Paddleball game

A paddleball game apparatus that includes a paddle member having a face portion. A first piece of fabric of either small hooks or small loops is disposed on the face portion. There is a plurality of targets having indicia therein disposed on the first piece of fabric in a predetermined configuration. A first end of a cord member is attached to a first portion of the paddle member. Then a spherical member is attached to a second end of the cord member. A second piece of fabric of a mating one of small hooks and small loops is disposed on the spherical member. A handle member is attached to a second portion of the paddle member for grasping and manipulating the spherical member to stick on one of the plurality of targets.

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Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is closely related to and claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/883,664 filed on Aug. 9, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates, in general, to games that involve using a paddle and ball and, more particularly, the invention relates to a paddleball game that can be played by one or more players which will challenge their eye to hand coordination.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Prior to the conception and development of the present invention, as is generally well known in the prior art, games that include using a paddle and ball have been in existence for many years. Paddles for impacting an object in a game format, such as playing table tennis, paddleball, or hitting a tethered ball, are well known. The paddles allow a player to strike a ball or other object with an impact or striking surface of the paddle so as to direct the struck object in a desired trajectory, or to hit the object consecutively for as long as possible, such as in the traditional game of hand-held paddleball played with a tethered or free resilient ball. However, the traditional paddleball game offers little challenge in the way of eye to hand coordination.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the present invention provides a paddleball game apparatus that includes a paddle member having a face portion. There is a first piece of fabric of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on the face portion. A plurality of targets having indicia therein is disposed on the first piece of fabric in a first predetermined configuration. Then, a first end of a cord member is attached to a first portion of the paddle member, and a spherical member is attached to a second end of the cord member. Also, a second piece of fabric of a mating one of small hooks and small loops is disposed on the spherical member. A handle member is attached to a second portion of the paddle member for grasping and manipulating the spherical member to stick on one of the plurality of targets.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a method of playing a paddleball game. The method includes the steps of providing a paddle member having a face portion with a first piece of fabric of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on the face portion. Providing a plurality of targets each having a predetermined number indicia therein disposed on the first piece of fabric in a first predetermined configuration. Thereafter, providing a cord member having a first end attached to a first portion of the paddle member with a spherical member attached to a second end of the cord member. Then, providing a second piece of fabric of a mating one of small hooks and small loops disposed on the spherical member and a handle member attached to a second portion of the paddle member for grasping and manipulating the spherical member during play. Next, swinging the spherical member and thereafter causing the spherical member to stick on one of the plurality of targets. Determining a winner by a first player achieving highest total score in a given number of times the spherical member is swung, or a first player to hit sequentially numbered targets in numerical order in a fewest number of swings.

A third aspect of the present invention provides a method of playing a paddleball game. The method includes the steps of providing a paddle member having a face portion with a first piece of fabric of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on the face portion. Then, providing a plurality of targets having predetermined name of a base indicia therein disposed on the first piece of fabric in a baseball diamond configuration. Providing a cord member having a first end attached to a first portion of the paddle member with a spherical member attached to a second end of the cord member. Thereafter, providing a second piece of fabric of a mating one of small hooks and small loops disposed on the spherical member and a handle member attached to a second portion of the paddle member for grasping and manipulating the spherical member during play. Next, swinging the spherical member and thereafter causing it to stick on one of the plurality of targets. Determining a winner by player accumulating pre-selected number of points with one point being awarded each time a player reaches home plate.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, one of the primary objects of the present invention to provide a paddleball game that challenges a player's skill in eye to hand coordination.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a paddleball game that one or more people can play.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a paddleball game that can be played in a variety of ways.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a paddleball game that is relatively easy to manufacture.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a paddleball game which is relatively inexpensive to make.

In addition to the various objects and advantages of the present invention described with some degree of specificity above it should be obvious that additional objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those persons who are skilled in the relevant art from the following more detailed description of the invention, particularly, when such description is taken in conjunction with the attached drawing figures and with the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a paddleball game apparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the paddleball game apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PRESENTLY PREFERRED AND VARIOUS ALTERNATIVE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Prior to proceeding to the more detailed description of the present invention it should be noted that, for the sake of clarity and understanding, identical components which have identical functions have been identified with identical reference numerals throughout the several views illustrated in the drawing figures.

Reference is now made, more particularly, to drawing FIGS. 1 and 2. Illustrated therein is a paddleball game apparatus, generally designated 10, that includes a paddle member 12 having a front face 14 and a back face 16. Paddle member 12 is, preferably, made of either wood or plastic, and is circular in shape with a diameter of about ten inches.

A first piece of fabric 18 of one of small hooks and small loops is disposed on the front face 14. A first plurality of targets 22 having indicia 24 therein is disposed on the first piece of fabric 18 in a first predetermined configuration. It is presently preferred that the number of targets 22 be at least ten, spaced substantially an equal distance apart, and the indicia 24 within each target be a predetermined number.

A first end of a cord member 26 is attached to a first portion of paddle member 12. Cord member 26 is, preferably, made of nylon, and has a length of about fifteen inches. The first portion of paddle member 12, preferably, includes an aperture 44 with the first end of cord member 26 attached therethrough.

A spherical member 28 is attached to the second end of cord member 26 preferably by at least one ¾ inch staple 46. Preferably, spherical member 28 has a diameter of about one inch and a weight of about three ounces. A second piece of fabric 32 of a mating one of small hooks and small loops is disposed on spherical member 28.

A handle member 48 is attached to a second portion of paddle member 12 for grasping and manipulating the spherical member 28 to stick on one of the first plurality of targets 22. Handle member 48 is, preferably, made of either wood or plastic.

In a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention, paddleball game apparatus 10 will further include a third piece of fabric 34, substantially identical to first piece of fabric 18, disposed on the back face 16 of paddle member 12. The third piece of fabric 34 includes a second plurality of targets 36 having indicia 38 therein disposed on third piece of fabric 34 in a second predetermined configuration. Also included on pre-selected portions of third piece of fabric 34 are indicia 42 disposed outside of the targets 36.

It is presently preferred that the number of targets 36 be four, aligned in the shape of a baseball diamond, and the indicia 38 within each target be a predetermined base, such as first base, second base, third base or home plate. Also, preferably, the indicia 42 on pre-selected portions of the third piece of fabric 34 are the word “strike”.

In addition, it is presently preferred that the first and second plurality of targets, 22 and 36 respectively, be circular in shape having a diameter of about one inch.

The present invention further provides a method of playing a paddleball game 10 comprising the steps of providing a paddle member 12 having a face portion 14 with a piece of fabric 18 of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on face portion 14, and a plurality of targets 22 each having a predetermined number indicia 24 therein disposed on piece of fabric 18 in a first predetermined configuration.

Also provided is a cord member 26 having a first end attached to a first portion of paddle member 12 with a spherical member 28 attached to a second end of cord member 26, another piece of fabric 32 of a mating one of small hooks and small loops disposed on spherical member 28, and a handle member 48 attached to a second portion of paddle member 12 for grasping and manipulating spherical member 28 during play.

Play is begun by swinging spherical member 28 and thereafter causing it to stick on one of the plurality of targets 22 and determining a winner by one of a first player with highest total score achieved in a given number of times the spherical member is swung and a first player to hit sequentially numbered targets in numerical order in a fewest number of swings.

Preferably, the winner is determined to be the first player to hit sequentially numbered targets in numerical order in the fewest number of swings.

According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of playing a paddleball game 10 comprising the steps of providing a paddle member 12 having a face portion 16 with a piece of fabric 34 of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on face portion 16, and a plurality of targets 36 having predetermined name of a base indicia 38 therein disposed on piece of fabric 34 in a baseball diamond configuration.

Further provided is a cord member 26 having a first end attached to a first portion of paddle member 12 with a spherical member 28 attached to a second end of cord member 26, another piece of fabric 32 of a mating one of small hooks and small loops disposed on spherical member 28, and a handle member 48 attached to a second portion of paddle member 12 for grasping and manipulating spherical member 28 during play.

The game begins by a player swinging spherical member 28 and thereafter causing it to stick on one of the plurality of targets 36. A player accumulating a pre-selected number of points with one point being awarded each time a player reaches home plate determines the winner.

To reach home plate the player is required to hit base numbered targets sequentially starting with first base. If the player misses the target, it is considered a strike. If the player gets three strikes before hitting the base tried for, they lose their turn.

While a presently preferred and various alternative embodiments of the present invention have been described in sufficient detail above to enable a person skilled in the relevant art to make and use the same it should be obvious that various other adaptations and modifications can be envisioned by those persons skilled in such art without departing from either the spirit of the invention or the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A paddleball game apparatus comprising:

(a) a paddle member having a front face and a back face;
(b) a first piece of fabric of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on said front face;
(c) a first plurality of targets having indicia therein disposed on said first piece of fabric in a first predetermined configuration;
(d) a cord member having a first end attached to a first portion of said paddle member;
(e) a spherical member attached to a second end of said cord member;
(f) a second piece of fabric of a mating one of small hooks and small loops disposed on said spherical member; and
(g) a handle member attached to a second portion of said paddle member for grasping and manipulating said spherical member to stick on one of said first plurality of targets.

2. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said paddleball game apparatus further includes a third piece of fabric, substantially identical to said first piece of fabric, disposed on said back face of said paddle member, said third piece of fabric including a second plurality of targets having indicia therein disposed on said third piece of fabric in a second predetermined configuration and indicia disposed on pre-selected portions of said third piece of fabric outside of said targets.

3. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said paddle member is circular in shape having a diameter of about ten inches.

4. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said paddle member is made of one of wood and plastic.

5. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said cord member has a length of about fifteen inches.

6. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said cord member is made of nylon.

7. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said first portion of said paddle member includes an aperture and said first end of said cord member is attached therethrough.

8. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said second end of said cord member is attached to said spherical member by at least one ¾ inch staple.

9. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said spherical member has a diameter of about one inch and a weight of about three ounces.

10. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 2, wherein said first and second plurality of targets are circular in shape having a diameter of about one inch.

11. A paddleball game apparatus, according to claim 1, wherein said handle member is made of one of wood and plastic.

12. A method of playing a paddleball game comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a paddle member having a face portion with a first piece of fabric of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on said face portion;
(b) providing a plurality of targets each having a predetermined number indicia therein disposed on said first piece of fabric in a first predetermined configuration;
(c) providing a cord member having a first end attached to a first portion of said paddle member with a spherical member attached to a second end of said cord member;
(d) providing a second piece of fabric of a mating one of small hooks and small loops disposed on said spherical member and a handle member attached to a second portion of said paddle member for grasping and manipulating said spherical member during play;
(e) swinging said spherical member and thereafter causing said spherical member to stick on one of said plurality of targets; and
(f) determining a winner by one of a first player with highest total score achieved in a given number of times said spherical member is swung and a first player to hit sequentially numbered targets in numerical order in a fewest number of swings.

13. A method of playing a paddleball game comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a paddle member having a face portion with a first piece of fabric of one of small hooks and small loops disposed on said face portion;
(b) providing a plurality of targets having predetermined name of a base indicia therein disposed on said first piece of fabric in a baseball diamond configuration;
(c) providing a cord member having a first end attached to a first portion of said paddle member with a spherical member attached to a second end of said cord member;
(d) providing a second piece of fabric of a mating one of small hooks and small loops disposed on said spherical member and a handle member attached to a second portion of said paddle member for grasping and manipulating said spherical member during play;
(e) swinging said spherical member and thereafter causing it to stick on one of said plurality of targets; and
(f) determining a winner by player accumulating a pre-selected number of points with one point being awarded each time a player reaches home plate.

14. A method of playing a paddleball game, according to claim 13, wherein during play to determine the winner, the method further includes the steps of:

reaching home plate requires player to hit base numbered targets sequentially starting with first base;
missing a target is considered a strike; and
allowing three strikes for each base tried before player loses a turn.
Patent History
Publication number: 20080167145
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 9, 2007
Publication Date: Jul 10, 2008
Inventor: Stephen D. Madzuma (Seattle, WA)
Application Number: 11/891,183
Classifications
Current U.S. Class: Paddle (473/527); Projectile Striking Surface Is Flexible Sheet Secured To Peripheral Frame (473/528)
International Classification: A63B 59/00 (20060101);