# US 12,179,078 B2 · Paddlesmash outdoor game > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,179,078 B2 - Document ID: US12179078B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/037,350 - Filed: 2022-09-13 - Published: 2023-12-28 - Granted: 2024-12-31 - Earliest claimed: 2021-09-28 - Assignees: Glacier Games, LLC - Applicants: Glacier Games, LLC - Inventors: Joe Bingham - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12179078B2 ## CPC - A63B 67/002: {Games using balls, not otherwise provided for} - A63B 59/42: with solid surfaces - A63B 60/56: Devices for protection, storage or transport, e.g. stands or cases - A63B 63/007: {Target zones without opening defined on a substantially horizontal surface} - A63B 71/022: {Backstops, cages, enclosures or the like, e.g. for spectator protection, for arresting balls} - A63B 71/023: {Supports, e.g. poles} - A63C 19/08: Mechanical means for marking-out - A63B 2063/001: {Targets or goals with ball-returning means} - A63B 2102/08: Paddle tennis, padel tennis or platform tennis - A63B 2210/50: Size reducing arrangements for stowing or transport - A63B: APPARATUS FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING, GYMNASTICS, SWIMMING, CLIMBING, OR FENCING; BALL GAMES; TRAINING EQUIPMENT (apparatus for passive exercising, massage A61H) - A63C: SKATES; SKIS; ROLLER SKATES; DESIGN OR LAYOUT OF COURTS, RINKS OR THE LIKE (water skis B63B32/00, B63B34/00) ## Abstract A paddle ball game includes a court defined by a base with an action surface and a net supported by poles extending upward and outward from the action surface. The game is played with opposing players that strike the ball with a paddle into the court for the other player to hit until one player misses the ball or the ball fails to rebound out of the court. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A paddle ball game system comprising: a base including an action surface, wherein the base includes openings where poles are received that support a net; a net extending upward about a periphery of the action surface, wherein the poles extend upward and outward at an angle from the action surface such that the net expands upward and outward from the action surface; at least one paddle; and at least one ball provided for being hit against the action surface with the paddle. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 1, wherein the openings for the poles are disposed at an intersection between sides of the base. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 1, wherein the angle is between 30 degrees and 75 degrees. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 1, wherein an opening width defined across an upper end of the net is between 1½ and 3 times a width of the base. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 4, wherein the periphery of the action surface and a periphery about the opening width are the same shape. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 1, wherein base is generally a polygonal shape and the net is supported in the polygonal shape. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 1, wherein the base includes an inner storage compartment for storage of the parts of the game system. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 7, wherein the base comprises two halves attached to each other by hinges such that the two halves are foldable onto each other. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 1, wherein a back side of the base includes an outer wall disposed about an outer periphery and at least one inner rib strengthening the action surface. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 1, including legs for supporting the base a distance above a support surface. ### Claim 11 A paddle ball game system comprising: a base including an action surface; poles attached to the base that extend upward and outward at an angle from the action surface; a net supported by the poles that expands upward and outward from the action surface about a periphery of the action surface; at least one paddle; and at least one ball provided for being hit against the action surface with the paddle. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 11, wherein the angle is between 30 degrees and 75 degrees. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 11, wherein an opening width defined across an upper end of the net is between 1½ and 3 times a width of the base. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 11, wherein the base comprises two halves attached to each other by hinges such that the two halves are foldable onto each other. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The paddle ball game system as recited in claim 11, including legs for supporting the base a distance above a support surface. ### Claim 16 A method of playing a paddle ball game comprising: serving a ball by hitting a ball with a paddle onto an action surface surround by a net; hitting the ball after the ball bounces from the action surface back onto the action surface to an opposing player; and alternating between opposing players hitting of the ball with the paddle until one player fails to bounce the ball off the action surface and out of the net, wherein the net extends upward and outward from a base, the base defining the action surface and hitting the ball of the action surface to an opposing player includes hitting the ball at an angle off the action surface so that the ball is not caught in the net. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The method as recited in claim 16, wherein the opposing player has more than one hit to return and bounce the ball off the action surface.