U.S. patent application number 13/821024 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-28 for activity system and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is Robert Charles William Walton. Invention is credited to Robert Charles William Walton.
Application Number | 20130316857 13/821024 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45810014 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130316857 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walton; Robert Charles
William |
November 28, 2013 |
ACTIVITY SYSTEM AND METHOD
Abstract
An activity system which includes a play area and at least one
wall, which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of
the wall. Each play surface is capable of facilitating an activity.
At least one aperture is formed in the at least one wall, which
allows users of the activity system to complete an objective of an
activity facilitated by the activity system.
Inventors: |
Walton; Robert Charles William;
(Surray Hills, AU) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Walton; Robert Charles William |
Surray Hills |
|
AU |
|
|
Family ID: |
45810014 |
Appl. No.: |
13/821024 |
Filed: |
September 6, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
September 6, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU2011/001147 |
371 Date: |
May 16, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/478 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2243/0054 20130101;
A63B 2243/0025 20130101; A63C 2019/085 20130101; A63B 2243/0095
20130101; A63C 19/02 20130101; A63B 69/0048 20130101; A63B
2243/0037 20130101; A63B 2102/20 20151001; A63B 69/0097 20130101;
A63B 2102/02 20151001; A63B 2244/08 20130101; A63B 2210/50
20130101; A63B 69/0053 20130101; A63B 2102/04 20151001; A63B
2243/0033 20130101; A63B 2071/0694 20130101; A63G 31/00 20130101;
A63B 71/02 20130101; A63B 2208/12 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/478 |
International
Class: |
A63B 71/02 20060101
A63B071/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 6, 2010 |
AU |
2010903999 |
Claims
1-26. (canceled)
27. An activity system which includes: a play area; and two or more
walls attached to one another that divides the play area into a
number of independent and separate activity stations; wherein each
wall defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of the
wall, each play surface capable of facilitating an activity; and
wherein at least one wall has: (a) at least one aperture being
formed in the wall, wherein the aperture allows users of the
activity system to complete an objective of an activity facilitated
by the activity system; and/or (b) at least one projection or
depression formed in the play surface of the wall, wherein the
projection or depression bounces back an object thrown at the wall
at an unpredictable angle.
28. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the walls
are modular walls having modular wall sections of various
predetermined shapes and sizes.
29. An activity system as claimed in claim 28, wherein the modular
wall sections comprise at least two discrete sets of predetermined
shapes and sizes, the first set having modular wall sections of a
first predetermined size and shape and the other set(s) having
modular wall sections of other predetermined size(s) and
shape(s).
30. An activity system as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one
modular wall section is prefabricated prior to installation within
the activity system.
31. An activity system as claimed in claim 28, wherein at least one
modular wall section has at least one of a plurality of design
variations which facilitate activities played on the play surface
of the wall.
32. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein a wall of
the activity system has at least one of a plurality of design
variations which facilitates the performance of at least two
independent game activities by users.
33. An activity system as claimed in claim 32, wherein the game
activities facilitated by the activity system include any one or
more of the following: jump rope, wall climbing, handball,
basketball, kickball, four square, soccer, cricket, tennis,
badminton, volleyball and bowling.
34. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the activity
system is deployed in a public park or school grounds.
35. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the activity
system is deployed on the floor of a building structure.
36. An activity system as claimed in claim 35, wherein the base of
each wall is removably engaged with the floor of the building.
37. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein two walls
are attached to one another using a joining assembly into which the
ends of adjacent walls can be fitted at varying angles.
38. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the play
surface has markings, printing or text applied to it.
39. An activity system as claimed in claim 38, wherein markings are
applied to a play surface to assist in the performance of a game or
activity.
40. An activity system as claimed in claim 38, wherein markings
display information pertinent to the rules or objectives of a
particular game facilitated by an activity station associated with
the wall.
41. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein a basketball
or netball hoop, volleyball, tennis or badminton net is attached to
a wall.
42. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein an aperture
formed in a wall defines a goal mouth.
43. An activity system as claimed in claim 27, wherein additional
equipment is deployed within an aperture of a wall, being a net
used to capture a ball driven through the aperture or a set of
cricket stumps or target for a ball.
44. An activity system as claimed in claim 27 wherein there are
three walls that are attached to one another at a central axis and
intersecting at an angle of about 120 degrees.
45. An activity system as claimed in claim 44, wherein the three
walls intersect at a central axis, which comprises a wall section
that has three curved play surfaces.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to an activity system and a
method of facilitating activity using the activity system. In
particular embodiments the present invention may be used to provide
playground equipment, game or activity stations to be used by
children. However, those skilled in the art should appreciate that
other applications or user groups are also within the scope of the
invention.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Modern children are considered to be less physically active
than their parents were at their age. Many factors contribute to
this decreased activity, ranging from transport options employed by
or for children through to the ready availability of computer based
entertainment options for children.
[0003] Playgrounds and sporting facilities provide an important
opportunity for children to participate in some form of physical
activity. However, some age groups are not adequately catered for
by the current range of playground equipment, sports fields or
sporting facilities on offer.
[0004] For example, existing playground equipment generally caters
to the interests and physical development of three to seven year
old children. Various apparatus such as climbing nets, monkey bars
and slides are normally found as part of existing playground
equipment allowing younger children to develop their basic movement
and motor skills. However, existing forms of playground equipment
are not necessarily of interest to older children who may have
become bored with such systems due to exposure to same in their
earlier years.
[0005] Conversely, pre-teenage children can lack the physical
development required to properly use adult sized sporting
equipment, fields or facilities.
[0006] Full sized sporting fields may be too long for pre-teenage
children to run easily, while goal mouths or basketball hoops may
be too large or Set too high for children at this development stage
to easily defend or score points with. Furthermore, sporting
equipment and facilities designed for adults generally requires a
full compliment of players or participants to work effectively. In
contrast, groups of children wishing to play together are much less
likely to be sufficiently organized to have scheduled the
attendance of the required number of players to use such
traditional sporting facilities. It is far more likely that
children will spontaneously decide to participate in a particular
activity. In this case it is common to find that only a relatively
small group of children are available to participate in an
activity. Such spontaneity is also a limitation where sporting
equipment needs to be available for a particular activity and the
children have not thought ahead far enough to ensure they have all
the equipment required to play a particular game.
[0007] Therefore, the applicants feel that children ranging in age
between six and twelve are not adequately catered for by existing
playground equipment, nor by sporting facilities which are designed
for adult use. Children of these ages run the risk of developing
antisocial and inactive behaviors such as television watching or
spending long periods of time engaged in computer based games. This
age group of children is however interested in participating in
activities which require co-operation, competition or some form of
achievement. These activities generally occur In small or informal
social groups. Physical activities in which children can
participate in small groups and playing games with simple and
easily understood rule sets are not currently provided for by
existing playground equipment or sporting facilities.
[0008] An improved activity system and/or method of facilitating
activity or activities would therefore be of advantage over the
prior art. In particular, an activity system or method which
allowed a single space to facilitate the completion of a number of
different activities, and which allowed small or informal groups of
participants to complete or participate in an activity would be of
advantage to the community. Furthermore, it would also be
advantageous to have available an activity system which provides
components or potentially all elements/equipment required for an
activity which remain part of the activity system on a permanent
basis.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention there is
provided an activity system which includes:
[0010] a play area; and
[0011] at least one wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on
opposite sides of the wall, each play surface capable of
facilitating an activity; and
[0012] at least one aperture formed in said at least one wall;
[0013] wherein an aperture allows users of the activity system to
complete an objective of an activity facilitated by the activity
system.
[0014] According to another aspect of the present invention there
is provided an activity system substantially as described above
wherein an aperture encloses a net.
[0015] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided an activity system which includes:
[0016] a play area; and
[0017] at least one wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on
opposite sides of the wall, each play surface capable of
facilitating an activity; and
[0018] at least one projection or depression formed in at least one
play surface of a wall;
[0019] wherein said at least one projection or depression bounces
back an object thrown at the wall at an unpredictable angle.
[0020] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided an activity system substantially as described above
wherein any wall/walls incorporated into the system have a modular
configuration by being prefabricated and at least some of the walls
having the same shape and size. Preferably, the activity system
comprises two discrete sets of walls, the first set of walls having
a first predetermined size and shape and the second set of walls
having a second predetermined size and shape.
[0021] According to a further aspect of the present invention there
is provided an activity system substantially as described above
wherein the modular walls may include one of a plurality of design
variations dependent on the activities to be facilitated on each of
the play surfaces of a wall.
[0022] Preferably, the present invention may be adapted to provide
an activity system which can facilitate the performance of at least
two independent activities by users of the system. The activity
system can facilitate these activities by providing at least a
portion or component of equipment required by users to perform an
activity. These components or elements of the system are
permanently located in an accessible area or region. The present
invention therefore allows a number of activities to be performed
or completed with users needing to supply only a minimum amount of
equipment.
[0023] While the activity system of the present invention is
adapted to provide a number of separate activity stations which can
be utilised independently, one skilled in the art would appreciate
that interaction between participants at different activity
stations may occur or be desirable in some instances.
[0024] Reference throughout the specification will be made to the
activities facilitated by the present invention being games which
include a set of rules defining how an objective of the activity is
to be completed by a successful player or participant.
[0025] In a further preferred embodiment the activity based game(s)
may be designed so as to attract the attention of children and
allow children to play together in small ad hoc groups or
alternatively (in some instances) on their own.
[0026] Preferably the activity system provided by the present
invention may include a number of prefabricated walls formed with a
modular design. Using a prefabricated modular design system allows
the walls incorporated into the activity system to be formed at
relatively low cost. It also allows the eventual size or number of
activities offered by the system to be easily varied and configured
to suit the requirements of its users.
[0027] Furthermore, a modular wall configuration allows individual
wall sections to include one of a number of variants which can
dictate the type or form of activity facilitated by a particular
play surface. Again, this allows the eventual users of the activity
system to choose particular walls which suit the types of
activities which they wish their activity system to facilitate.
[0028] The activities or games facilitated by a play surface can
vary widely. A few examples of games which may be facilitated by
the activity system of the present invention include but are not
limited to the following: jump rope, wall climbing, handball,
basketball, kickball, four square, soccer, cricket, tennis,
badminton, volleyball and bowling.
[0029] Reference throughout the specification will be made to the
walls employed having a prefabricated modular configuration which
can include a number of distinct variations and forms. However,
those skilled in the art should appreciate that an activity system
of the present invention may also include a number of customised
forms or shapes of the wall or walls it incorporates. Furthermore,
the shape appearance and configuration of each of these walls may
vary substantially over the entire activity system.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, an activity system of the present
invention may incorporate a substantially flat or horizontal play
area. The well or walls of the activity system may then be deployed
on this play area to project upwards from same and therefore divide
the play area into a number of independent and separate activity
stations or regions. For example a single wall may divide a section
of the play area into two independent activity stations, whereas
two or more walls may divide a section of the play area into a
greater number of independent activity stations.
[0031] A play area used in conjunction with the present invention
may be formed from an array of materials including but not limited
to grass, tarmac or concrete, woodchips, synthetic grass and safety
surfaces or the internal floor of a structure. The activity system
of the present invention may be deployed on any convenient play
area, for example a public park or school grounds, or the floor of
a gymnasium or other suitable building. In instances where the
activity system is deployed inside a structure it is envisioned
that the base of each wall may be removably attached or engaged
with the floor of the building to allow the activity system to be
collapsed and removed when not in use.
[0032] Preferably, each wall of the activity system may define two
opposed play surfaces on the opposite sides of the wall. Each of
these play surfaces can be used in an activity independent of each
other due to the wall dividing a section of the play area into two
separate activity stations.
[0033] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention the
activity system may incorporate two or more walls attached to one
another in a range of configurations. This provides variability in
the types of activities which the system can facilitate. For
example, some activities or games may require a corner between two
walls positioned at right angles to one another. For example, it
may be desirable to have a corner behind a baseball or softball
pitch to contain the ball without the requirement for a back
stop.
[0034] Adjacent play surfaces facilitating differing activities
allow the invention to provide a wide range of activity options for
children to choose from, even if some activities cannot be
completed at the same time. It should be appreciated that any
configuration of walls can be utilised by the walls of the present
invention.
[0035] In some embodiments of the present invention the walls of
the activity station may be straight; however in alternative
embodiments the walls may be curved. Curved walls may increase the
range of activities the activity system can provide. Additionally
curved walls may help to contain the equipment utilised at a
particular play surface. For example, if balls are being kicked or
thrown against the play surface, a curved wall may decrease the
likelihood of the ball moving into another activity station and
potentially interrupting play at that station. This may also allow
the activity station to be deployed on a smaller play area.
[0036] In a preferred embodiment a play surface may have markings,
printing or text applied to it. For example, in some instances
markings may be applied to a play surface to assist in the
performance of a game or activity and to determine whether the
rules of a game have been met or an objective of the game
completed. Furthermore, such markings or text may display
information pertinent to the rules or objectives of a particular
game or activity facilitated by an activity station associated with
the wall. In some instances markings or text on a play surface may
also include inspirational or values based messages which may or
may not be related to the particular activity facilitated by the
activity station.
[0037] In a preferred embodiment a wall may include one or more
apertures which can facilitate the performance of an activity or
the playing of a game. For example, in some instances an aperture
formed in the wall may define a goal mouth through which a ball
would be kicked, thrown or otherwise encouraged. In other instances
an additional target or further equipment may be deployed within
the aperture defined to allow an objective of the activity to be
completed.
[0038] In a further preferred embodiment, additional equipment may
be deployed within an aperture of a wall. In one embodiment the
additional equipment may be a net used to capture the progress of a
ball driven through the aperture. Alternatively, the additional
equipment may be a set of cricket stumps or other forms of target
for a ball which--when struck--can indicate that an objective of
game or activity has been met. Such equipment may be permanently
deployed within an aperture of a wail, thereby minimizing the
amount of equipment which needs to be carried to the activity
system by users.
[0039] In alternative embodiments an aperture may be utilised to
attach a piece of equipment to the play surface. For example an
attachment point for a skipping rope allows two (or more) children
to play jump rope without the need for additional children.
Alternatively a net, such as a volleyball net or the like for
example, may be attached to the play surface. It is also envisaged
that the nets may be affixed to the apertures during the
manufacturing of the activity centre, well before the activity
centre is installed on location.
[0040] In a further preferred embodiment, additional components or
elements may be engaged with a play surface of a wall. For example,
in one instance a basketball/netball net or hoop, badminton net, or
a volleyball net may be attached to a play surface to allow
basketball, netball or volleyball style games to be played at a
particular activity station.
[0041] In some embodiments a play surface may incorporate one or
more projections or depressions arranged to bounce back an object
thrown at the surface at an unpredictable angle. These projections
or depressions can therefore provide an element of unpredictability
to game play and hence allow a number of exciting and interesting
games to be facilitated by the associated action station.
[0042] It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, that the
modular walls of the present invention may be attached to one
another by any known attachment means. This may include for example
a metal joining assembly into which the ends of adjacent walls may
be fitted at varying angles. Alternatively, a joining assembly
which allows the end of one wall to be attached to the flat (or
curved) surface of an adjacent wall.
[0043] In a preferred embodiment the joining means allows a varying
number of walls to be attached to one another quickly and easily
and in a number of configurations. In some embodiments this may
also allow the activity system to be updated by the addition,
removal or replacement of wall(s) if desired.
[0044] In one embodiment a joining means may be formed by a metal
bracket with a form or shape equivalent to the angle at which two
or more walls intersect. For example in instances where two walls
are to meet at a right angle, a corresponding L-shaped or right
angle form bracket may be employed as a joining means.
Alternatively another embodiment where three walls are to intersect
together with an angle of approximately 120 degrees to each other a
three armed metal bracket may be provided with each of the arms
intersecting at an angle of 120 degrees. Such brackets may be laid
over the top edges of walls and bolted or otherwise fastened to the
walls to connect them together.
[0045] In one embodiment where a net or netting is applied within
an aperture formed in a wall a tamper resistant connection system
may be employed. Such tamper resistant systems may be provided by a
channel formed in the edges of the wall which define the aperture,
where projecting tethers on the edges of the netting can be
threaded through and into this channel. With such a connection
scheme the edge of the netting will therefore be secured within the
channel with no exposed connectors being present. Furthermore, in
embodiments where vandalism of may be an issue the netting may be
formed from reinforced shark netting composed from multiple wire
thread net covered by a nylon sleeve.
[0046] The present invention may provide a number of advantages
over the prior art. An activity system formed in accordance with
the present invention can allow a number of independent activity
stations to be deployed which can include at least a portion or
preferably the majority of the equipment required to participate in
an activity or game. Rules, instructions and inspirational messages
or decorations may be marked onto the play surfaces of walls
forming the activity system, as can markings which assist in the
completion of the objectives of activities or games, Preferably the
modular and prefabricated nature of the activity system walls
allows a high degree of flexibility in terms of activity system
design while also minimizing the implementation costs of same.
Apertures, projections or depressions formed in the systems walls
can allow a wide range and variety of activities to be facilitated
by the system, potentially promoting traditional sporting skills or
allowing new innovative games to be played using these systems. The
activity system of the present invention provides activity stations
which may appeal to children who are too old for existing
playground equipment, but who are not yet able to utilise adult
equipment to its full potential.
[0047] In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates
otherwise, the term "comprising" has the non-exclusive meaning of
the word, in the sense of "including at least" rather than the
exclusive meaning in the sense of "consisting only of". The same
applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of
the word such as "comprise", "comprises" and so on,
[0048] Although the invention is described above with reference to
specific embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that it is not limited to those embodiments, but may be
embodied in many other forms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0049] Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be
described, by way of example only, with reference to the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0050] FIG. 1 illustrates an activity system formed in accordance
with a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0051] FIG. 2 (FIGS. 2A to 2G) illustrates the top or plan view of
a number of activity systems formed in accordance with various
embodiments of the present invention;
[0052] FIG. 3 illustrates the construction and arrangement of walls
used in an activity system in accordance with various embodiments
of the present invention;
[0053] FIG. 4 illustrates a plan or top view of an activity system
formed in accordance with an alternative embodiment of the present
invention;
[0054] FIG. 5 (FIGS. 5A to 5J) illustrates a number of play
surfaces provided in accordance with the present invention.
[0055] FIG. 6 (FIGS. 6A to 63) Illustrates a further set of play
surfaces provided in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0056] FIG. 1 illustrates an activity system formed in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0057] FIG. 1 shows the provision of an activity system which
incorporates three wails which terminate or meet each other at
approximately 120.degree. angles. These walls are located on a
single substantially flat playing surface and delineate this
playing surface into three separate areas. Furthermore, court
markings are also applied onto the play area to define a number of
distinct areas, which facilitate the playing of a variety of
games.
[0058] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, in the
embodiment shown in respect to FIG. 1, a number of games (such as
tennis or volleyball for example) may be played across and over the
span of each of the walls, thereby providing a number of activity
stations which may span both sides of a wall. However, other
regions of each of these walls also facilitate or provide further
activity stations which are stand alone in nature and which allow
games to be played on both sides of the walls. For example, in the
case of the left most wall, a set of apertures are provided in the
wall that are closed by netting. These nets and their associated
apertures provide targets for ball skill related games.
[0059] FIG. 1 also illustrates how the intersection of the walls of
the activity system of the present invention can provide a corner,
which in use can also trap and effectively bounce balls or other
games equipment back to players.
[0060] FIG. 1 also illustrates how the walls can also include
curved sections or faces. These curves provide some variability in
respect of the reflection angles which balls can exhibit when
thrown against a wall and can also improve the aesthetic appeal of
the resulting activity system.
[0061] As can be clearly seen from the embodiment shown in FIG. 1,
each of the walls include a number of design variations which
facilitate the playing of a number of games against or potentially
over each wall. The walls illustrated include a number of apertures
which are closed off by netting material where this netting is
permanently installed within each wall. Permanent installation of
such equipment reduces the amount of additional equipment users
will need to collect to play a variety of games using the activity
system.
[0062] As will be described in more detail below, the wall
components of the present invention are modular, which provides the
possibility of altering the activity system to allow different
activities to be carried out using the system of the present
invention. The modular walls can be permanently fixed in place or
can remain alterable thereby allowing the walls to be changed
periodically.
[0063] The modular walls are constructed in various predetermined
shapes and sizes. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention, the activity system includes at least two
discrete sets of modular walls, the first set having walls of a
first predetermined size and shape and the second set having walls
of a second predetermined size and shape.
[0064] FIGS. 2A to 2G show a number of different configurations of
walls which may be utilised to provide an activity system according
to various alternative embodiments of the present invention.
[0065] Each of these configurations includes at least two walls
attached to one another in differing configurations to provide
varying numbers and sizes of activity stations.
[0066] For example FIG. 2A includes two walls (1) and (2), which
provides io a number of potential play surfaces (3 to 7). Play
surfaces (3 to 7) may each relate to different activities or games
by the incorporation of at least a portion or component of
equipment required by users to perform that particular activity or
game. In some instances adjacent play surfaces, for example (4) and
(5) may be configured to be utilised in the same activity or
game.
[0067] Similarly:
[0068] FIG. 2B includes three walls (8), (9) and (10) and
associated potential play surfaces (11 to 16).
[0069] FIG. 2C includes two walls (17) and (18) and associated
potential play surfaces (19 to 22).
[0070] FIG. 2D includes four walls (23), (24), (25) and (26) and
associated potential play surfaces (27 to 35).
[0071] FIG. 2E includes five walls (36), (37), (38), (39) and (40)
and associated potential play surfaces (41 to 50).
[0072] FIG. 2F includes two walls (51), and (52) and associated
potential play surfaces (53 to 56).
[0073] FIG. 2G includes two walls in a cross formation having
associated play surfaces.
[0074] FIG. 3 shows examples of a curved wall which may be utilised
with the present invention. FIG. 3A shows a side on view of a wall
(57), which includes three panels (58), (59) and (60). These panels
may incorporate different play surfaces and accommodate different
activities or games.
[0075] FIG. 3B shows a top view of the wall, showing the curvature
provided.
[0076] FIG. 3C shows a side view of an alternate curved wall which
incorporates a net.
[0077] FIG. 4 shows an activity system utilising three curved walls
(61), (62) and (63). These wails are configured to provide three
inward curving sides to the system. The walls include double sided
panels where indicated at (64), (65) and (66) which provide the
wall which defines two opposed play surfaces on opposite sides of
the walls.
[0078] FIG. 5 provides a number of examples of activities/markings
which can be provided on the play surface of a wall, these include:
[0079] FIG. 5A: Bubble wall, the design on this play surface can be
used as targets, or just provide a pleasing appearance. [0080] FIG.
5B: Fastball, this play surface includes an aperture (67) in which
a net (68) is positioned at which a ball to be thrown or kicked
from either side of the panel. [0081] FIG. 5C: Kickball, this play
surface includes aperture (69) in which a net (70) is positioned at
which a ball to be thrown or kicked from either side of the panel.
[0082] FIG. 5D: Zigzag wall, this play surface includes
indentations (71) and/or protrusions (72) which when hit by a ball
bounces same back at an unpredictable angle. [0083] FIG. 5E: Play
surface including portion where rules/inspirational messages can be
printed. [0084] FIG. 5F: Play surface which includes a basketball
hoop. [0085] FIG. 5G: Shoot Wall, this play surface includes
apertures (73) in which a net (74) is positioned which form marked
targets at which a ball can be thrown. [0086] FIG. 5H: Sticks, this
play surface includes either apertures and/or sticks or cricket
wickets which can be used to practice throwing and bowling. [0087]
FIG. 5I: Play surface including portion where rules/inspirational
messages can be printed, in addition to a tall aperture which
locates a net to allow play on both sides of the panel. [0088] FIG.
5J: Bounce Wall with sun design.
[0089] FIG. 6 shows a further set of play surfaces provided in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention, which include:
[0090] FIG. 6A: Play surface includes apertures (80) that allow a
ball or the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of
the wall to the other. [0091] FIG. 6B: Play surface includes
apertures (81) that allow a ball or the like to be thrown or kicked
through from one side of the wall to the other. [0092] FIG. 6C:
Play surface includes nets (82) that allow a ball or the like to be
thrown or kicked through from one side of the wall to the other.
[0093] FIG. 6D: Play surface includes a net (83) that allows a ball
or the like to be thrown or kicked through from one side of the
wall to the other and a plurality of grips (84) to allow a player
to climb up to throw a ball into the net. [0094] FIG. 6E: The wall
includes a cut out section (88) and a net (86). [0095] FIG. 6F: The
wall includes a cut out section (88) and a net (86). [0096] FIG.
6G: The play surface includes either apertures and/or sticks or
cricket wickets which can be used to practice throwing and bowling.
[0097] FIG. 6H: The play surface includes a painted target section
which can be used to practice throwing, bowling and kicking.
[0098] It will be apparent that obvious variations or modifications
may be made which are in accordance with the spirit of the
invention and which are intended to be part of the invention, and
any such obvious variations or modifications are therefore within
the scope of the invention.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0099] The present invention has industrial applicability for use
in playgrounds, sporting facilities, schools or other public or
private areas to provide an activity/game system for children. The
activity system of the present invention provides a system for
activities/games which can be utilised children of ages which are
not directly targeted by current playground or sporting
equipment.
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