US20180272217A1 - System and method for a game played with a raquet and a ball - Google Patents

Abstract

An equipment for playing a game using a racquet and ball. The equipment has a substantially horizontal playing surface, having a first and second ends and a plurality of playing walls disposed at the first end of the horizontal playing surface, extending perpendicularly away from the playing surface, wherein a first playing wall among the plurality of playing walls is disposed centrally between a second and a third playing wall among the plurality of playing walls. The second playing wall and the third playing wall are angled relative to the first playing wall during the game. The racquets employed with the game are racquets with embedded sensors, where the equipment has motion capture module configured to collect information on the movement of the racquet.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION
• This application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional patent application No. 62/464,150, filed on Feb. 27, 2017, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates to system and method for a game played with a racquet and a ball on playing surface having angled walls.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• A number of games are currently played using a racquet and ball, most commonly tennis and racquetball. Although these games provide significant physical and mental challenges, their repeated play can become less challenging and lead to a diminished desire to play.
• As such there exists a need to provide various alternatives to these basic games which provide variety beyond basic racquet and ball games.
OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention looks to overcome the drawbacks associated with the prior art racquet and ball games by providing a system and method for a game, played with a racquet and a ball which is played on a playing surface having angled walls.
• To this end, the present invention provides for an equipment for playing a game using a racquet and ball. The equipment includes a substantially horizontal playing surface having a first and second ends. The equipment also includes a plurality of playing walls, disposed at the first end of the horizontal playing surface, extending perpendicularly away from the playing surface. A first playing wall among the plurality of playing walls is disposed centrally between a second and a third playing wall among the plurality of playing walls. The second playing wall and the third playing wall are angled relative to the first playing wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, together with features, objects, and advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings in which:
• FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a playing surface in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the playing surface fromFIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; and
• FIG. 3 is a side view of the playing surface ofFIG. 1, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
• The present invention relates generally to a game, preferably having two players, played with racquets, a rubber ball, a playing surface having a floor and three walls, the three walls being movable between different angles relative to one another before, and during the course of gameplay. A more detailed description of the playing surface is described in more detail below.
• The game, played on the playing surface can be played with any scoring system, such as a best 2 of 3, or best 3 of 5, or any other similar scoring using a majority of a predetermined number of games. Similarly each individual game is won preferably when one player gains a larger number of points than his/her opponent, according to the rules and methods described below.
• In addition to the below described playing surface the game is typically played with a racquet and ball. Preferably the ball used is a hollow rubber ball with mass and dimensions similar to the ball used in the existing game of racquetball. Preferably the racquet is to be of a similar mass, dimension and construction to the typical racquet used in the existing game of racquetball.
• In one embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 1-3, aplaying surface100 is shown.Playing surface100 is typically constructed of a durable, hard, smooth material or system of materials to comprise a surface whose properties and nature are similar to those typically employed in the construction of courts for racquet sports. These materials may include, but are not limited to: wood, concrete, asphalt, clay, or other such materials.
• Playing surface100 preferably is constructed in a rectangle having length dimension of 40 feet from front to back andwidth dimension 30 feet from left to right, however, the invention is not limited in this respect. The rear ofplaying surface100 is defined byrearcourt line16 and the sides of playingsurface100 are defined bysidecourt lines17. The front ofplaying surface100 is supplied with three playing walls, namely left playingwall23,center playing wall3 and right playingwall5, each abutting one another and each rising perpendicularly upwards from playingsurface100.
• From front to back, playingsurface100 is divided into three sections: theforecourt6, theserving boxes11,13,15 and therearcourt10. Serving boxes include serving box a11, servingbox b13, and servingbox c15. Forecourt6 is preferably 20 feet lengthwise from front to back and extends thefull width 30 feet ofplaying surface100. Forecourt6 is divided from the serving boxes by aforecourt line10.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,serving boxes11,13 and15 are preferably 10 feet lengthwise from front to back and extend 10 feet in width from left to right. Servingboxes11,13 and15 are arranged side by side across the width of theplaying surface100. Serving box a11, servingbox b13 and servingbox c15 are preferably arranged from right to left across playingsurface100.Serve boxes11,13 and15 are divided from each other bydemarcation lines14,12. Serveboxes are divided fromrearcourt10 by aservice line18. Rearcourt10 is preferably 10 feet lengthwise from front to back and extends thefull width 30 feet ofplaying surface100.
• It is understood that many of the elements, described above and shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 are also marked onFIG. 3. Although the elements are not necessarily visable on side viewFIG. 3 they are marked to show their relative distances fromplaying walls23,3 and5.
• In one embodiment of the present invention as, illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the front of playing su
• From front to back, playingsurface100 is divided into three sections: theforecourt6, theserving boxes11,13,15 and therearcourt10. Serving boxes include serving box a11, servingbox b13, and servingbox c15. Forecourt6 is preferably 20 feet lengthwise from front to back and extends thefull width 30 feet ofplaying surface100. Forecourt6 is divided from the serving boxes by aforecourt line10.
• As illustrated inFIGS. 1 and 2,serving boxes11,13 and15 are preferably 10 feet lengthwise from front to back and extend 10 feet in width from left to right. Servingboxes11,13 and15 are arranged side by side across the width of theplaying surface100. Serving box a11, servingbox b13 and servingbox c15 are preferably arranged from right to left across playingsurface100.Serve boxes11,13 and15 are divided from each other bydemarcation lines14,12. Serveboxes are divided fromrearcourt10 by aservice line18. Rearcourt10 is preferably 10 feet lengthwise from front to back and extends thefull width 30 feet ofplaying surface100.
• It is understood that many of the elements, described above and shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 are also marked onFIG. 3. Although the elements are not necessarily visable on side viewFIG. 3 they are marked to show their relative distances fromplaying walls23,3 and5.
• In one embodiment of the present invention as, illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, the front of playingsurface100, includesplaying walls23,3,5. These walls are labeled from left to right across playingsurface100 as left wall ‘a’23, center wall ‘b’3, and right wall ‘c’5. Playingwalls23,3 and5 are preferably constructed of a durable, hard, smooth material or system of materials to comprise a surface whose properties and nature are similar to those typically employed in the construction of walls used for racquet sports. These materials include, but are not limited to plywood on ribs or framing; gypsum board, cement board, fiberboard or similar material on ribs or framing; concrete or concrete block. It is noted that playingwalls23,3 and5, may be constructed using a transparent material to maximize the number of people that could view the players in a stadium or arena setting.
• As illustrated inFIG. 2, playingwalls23 and5 are preferably fastened to centerwall3 with a system ofhinges110, to allow the pivoting of the walls in accordance with the description below. However, the invention is not limited in this respect. For example,walls23,3 and5 may all be independent of one another and simply placed or held by any means in the below described angled arrangements. For the purposes ofillustration walls23 and5 are described as connected to centerwall3 by hinges110.
• Hinge110 may be continuous or in sections and is sized according to the nature of the construction of playingwalls23,3 and5.Hinge110 is located on the back side ofwalls23,3 and5, so that the vertical joint between playingwalls23,3 and5 is tight and minimized on front surface of the walls, used to play the game.
• Playingwalls23,3 and5 are preferably supported at their sidecourt ends, closer to sidecourtline17, in such a way, dependant on the construction ofwalls23,3 and5, to allow them to pivot in accordance with the description below. This support may include but is not limited to: casters, trucks, bearings, etc.
• In one embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated inFIGS. 1-3, playingwalls23 and5, are preferably 14 feet, 2 inches wide and 14 feet-0 inches high, with a minimized gap between playingsurface100 and the bottom ofwalls23 and5 to allow for the pivoting of these walls in accordance with the description below. Playingwall3 is preferably 14 feet, 0 inches wide and 14 feet, 0 inches high.
• Playingwalls23,3 and5 each have an angledtop portion24,2 and4 respectively.Top portions24,2 and4 are substantially the same width of the walls they sit upon and have a true length height of 3 feet, 0 inches.Top surfaces24,2 and4 are angled towards themain playing surface100 at an angle of 25° from the vertical as shown inFIG. 3.
• In one embodiment of the present invention,top portions24,2, and4 are attached to tops of playingwalls23,3 and5 by hinges. The hinges allowtop portions24,2 and4, to pivot, varying the angle to greater or lesser than 25 degrees.
• Playingwalls23 and5 are able to pivot to one of three positions during the course of game play. This pivoting can be achieved through mechanical means, or by manual repositioning depending on the nature of their construction. The positions of the pivotingwalls23 and5 for the purpose of gameplay is preferably angles of 45° from the plane of playingwall3, towards playingsurface100, 50° from the plane of playingwall3 towards playingsurface100 and 55° from the plane of playingwall3 towards playingsurface100. These varied angles 500 and 55° for playingwalls23 and5 are illustrated inFIG. 2 aspositions8 and9 respectively. Playingwalls23,3 and5 may be moved manually, or alternatively, they may be moved by an automated system, such as chain drive, pneumatics, motor drive, or any other similar system. An automated system may involve a computer control as well, whereby the angles of playingwalls23,3 and5 can be controlled for automated shifts to appropriate playing angles based on the elapsed time during gameplay or possibly by a remote used by the players.
• It is understood that the above described playing wall angles of 45 degrees, 50 degrees and 55 degrees are intended only as sample orientations and in no way limit the scope of the present invention. Playingwalls23,3 and5 can be set to be at any angle relative to one another based on the player's desire. For the purposes of illustration the above described angles are used in conjunction with the below described exemplary game play rules.
• The angle of playingwall23 from playingwall3, towards playingsurface100, is preferably during gameplay matched to the angle of playingwall5 from playingwall3, towards playingsurface100.
• In one embodiment of the present invention as illustrated inFIG. 1, scoring can either handled by handwritten cards (similar to golf or bowling), manual scoreboards (similar to large chalkboards, or old style ballfields), orelectronic scoreboards1 controlled by an operator, or connected to sensors on playingsurface100 and a computer to automatically tabulate and display the score. By whatever method used,scoreboard1 preferably provides space for, record and display the following information: player names, set each player is currently playing in, official time clock and the time elapsed, number of fouls committed by each player, service sequence directions, degree of angle of sidewalls, number of service aces awarded to each player, and total points accumulated by each player.
• In one embodiment of the present invention, gameplay on playingsurface100 is preferably conducted according to the following rules. It is understood that playingsurface100 may be used for any purpose at all, regardless of the game played. However, for the purposes of illustrating a particular use for playingsurface100, the following gameplay is described in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.
• Each game is based on a 30 minute duration which is preferably divided into 6 sets of 5 minutes each. Each player is preferably given 2.5 minutes of service within each set, to score as many points against his/her opponent by following specific serve patterns, outlined below. Playingwalls23 and5 are positioned at different yet symmetrical angles during different sets according to the pattern outlined below.
• The serve patterns, outlined below in Table 1, are the shots that must be successfully achieved by the player who is serving, for play to commence. The service shot must be made by a serving player hitting the ball from behindservice line18 to the designated wall, and landing in the designatedservice box11,13 or15, without otherwise touchingplaying surface100. The order of serve patterns followed in each 2.5 minute segment of play are as follows:

• 	TABLE 1
  	Service	Angle of
  	Wall,	Walls

  Set Service Box ‘a’ & ‘c’

  	1	aa	bb	cc 45
  	2	aa	ba	cc 55
  	3	aa	bb	cb 55
  	4	ab	bb	cc 50
  	5	bb	ca	cc 50
  	6	aa	bc	cc 45

• An opposing player must then return the ball, utilizing any combination of playingwalls23,3 or5, so that the ball strikes one of playingwalls23,3 or5, or combination thereon, before landing on playingsurface100. If the opposing player is unable to return the ball, points are awarded to the serving player and the next service pattern within the set is utilized.
• Play progresses with each player taking alternating turns returning the ball on its first bounce from playingsurface100, to playingwalls23,3 and5. If either player is unable to return the ball, points are awarded to the other player as outlined below and the next service pattern within the set is utilized. Although the players may utilize playingsurface100 as well as the areas outside playingsurface100 to conduct the game, the ball may only make contact with playingwalls100 or the playing surface withinsidecourt17 and rearcourt lines16.
• If in the course of the 2.5 minute service within the set, the serving player has run through all three serving patterns, subsequent serving patterns should be a repetition of the previous three.
• At the end of the 2.5 minute service, the ball is given to the opposing player for their 2.5 minutes of service, following the same service pattern for the set. When both players have played their 2.5 minute service segments within the set—then the next set is begun.
• Again, it is understood that this is only intended as one example of gameplay method that can be conducted usingplaying surface100. However, any similar game utilizing playingwalls23,3 and5 with playingsurface100, is within the contemplation of the present invention.
• In one embodiment of the present invention, assuming the gameplay follows the above described exemplary rules, points are awarded to the player who completes a shot that hits one or more of playingwalls23,3 and5, bounces from playingsurface100 and is not returned by the opposing player. Preferably the points awarded are based on the point value of playingwalls23,3 or5 that are struck by the ball before such a shot is completed. Playingwalls23 and5 have values of 2 points, withcenter playing wall3 having a value of 1 point.
• In another possible scoring method, if in the course of play, a player completes a shot that hits all three playingwalls23,3 and5 (angleball), bounces from playingsurface100 and is not returned by the opposing player—then that player is awarded the total point value of all three playingwalls23,3 and5 (2+1+2=5 points) is awarded. However, if the opposing player is able to return this ‘angleball’ in such a way that the initializing player is not able to consequently return the ball then this opposing player is awarded the 5 points.
• In another possible scoring method, if in the course of play, a player completes a serve in accordance with one of the service patterns described above and the opposing player is unable to return the serve, then the serving player is awarded 4 points.
• In another possible scoring method, if a player accumulates a total of 6 of any of the following fouls during the course of play, then the offending player forfeits the remaining time of their service set and the opposing player is given service.
• Fouls include but are not limited to: if during service, the player serving does not successfully complete a service pattern, with the ball landing in the designatedservice box11,13 or15; if during service, the player serving serves the ball in such a way that it bounces from playingsurface100 before hitting designated playingwall23,3 or5; if during service, the player hits the ball out of the bounds of playingsurface100 without first completing the designated service pattern; if during the course of play, a player is hit with any playing equipment (other then the ball). Such fouls are registered against the player whose equipment did the hitting.
• In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the system tracks player's movements on the court, providing feedback and data in real-time, or after each game. In addition to the player, embedded sensors in the racquet provide information on the movement of the racquet, for storage, retrieval and data analysis, both during the game and after wards. Advantageously, the motion capture module tracks a player's moves, points scored and fitness condition. At the conclusion of a match, players will be able to download their personal data into any smart device and analyze their performance, in that particular match.
• In accordance with another embodiment a point valuation arrangement is employed, such that the walls and areas of the court are split into different scoring zones, adding and additional element of strategy and precision to compliment the risk/reward strategies. As such the tracking system or embedded sensors on the playing surfaces both on the ground floor and on the walls can track the position of the players and the ball as the game progresses. In accordance with one embodiment, as the game progresses, the system dynamically changes the point values of the various locations on the playing surfaces, by notifying the players. For example, the surfaces can display the point values corresponding to their zone and locations, forcing the players to change the direction of the ball towards locations that can accumulate the most points.
• In accordance with another embodiment, throughout a set of games, players are required to hit different zones for each serve on both the back walls and the service boxes. During a game, each zone represents different point values which are rewarded based on the last zone that the ball touches. Each and every volley is played differently. With the varying angles on each wall, the different strategies for striking the ball, as well as the in-depth point system provide a complex and innovative approach to fast-paced racquet sports.

Claims (16)

1. An equipment for playing a game using a racquet and ball, said equipment comprising:

a substantially horizontal playing surface, having a first and second ends; and

a plurality of playing walls, disposed at said first end of said horizontal playing surface, extending perpendicularly away from said playing surface, wherein a first playing wall among said plurality of playing walls is disposed centrally between a second and a third playing wall among said plurality of playing walls, and wherein said second playing wall and said third playing wall are angled relative to said first playing wall during the game; and

wherein said playing surface and said plurality of playing walls are made of a rigid material capable of rebounding said ball on impact and said playing walls are the first walls intended to receive a returned ball and wherein the angle between said first playing wall and said second playing wall and the angle between said second playing wall and said third playing wall is set by an automated system including either a chain drive or a pneumatic movement and wherein said automated system to set the angles between said playing walls is computer controlled, and

wherein said racquets to be employed with said game are racquets with embedded sensors, said equipment further comprising a motion capture module configured to collect information on the movement of the racquet.

2. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said playing surface is subdivided into a forecourt, three service boxes and a rear court.

3. The equipment as claimed inclaim 2, wherein said plurality of playing walls are located in said forecourt of said playing surface.

4. The equipment as claims inclaim 1, wherein said plurality of playing walls are coupled to one another via hinges.

5. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the angle between said first playing wall and said second playing wall and the angle between said second playing wall and said third playing wall is the same.

6. The equipment as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the angle between said first playing wall and said second wall and the angle between said second playing wall and said third playing wall is 45 degrees.

7. The equipment as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the angle between said first playing wall and said second wall and the angle between said second playing wall and said third playing wall is 50 degrees.

8. The equipment as claimed inclaim 5, wherein the angle between said first playing wall and said second wall and the angle between said second playing wall and said third playing wall is 55 degrees.

9. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said plurality of playing walls each maintain a top portion angled inwards towards said playing surface.

10. The equipment as claimed inclaim 9, wherein said top portions of said playing walls, are angled towards said playing surface a an angle of 25 degrees.

11. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said computer is controlled by a remote.

12. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein the angle between said first playing wall and said second wall is in the range of 0-90 degrees,

and the angle between said second playing wall and said third playing wall is in the range of 0-90 degrees,

wherein both said angle between said first playing wall and said second wall and said angle between said second playing wall and said third playing wall are determined by a computer generated random number.

13. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said playing walls are transparent.

14. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said motion capture module stores said collected information on the movement of the racquet for storage, retrieval and data analysis, both during the game and after wards.

15. The equipment as claimed inclaim 1, wherein said motion capture module stores said collected information on the movement of the racquet for tracking a player's moves, points scored, and fitness condition.

16. The equipment as claimed inclaim 15, wherein said motion capture module stored collected information is configured for download at the conclusion of a match into a personal electronic device.

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