Aerial game of skill

Abstract

Game apparatus comprising a ring projectile, launched with two crossed, curved members, which when whipped apart impel the ring across a distance. The ring is caught and returned by another player with a pair of similar members. The invention addresses: dynamics of the game, control of position and direction of the projected ring and the efficiency, comfort and safety features of the ring launching member by implementing: a curved shape and an oval section of the ring launching member, an ergonomic handle with a thumb support, a two-level, compact hand guard system and aerodynamic properties of the ring. The game can now be enjoyed by players from a broad range of age and physical predisposition.

I claim:  
     
         1 . Game apparatus comprising two ring launching members and a ring projectile.  
     
     
         2 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said ring launching member comprises: an elongate, curved element, upper level hand guard, lower level hand guard, thumb support and handle.  
     
     
         3 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said ring projectile is of section, parallel to plain of said ring projectile and constituting an area between two concentric circles.  
     
     
         4 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said elongate, curved element arcs longitudinally in manner generally consistent with, but not limited to, parabola or hyperbola and in direction consistent with extension of front side of said elongate, curved element.  
     
     
         5 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein same, said elongate, curved element may have surfaces with different frictional characteristics.  
     
     
         6 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said elongate, curved element may be of plurality of lengths, widths and thicknesses.  
     
     
         7 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said elongate, curved element is of oval or a combination of oval and triangular or oval and rectangular section, perpendicular to the long axis of said elongate, curved element.  
     
     
         8 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 7 , wherein said oval section is of plurality of ratios of long axis to short axis, including long axis to short axis ratio equal 1 and greater or lesser than 1, said triangular component of said section is of plurality of side lengths and angles and said rectangular component of said section is of plurality ratios of long side to short side.  
     
     
         9 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said handle, thumb support and lower component of said lower level hand guard comprise oval, slanted downward and backward loop.  
     
     
         10 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said upper level hand guard comprises: 
 upper hand guard component, arching away from back side of elongate, curved element, in direction of handle and in plain of said, elongate, curved element and    middle, substantially shorter and closer to handle, hand guard component, arching upward and away from front side of said elongate curved element.    
     
     
         11 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said lower level hand guard comprises: 
 upper hand guard component, arching slantwise, away from back side of elongate,    curved element, in direction of handle and in plain of said, elongate, curved element and    lower hand guard component, constituting front half of oval, slanted downward and backward loop.    
     
     
         12 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said handle constitutes back half of the said loop, for the most part uniform in the other two dimensions with the lower end tapering to conform to lower end of lower hand guard component.  
     
     
         13 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein said thumb support constitutes a depression within an oval limit, conforming to a bulb of a thumb and located outside on upper end of said handle.  
     
     
         14 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein section of said ring projectile, perpendicular to plain of said ring projectile is a circle, ellipse with plurality of ratios of long to short axis or any combination of circle, ellipse and triangle.  
     
     
         15 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said ring projectile is equipped with perforations of plurality of shapes, distributed along circumference of said ring projectile and perpendicular to its plane.  
     
     
         16 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein same, said ring projectile may have surfaces with different frictional characteristics.  
     
     
         17 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said ring projectile maybe of plurality of degrees of flexibility.  
     
     
         18 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 3 , wherein said ring projectile maybe of plurality of diametrical sizes.  
     
     
         19 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein said ring launching members and said ring projectile are employed in the following manner: ring launching is executed by moving crossed members in opposite directions, while applying vertical pressure to opposite, inner sides of the ring.  
     
     
         20 . Game apparatus in accordance with  claim 2 , wherein said elongated, curved elements of ring launching members are removable to enable their replacement.