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US 7,608,000 B2Granted
System for playing a game
OwnerBradley A. Butlerinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A multiplayer game, having rules with aspects of the games of Four Square and Volleyball, is played with an apparatus that can optionally be respectively disassembled and set up.
Claims12
A method for playing a game by a plurality of players, the method comprising:
- providing an apparatus;
- providing a projectile;
- positioning the apparatus upon a playing surface, the apparatus including:
- first and second sets of poles, each of said first and second poles having first and second opposite ends;
- providing means for adjusting the pole between a full length position and a shortened length position;
- and
- providing means for connecting the second end of each of said poles in the first set of poles to one of the ends of at least two of said poles in the second set of poles;
- positioning each of said poles in the first set in a vertical orientation with the first end thereof resting on the playing surface;
- positioning each of said poles in the second set in a horizontal orientation;
- wherein:
- each of said poles in the first set of poles is in a perpendicular orientation with respect to the poles in the second set of poles;
- (i) extending each of said poles in the first and second sets of poles in the full length position;
- wherein:
- the first and second set of poles forming at least four interior playboxes of substantially equal volume;
- defining the four interior playboxes by:
- (i) a plane extending from each said pole in the first set of poles to intersect with each adjacent said pole in the first set of poles;
- (ii) a plane extending from each pole in the second set of poles to intersect with, and be perpendicular to the playing surface;
- and
- (iii) a plane extending from each said pole in the second set of poles to intersect with another said pole in the second set of poles that is parallel thereto;
- and
- (iv) the playing surface;
- wherein the plurality of players play the game upon the playing surface within the apparatus by:
- (a) placing a player in each of the at least four playboxes upon the playing surface, wherein:
- each said playbox is contiguous and substantially equal in size to all other said playboxes;
- a barrier is positioned at the top of and between any two contiguous said playboxes;
- (b) a first player of one of said plurality of players, projecting said projectile by either striking or pushing up and out from the player's playbox down into one of a second player of the plurality of player's playbox over the barrier there between;
- (c) the second player of the plurality of player's projecting the projectile up and out from the player's play box and down into any other of said play boxes over the barrier there between;
- (d) repeating (b) and (c), for respective said plurality of players and said play boxes, until a first condition occurs in which the projectile contacts the playing surface;
- (e) the player who allows the projectile to contact the playing surface is out,
- (f) the remaining players of the plurality of players rotate position and a new player enters one of said play boxes;
- (g) the first player to receive a designated point value wins the game and a new game may then be started.
28 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.