U.S. patent application number 11/480786 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for game apparatus for encouraging children to become more active and exercise.
Invention is credited to Retha Arrington.
Application Number | 20070010359 11/480786 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37618942 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070010359 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Arrington; Retha |
January 11, 2007 |
Game apparatus for encouraging children to become more active and
exercise
Abstract
A game apparatus that an individual can play which promotes
activity and exercise. The game apparatus includes a rod like
member produced from a first predetermined material and having a
first predetermined shape and a predetermined length. Further
included is a guide mechanism produced from a second predetermined
material and having a second predetermined shape. The guide
mechanism is connected to a predetermined end of the rod like
member. Also included is a hoop like member produced from a third
predetermined material and having a predetermined diameter. The
guide mechanism is engageable with the hoop like member at the
predetermined end of the rod like member to guide and move such
hoop like member in a predetermined direction over a predetermined
surface.
Inventors: |
Arrington; Retha; (Garland,
TX) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JAMES RAY & ASSOCIATES
2640 PITCAIRN ROAD
MONROEVILLE
PA
15146
US
|
Family ID: |
37618942 |
Appl. No.: |
11/480786 |
Filed: |
July 3, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60695987 |
Jul 5, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
473/516 ;
D21/811 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 19/02 20130101;
A63B 2208/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/516 ;
D21/811 |
International
Class: |
A63B 59/00 20060101
A63B059/00 |
Claims
1. A game apparatus for an individual to play which promotes
activity and exercise, said game apparatus comprising: (a) a rod
like member produced from a first predetermined material and having
a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length; (b) a guide
mechanism produced from a second predetermined material and having
a second predetermined shape, said guide mechanism connected to a
predetermined end of said rod like member; and (c) a hoop like
member produced from a third predetermined material and having a
predetermined diameter, said guide mechanism engageable with said
hoop like member at said predetermined end of said rod like member
for guiding and moving said hoop like member in a predetermined
direction over a predetermined surface.
2. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first
predetermined material used to produce said rod like member is
selected from a group consisting of wood, metal and plastic.
3. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first
predetermined shape of said rod like member is one of generally
round and generally rectangular.
4. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said
predetermined length of said rod like member is generally between
about 24 inches and 36 inches.
5. A game apparatus, according to claim 4, wherein said rod like
member has a width of generally between about one inch and two
inches and a thickness of generally between about one quarter inch
and three quarter inch.
6. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second
predetermined material used to produce said guide mechanism is one
of metal and plastic.
7. A game apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said metal used
to produce said guide mechanism is one of aluminum and steel.
8. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second
predetermined shape of said guide mechanism is one of generally
semicircular and generally rectangular.
9. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said guide
mechanism is connected to said predetermined end of said rod like
member by one of screws, bolts and welding.
10. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said guide
mechanism is curved at both ends thereof so that such individual
can better control such predetermined direction said hoop like
member travels.
11. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said third
predetermined material used to produce said hoop like member is one
of metal and plastic.
12. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said
predetermined diameter of said hoop like member is generally
between about eight inches and twelve inches.
13. A game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said rod like
member, said guide mechanism and said hoop like member are painted
various colors.
14. A method of playing a game apparatus which has at least one rod
like member, at least one guide mechanism connected to one end of
said rod like member and at least one hoop like member, said method
comprising the steps of: (a) engaging said at least one guide
mechanism disposed at said one end of said at least one rod like
member with said at least one hoop like member; and (b) guiding and
moving said at least one hoop like member in a predetermined
direction over a predetermined surface.
15. The method, according to claim 14, including the additional
step of timing how long at least one player is able to keep said at
least one hoop like member moving in said predetermined direction
over said predetermined surface.
16. The method, according to claim 14, including the additional
steps of setting up at least one obstacle course for at least one
player to maneuver said at least one hoop like member through and
timing how long said at least one player takes to complete
maneuvering said at least one hoop like member through said at
least one obstacle course.
17. The method, according to claim 14, including the additional
steps of establishing a predetermined distance at least one player
is to keep said at least one hoop like member moving in said
predetermined direction over said predetermined surface and timing
how long said at least one player takes to move said at least one
hoop like member said predetermined distance in said predetermined
direction over said predetermined surface.
18. The method, according to claim 17, wherein said method includes
an additional step of setting up competition between a
predetermined plurality of players and timing how long each player
takes to move said at least one hoop like member said predetermined
distance in said predetermined direction over said predetermined
surface.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is closely related to and claims benefit
from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/695,987 filed
on Jul. 5, 2005.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to a game
apparatus for children and, more particularly, the invention
relates to a game apparatus for children which promotes activity
and exercise while they are playing.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Sports related games which promote activity and exercise for
children such as baseball, basketball, football, etc. have been in
existence for many years. However, many of the sports related games
require multiple children to play. Furthermore, these type of games
have become organized and structured among communities, such that
children playing with other neighbor children has almost become a
thing of the past.
[0004] Another hindrance to children is the conception of video
games that involves almost no activity or exercise for children.
Many children have become content to spend countless hours in front
of the television playing video games instead of enjoying
activities outdoors. The lack of exercise has lead to many children
becoming overweight and/or physically unhealthy.
[0005] A need exists for a game apparatus that promotes activity
and exercise for one or more children while providing an
alternative to organized sports and video games.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One aspect of the present invention provides a game
apparatus for an individual to play which promotes activity and
exercise. The game apparatus includes a rod like member produced
from a first predetermined material and having a first
predetermined shape and a predetermined length. Also included is a
guide mechanism produced from a second predetermined material and
having a second predetermined shape. The guide mechanism is
connected to a predetermined end of the rod like member. Still
further included is a hoop like member produced from a third
predetermined material and having a predetermined diameter. The
guide mechanism is engageable with the hoop like member at the
predetermined end of the rod like member. The guide mechanism
guides and moves the hoop like member in a predetermined direction
over a predetermined surface.
[0007] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a method
of playing a game apparatus which has at least one rod like member,
at least one guide mechanism connected to one end of the rod like
member and at least one hoop like member. The method includes the
steps of engaging the guide mechanism disposed at such one end of
the rod like member with the hoop like member and guiding and
moving the hoop like member in a predetermined direction over a
predetermined surface.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present
invention to provide a game apparatus which promotes activity and
exercise for children that can be played by one or more
players.
[0009] Another object of the present invention is to provide a game
apparatus which promotes activity and exercise for children that
can offer an alternative to playing organized sports or video
games.
[0010] A still further object of the present invention is to
provide a game apparatus which promotes activity and exercise for
children that will decrease the number of unhealthy and/or
overweight children due to a lack of exercise.
[0011] In addition to the above described objects and advantages of
the present invention, various other objects and advantages of the
game apparatus will become more readily apparent to those persons
skilled in such art from the following more detailed description,
particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with
the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of the game apparatus of the
present invention particularly showing how the guide mechanism is
connected to the rod like member according to one embodiment;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the game apparatus, shown
in FIG. 1, particularly showing how the guide mechanism is used to
control the movement of the hoop like member; and
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the game apparatus and an
individual illustrating how it can be used.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS
ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the
invention, it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity,
identical components, having identical functions have been
identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several
drawing figures.
[0016] Referring now, more particularly, to FIGS. 1 through 3 of
the drawings, there is illustrated a game apparatus, generally
designated 10, that an individual can play which promotes activity
and exercise. The game apparatus 10 includes a rod like member 12
produced from a first predetermined material and having a first
predetermined shape and a predetermined length.
[0017] The game apparatus 10 also includes a guide mechanism 14
produced from a second predetermined material and having a second
predetermined shape. The guide mechanism 14 is connected to a
predetermined end 16 of the rod like member 12.
[0018] The game apparatus 10 still further includes a hoop like
member 18 produced from a third predetermined material and having a
predetermined diameter. The guide mechanism 14 is engageable with
the hoop like member 18 at such predetermined end 16 of the rod
like member 12. The guide mechanism 14 guides and moves the hoop
like member 18 in a predetermined direction over a predetermined
surface.
[0019] The first predetermined material used to produce the rod
like member 12 is, preferably, selected from a group consisting of
wood, metal and plastic. Also, the first predetermined shape of
such rod like member 12 is, preferably, one of generally round and
generally rectangular.
[0020] The predetermined length of the rod like member 12 is,
preferably, generally between about 24 inches and 36 inches. In
addition, such rod like member 12, preferably, has a width of
generally between about one inch and two inches and a thickness of
generally between about one quarter inch and three quarter
inch.
[0021] The second predetermined material used to produce the guide
mechanism 14 is, preferably, one of metal and plastic. The metal,
preferably, used to produce such guide mechanism 14 is one of
aluminum and steel. Furthermore, the second predetermined shape of
the guide mechanism 14 is, preferably, one of generally
semicircular and generally rectangular.
[0022] The guide mechanism 14 is, preferably, connected to such
predetermined end 16 of the rod like member 12 by either screws,
bolts, or welding. Such guide mechanism 14 is, preferably, curved
at both ends 22 and 24 thereof so players can better control the
predetermined direction such hoop like member 18 travels.
[0023] The third predetermined material used to produce the hoop
like member 18 is, preferably, one of metal and plastic. In
addition, the predetermined diameter of such hoop like member 18
is, preferably, generally between about eight inches and twelve
inches.
[0024] In a presently preferred embodiment of the inventive game
apparatus 10, the rod like member 12, guide mechanism 14 and hoop
like member 18 will be painted various colors.
[0025] Another aspect of the invention includes a method of playing
the game apparatus 10 which has at least one rod like member 12, at
least one guide mechanism 14 connected at the predetermined end 16
of the rod like member 12 and at least one hoop like member 18. The
method includes the step of engaging the guide mechanism 14
disposed at such predetermined end 16 of the rod like member 12
with the hoop like member 18. Then guiding and moving the hoop like
member 18 in a predetermined direction over a predetermined
surface.
[0026] In one embodiment of the invention, the method will include
the additional step of timing how long at least one player is able
to keep the hoop like member 18 moving in such predetermined
direction over such predetermined surface.
[0027] In another embodiment of the invention, the method will
include the additional steps of setting up at least one obstacle
course for at least one player to maneuver the at least one hoop
like member 18 through and timing how long such player takes to
complete maneuvering such hoop like member 18 through such obstacle
course.
[0028] In still another embodiment of the invention, the method
will include the additional steps of establishing a predetermined
distance at least one player is to keep the at least one hoop like
member 18 moving in such predetermined direction over such
predetermined surface and timing how long the player takes to move
the hoop like member 18 the predetermined distance in the
predetermined direction over the predetermined surface.
[0029] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the method will
include the additional step of setting up competition between a
predetermined plurality of players and timing how long each player
takes to move the hoop like member 18 such predetermined distance
in such predetermined direction over such predetermined
surface.
[0030] While the presently preferred and various alternative
embodiments of the invention have been discussed in considerable
detail above, it should be obvious to those persons who are skilled
in the relevant art that various modifications and adaptations of
the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit
of the invention and the scope of the appended claims.
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