Rebound ball game

Abstract

A portable stepball game including a lightweight, simulated stairway that is collapsible into a portable carrying case or frame which may be easily transported to and erected in virtually any play environment. The stairway comprises at least one step including an essentially vertical riser portion and an essentially horizontal tread portion wherein the tread portion includes nosing on its player-facing edge which overhang the riser portion therebeneath.

1 . A portable rebound ball game apparatus comprising:
 a carrying frame; and   a stairway carried by said frame, said stairway including at least one step having a tread portion, a riser portion and a stringer connecting said tread and riser portions, said stairway being disposable into operative and inoperative positions with respect to said frame whereby a player throws a ball toward said at least one step when the stairway is disposed in the operative position and whereby the stairway is received in said frame in the inoperative position, said tread and riser portions of said at least one step being respectively disposed essentially parallel and perpendicular to said frame when the stairway is in an operative position, said tread portion further comprising a protruding edge on a player-facing side thereof which overhangs said riser portion.   
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said stairway is pivotally connected to said frame. 
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said stairway is pivotally connected generally proximate a first end thereof to said frame. 
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising a compartment carried by said frame for receiving at least one resilient ball suitable for play with the apparatus. 
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame comprises side members and opposed end members connected to said side members, wherein at least one of said side members and said end members establish a height, and wherein said stairway lies substantially at or below said height when said stairway is in an inoperative position. 
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame includes a handle. 
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said frame includes means for facilitating pushed or pulled transport of the apparatus. 
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising first means for supporting said stairway in an inoperative position with respect to said frame. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising second means for supporting said stairway in an operative position with respect to said frame. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9  wherein said second support means comprise at least one brace disposed at an angle of from about 20° to about 90° with respect to said frame when said stairway is in an operative position. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising means for supporting said stairway in an operative position with respect to said frame. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 11  wherein said means for supporting comprise at least one brace disposed at an angle of from about 20° to about 90° with respect to said frame when said stairway is in an operative position.