Method and apparatus for playing a game with a projectile

Abstract

A multiplayer game, having rules with aspects of the games of Four Square and Volleyball, is played with an apparatus that can optionally be respectively disassembled and set up.

1 . A game apparatus in which a projectile is projected among players, the game apparatus comprising: 
 at least three substantially equal volumes contiguous one to another, each: 
 for being occupied by a respective player; and  
 defined by a plurality of elongate members above a playing surface at least some of which are above the heads of the players and over which the projectile is projected;  
   means for connecting each said elongate member to at least one other said elongate member; and    means, for at least some of the elongate members, for adjusting the length of the elongate member.    
   
   
       2 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each said elongate member comprises a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, PVC, polystyrene, vinyl, polyethylene, nylon, and combinations thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein: 
 the connecting means connects each elongate member substantially normal to at least one other said elongate member; and    each said volume has three dimensions defined by a linearly moved shape selected from the group consisting of a substantially rectangle shape, a substantially circular shape, a substantially octagonal shape, a substantially triangular shape, and a substantially polygonal shape.    
   
   
       4 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means comprises one or more joints for moving the elongate member between an open and a closed position thereof.  
   
   
       5 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the adjustment means comprises means for disassembling the elongate member.  
   
   
       6 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the adjusting means comprises means for telescoping an inner elongate member within an outer elongate member.  
   
   
       7 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein, for each said volume, the connecting means and adjusting means respectively articulate to collapse the volume such that the plurality of elongate members thereof are parallel one to another.  
   
   
       8 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the connecting means and adjusting means respectively articulate such that the plurality of elongate members can be moved into: 
 an operative position in which each elongate member is substantially normal to at least one other said elongate member; and    a collapsed position in which each said elongate member is substantially parallel to each other said elongate member.    
   
   
       9 . The game apparatus as defined in  claim 1 , wherein each said volume has a width not less than four feet and a height not less than six feet.  
   
   
       10 . A method of playing a game, wherein the method of the game is played with the game apparatus defined in  claim 1 .  
   
   
       11 . An apparatus for playing a game with a projectile, the apparatus comprising: 
 a plurality of poles oriented substantially vertically; and,    a plurality of bar members oriented substantially horizontally, wherein: 
 said bar members are connected to said poles through corner junctions;  
 said poles and said bar members define three or more substantially equal volumes each being substantially contiguous to the others; and  
 at least some of said bar members each being a barrier over which the projectile is projected in the game from one said volume into another said volume.  
   
   
   
       12 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said bar members and said poles are constructed of materials selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, PVC, vinyl, polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein a surface defining each said volume is selected from the group consisting of a rectangle, a circle, an octagon, a triangle, and a polygon.  
   
   
       14 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , wherein said bar members further comprise one or more articulation points.  
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said articulation points comprise a hinge.  
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein said articulation points provide a separation point for disassembling said bar members.  
   
   
       17 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 1   1 , where at least some of the poles each further comprise means for shortening the pole.  
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein the means for shortening comprises an inner pole telescoping within an outer pole.  
   
   
       19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the telescoping is facilitated by a friction fit of the inner pole to the outer pole.  
   
   
       20 . The apparatus as defined in  claim 11 , where at least some of the bar members each further comprise means for producing light.  
   
   
       21 . A method of playing a game comprising: 
 (a) placing a player in each of three or more play boxes upon a player surface, wherein: 
 each said play box is contiguous and substantially equal in size to all other said play boxes; and  
 a barrier is defined at the top of and between any two contiguous said play boxes;  
   (b) the player projecting the projectile from the player's play box into another said play box over the barrier there between;    (c) the player in the another said play box projecting the projectile into any other said play box over the barrier there between; and    (d) repeating (b) and (c), for respective players and play boxes, until a first condition occurs in which the projectile contacts the player surface.    
   
   
       22 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein (b) and (c) are repeated until a second condition occurs in which the projectile is projected by one said player outside that player's box without: 
 entering another said play box; or    being projected over the barrier between the player's play box and the another said play box.    
   
   
       23 . The method as defined in  claim 21 , wherein: 
 one of said play boxes is designated as a serving play box; and    the player in the serving play box is designed as a server.    
   
   
       24 . The method as defined in  claim 23 , wherein a foot of the server is required to be at the periphery of the respective play box opposite one said play box into which the server projects the projectile.  
   
   
       25 . The method as defined in  claim 22 , further comprising removing the player last projecting the projectile when the first or second condition occurs and continuing the game without the removed player.  
   
   
       26 . A game apparatus having three or more play boxes each substantially contiguous to the others and sized to receive respective players for playing a game with the method as defined in  claim 21.