Abstract: A competitive recreational game including: a foam game ball with symmetrical air holes throughout; a paddle or racquet; a target scoring net with holes or optional electronic sensor system attached to a frame with secured posts; a ball rebound catch set for each player; opposing basketball hoops with attached net to a backboard and a playing court with boundaries, scoring rules and regulations for all levels of play based on at least 1 opposing player. Points are scored in several strategic rewarding ways. The AIR BALL game is designed to be played on the beach, in the backyard or indoors on a floor surface. A one person practice board, designed to warmup touch and accuracy, is also part or an extention of this recreational game.

Abstract: A novelty basketball goal producing a predetermined pattern of sound effects, such as crowd cheers and applause, responsive to a made shot. The goal includes a force activated sensor suspended within the net of the goal by the wires which connect the sensor to the sound effects generating means. The sensor will contact an object passing through the hoop thereby triggering the sound effects generator. The sensor is preferably a self-contained electrical switch having a housing and two conductors positioned therein. One of the conductors is suspended within the housing so that a force applied thereto causes the conductors of the switch to come into electrical contact. A inexpensive and readily manufactured novelty basketball goal with sound effects is provided by the simple force activated sensing arrangement. The backboard of the goal may include a clip for mounting to a vertical surface, such as the rim of a waste paper basket.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in practicing pitching of baseballs to enable the user to improve pitching accuracy and to indicate pitched balls delivered within a strike zone having a vertical backboard with a rectangular opening therethrough, four trapezoidal shaped wings secured to the backboard and serving to form an opening defining a strike zone, each of the wings being pivotal when engaged by a baseball, electrical contacts activated as each trapezoidal wing is pivoted when struck by a baseball and electrical indicators for signaling when a baseball strikes one of the trapezoidal wings to indicate that the baseball has been pitched high, low, inside or outside of the strike zone.

Abstract: A game played with a net placed vertically dividing the playing area into at least two sides. The net has a completely surrounded opening, comprising the playing zone, allowing an object and or projectile to be volleyed through the opening in the net, back and forth between the players on opposite sides of the net.

Abstract: A disk tossing game in which a target board is oriented essentially horizontally, but with a slight upward tilt in a front-to-rear direction. The target board surface is formed by a layer of soft foam material, such that a tossed disk landing on the target surface tends to remain at its initial landing point rather than rebounding away from the target surface.

Abstract: A blow molded, plastic, bag tossing game for use by one or more players can be disposed in either a transportable mode, a display mode, or a playing mode. In the playing mode a pair of identical, modular target assemblies are deployed in spaced apart relationship to present a pair of slightly inclined, apertured targets towards which soft bags are thrown to generate points in accordance with rules. Each target assembly comprises a resilient, generally rectangular plastic playing board which includes a target aperture. Each target board is inclined for play by two elevator trays which are pivotally coupled to each board. For storage each elevator tray can be folded into position on the underside of the target board. The bags are captivated during storage within sunken orifices defined in the boards. The orifices define reinforcement means, which brace the apparatus and obivate separate right angled struts.

Abstract: A gameboard assembly is disclosed which comprises an inclined gameboard including a hole and a tab at the rearward edge for insertion through a horizontal slot near the base of a vertically standing backboard which connection is maintained by wedge pieces inserted in slots in the gameboard tab portion extending through the horizontal slot in the backboard.

Abstract: In a bag tossing game nesting target boards which form an enclosed compartment for the storage of tossing bags. Supports on the bottom side of the target boards support the target boards in an upright and angle position and provide buoyancy for use of the target boards in water. Ridges on the top surface of the target boards reduce the slippage of the tossing bags off of the target board surface during play.

Abstract: A tossing game which may be utilized indoors or outdoors and which is similar to horseshoes includes the use of two boards which are positionable in spaced apart vertical alignment. Players stand behind a particular board and throw washers into holes located in the opposed board. In the preferred embodiment, three holes are positioned in each board and are given different score ratings. The two identical wood boards may be covered with a soft material, such as carpeting, to prevent the washers from bouncing when thrown. In a second embodiment, grooves are provided between the holes. The grooves permit washers to be tossed and rolled on their edges into a particular aperture.

Abstract: A molded plastic, bag tossing game for use by one or more players can be disposed in either a transportable mode, a display mode, or a playing mode. In the playing mode a pair of identical, modular target assemblies are deployed in spaced apart relationship to present a pair of slightly inclined, apertured targets towards which soft bags are thrown to generate points in accordance with rules. Each target assemby comprises a resilient, molded plastic playing board of generally rectangular configuration, which includes an upper, elevated target aperture. Each target board comprises a removable, modularized elevator tray which can be snap fitted to the boards to gently incline them for play. The trays also prevent bags dropping through the target hole from escaping the board underside. The tray leading edge is inclined. A brace extending from the board underside reinforces the trays during play.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to training devices for playing various ball games and, more particularly, to a new target for making training easier for players in sports such as soccer and the like, in which a ball is kicked or otherwise shot toward a net.This application is a continuation-in-part of allowed U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/276,364, filed Nov. 23, 1988, now abandoned claiming priority of French application No. 87-16540 of Nov. 24, 1987.

Abstract: A target structure for a bean bag tossing game has a target surface member of such dimensions and surface texture and flexibility that a bean bag striking the target surface may either slide or bounce or both depending upon the angle of incidence of the bean bag, the structure including vertical supports which establish the target surface at an angle with respect to the ground plane within the range of 10-20 degrees depending upon the overall dimensions and the height differential as between a front support member and a rear support member. The target structure provides an interesting game target and variations in how the game may be scored.

Abstract: A bean bag toss game is set forth wherein a chamber is provided with an overlying opening for acceptance of a bean bag tossed therethrough in a conventional manner with an access door positioned rearwardly of the container for retrieval of bean bags accumulated therewithin. Inserts are provided for positioning within the opening and are formed with hook and loop fasteners associatable with hook and loop fasteners formed about a periphery of the opening to vary the configuration and area of opening to accordingly vary the degree of difficulty in positioning bean bags within the container. A further insert is provided with an inflatable diaphragm positioned interiorly of the insert opening to selectively vary the diametrical opening dimension.

Abstract: A sport's training aid for a quarterback including an extensible-retractable vertical pole having a horizontal arm and pass throwing target loops located at lower and upper positions on the vertical pole and at the free ends of the horizontal arm. The target loops are located at positions representing pass reception locations of different common types of passes thrown by a quarterback.

Abstract: The portable pitch game of the present invention is a self-contained target/toss-type game comprised of two multi apertured rectangular platforms. Colored apertured disc projectiles are supplied in sets of six, one set for each player. A player stands on the edge of one platform and tosses discs in an attempt drop them through one of the apertures in the second platform. The apertures are scored one, two, three according to distance away from the thrower. Separable hinges and latches are included for attaching the two rectangular platforms together into a storage or carrying case. In a special embodiment, the discs and a ring around the apertures are colored with a non-toxic light chargeable coating which produces a glow effect in a darkened environment.

Abstract: An automated bag toss game, having a game board surface, with holes formed therein. Items are provided for being tossed toward and into the holes, and the game automatically keeps track of and displays running scores based on which holes the bags fall into. In some embodiments the items are bags containing pellets, "bean bags", and at least some of the pellets have magnetic properties. A wire coil is provided for each hole, disposed beneath the surface, for sensing the passage of the bag into one of the holes and producing a signal corresponding to that hole. An electronic circuit is provided for calculating and displaying a score based upon those signals.

Abstract: A new and useful projectile throwing game. The game consists of two platforms with three circular holes in each platform. These platforms are joined together with a chain or other linkage at a fixed distance. A player stands on top of the platform at the end where the linkage is fastened. This player will toss, pitch, or lob all three disks, one at a time, towards the other platform trying to hit one of the three holes. Each hole is worth a particular number of points.

Abstract: An automated bag toss game, having a game board surface, with a plurality of holes formed therein. Bags are provided, each containing pellets, at least some of those pellets having magnetic properties. A wire coil is provided for each hole and disposed beneath the game board surface, for sensing the passage of the bag into one of the holes and producing a signal corresponding to that hole. An electronic circuit is provided for receiving the signal and calculating and displaying a score based upon that hole.

Abstract: Apparatus for a game somewhat similar to basketball, in which target holes are cut in a curved frontboard which encloses the three open sides of a basketball hoop. Mounting structure is described permitting the three target holes to be just below or just above the existing basketball hoop, at the option of the player. The entire apparatus is mounted on, and clamped to, an existing basketball hoop.

Abstract: A tennis net is disclosed that will confine the balls that hit it. The net comprises two open-spaced meshworks connected at their top edges, and overlapping strips of flexible netting or other barrier material fastened to hang free from the inside surfaces of each of the meshworks. The open spaces in the meshworks are dimensioned such that a standard tennis ball will pass through the meshworks when directed at the framework. As a ball passes through the meshwork it will be intercepted by one of the overlapping strips of flexible petting and fall to the tennis court between the two meshworks.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a goal assembly and game apparatus and to a method of playing a game therewith. The goal assembly includes a scoring port disposed substantially horizontally and above a hard playing surface. The scoring port is disposed in a substantially horizontal portion of a backboard assembly including an inclined portion, the angles and horizontal portions being joined along a common edge at an abtuse angle, preferably less than about 135.degree.. The object of the game is to score points by tossing a ball through the scoring port, not directly, but only after it has bounced on the playing surface. The additional skill for scoring after multiple bounces is rewarded by multiplying the point value assigned to a scoring ball by the number of bounces. Additional skill is required when a plurality of balls of differing diameters and bounce characteristics are employed. Different balls are assigned different scoring values.

Abstract: A tennis playing game apparatus of the type with a simulated net has a narrow hole cut through the net and a ball-throwing machine to throw balls through the hole. A thick layer of foam polymer and a layer of sheeting are provided to damp the rebound of tennis balls.

Abstract: The present invention provides a ball shooting game device for children which comprises a vertical panel having a through-hole, a guide member extending rearward from the periphery of the vertical panel, and a basket having a net and a mounting looped frame attached to the vertical panel below the through-hole at the rear side. The device further has a hanging cord used for hanging the device on a wall so that children can play with the device indoors.

Abstract: A ball target assembly (10) for providing target practice and practice of timing in relation to the movement of a ball through the air. The device (10) comprises a frame section (12) positioned in a substantially upright position providing support for the device on the ground, a movable boom section (16) pivotally attached at the top and in front of the frame section (12) providing horizontal and vertical reciprocal movement of a ball receiver target section (66) to restore the target to a flush-upright position after being struck by a moving ball, a cable support system (85) providing support between the frame (12) and the target (66) so that the target (66) remains in the flush-upright position in a selected stationary position, and a backnet section (20) comprising a sack-oriented netting material received by the rearward portion of the frame (12) for timely collection and retrieval of the moving balls.

Abstract: A multi-purpose sports apparatus has a frame which has spaced-apart support members adapted to rest upon a supporting surface, such as the ground, a net extending between the support members, and a backboard carrying a basketball goal hoop supported between the support members above the net, the backboard being adjustably rotatable horizontally between a vertical position and a horizontal position, whereby the basketball goal hoop can be positioned to extend horizontally or vertically.

Abstract: A recreational game device which may be used indoor or outdoor for use with playing several skill games. Targets are located on the game device and are used for playing various games.

Abstract: A games playing area or court which has a floor surface for playing the game on, surrounded substantially continuously by a flexible wall portion and optionally a flexible roof portion, from all of which the game playing piece may be rebounded in play so as to continue the game. A goal scoring device or area is located within the confines of the games playing area and is common to all of the participants in the game thereby overcoming the requirement to have separate goal areas for each person or team. The goal scoring device is preferably centrally located in the court which is supported externally so as not to present an obstruction to the game. The game playing area is portable and may be assembled/disassembled.

Abstract: A game board for use as a toss game target. The board is generally rectangular and provides a target surface which includes upraised wall sections and complementary shutter members for differentially contacting and engaging playing pieces such as sacks tossed thereat. The upraised wall sections define a substantially geometrically-shaped area, which is further associated with a substantially centralized main scoring opening defined in the target surface. A pair of such game boards may be separably engaged with one another for portability and storage thereof, with a cavity portion defined therebetween for further storage of playing pieces and removable leg elements. When in play, the game boards may be supported on such leg elements, disposed in an elevated and angled position.

Abstract: A game in which a disc-shaped projectile is sailed toward a scoring platform. The scoring platform includes two surfaces upon which, or against which, the projectile may come to rest, and further includes a frame having an opening therethrough, through which the projectile may pass. Different points are awarded a player depending upon the disc-shaped projectile coming to rest upon one of the surfaces or passing through the opening.

Abstract: This indoor and outdoor game is designed to be played by one person or may be competitively played by from two to four players. Primarily, it consists of a plurality of saucer shaped plastic discs that are tossed at an opponent's hoop to be received therein, for scoring points. A stand is provided for supporting poles attached to the hoops, and a net is attached to each hoop at the top, for engaging with the discs as they pass through.

Abstract: A sports game having at least two tubular poles divided into two sections, upper and lower. These two poles are used to support a flexible rectangular barricade.A flexible barricade is a rectangular shaped device with three windows, left side, middle, and right side. The rectangular barricade is supported by two iron rods at the base of each tubular pole. Anchor lines are secondary support for the barricade. The barricade assembly was designed to allow a flying object to fly through one of the three windows. It is also a point indicator that aids in the player's perception of a flying device thrown by his opponent.

Abstract: An apparatus for practicing tennis has a ball receiving bin whose back wall extends upwardly to serve as a target, and whose front wall is net high. Balls entering a central hole in the target area are returned through a chute into the bin.

Abstract: A game apparatus has a cabinet defining a playing area, a plurality of coin slots, and a rotable, ribbed, drum beneath the slots for projecting an accepted can within the playing area. In a lower portion of the playing area are two shelves onto which projected coins may fall, the shelves being traversed by pusher bars which push collected coins towards the edge of the respective shelf. In an upper portion of the playing area are a plurality of baskets containing sensors actuated by a coin passing through a basket to secure a predetermined award. Suitably one of the baskets is movable.

Abstract: Within the confines of a basketball court, a rigid and elevated structure supported upon a plurality of elements firmly affixed to the floor of the said court while supporting a bottomless basket of rectangular shape, a goaltenders' box adjacent to the said basket, a ladder acting as a stabilizing element while also providing access to the said box with an electrical circuit signal when a basketball falls through the said basket.The structure may comprise angle iron, with the preferred materials being standard steel pipe assembled to produce a monolithic structure either by the use of standard pipe-railing fittings, or preferably by welding, with the dimensions of the bottomless basket being approximately 8 feet wide by 1 foot, or conforming to any revised rules of basketball.

Abstract: A fun game that can teach players important dietary information. Soft projectiles are shaped like food items of the food groups (e.g. a number of projectiles are shaped like fruits and vegetables, a number shaped like dairy products, etc.). The target utilized is one having an opening simulating a smiling mouth, and the players attempt to throw the projectiles through the opening. Scorecards indicate the number of food items from each group to be tossed through the opening to have a good "diet", and playing cards may be utilized to change the number of items from each group.

Abstract: A balloon game having a target made up of two laterally spaced frame members held in spaced relation to each other, a balloon, and a paddle for each player. The frame members have an operative to permit the passage of the balloon and are spaced sufficiently to narrow the effective target area through which the balloon may pass. The balloon is a conventional type of inflated spherical child's balloon, blown to a size that allows it to float, and fall slowly. The paddles are of a conventional type presenting a flat area to impact the balloon and a handle area to be grasped by the player. The target has a knock-down construction for easy storage and quick assembly.

Abstract: A game involving a rotating plate having triangular cutouts moving in a track on a vertical rod, with stabilizer plates on both ends of the rod and a ball.

Abstract: A portable baseball pitcher's target for use as a game or practice device wherein the members thereof may be readily assembled and disassembled. A pair of crossmembers are slideable on a pair of vertical members to simulate strike zones for a range of baseball batter sizes. A disc shaped target is suspended within the strike zone and may be repositioned therein to designate a particular area of the strike zone.

Abstract: An exercise and game apparatus in which a ball having shafts attached thereto is rotatably mounted by the shafts within a hoop. Two attachment bars extend diametrically outwardly from the hoop and are secured to devices on belts around two people using the apparatus. Handles on the bars are provided to assist in steadying the apparatus as a revolving movement of the person's hips causes the ball to spin within the annular ring. Baskets may be provided on the attachment bars so that the people using the device can throw a ball back and forth, attempting to throw the ball into the basket on the opposite side of the hoop while continuing the hip movement necessary to keep the ball spinning.

Abstract: A game apparatus comprising a plurality of circular disks and a target. The target is constructed in the form of an upright backboard having a transverse front surface intersected by an inclined playing board. The back edge of the playing board is attached to the backboard at an elevation intermediate the top edge and bottom edge of the backboard. The top surface of the playing board forms an angle of slightly greater than 90.degree. relative to the front surface of the backboard. The bottom edge of the backboard and front edge of the playing board rest freely on a supporting playing surface with the top edge of the backboard in a transverse horizontal position. A central target aperture through the playing board is dimensioned so as to permit the disks to fall through the aperture. The disks can come to rest on the top surface of the backboard, or on the top surface of the playing board. They also can lean between the top surface and front surface or fall through the aperture.

Abstract: A basketball shot making game includes a multiplicity of shot making stations each of which has a basket hoop and a backboard associated therewith and wherein each of the backboards is arranged in a different configuration for presenting a different bank shot to be made at each station. Each of the shot making stations includes a predetermined position from which the shot at that particular station should be made.

Abstract: A target for practicing the game of tennis which includes a frame having an opening through which a tennis ball may be driven by a player, the frame being adapted to be detachably mounted in an upright operative position on an installed tennis net so as to extend upwardly from the upper edge of the net, the frame being attached to the upper ends of a pair of downwardly depending, laterally spaced posts which are arranged to be interwoven within the meshes of the net with a hook being also provided on the upper ends of the posts for overlying hooking engagement with the upper edge of the net together with a spring between the upper end of each post and the frame for yieldingly urging the frame into the upright position so that when struck by a tennis ball, the force of the ball is absorbed by pivotal movement of the frame against the urging force of the springs.

Abstract: Portable target apparatus includes a variable size aperture for a baseball pitcher and includes a net which comprises a catcher or a stop for the balls which are pitched through the selectively variable target area. The size of the target aperture area can be varied by horizontally and vertically movable straps which are mounted on the target frame structure.

Abstract: A tennis court has an upright net and a pair of laterally relative fair service areas. Upright posts are anchored adjacent and extend above the ends of the court net. An elongated rectangular practice serving net overlies, is coplanar with and engages the court net. The serving net inwardly of its ends and below its top is cut away defining an elongated rectantular opening above the court net adjacent the fair service areas. An upright divider post is arranged intermediately of the ends of the practice serving net extending the height thereof dividing the rectangular opening into a pair of rectangular openings. A pair of curtains of net material are coplanar with the serving net and at their top edges are connected thereto and depend into the pair of openings respectively. The lower edges of said curtains are adjustably spaced above said court net providing a pair of elongated adjustable height service apertures for receiving served tennis balls so as to fall within said fair service areas.

Abstract: A game apparatus for the enjoyment of both young and old alike. The game is played on a sloping table wherein a ball is bounced off a launch board at one end of the table on to a portion of carpet for reducing the velocity of the ball. If the ball is accurately thrown, the ball bounces off the carpet and contacts a plurality of rectangular shaped tilted bumpers which carom the rolling ball down a row of staggered bumpers forming a scoring lane on one side of the table and against a score hole bumper and into a score hole. If the ball is inaccurately thrown, the ball rolls down the table and into a return hole.

Abstract: A multisport practice device for defining a target for and arresting the flight of a ball or other projectile includes a base supporting a pair of laterally spaced-apart upright posts carrying a net closing the space therebetween. Adjustable crossbar members carry eyelet screws for removably hanging the crossbars from vertically spaced-apart hook screws on the upright posts to define a variable-height target area.