Game apparatus and methods employing wearable tracks
A game apparatus has a wearable track, a start cup and an end cup. The track is configured for maneuvering a ball through the track from the start cup to the end cup. The track may include milestones for gauging the progress of the ball through the course. The track may have branches, dead ends, traps and/or mechanical switches, and may include two or more levels. The track may include one or more devices that respond to progress of the ball through the track; these devices may communicate information about the position of the ball to timing and/or scoring devices. A game apparatus for use by two players has a first player track with a start cup, a shared track, and a second player track with an end cup, with each of the tracks configured for maneuvering a ball through the track from the start cup to the end cup.
This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 60/646,952, filed Jan. 25, 2005, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUNDGames, sports and toys that test coordination and agility of participants are popular. Some games and sports test the performance of players via direct competition and interaction (e.g., baseball, boxing, auto racing) or head-to-head competition that involves little or no direct interaction (e.g., running, swimming). Other games, sports and toys test the performance of individuals by assigning a score to a participant's performance of a task (e.g., golf, bowling, video games) or by timing (e.g., ski racing), thus allowing the participants to compete indirectly.
SUMMARYA game apparatus has a wearable track, a start cup and an end cup. The track is configured for maneuvering a ball through the track from the start cup to the end cup. The track may include milestones for gauging the progress of the ball through the course. The track may have branches, dead ends, traps and/or mechanical switches, and may include two or more levels. The track may include one or more devices that respond to progress of the ball through the track; these devices may communicate information about the position of the ball to timing and/or scoring devices. A game apparatus for use by two players has a first player track with a start cup, a shared track, and a second player track with an end cup, with each of the tracks configured for maneuvering a ball through the track from the start cup to the end cup.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
In operation of game apparatus 100, player 10 may attach apparatus 100 to forearm 20 using straps 120, place a ball 170 in start cup 140 and maneuver ball 170 from start cup 140 to end cup 160 by tilting or twisting forearm 20 so that gravity and motions of forearm 20 force ball 170 from start cup 140 along track 150 to end cup 160. A score may be assigned to player 10 based on how fast ball 170 is maneuvered to end cup 160. In one embodiment, a different score may be assigned to player 10 if ball 170 leaves track 150; for example, player 10 may receive a score based on the amount or percentage of track 150 traversed by ball 170 before ball 170 leaves track 150. When player 10 completes one attempt at maneuvering ball 170 through track 150, game apparatus 100 may be removed from forearm 20 and passed to another player; or that other player may use a different but identical game apparatus 100. Players may thus compete on the basis of score, since each player plays a similarly configured track 150.
In other embodiments, track support 110 of game apparatus 100 may be held to forearm 20 of player 10 with attachments other than straps 120; for example, track support 110 may include a glove that fits over the forearm (see, for example,
As previously noted, tracks 150(1)-150(5) may be formed of the same structure as track support 110. For example, these tracks may be molded with plastic that also forms track support 110. Alternatively, these tracks may be independently manufactured (e.g., as plastic molding) and then attached to track support 110.
In another example,
Track supports (e.g., supports 110,
For example, in game apparatus 100(9), a player may start ball 170 at start cup 140(6) on upper level 200(1) and maneuver it to branch point 206. At branch point 206, track segment 208(1) of track 150(14) leads to a hole 202(1), as shown. If ball 170 drops through hole 202(1), it enters tube 154(2) on lower level 200(2). If ball 170 rolls through tube 154(2), it will proceed to segment 208(3) in cutout area 210(1). In cutout area 210(1), upper level 200(1) does not exist and segment 208(3) is bounded by ridges 152 (e.g., in the way that ridges 152 form tracks 150 in
Alternatively, at branch point 206, the player may maneuver ball 170 into segment 208(2) that also proceeds to hole 202(2). In the vicinity of hole 202(2), track 150 forms a recess 212 on upper level 200(1), which provides a way around ramp 204(1) and hole 201(2), as shown. The player may maneuver ball 170 within recess 212 around ramp 204(1) in order to move ball 170 into segment 208(4) and thus continue moving ball 170 through track 150(14). Thus, game apparatus 100(9) presents both a physical challenge and an element of strategy by offering the player alternative routes (e.g., segments 208(1) and 208(2), or segment 208(3)), each route having advantages and disadvantages for the player to choose.
It will be apparent that the two-level game apparatus 100(9) of
The changes described above, and others, may be made in the game apparatus described herein without departing from the scope hereof. For example, a game apparatus 100 may include mechanical, electronic, electromechanical, electromagnetic or optoelectronic devices that respond to the progress of a ball 170 through a track 150. Sensors may detect a position of the ball on the track, and communicate position information to a scoring device and/or a timing device. For example, a wireless transmitter can communicate position or scoring information to a remote receiver, which may be viewed by one or more players. The timing device may for example calculate time elapsed between the ball's exit from a start cup 140, travel time past milestones 158, and arrival time at an end cup 160. A scoring device may calculate a score that depends on elapsed time, travel of the ball past milestones, or both. The scoring and/or timing devices may activate visual displays (e.g., score displays or lights) or audio devices (e.g., buzzers or speakers) corresponding to position of the ball or to a player's score. Tracks 150 may include features such as branches, dead ends, traps or mechanical switches (e.g., gates that open and close, to allow or deny access of ball 170 to certain track segments 208), for increased player interest.
It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. The following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present method and system, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall there between.
Claims
1. A game apparatus comprising a wearable track, a start cup and an end cup; the track configured for maneuvering a ball therethrough.
2. The game apparatus of claim 1, the track being worn on one of a glove, a foot, a knee and a head.
3. The game apparatus of claim 1, the track being disposed on a track support, the track support being one of (a) concave, (b) convex, (c) both concave and convex, and (d) wrapped around a glove.
4. The game apparatus of claim 1, the track including milestones.
5. The game apparatus of claim 1, the track comprising two or more levels.
6. The game apparatus of claim 1, the track comprising at least one of branches, dead ends, traps and mechanical switches.
7. The game apparatus of claim 1, the track comprising at least one device that responds to progress of the ball through the track.
8. The game apparatus of claim 7, the at least one device being one of a mechanical device, an electronic device, an electromechanical device, an electromagnetic device and an optoelectronic device.
9. The game apparatus of claim 7, the at least one device communicating position information to a scoring device.
10. The game apparatus of claim 7, the at least one device communicating position information to a timing device.
11. A game apparatus for use by two players, comprising a first player track with a start cup, a shared track, and a second player track with an end cup; each of the tracks configured for maneuvering a ball therethrough.
Type: Application
Filed: Jan 24, 2006
Publication Date: Aug 10, 2006
Inventor: Brock Ware (Bozeman, MT)
Application Number: 11/338,099
International Classification: A63D 3/02 (20060101);