Paddle Ball Game Apparatus with Removable Net Assembly

This application is based on provisional patent application No. 63/491,277 filed on date Mar. 20, 2023

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Not Applicable

The present invention generally relates to multiple types of paddle ball games involving skill. The present invention relates to a portable table tennis set. The present invention relates to a variety of paddle ball hand-eye coordination games. The present invention also relates to games where a ball is bounced, caught, or thrown into a cup. The present invention may also relate to paddle games equipped with electronic sensors able to register ball strikes.

The traditional game of ping pong, also known as table tennis, includes a table, net, paddles and ball. These game systems are heavy, expensive, and require a lot of space to play and store. The action of swinging at a ball requires even more space. These play sets require multiple players and the types of games played are limited and confined to the table. The present invention is more affordable, requires less space, and allows for a game of ping pong to be played on any size table. The present invention is designed so that when the user grasps the game apparatus they are inclined to punch at the ball to send it across the net rather than swing at it. This punching motion allows the game to be played in a more confined space. The present invention allows for a variety of additional game options due to the novel design of the game apparatus.

A variety of patents have addressed many of the issues that come with a traditional stationary table tennis game. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 8,182,374 to Copeland, discloses a retractable ping-pong net and paddles. The paddles have handles that retract into the blade. The paddles and blade nest together for easy storage. This invention provides an inexpensive and portable table tennis option as the net may be set up across any table. The retractable ping-pong set is limiting in that it is designed to be played much like a traditional stationary table tennis game requiring multiple players and enough space to allow a player to strike the ball in a swinging arm manner. The retractable ping-pong net assembly disclosed can also be problematic because the retraction devices on the net and paddle may malfunction with repeated use. The game apparatus and net assembly of the present invention are sturdy and easily set up without the risk of mechanical failure. The game apparatus of the present invention allows players to utilize the game set for a variety of games other than table tennis.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,249,810 to Cazalet, discloses a hand-eye coordination paddle ball game with the ability to count the number of hits electronically. The ball is tethered to the paddle with an elastic string. The present invention may be manufactured to register hits electronically utilizing electronic circuitry well known in the industry. The circuitry can count hits and may transmit that information to an application on a player's iPhone or other smart device. The present invention does not tether a ball to the game apparatus with a cumbersome elastic band that can break or lose elasticity.

Many games are designed for a ball to be caught, bounced, or thrown into a receptacle. The Ball and Cup Toy, U.S. Pat. No. 3,687,453 to Fraga, is a hand-eye coordination game that challenges the user to catch a ball in a cup, the ball being tethered to the cup by a cumbersome and breakable elastic band. U.S. Pat. No. 5,368,306A to Madsen is a paddle with a cup attached to the blade on one side and is designed for bounce and catch games. U.S. Pat. No. 11,027,179B2 to Krause is a portable game for playing a drinking game that involves throwing or bouncing an object into a cup, much like Beer Pong or Quarters. The game of Kendama, U.S. Pat. No. D754,259S1 to Mcphee is a game consisting of two opposing cups secured to a post meant to catch a ball that is tethered to the game stick. The novel cup-shape feature of the game apparatus of the present invention gives players the opportunity to play similar versions of all of these games.

There exists many types of paddles, also known as rackets or bats, that are used for hand-eye coordination games. U.S. Pat. No. D350,799S to Kaity, U.S. Pat. No. 4,148,483A to Sweet, and U.S. Pat. No. 4,227,692A to Castelli all provide novel paddles for a variety of game play. These paddles can be used to repeatedly bounce a ball in mid-air, against a wall, or to another player. They may also be used to try to balance the ball on the flat blade as a player races to a finish line without dropping the ball. The novel game apparatus of the present invention allows for a greater variety of skill and hand-eye coordination play than these existing paddles currently provide.

Despite the diversity of paddle ball games, none are specifically designed to allow for a multitude of games to be played by one or more users as the present invention provides. The present invention is designed to be used by people of all ages for both entertainment and to improve hand-eye coordination and concentration skills.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide a novel game apparatus with removable net assembly that allows for a variety of ball game play for single or multiple users. The novel game apparatus of the present invention is generally furnished in a game set comprising: four novel game apparatus, a net assembly comprising a net suspended between two support posts, and a game ball. The novel game apparatus is dual-ended with one end having a flat and generally circular striking surface, the other end being a cup-shape member, and the two ends being connected by a graspable handle that is centered between the back of the striking surface and base of the cup-shape member. The game apparatus may have a post hole through the center of the cup-shape base that extends into the handle. In order to set up a net across a playing surface two game apparatus are placed striking surface side down and apart from each other on the playing surface, then each game apparatus has a post with net attached inserted into the post hole thereby creating a net across a playing surface. The game apparatus may also have built-in electronic circuitry that is able to count the number of times a ball hits the game apparatus, and may transmit that data to an application on an electronic device such as an iPhone, iPad, or other smart device.

The present invention provides an economical, sturdy, and easily transportable paddle ball game set with a novel game apparatus designed to allow single or multiple users to engage in many different, but familiar, forms of game play and hand-eye coordination exercises. Two or more players can engage in the well known game of table tennis. Players can challenge one another to ball hitting contests utilizing the novel game apparatus to hit the ball into the air, against a wall, or to each other. A single user can play these ball hitting games utilizing the game apparatus for hand-eye coordination game play. A version of the game apparatus with electronic counting circuitry allows players to challenge one another from different locations by registering and sharing hit counts from their game apparatus to their smart devices. Multiple players utilizing a game apparatus can engage in a variety of games that involve bouncing or throwing a ball into a cup-shape member such as Chase and Quarters.

Further aspects and components of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the drawings and the ensuing description of preferred embodiments of the present invention. A person skilled in the art will realize that other embodiments of the invention are possible and that the details of the invention can be modified in a number of respects, all without departing from the inventive concept. Thus, the following drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

The present invention is an economical, sturdy, and easily transportable paddle game apparatus with the option of a removable net assembly that provides active entertainment for multiple players. However, the present invention is also well suited for individuals of all ages to use for hand-eye coordination, agility, and concentration exercises. Accordingly, the present invention will now be described in detail with respect to such endeavors; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that such a description of the invention is meant to be exemplary only and should not be viewed as limitative on the full scope thereof.

As can be seen in, there may be multiple variations of the game apparatusproviding for various types of game play. The novel game apparatuswould typically be presented in a game set comprising: four novel game apparatus, a net assemblyas illustrated in, and a ball. The game apparatusand ballmay also be made available as a stand-alone game set ideal for hand-eye coordination and skill development play. The novel game apparatusmay be manufactured in a variety of sizes, in any material capable of being molded, cut or formed to the design, including, but not limited to, plastics, foam, wood, or metal. The net postwould typically be made of the same material as the game apparatus. The netmay be constructed of ribbon, netting, string, plastic or any other suitable material. The ballis preferably a ping-pong ball, a rubber bouncing ball, or other bounceable ball comprised of foam, plastic or other suitable material. The size of the ballrelates to the interior diameter of the cup-shapedend of the game apparatusso that the ballwill fit loosely into the cup-shape.

shows a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the novel game apparatusas held by a playerwith striking surfacefacing upward, a decorative elementis displayed on the striking surface. The game apparatusis a single dual-ended unit comprised of three sections; a generally circular and flat striking surface, connected by a cylindrical handleprotruding from the center of the back of the striking surface, to the base of the cup-shapemember as shown in the vertical cross section in. The embodiment shown inrepresents the most economical version of the game apparatusto produce. This embodiment allows the game apparatusto be constructed out of a single material such as solid wood, or utilize an injection molding process to make the game apparatusout of plastic, metal or other suitable injectable material.

is a vertical cross section that illustrates another embodiment of the game apparatus. In this embodiment the game apparatusincludes a post holeextending through the base of the cup-shapeinto the handle. The post holeis sized to snuggly receive a removable net post. The post holefeature allows a net assemblyto be set up across a playing surfaceby placing two game apparatusstriking surfaceside down and apart from each other on a playing surfaceand then inserting the postsinto the post holesas illustrated in.

is a vertical cross section of another embodiment of the game apparatusshowing electronic circuitrybuilt into the game apparatusthat may register, count, and transmit the number of times a balltouches the game apparatus. The electronic circuitrymay relay the data to an application on an iPhone or other smart device. Players can keep track of their hit counts or share the information with other players through their smart devices. Technology well known and readily available to the industry would be utilized for the electronic circuitry. This embodiment is preferable when offering the game apparatusand ballas a stand-alone game set for a single user.

is a perspective view of the game apparatuscoupled with a section of the net apparatuswith postinserted into a post hole.shows a vertical cross section of yet another embodiment of the novel game apparatus. This embodiment includes both a post holeand electronic circuitry. The postof the net assemblyis shown inserted into the post holein.represents the preferred embodiment of the game apparatusto be included in a game set that comprises: four novel game apparatus, a net assembly, and a ball.

It should be understood that one can also vary the construction of the game apparatuswithin the scope of the invention. The handleas illustrated incan vary in length or shape. The cup-shapemember as illustrated incan vary in size to accommodate various ballsizes. The striking surfaceas illustrated incan vary in shape and size. The decorative elementas illustrated incan be removed or replaced with a different image such as a logo, symbol, character, mascot, initial, number, or other creative design. It is also understood that the game apparatuscan be made available in a variety of colors.

The present invention as described is extremely versatile and can be used for playing many conventional games as illustrated in. It is understood that playersare not limited to the following game play as described and may utilize the game set to make up as many new games as their imaginations allow. While the games are illustrated showing one or two players, they can often be played by many more playerswith the procurement of additional game apparatus.

illustrates two playersengaging in the well known game of table tennis by placing two novel game apparatuswith net assemblyacross a playing surfaceand utilizing two additional game apparatusto hit a ballback and forth over the net. The position of the handleas it is attached on the general center of the back of the striking surfacecompels a playerto punch at a ballto send it over the net. This punching motion, rather than a full arm swinging motion as is typical with a ping pong paddle, allows the game to be played in a much smaller space than is generally needed for a game of table tennis. The entire game set is compact, durable, and easily portable allowing playersto play a game of table tennis on whatever playing surfaceis available such as a dining room table or folding table. While the game is illustrated showing two players, it can also be played by four players in the style of doubles table tennis with the procurement of additional game apparatus.

illustrate a variety of ball games that can be played utilizing the striking surfaceend of a novel game apparatus.illustrates two playershitting a ballback and forth utilizing a game apparatusheld with the striking surfaceend up. A variation of this game would be for one of the playersto attempt to catch an incoming ballinto the cup-shapeend by holding a game apparatuswith the cup-shapeend up.illustrates a playerhitting a balloff a wall. The goal of this game is to get as many consecutive hits against the wallbefore the ballfalls to the floor.illustrates two players, each with their own game apparatusand ball, hitting their ballinto the air. The goal of this game is for each playerto continuously hit their ballinto the air, the playerto be the last to let their balldrop to the ground wins.illustrates multiple playerseach holding a game apparatuswith the striking surfaceend up. The playersbalance a ballon the striking surfaceas they race to the finish line. The goal is to be the first playerto cross a finish linewithout letting their ballroll off the striking surface. While the games illustrated inshow one or multiple players, each version may be played by a single or multiple players. The electronic circuitrybuilt into a game apparatusas illustrated inmay allow players to challenge one another when they are at different locations. The electronic circuitryregisters the number times a ballhits the game apparatusand transmits that information to an application on a player's smart-device which may then be shared electronically with other players through their smart-devices. The games described are well suited for individuals of all ages to use in noncompetitive play for hand-eye coordination, agility, and concentration exercises.

illustrates one of the many ball bouncing games that are possible to be played utilizing the cup-shapeend of a game apparatusand a ball. The players, each with their own game apparatusand ball, place a game apparatuson a playing surfacecup-shapeend up. The playersthen attempt to bounce a balloff the playing surfaceand into the cup-shape. The playerto bounce a ballinto the cup-shapefirst wins. Alternatively, the playerscan compete to bounce a ballinto the cup-shapethe most amount of times in a set amount of time to win. Another method of play engages at least six players in a game of Chase by utilizing two game apparatusand two balls. The playerssurround a playing surface, a game apparatusis placed in front of two playerswho are standing directly across from each other at the playing surface. The play begins with each of the playerstrying to bounce a balloff the playing surfaceand into the cup-shapeend of the game apparatusin front of them. When a playerlands the ballinto the cup-shapethe game apparatusand ballare then passed to the playerstanding to their right who then tries to bounce the ballinto the cup-shapedend of the game apparatus. This continues until one game apparatuscatches up to the other game apparatus, the playerto end up with two game apparatusis the loser. Yet another method of play resembles the game of Quarters wherein a group of playerssurround a playing surface. A single game apparatusis placed cup-shapeend up on the playing surface, the first playertries to bounce a balloff of the playing surfaceand into the cup-shape, if the playersucceeds then that playercan make any other playertake a drink, if the player fails to land the ballinto the cup-shapethen the game apparatusmoves to the next playerwho then tries to bounce the ballinto the cup-shapeand so on.

While the present invention has now been described and exemplified with some specificity, those skilled in the art will appreciate the various modifications including variations in size, shape, materials, additions, and omissions that may be made in what has been described. Accordingly, it is intended that these modifications are also encompassed by the present invention and that the scope of the present invention be limited solely by the broadest interpretation that lawfully can be accorded the appended claims without departing from the spirit in the invention.