Compartmented Net Target And Play Field

Abstract

A net ball game employs a target comprising a partitioned net which provides three upper compartments for receiving an aerial projectile, e.g., a ball, and a lower compartment for receiving surface and/or aerial projectiles. The game is played on a flat arcuate playing surface having an enclosed area thereon for defensive play while the remainder of the field is used for offensive play.

Description

The present invention relates to a net ball game. More particularly, it concerns a new game played with a ball and a target comprising a partitioned net.

In one sense, the game combines one or more features of volleyball, basketball, soccer, and hockey, but does so in a manner which results in a unique game of skill which will invoke considerable enthusiasm among both players and spectators.

According to the present invention, there is provided a new game of skill played on a competitive basis either indoors or outside, by young and old alike.

The present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a net ball game target of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the target of FIG. 1, in position for use with an oval shaped play surface.

As shown in the drawings, the net ball game target 10 comprises a frame 11 which supports net 16. Frame 11 consists of frame base 11a, frame uprights 11b, and frame top 11c. Base 11a, uprights 11b, and top 11c are all made, for example, of aluminum tubing and are arranged and joined, e.g., by conventional aluminum pipe fittings, to provide a free-standing support for net 16.

Target 10 is provided with partition means 17, comprising horizontal divider 17a and a pair of vertical dividers 17b. Net 16 is fastened to frame 11 so as to provide three distinct upper compartments, first upper end compartment 12; upper center compartment 13; and second upper end compartment 14; and, a lower compartment 15.

Net 16 may be fastened to frame 11 by various conventional methods, including taping, tying, clipping, hooking, looping, and the like. One or more net spacers or stays 18 may optionally be used to assist in keeping one or more portions of net 16 taut, or stretched open. In addition, the target of the present invention can be constructed in a permanently assembled condition, or, preferably, in a selectively collapsible manner which readily permits disassembly and reassembly.

FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein target 10 is used in conjunction with a substantially flat play surface 19. Surface 19 is characterized by an oval perimeter 20, the inside of which is provided with a centerline 21 and an inner oval 22. The oval perimeter 20, the centerline 21 and the inner oval 22 may be painted, chalked, or otherwise marked onto play surface 19.

The game may be played according to various modifications of certain basic rules depending in part on the number of players available.

During the course of a game, teams of players alternate or change from offense to defense.

A defensive team preferably consists of four players: one goalie and three guards. An offensive team also preferably consists of four players: one centerman and three outmen.

The object of the game is to score more points than the opponent. A score is made by any outman throwing the ball into any compartment of the target; or by the centerman tipping (without holding) the ball into any compartment of the target. One point is scored each time the ball enters the lower compartment; two points for each score in an upper end compartment; and four points for each score in the upper center compartment.

The goalie is positioned in front of the target. The three guards are all positioned inside the oval perimeter, but outside the inner oval. One of the guards may be positioned along the centerline. The centerman is positioned within the inner oval and the three outmen are all positioned outside the oval perimeter.

The length of the game is preferably 45 minutes, divided into three periods of 15 minutes each. Teams alternate from offensive play to defensive play after either the offensive team has made five scores or the defensive team has made 10 stops by its goalie.

Penalties are assessed upon the offensive team if its centerman holds the ball or if any outman enters inside the oval perimeter. Penalties are assessed upon the defensive team when any guard or the goalie leaves the inside of the oval perimeter. When a team has been assessed three penalties, the opposing team is awarded a "free throw" which consists of one outman and the centerman contesting only the goalie, for a single attempt to score. Such free throw(s) are attempted immediately after the end of period during which the third penalty was assessed.

The target of the present invention can also be constructed so that the configuration of the partition means may be selectively changed to thereby provide a partitioned net in which there is more than one compartment adapted to receive both surface and aerial projectiles and/or more than three compartments adapted to receive serial projectiles.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom, as modifications will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A net ball game comprising a target having a partitioned net supported by a free-standing frame and said frame including a base and diagonal frame means disposed at an acute angle with a vertical plane, said net and the diagonal frame means being adapted to provide three distinct upper compartments opening outwardly and upwardly for receiving aerial projectiles and a single lower compartment having its lowermost portion fastened to said frame at surface level, thereby adapting said lower compartment to receive both surface and aerial projectiles; and said game also including a substantially flat playing surface, said surface having a first generally arcuate marking thereon having portions diverging from said net for a first distance and then converging together after extending a second distance away from said net thereby defining an area for exclusively offensive play; and said playing surface also having a second marking within the first marking and thereby defining an area for exclusively defensive play, said second marking comprising an enclosed area and also comprising a line segment facing the free standing frame and positioned between said frame and said enclosed area.

2. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein said frame has a plurality of interconnected tube members and includes the base for supporting said diagonal frame means on the playing surface and said diagonal frame means includes end diagonal members and a pair of spaced horizontally extending frame members being interconnected by a pair of vertical dividers thereby defining said three distinct upper compartments.

3. A game as defined by claim 2 wherein said tube members are made from aluminum alloy and said frame also includes vertically extending support legs connecting the base with the diagonal frame means.

4. A game as defined by claim 1 wherein said net includes portions attached to each upwardly and outwardly extending opening and also includes recessed net portions extending rearward from said opening thereby forming receptacles for receiving and holding aerial projectiles.

5. A game as defined by claim 4 in which said net includes a plurality of rigidifying stays for spacing the net from the associated diagonal frame means thereby helping define said projectile receiving receptacles.

6. A game as defined in claim 1 wherein said enclosed area comprises an enclosed oval positioned within said first generally arcuate marking and being spaced from said free-standing frame and net.

7. A game as defined in claim 6 in which the line segment is arcuately shaped.