# US 7,608,000 B2 · System for playing a game

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- Number: US 7,608,000 B2
- Document ID: US7608000B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/025,169
- Filed: 2008-02-04
- Published: 2008-05-29
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2005-08-30
- Inventors: Bradley A. Butler
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608000B2

## CPC

- A63B 67/002: {Games using balls, not otherwise provided for}
- A63B 24/00: Electric or electronic controls for exercising apparatus of preceding groups; {Controlling or monitoring of exercises, sportive games, training or athletic performances}
- A63C 19/00: Design or layout of playing courts, rinks, bowling greens or areas for water-skiing; Covers therefor
- A63B 2208/12: specially adapted for children
- A63B 2210/52: Frame members linked by elastic means when disassembled
- A63B 2225/62: Inflatable
- A63B 2225/74: with powered illuminating means, e.g. lights
- A63B 2243/0095: Volleyball
- 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 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.

## Claims

### Claim 1

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.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein each said pole comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, PVC, polystyrene, vinyl, polyethylene, nylon, and combinations thereof.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein each said substantially equal volume of the four interior play boxes has a shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and a substantially cuboid shape.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein the means for adjusting the pole between the full and shortened length positions thereof comprises means for disassembling the pole.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein means for adjusting comprises means for telescoping an inner elongate member within an outer elongate member.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein each said means for adjusting and each said means for connecting articulate such that each said pole in the game apparatus is substantially parallel to each other said pole.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein each said means for adjusting and each said means for connecting articulate such that the poles can be moved into:
an operative position in which each said pole is substantially normal to at least one other said pole; and a collapsed position in which each said pole is substantially parallel to each other said pole.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein each said interior play box has a width of not less than four feet and a height of not less than six feet.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, wherein (b) and (c) are repeated until a second condition occurs in which the projectile is projected by one of said plurality of players outside the player box thereof without: entering another said play box; or being projected over the barrier between said play box thereof and the another said play box.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of one of said play boxes is designated as a serving play box; and a player of the plurality of players in the serving play box is designed as a server.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method as defined in claim 10, further comprising the step of a foot of the server is required to be at the periphery of the respective play box opposite one said play box into which the server projects the projectile.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method as defined in claim 1, further comprising the step of removing from the play box thereof the player last projecting the projectile upon the occurrence of the first or second condition, and then continuing the playing of the game by the remaining said players without the removed said player.