SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ADHERENT GAMING EQUIPMENT AND GAMEPLAY

Description

BACKGROUND

Games and sports rely on the ability of players and a reliance on a set of rules governing how the particular game or sport is played. Various sports have gained wide popularity both for participants and spectators. Further, sports equipment, sports memorabilia, and sports accessories drive a thriving sporting and gaming market.

In conventional gaming systems and rules, any projectile used, such as a ball in the case or football, basketball, soccer, and the like, may be used during the pace of play. However, all of these different projectiles (balls) across these example sports are similar in that the projectile itself does not have any additional means by which the projectile may attach to another object. That is, a typical player in these games must grasp the ball in play and apply pressure with the player's hands, arms or body to secure the ball when it may be engaged with a person. This typically plays into the actual rules of a respective game as the object of typical sports, such as football, basketball, and soccer is to maneuver the ball through physical exertion toward a goal or target.

Differently, specific games in which an object or strategy may be to avoid the projectile/ball, it becomes difficult to definitively determine whether or not an individual in a specific contest has or has not successfully avoided contact with the projectile/ball. This is because conventional projectile/balls and conventional goals and/or apparel worn by the players do not provide any means by which a projectile/ball may engage with the goal/apparel. Thus, various glancing shots in a game of Dodge Ball and the like are difficult to definitely determine if a player has or has not been struck by the ball/projectile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Various aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein will become more readily appreciated as the same become better understood by reference to the following detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a gaming system of players and gaming equipment during game play according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a gaming projectile having free-flowing appendages for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the gaming projectile of FIG. 2 having free-flowing appendages in use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

FIG. 4 shows another diagram of a gaming projectile having free-flowing appendages attached to 360-degree swivels for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a gaming apparel having attachment areas to engage free-flowing appendages of a gaming projectile for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a gaming target having attachment areas to engage free-flowing appendages of a gaming projectile for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following discussion is presented to enable a person skilled in the art to make and use the subject matter disclosed herein. The general principles described herein may be applied to embodiments and applications other than those detailed above without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed herein. This disclosure is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and features disclosed or suggested herein.

FIG. 1 and the following description provide a general overview of a novel sport called Acroball™ 100 wherein players may attempt to obtain objectives of the sport (e.g., score points) by throwing a projectile at other players or targets. The projectile may also be referred to as an Acroball™ and may typically include a nylon material comprising many closely knit hooks that may attachable to a reciprocal nylon material comprising latches. Such a nylon hook and latch combination is often called Velcro™ as is commonly known under such a branded name. In this manner, the various projectiles may be thrown or maneuvered to attach to opponents of targets according to the objectives of the underlying game. As such, the following paragraphs describe various embodiments of the projectile as used during game play as well as different kinds of apparel as worn by players and different kinds of game play equipment such as goals and targets.

The underlying game is a sport that is simple to play and understand and may provide great potential for demonstration of human mastery while being fun and exciting to watch. It may be loosely based on similar goal sports like soccer, lacrosse, basketball, hockey, and the like. The sport may be contested between two teams of an equal number of players both attempting to achieve the same objectives, such as score points or eliminate opposing players from the match or round.

In FIG. 1, a first player 110 may have control of the Acroball™/projectile 120 (hereinafter, referred to as the projectile 120) and other opponents 115 may be attempting to defend goals/targets 140 or avoid being hit by the projectile 120 such that the projectile 120 sticks to the goals/targets 140 or to game apparel 125 worn by the opponent (because of the hook and latch system). Game play may be governed by various rules and objectives as generally described below. In the immediate paragraphs, however, the various embodiments of the projectile 120, apparel 125, and targets 140 are described.

Th game system 100 may also include an electronic counting device 150 that is configured to detect projectile attachment in total during game play and length of time that projectiles remain attached to any game target. Such electronic counting may be accomplished through conventional wireless communication standards such as BlueTooth or Wi-Fi.

FIG. 2 shows a diagram of a gaming projectile 120 having free-flowing appendages 225 for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Various embodiments of the projectile 120 are shown in FIGS. 2-4 and may comprise several shapes and sizes, each of which may include hook and latch pattern of material (e.g., hooks that may engage with latches as may be found on opponents' apparel and/or game targets/goals). The first of the embodiments shown is a standard spherical ball shape 200 with numerous free-flowing appendages 225 that comprise hook and latch material for engaging gaming equipment. Here, the projectile 200 may be the size of a typical softball but with typically less weight, one-to-two ounces, for example. Further, the appendages 225, which may number as many as five to seven pairs, are free-flowing elongated strips of hook and latch covered material. Thus, when thrown by a player, the appendages may flow behind the projectile sphere 200 because the appendages are not formed to any specific shape with respect to the projectile 120.

Further, the projectile sphere 200 may also be elastic in that the ball shape may be manipulated. That is, a player may squeeze the projectile sphere 200 such that the ball-shape deforms to fit the contour of the player's grasp. Then, when released the projectile sphere 200 returns to its original static ball shape. Several other embodiments of the projectile 120 of FIG. 1 are discussed below.

In other embodiment (not shown), the projectile may only be a projectile sphere 200 that includes a pattern of material disposed thereon that is suited for a hook and latch engagement. The pattern may be a cross pattern, but other patterns not shown are also contemplated such as a hexagon shaped pattern (like a soccer ball) or a striped pattern.

Other embodiments of the projectile 120 of FIG. 1 comprises a polygon-shaped projectile body. In this embodiment, the projectile 120 may comprises several polygon-shaped pieces of material that are stitched together to form a spherical body. The polygons may be hexagon or pentagon shaped as may be typical with soccer ball or volley balls. Additionally, the contour of the surface may be covered with hook-and-latch material such that the projectile may engage with apparel or targets that are also covered with hook-and-latch material. Further, the projectile may not be a smooth sphere as may be typical with a soccer ball. Rather, each polygon-shaped piece may bulge out giving the overall shape of the projectile a series of bumps in a general spherical shape. In this manner, the surface area is increased slightly and the different angles present for attaching to apparel and targets. The bulging spaces may be because the interior material of the ball is deformable, but resilient. Thus, a player may grasp and deform the projectile, but it will return to original shape when released.

In another embodiment (not shown) of the projectile 120 of FIG. 1, the projectile may comprise a looped-leg projectile. In this embodiment, the projectile again comprises a central member with several elongated “leg-like” members. The central member may be elastic and deformable and each of the elongated members may be freely movable. However, different from the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the elongated members are attached to the central member at both ends of each elongated member. Further, each elongated members is covered by hook-and-latch material. Thus, during flight, each of the elongated members is free to move about making different opportunity for attaching to apparel and targets.

In another embodiment of the projectile 120 of FIG. 1, the central body member 200 may comprise a disk-like shaped projectile. In this embodiment, the projectile includes a central member 200 that is spherical in a symmetric on non-symmetric (oval) manner. Further, the projectile may include a disk member that intersects the central member. As before, the entire projectile is covered with hook-and-latch material.

In another embodiment of the projectile 120 of FIG. 1, the central body member 200 may comprise a boomerang-shaped projectile or a football-shaped projectile. In this embodiment, the projectile resembles a boomerang or a football having two arms that are attached at a central area. As before, the entire projectile is covered with hook-and-latch material.

Other embodiments of the projectile 120 in the sport are contemplated but not shown or described here. Variations can be made to the projectile 120 as shown in FIGS. 2-4 elasticity and “stickiness” such that the throwability, aerodynamics, bounciness, and accuracy of the projectile may be varied. During game play, the projectile 120 may attach to a reciprocal hook-and-latch material that may be a target or part of apparel worn by other players. Other equipment, such as targets or game gear, is also described below along with a limited discussion of the game's objectives and rules.

FIG. 3 shows a diagram of the gaming projectile of FIG. 2 having free-flowing appendages in use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. As detailed before, the projectile sphere 200 may be the size of a typical softball but with typically less weight, one-to-two ounces, for example. Further, the appendages 225, which may number as many as five to seven pairs, are free-flowing elongated strips of hook and latch covered material. Thus, when thrown by a player, the appendages 225 may flow behind the projectile sphere 200, as shown, because the appendages are not formed to any specific shape with respect to the projectile 120. As air flows beyond the projectile sphere 200, the appendages tend to bend away from the direction of travel such that the appendages 225 tend to follow the projectile sphere 200.

FIG. 4 shows another diagram of a gaming projectile 120 having free-flowing appendages 225 attached to 360-degree swivels 426 for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this embodiment, each appendage 225 is attached to the projectile sphere at a swivel 426 that allow for the base of the appendage 225 to move rotationally around a 360-degree motion. Such a swivel at each appendage 225 attachment point allows for a greater amount of free-flowing maneuverability of each appendage 225. Such a swivel 426 may comprise a stationary bottom portion that attaches to the projectile sphere 200 in a stationary manner while a second engaged top portion my rotate about a vertical axis allowing the appendage 225 to rotate around fully about the axis. This improves the maneuverability of each appendage 225.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a gaming apparel 125 having attachment areas to engage free-flowing appendages of a gaming projectile 120 for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. The gaming apparel 125 may be an article of clothing that may be worn by players when playing. Here, a player may wear a game belt 125 as shown having a loop for securing to a waist of a player 110 and exhibiting free flowing appendages (e.g., belt flaps) that also have hook and latch materials for engaging projectiles 120. Thus, an aspect of the game may include attempting to attach projectiles 120 to opponents' apparel 125. Further, the game belt 125 may also have areas 127 that do not have hook-and-latch material such that projectiles that hit these areas bounce away and do not attach. In yet other embodiments, such as the game belt 125 as shown in FIG. 5, the entire surface of the belt 125 may be covered in hook-and-latch material 551.

The game apparel 125 may be made of the felt material that projectiles will stick to or have the afore-mentioned areas of hook-and-latch material attached to them. Such articles of clothing may be important when taking into account the size of the target. Smaller players may have an advantage of having smaller target areas.

In addition to the belt as shown in FIG. 5, additional apparel may include pants, a mitt, or a glove. An embodiment of apparel includes a mitt that is covered in hook-and-latch material. The mitt does not have defined fingers for a player's hand and therefore, a player may only exert a certain level of control over any engaged projectile 120. Similarly, an embodiment of apparel includes a glove that may also covered in hook-and-latch material. The glove does have defined fingers for a player's hand and therefore, a player may exert a greater level of control over any engaged projectile as compared to the mitt.

Other articles of clothing that are contemplated but not shown in any FIG. include shirts, armbands, helmets, and shoes, which may act as additional targets for opposing teams because each of these articles may also include hook-and-latch material is various patterns thereon.

Another variation on the sport may include various players on each team using specific devices or equipment for easily catching a projectile 120 thereby allowing a player to easily transfer projectile 120 to his or her other hand for throwing. Such equipment may include a racket that may be covered in a hook-and-latch material at a paddle end.

FIG. 6 shows a diagram of a gaming target 140 having attachment areas to engage free-flowing appendages of a gaming projectile 120 for use with the system of FIG. 1 according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the gaming target is an angled rack 140 covered in a hook and latch material. Target portions (e.g., grid-like members 141) may be suspended between rectangular support members 142. Further, the grid-like members 141 may be covered with hook-and-latch material or other material suited to engage with projectiles as discussed above. The grid-like members 141 may be suspended between rectangular support members 142 that are propped up by a base member 143.

In another embodiment (not shown) the target comprises a stationary rectangular target. In this embodiment, the target may have three boards attached to each other in maneuverable manners along one or more sides. The main board may have two movable side-boards. Further, the main board may have hook-and-latch material upon one face. Thus, projectiles, when thrown, may stick to the main board, but may bounce away from the side boards.

In another embodiment, the target may comprise a foam-backed target. In this embodiment, the target comprises two portions that together may provide less rigidity than the stationary rectangular target. The two portions here may be a foam-backed member that may be covered by a hook-and latch material as the second portion. Alternatively, the second portion may be a cheaper carpeted material (cheaper than hook-and-latch material) such that projectiles may still engage or otherwise attach to the target.

In another embodiment, the target may comprise a cylindrically-shaped target. In this embodiment, the target portion (e.g., the cylindrical shaped member) may be suspended between two rigid support members. Further, the cylindrical shaped member may be covered with hook-and-latch material or other material suited to engage with projectiles as discussed above.

During game play, there may be one or more (in some cases many) projectiles in play at any given time. Additional projectiles may be introduced to the game during game play or may be removed from game play. The game or match may be timed and may comprise 5-10 minute quarters or until all the projectiles are attached goals or body targets/goals.

The sport may include various rules and guidelines for more competitive game play. The number of players per team may typically range from 1-12, but may include more per team and may also include different numbers of players per team depending on the game scenario. The field or court may typically comprise a playing area of 50′×100′ with boundary lines designating out-of-bounds areas. Two or more goals or targets may be situated at either end of the playing area.

Because the projectile 120 comprises a hook-and-latch material as does the various goals, targets, and opponents' apparel, there is a likelihood that the projectile 120 will stick to the target when it comes into contact. If the projectile 120 sticks or registers, this may be considered a score.

Yet other aspects of the sport may include one or more targets or goals wherein players attempt to attach (by throwing) a projectile 120 at the target or goal and wherein opposing players attempt to defend their own goals and targets. The playing space may include two or more goals on either end of a playing field. Each goal may be defended by one or more goal keepers, such that opposing teams try to score goals by striking the opponents goal or targets with a projectile

For example, if a projectile is thrown and attaches to the surface, then after a confirmation period, such as three seconds or so, a registered hit may be determined by the counting device. If, however, the projectile strikes the target but does not stick for at least three seconds, then no score is counted. Additional embodiments may provide for different scoring for different events, such as, for example, one point for a hit without sticking for at least three seconds and five points for hitting and sticking for over three seconds. Still further, different points may be scored for hits more proximate to the center of the target surface area.

The manner in which proximity of a projectile is sensed may vary from target to target. For example, one manner for detecting a proximate projectile may be electronic or electromagnetic in nature. Thus, a metallic portion of a projection may be sensed by an electromagnetic sensor in the target. Other methods of detection may be chemical or electrochemical. Thus, a projectile having a unique chemical substance (non-toxic and non-caustic) may come into contact with a target with a similar reactive chemical such that a resulting reaction is easily seen or detected.

Various objectives for each team may include scoring goals on the opposing team's goal and/or trying to hit the other team's bodies, (e.g., leg targets, torso targets). Points may be awarded to a team at a rate of one point per scored/hit target that sticks. If the projectile falls off the target (i.e., does not stick), it does not count. Further, a player may be out of the round/quarter if the player is hit in the leg or it can be a negative score. Players may be required to play in zones and may not get too close to the goals or each other so their throws must go across a distance to score. Further, players may only come back into the game after balls are all out of play.

Yet further aspects of the game may include zones where players may only retrieve projectiles and cannot be hit. If hit on one's way into the zone the player may still be out. Scores may only count for the projectiles that stay on the goals. If a projectile falls off it may be put back into play.

When hit in the strike zone, a number of variations may come into consideration. When hit, a player may be out, prevented from throwing any projectile, and prevented from moving. Further, when a player is hit, the other team may score a point or points may be deducted from the player's team. Thus, one game objective is to score as many points as possible during game play (e.g., more points that the opposing team).

A variation on game play may include a “chess” variation wherein a player's game play is governed by their designation. For example, pawns may only retrieve projectiles but can't be hit; queens may travel anywhere and get anyone out; and kings may only protect goals. Other game play variations may include obstacles and variations in player's movement freedoms as the game progresses. Further yet, the game may includes multiple goals that may be smaller in size and harder to hit but not as defendable. Targets may be set in two or more locations or may be movable and every player would have to defend one or more goals and themselves from getting hit.

While the subject matter discussed herein is susceptible to various modifications and alternative constructions, certain illustrated embodiments thereof are shown in the drawings and have been described above in detail. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that various aspects described in less than all of the embodiments may, nevertheless, be present in any embodiment. It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the subject matter to the specific forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, alternative constructions, and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the subject matter disclosed.