielball ausgebildeter, mit Flaechen versehener Spielwuerfel, dessen Flaechen zur Aufnahme von Zahlen, Buchstaben oder Bildern dienen
US2031240A (en) * 1933-11-06 1936-02-18 Walter J Van Deest Toy
US2324277A (en) * 1939-05-09 1943-07-13 Seiberling Latex Products Comp Playing ball
USD317805S (en) 1986-05-16 1991-06-25 Swan Glenn M Irregular bouncing ball
WO1995001818A1 (en) 1993-07-06 1995-01-19 Deem Pty. Ltd. Trading As Aisling Studios Unit Trust Play object
US5511782A (en) * 1995-02-10 1996-04-30 Maley; Jerry P. Ball game device and method of using the same
US6432008B1 (en) 1999-03-29 2002-08-13 Sean Lemmon Octahedron ball game device and method of using the same
US6443863B1 (en) 1999-10-21 2002-09-03 Joe Dinoffer Ball having unpredictable bounce
WO2004035148A1 (de) 2002-10-18 2004-04-29 Urs Senn Ball sowie wurf- oder schlagspiel und wand für dieses
DE202006002483U1 (de) * 2006-02-15 2006-04-13 Hornig, Michael Spielgerät
US20110256967A1 (en) 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Mitchel Shore Random direction bouncer
EP2433687A1 (de) 2010-09-20 2012-03-28 Waboba Limited Spielgegenstand mit einem Rückprall eingeschränkter Vorhersagbarkeit

Patent Citations (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE446027C (de) * 1927-06-23 Ernst Helft Dr Als Spielball ausgebildeter, mit Flaechen versehener Spielwuerfel, dessen Flaechen zur Aufnahme von Zahlen, Buchstaben oder Bildern dienen
US2031240A (en) * 1933-11-06 1936-02-18 Walter J Van Deest Toy
US2324277A (en) * 1939-05-09 1943-07-13 Seiberling Latex Products Comp Playing ball
USD317805S (en) 1986-05-16 1991-06-25 Swan Glenn M Irregular bouncing ball
WO1995001818A1 (en) 1993-07-06 1995-01-19 Deem Pty. Ltd. Trading As Aisling Studios Unit Trust Play object
US5511782A (en) * 1995-02-10 1996-04-30 Maley; Jerry P. Ball game device and method of using the same
US6432008B1 (en) 1999-03-29 2002-08-13 Sean Lemmon Octahedron ball game device and method of using the same
US6443863B1 (en) 1999-10-21 2002-09-03 Joe Dinoffer Ball having unpredictable bounce
WO2004035148A1 (de) 2002-10-18 2004-04-29 Urs Senn Ball sowie wurf- oder schlagspiel und wand für dieses
DE202006002483U1 (de) * 2006-02-15 2006-04-13 Hornig, Michael Spielgerät
US20110256967A1 (en) 2010-04-14 2011-10-20 Mitchel Shore Random direction bouncer
EP2433687A1 (de) 2010-09-20 2012-03-28 Waboba Limited Spielgegenstand mit einem Rückprall eingeschränkter Vorhersagbarkeit

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