US3865371A - Playing field with net and basket structure - Google Patents

Abstract

A game comprising: an elongated rectangular playing field; a vertical net secured to the field and extending transversely across the middle thereof to divide the field in half; a smaller rectangular area centered on the field and divided in half by the net; and first and second elevated ball receiving baskets, each basket being disposed in a corresponding half of the area.

Description

United States Patent 11 1 1111 3,865,371

Theriot Feb. 11, 1975 [5 PLAYING FIELD WITII NET AND BASKET 2,545,6l5 3/1951 Hatley 273/95 11 STRUCTURE 3,388,909 6/l968 Woods [76] I t H P Th t Rt 1 B A 3,602,504 8/l97l Chapman 273/95 R nven or: any erlo e. ox

Franklin, 70538 OTHER PUBLICATIONS Catalog of Miles Kimball Company, 41 W. 8th Ave., [221 Ffled- June 14, Oshkosh, Wisconsin, 54901, P. 94 12/66.

[211 App]. No.: 369,944

Primary Examiner-Anton O. Oechsle 521 US. (:1. 273/95 H S'Skmd [5 1] Int. Cl A63b 71/02 [58] Field of Search 273/95 R, 95 H, 1.5, 85, [57] ABSTRACT 273/] H, 30 R; 272/3 A game compnsmg: an elongated rectangular play ng field; a vertical net secured to the field and extending [56] References cued transversely across the middle thereof to divide the field in half; a smaller rectangular area centered on UNlTED STATES PATENTS the field and divided in half by the net; and first and 454,700 6/189] Barker 273/30 Second elevated n receiving baskets each basket 1 being disposed in a corresponding half of the area. 2,051,476 8/1936 Grant 273/30 1 Claim, 4 Drawing Figures [fi 3O T 1 l' l I 2 a4 26 2 PATENTEBFEBI 1 I975 \QI ow PLAYING FIELD WITH NET AND BASKET STRUCTURE SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION My invention is directed toward a game played by two or more persons which combines features of tennis and basket ball and is played with a ball without a racquet.

The game utilizes an elongated rectangular playing field divided transversely into two halves by a vertical net. A smaller rectangular area is centered on the field and divided in half by the net. First and second elevated ball receiving baskets are employed, each basket being disposed in a corresponding half of the area.

The game can then be played in the manner and in accordance with the rules set forth below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the playing surface used in my game;

FIG. 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a detail view of a portion of the structure shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, a flat elongated rectangular playing field is formed of heavy flexible canvas or semi-adhesive rubberized material which can be rolled up when not in use. The material can be supported by lengths of tubing and the use of anchor rope eliminated.

The field is an elongated rectangle typically 21 feet wide by 56 feet long. A vertical net 30 about 3 feet high extends transversely across the width to divide the field into two equal halves 20 and 22.

Each half has an outermost section 12 ten feet wide with a servers box 32 in an inside corner. A middle portion 18 feet wide is divided into an inner section 16 8 feet wide and a middle section l8 10 feet wide.

A smaller rectangular area typically 8 feet wide and 8 feet long is contained in the two sections 16 and is divided into halves 24 and 26.

Each half 24 and 26 contains an elevated basket 28 centered therein at 4 feet inside sections 24 and 26 and positions of 6 inches lower than the top of the net.

RULES OF THE GAME TENN-A-BALL 1. Game time: Four minute quarters with 5 minute breaks each quarter.

2. Teams consist of six players on each team two teams. (Game may be played with less than six players per team.)

3. Game is played with one player on each side to begin the game. The remaining players will serve as substitutes.

4. Substitution'may be made by either team after any point is scored, without restrictions on the number of substitutions to be made.

5. The game is played as follows:

A. The visiting team serves to begin the game.

I. SERVE Each team will have two serves, done in rotation,

after each point is scored. A serve is executed by player standing in serve block, which is located in the righthand side of the court just outside of the serve-bounce area, but inside the backfield area. In that position, the player will hit the ball with an overhand swing directing the ball to hit in the serve-bounce area on a single bounce, crossing over the net and bouncing in the opposite serve-bounce area. This completes the set.

The receiver will then attempt to return the ball over the net from any position on his court by striking the ball with either hand (closed hand or opened hand), allowing the ball to bounce in his serve-bounce area before crossing the net, or direct fly ball. After a complete serve return, either player may return the ball without allowing the ball to touch the court. All returns must remain in bounds.

2. SAVE If a player finds it difficult to return the ball after a first bounce or straight return, but is able to bounce the ball in his backfield area, he may do so. This is called a SAVE.

Any player executing a save must be in the boundary designated as the backfield area. He may bounce the ball 3 times in this area, with either hand, positioning himself for a return. After a save, the return must be made by allowing the ball to strike in his serve-bounce area before it crosses the net. There is no restriction on the number of saves a player may execute, providing a completed serve return has been executed.

If any player fails to return the ball with the limits outlined in Section (I) end (2), the opposite team will score one (1) point.

3. BASKET POINT After a completed serve and successful serve return, either player may, at any time thereafter, attempt to score a basket point. 3 points may be scored by returning the ball on a bounce, in his serve-bounce area, going over the net and into opponents basket. BAS- KET POINT may be scored after a save or after a single bounce. If a basket point is attempted after a single bounce, the player may be anywhere in his court.

4. FOUL POINT When either player commits a foul, opponent may elect to accept 1 point or try for a three point basket. A three point basket attempt after a foul is executed in a manner similar to a serve. The player must stand in the serve area, strike the ball with an overhead swing onto his servebounce area and travel over the net into opponents basket. Should the player fail to score on the first attempt, he shall have a second try.

When a foul is called, time will be called giving no more than 2 minutes to either side, except the one point, or to complete a foul shot.

5. FOUL A foul is committed when a player:

. Touches the basket; Touches the net; Hits the ball with bothhands; Hits the ball deliberately with his body; Kicks the ball; and/or,

Leans over the net to strike a ball. g. Places any part of a foot across the line of the area marked Foul Area:

6. Dead Ball The ball is considered a dead ball anytime it strikes opponent s basket and does not score.

DOUBLE TENNEY BALL In double Tenny Ball, the game is played with two players on each side, with the same rules applying as in single Tenny Ball, except for the following variations:

I. When either player finds it difficult to return the ball and he is not in a position for a Save, he may strike the ball toward the backfield area and his partner may execute a Save. This is called a Secondary Save. However, on a Secondary Save, the ball must bounce in the backfield area after striking it, or Saver can stop the ball in the air with his hand to allow it to bounce in the backfield area.

2. In either case, as stated above, when a Secondary Save is executed Saver will be allowed an additional bounce only, before returning the ball. In other words, there will be a mandatory two bounce on a Secondary Save.

3. As in single Tenny Ball, after a Secondary Save, ball must bounce in the serve bounce area prior to crossing the net.

While I have described my invention with particular reference to the drawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

Having thus described this invention, what is asserted as new' is:

l. A game comprising:

an elongated rectangular playing field transversely divided in half, each field half containing at least two adjacent transverse sections, the halves having abutting transverse sections;

a vertical net secured to the field and extending transversely across the middle thereof at the juncture of said halves;

a smaller rectangular area centered on the abutting sections and divided in half by the net; and

first and second horizontal ball receiving baskets, each basket being disposed in a corresponding half of the area at an elevation slightly below the top of the-net and above the bottom of the net.

Claims (1)

1. A game comprising: an elongated rectangular playing field transversely divided in half, each field half containing at least two adjacent transverse sections, the halves having abutting transverse sections; a vertical net secured to the field and extending transversely across the middle thereof at the juncture of said halves; a smaller rectangular area centered on the abutting sections and divided in half by the net; and first and second horizontal ball receiving baskets, each basket being disposed in a corresponding half of the area at an elevation slightly below the top of the net and above the bottom of the net.

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