Game apparatus for encouraging children to become more active and exercise

Abstract

A game apparatus that an individual can play which promotes activity and exercise. The game apparatus includes a rod like member produced from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length. Further included is a guide mechanism produced from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined shape. The guide mechanism is connected to a predetermined end of the rod like member. Also included is a hoop like member produced from a third predetermined material and having a predetermined diameter. The guide mechanism is engageable with the hoop like member at the predetermined end of the rod like member to guide and move such hoop like member in a predetermined direction over a predetermined surface.

1 . A game apparatus for an individual to play which promotes activity and exercise, said game apparatus comprising: 
 (a) a rod like member produced from a first predetermined material and having a first predetermined shape and a predetermined length;    (b) a guide mechanism produced from a second predetermined material and having a second predetermined shape, said guide mechanism connected to a predetermined end of said rod like member; and    (c) a hoop like member produced from a third predetermined material and having a predetermined diameter, said guide mechanism engageable with said hoop like member at said predetermined end of said rod like member for guiding and moving said hoop like member in a predetermined direction over a predetermined surface.    
   
   
       2 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined material used to produce said rod like member is selected from a group consisting of wood, metal and plastic.  
   
   
       3 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said first predetermined shape of said rod like member is one of generally round and generally rectangular.  
   
   
       4 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined length of said rod like member is generally between about 24 inches and 36 inches.  
   
   
       5 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 4 , wherein said rod like member has a width of generally between about one inch and two inches and a thickness of generally between about one quarter inch and three quarter inch.  
   
   
       6 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said second predetermined material used to produce said guide mechanism is one of metal and plastic.  
   
   
       7 . A game apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said metal used to produce said guide mechanism is one of aluminum and steel.  
   
   
       8 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said second predetermined shape of said guide mechanism is one of generally semicircular and generally rectangular.  
   
   
       9 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide mechanism is connected to said predetermined end of said rod like member by one of screws, bolts and welding.  
   
   
       10 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said guide mechanism is curved at both ends thereof so that such individual can better control such predetermined direction said hoop like member travels.  
   
   
       11 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said third predetermined material used to produce said hoop like member is one of metal and plastic.  
   
   
       12 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said predetermined diameter of said hoop like member is generally between about eight inches and twelve inches.  
   
   
       13 . A game apparatus, according to  claim 1 , wherein said rod like member, said guide mechanism and said hoop like member are painted various colors.  
   
   
       14 . A method of playing a game apparatus which has at least one rod like member, at least one guide mechanism connected to one end of said rod like member and at least one hoop like member, said method comprising the steps of: 
 (a) engaging said at least one guide mechanism disposed at said one end of said at least one rod like member with said at least one hoop like member; and    (b) guiding and moving said at least one hoop like member in a predetermined direction over a predetermined surface.    
   
   
       15 . The method, according to  claim 14 , including the additional step of timing how long at least one player is able to keep said at least one hoop like member moving in said predetermined direction over said predetermined surface.  
   
   
       16 . The method, according to  claim 14 , including the additional steps of setting up at least one obstacle course for at least one player to maneuver said at least one hoop like member through and timing how long said at least one player takes to complete maneuvering said at least one hoop like member through said at least one obstacle course.  
   
   
       17 . The method, according to  claim 14 , including the additional steps of establishing a predetermined distance at least one player is to keep said at least one hoop like member moving in said predetermined direction over said predetermined surface and timing how long said at least one player takes to move said at least one hoop like member said predetermined distance in said predetermined direction over said predetermined surface.  
   
   
       18 . The method, according to  claim 17 , wherein said method includes an additional step of setting up competition between a predetermined plurality of players and timing how long each player takes to move said at least one hoop like member said predetermined distance in said predetermined direction over said predetermined surface.