GB2157580A - Shuttlecock-like game missiles - Google Patents

Abstract

A game missile has a resilient body part (1) with a feather-like vane or vanes (2) projecting from a central region of one end and an enlarged opposite end of a soft rubbery material. The game is played by two teams of players hitting the missile across a barrier between them. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Games apparatus and game This invention relates to an apparatus for playing a game and a game to be played using the apparatus.

It is an object of the invention to provide a games missile to be hit between opposing players.

The invention provides a games missile comprising a resilient body part having an axis of symmetry and at least one vane mounted on a central region of one axial end of the body part to project away from the body part.

The vane or vanes may be a natural or plastics feather of feathers.

The material of the body part is preferably soft and rubbery, at least at that end remote from the vane or vanes. It also preferably has a flattened face on the end opposite to that on which said at least one vane is mounted.

The apparatus for playing the game comprises at least one games missile of the kind descibed above, a barrier of limited height, such as a net held under tension, over which the players hit the missile.

A specific embodiment of games missile will now be described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein, Figure 1 shows the games missile embodying the invention; and Figure 2 shows the games missile with the feathers removed.

The games missile comprises a rubbery body part 1 on the top of which are mounted vanes in the form of feathers 2 by means of an attachment 3.

The body part 1 is circular in cross-section and has a flattened underneath surface on which the missile may rest, the feathers 2 thus being held clear of the ground to avoid damage.

The attachment 3 has a lower piece 4, moulded from plastics material, with a flange 5 above which the lower piece 4 is conical and tubular and below which it extends into the body part 1 to terminate in a further flange (not shown) which secures the attachment to the body part.

An upper piece 6 of the attachement 3 comprises a spigot (not shown) that plugs into the lower piece 4 being secured by a taper fit or snap-fitting elements. The top of the upper piece 6 has an aperture 7 in which are inserted the tips of the stems of the feathers 2 to project away from the body part.

In Figure 2 the attachment 3 is partially withdrawn, exposing the flange 5 on the lower piece 4.

A clamping piece 8 projects into a sleeve 9 in the top of the lower piece. The clamping piece 8 has two axial cross-slits 10 in its top dividing the upper region into 900 segments that can be sprung apart.

The feathers are fixed to the missile by inserting the tips of the stems into the gap formed where the slits 10 meet.

To play a team game with missiles of the form described, a net is used forming a barrier 0.8m x 5.4m between the teams. The net has a mesh small enough to prevent passage of the missile, which in this embodiment has a maximum diameter of 60mm. Standing rods, 1 metre high, are provided to support the net. The net may be held taut either by guy-ropes or by placing the standing rods in stable bases.

The game is played by two teams each of three or five players on a playing area 5.4m x 10.8m if there are five players in each team, or 3.6m x 7.2m if there are three players, The game is played in accordance with the following rules: 1. Each player can use every part of his body but not his arm or hand to prevent the ball from touching the ground.

2. Each player can touch the ball twice only in succession.

3. A maximum of three players are allowed to touch the ball before sending it back to the opponent's field.

4. A team gains 1 point if the ball lands on the opponent's field (size5.4m x 5.4m or 3.6m x 3.6m) or is kicked out of the boundary by the opponent.

5. Each team has a turn to be the starter in 5 consecutive rallies alternatively in a game.

6. A match is divided into 5 games and the first team to score 21 points wins each game.

1. A games missile comprising a resilient body part having an axis of symmetry and at least one vane mounted on a central region of one axial end of the body part to project away from the body part.

2. A games missile according to claim 1 wherein the or each vane is in the form of a natural or plastics feather.

3. A games missile according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the body part has a flattened surface on the end opposite that on which the vane or vanes is mounted.

4. A games missile according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the material of at least that region of the body part remote from the vane or vanes is of a relatively soft, rubbery nature.

5. A games missile according to any one of the preceding claims having the vane or vanes mounted on the body part through an axially projecting part secured thereto.

6. A games missile according to any one of the preceding claims whereinmeans are provided for holding the vane or vanes detachably.

7. A kit of parts for a game comprising at least one games missile according to any one of the preceding claims, and a barrier over which the missile(s) is to be hit.

8. A game comprising the apparatus, and to be played according to the rules, substantially as hereinbefore described.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Games apparatus and game This invention relates to an apparatus for playing a game and a game to be played using the apparatus. It is an object of the invention to provide a games missile to be hit between opposing players. The invention provides a games missile comprising a resilient body part having an axis of symmetry and at least one vane mounted on a central region of one axial end of the body part to project away from the body part. The vane or vanes may be a natural or plastics feather of feathers. The material of the body part is preferably soft and rubbery, at least at that end remote from the vane or vanes. It also preferably has a flattened face on the end opposite to that on which said at least one vane is mounted. The apparatus for playing the game comprises at least one games missile of the kind descibed above, a barrier of limited height, such as a net held under tension, over which the players hit the missile. A specific embodiment of games missile will now be described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein, Figure 1 shows the games missile embodying the invention; and Figure 2 shows the games missile with the feathers removed. The games missile comprises a rubbery body part 1 on the top of which are mounted vanes in the form of feathers 2 by means of an attachment 3. The body part 1 is circular in cross-section and has a flattened underneath surface on which the missile may rest, the feathers 2 thus being held clear of the ground to avoid damage. The attachment 3 has a lower piece 4, moulded from plastics material, with a flange 5 above which the lower piece 4 is conical and tubular and below which it extends into the body part 1 to terminate in a further flange (not shown) which secures the attachment to the body part. An upper piece 6 of the attachement 3 comprises a spigot (not shown) that plugs into the lower piece 4 being secured by a taper fit or snap-fitting elements. The top of the upper piece 6 has an aperture 7 in which are inserted the tips of the stems of the feathers 2 to project away from the body part. In Figure 2 the attachment 3 is partially withdrawn, exposing the flange 5 on the lower piece 4. A clamping piece 8 projects into a sleeve 9 in the top of the lower piece. The clamping piece 8 has two axial cross-slits 10 in its top dividing the upper region into 900 segments that can be sprung apart. The feathers are fixed to the missile by inserting the tips of the stems into the gap formed where the slits 10 meet. To play a team game with missiles of the form described, a net is used forming a barrier 0.8m x 5.4m between the teams. The net has a mesh small enough to prevent passage of the missile, which in this embodiment has a maximum diameter of 60mm. Standing rods, 1 metre high, are provided to support the net. The net may be held taut either by guy-ropes or by placing the standing rods in stable bases. The game is played by two teams each of three or five players on a playing area 5.4m x 10.8m if there are five players in each team, or 3.6m x 7.2m if there are three players, The game is played in accordance with the following rules: 1. Each player can use every part of his body but not his arm or hand to prevent the ball from touching the ground. 2. Each player can touch the ball twice only in succession. 3. A maximum of three players are allowed to touch the ball before sending it back to the opponent's field. 4. A team gains 1 point if the ball lands on the opponent's field (size5.4m x 5.4m or 3.6m x 3.6m) or is kicked out of the boundary by the opponent. 5. Each team has a turn to be the starter in 5 consecutive rallies alternatively in a game. 6. A match is divided into 5 games and the first team to score 21 points wins each game. CLAIMS

1. A games missile comprising a resilient body part having an axis of symmetry and at least one vane mounted on a central region of one axial end of the body part to project away from the body part.

2. A games missile according to claim 1 wherein the or each vane is in the form of a natural or plastics feather.

3. A games missile according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the body part has a flattened surface on the end opposite that on which the vane or vanes is mounted.

4. A games missile according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the material of at least that region of the body part remote from the vane or vanes is of a relatively soft, rubbery nature.

5. A games missile according to any one of the preceding claims having the vane or vanes mounted on the body part through an axially projecting part secured thereto.

6. A games missile according to any one of the preceding claims whereinmeans are provided for holding the vane or vanes detachably.

7. A kit of parts for a game comprising at least one games missile according to any one of the preceding claims, and a barrier over which the missile(s) is to be hit.

8. A game comprising the apparatus, and to be played according to the rules, substantially as hereinbefore described.