GB2459169A

GB2459169A - A platform for playing a game of kerb ball

Info

Publication number: GB2459169A
Application number: GB0903034A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Patrick Joseph Carr
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-18
Filing date: 2009-02-24
Publication date: 2009-10-21
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-24
Also published as: GB2459169B; GB0903034D0; GB0807081D0

Abstract

A platform (10) is disclosed for playing the game of kerb ball. The platform (10) comprises an upper surface (12) and a lower surface (11), the upper surface and lower surface being held in spaced relation by support means (13a-13c) which extends between the lower surface (11) and the upper surface (12), and which comprises a face section which meets the upper surface along an edge thereof. The platform further comprises a recess (17) formed in the upper surface within which a player may stand.

Description

A PLATFORM

The present invention relates to a platform and particularly, but not exclusively to a platform for playing the game of kerb ball.

Kerb ball is a game traditionally played by two players one of which stands on the pavement at one side of a road, while the other player stands on the pavement at the opposite side of the road, and involves the use of a ball, for example a football or basketball. In playing the game, each player takes it in turn to throw the ball across the road, with the aim of the game being to throw the ball such that it strikes the edge of the kerb at the opposite side of the road from which it was thrown, so that it bounces back to the player whom threw it.

This game has been popularised, particularly amongst school children who live in residential areas, where the roads are relatively narrow. However, with the increase in the number of road vehicles, the game has become more difficult and dangerous to play.

I have now devised a plafform which overcomes the above mentioned problems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a platform for playing the game of kerb ball, the platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface and lower surface being held in spaced relation by support means which extends between the lower surface and the upper surface, the support means comprising a face section which meets the upper surface along an edge thereof, wherein the platform further comprises a recess formed in said upper surface within which a player may stand.

The platform enables the game to be played in a park or a garden away from the dangers of a busy road. By placing two platforms substantially opposite each other with one player standing in the recess of each platform, then the game can be played in an analogous manner to when played at roadside, with the edge of the platform simulating the edge of the kerb.

Preferably, the edge of the upper surface which meets the face section of the support means is substantially linear.

Preferably, the support means comprise peripherally extending side walls.

The recess preferably comprises a cut-out of the platform such that when the player stands within the recess, the player preferably stands substantially adjacent the lower surface Preferably, the upper surface comprises a cover for closing a cavity formed within the platform. Preferably, the cover is hingedly secured to the upper surface.

The recess is preferably formed within the rear of the platform and is substantially semi-circular in plan view.

The underside of the lower surface preferably comprises grip means for gripping the surface on which the platform is placed. The grip means thus helps minimise any sliding of the platform upon the surface during use.

Preferably, the grip means is detachably secured to the platform and is housed within said cavity when not required.

Preferably, the grip means comprises one or more pegs which may be separately inserted through one or more apertures formed within the platform, to secure the platform to the underlying surface, such as a garden.

Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the grip means comprises at least one suction cup which secures the platform to the surface, for example a floor of a gymnasium.

The lower surface of the recess preferably comprises a base upon which the player can stand and which is hingedly coupled to the platform at a rear edge thereof.

The at least one suction cup is preferably detachably secured to the underside of the base of the recess such that when a player stands upon the base, the base can pivot toward the underside of the platform, where upon the at least one suction cup extends through at least one aperture formed in the underside of the platform to secure the platform to the surface on which it is placed.

Preferably, the upper surface of the rear section of the platform is sloped downwardly from the front of the recess to the rear of the platform.

Preferably, the base can pivot between a first position in which it lies substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the rear section of the platform and a second position in which it lies substantially parallel to the lower surface.

The preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is perspective view of a pair of platforms of the present invention as used during the game of kerb ball; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the platform of the present invention with the cover partially open; Figure 3a is a side view of the platform of the present invention with the player support in a raised position; Figure 3b is a side view of the platform of the present invention with the player support in a lowered position; and, Figure 4 is a perspective view of the underside of the platform.

Referring to the drawings and initially figures 1 and 2, there is shown a platform 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The platform comprises a lower surface 11 separated from an upper surface 12 by a series of peripherally extending side walls 13a-13c which extend from the lower surface 11 to the upper surface 12 between side edges 14a-14f thereof. The platform 10 is substantially trapezoidal in cross-section with the front side wall 13a and front section 12a of the upper surface 12 extending substantially transverse to each other. The rear section 12b of the upper surface 12 slopes downwardly from a position adjoining the front section 12a of the upper surface 12 to a position adjoining the lower surface 11, at the rear of the platform 10.

The front edge 14a of the platform 10 comprises sensing means (not shown) for sensing the application of a force, for example that derived from the impact of a ball on the front edge 14a. The sensing means is in communication with a water jet (not shown) comprising a nozzle (not shown) that is directed above the rear section 12b of the platform 10 and which is arranged to direct a jet of water above the rear section 1 2b of the platform 10 when a force is sensed upon the front edge 1 4a.

The front section 12a of the upper surface 12 comprises a cover 15 (as shown in Figure 2) which is hingedly coupled to the upper surface 12 of the platform 10 and can be raised and lowered to respectively open and close a cavity 16 formed within the front section 1 Oa of the platform 10.

The rear section 12b of the upper surface 12 is provided with a recess 17, generally semicircular in plan view, the base 18 of which is hingedly coupled to the rear lOb of the platform 10. The base 18 can pivot about a hinge 19 between a raised position in which it is substantially co-planar with the rear section 1 2b of the upper surface and a lowered position in which the base 18 extends substantially parallel with the lower surface 11 of the platform 10.

The underside of the recess base 18 is provided with two detachably secured suction cups 20, arranged to extend through two corresponding apertures 21 formed within the lower surface 11 of the platform 10 as the base 18 moves from the raised position to the lowered position. Accordingly, when a player 22 steps upon the base 18 of the recess 17, the base 18 will pivot under the weight of the player 22 so as to force the suction cups 20 onto the surface on which the platform 10 is placed, as shown in figure 3. When placed on a smooth surface, for example the floor of a gymnasium, it is thus evident that the suction cups 20 will thus prevent the platform from sliding over the gymnasium floor.

The platform 10 is further provided with an aperture 23 formed within the lower surface 11 at each corner thereof, as shown in figure 4. The apertures 23 formed within the rear section lOb of the platform 10 may also extend through the rear section 12b of the upper surface 12, whereas the apertures 23 formed at the front section 1 Oa of the platform 10 are only accessible from within the cavity 16, as shown in figure 2. The apertures 23 enable a spike or peg 24 to be placed there through and subsequently forced into the underlying surface, for example a garden, to secure the platform 10 in place. When not required, the suction cups 20 and/or pegs 24 can be housed within the cavity 16.

In use, a pair of platforms 10 are placed substantially opposite each other and facing each other such that the substantially linear front edge 14a of each platform 10 are substantially parallel. If required, the players 22 can then secure the platform 10 to the surface on which the platform 10 is placed using the pegs 24 and/or by standing upon the base 18 of the recess 17 to cause the suction cups 20 to extend through the apertures 21 formed on the lower surface 11 to contact the surface on which the platform 10 is placed. The players 22 then take turns to throw a ball 25 in an attempt to strike the front edge 14a of the opposing platform 10 so that the ball 25 bounces back toward the player 22 whom threw it.

When a player 22 strikes the front edge 14a of an opponents' platform 10, the sensing means (not shown) disposed at the front edge 14a of the opponents' platform causes the water jet (not shown), also disposed upon the opponents' platform, to direct a jet of water at the opponent. In this manner, the water jet (not shown) serves to penalise the opponent when the player 22 strikes the front edge 14a of the opponents' platform 10 with the ball 25, which thus adds to the fun of the platform 10 for piaying kerb ball over the traditional roadside game.

From the foregoing therefore it is evident that the platform of the present invention enables players to enjoy the game of kerb ball away from the dangers associated with busy roads.

Claims

Claims 1. A platform for playing the game of kerb ball, the platform comprising an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface and lower surface being held in spaced relation by support means which extends between the lower surface and the upper surface, the support means comprising a face section which meets the upper surface along an edge thereof, wherein the platform further comprises a recess formed in said upper surface within which a player may stand.
2. A platform according to claim 1, wherein the edge of the upper surface which meets the face section of the support means is substantially linear.
3. A platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the recess comprises a cut-out of the platform such that when the player stands within the recess, the player stands substantially adjacent the lower surface
4. A platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper surface comprises a cover for closing a cavity formed within the platform.
5. A platform according to claim 4, wherein the cover is hingedly secured to the upper surface.
6. A platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the underside of the lower surface comprises grip means for gripping the surface on which the platform is placed.
7. A platform according to claim 6, wherein the grip means is detachably secured to the platform.
8. A platform according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the grip means comprises one or more pegs which may be separately inserted through one or more apertures formed within the platform, to secure the platform to the underlying surface, such as a garden.
9. A platform according to claim 6, wherein the grip means comprises at least one suction cup which secures the platform to the surface, for example a floor of a gymnasium.
10. A platform according to any preceding claim, wherein the recess is formed within a rear of the platform and is substantially semi-circular in plan view.
11. A platform according to any preceding claim, wherein a lower surface of the recess comprises a base upon which the player can stand and which is hingedly coupled to the platform at a rear edge thereof.
12. A platform according to claim 11, wherein the base can pivot between a first position in which it lies substantially coplanar with the upper surface of a rear section of the platform and a second position in which it lies substantially parallel to the lower surface.12. A platform according to any of claims 10 to 12 as appended to claim 9, wherein the at least one suction cup is detachably secured to the underside of the base of the recess.
13. A platform according to claim 12, wherein the at least one suction cup is arranged to extend through at least one aperture formed in the underside of the platform to secure the platform to the surface on which it is placed.
14. A platform according to any preceding claim, further comprising means for penalising a player.
15. A platform according to claim 14, wherein the means for penalising a player comprises means for directing a jet of water toward the player.