Apparatus and Method for Playing a Rebound Ball Game

Abstract

The invention provides game apparatus for use in a rebound ball game in which a player causes a ball to impact a target surface and to rebound therefrom. The apparatus comprises at least one multi-sided game ball having partially spherical surface regions and a plurality of deflector formations or facets) directed outwardly, for causing the game ball to rebound erratically from a target surface in use. The facets are contiguous with the partially spherical surface regions. The ball surface is marked with indicia, for example numbers. These may be used in mathematical games. A method of playing such a game is disclosed. This involves reading a numerical value off the top of a ball after bouncing and catching it, and then performing a mathematical operation upon said numerical value to yield a running total.

1 . Game apparatus for use in a rebound ball game in which a player causes a ball to impact a target surface and to rebound therefrom;
 said apparatus comprising:   at least one multi-sided game ball having a center of gravity and rebound characteristics;   said game ball defining a ball surface;   said game ball comprising a plurality of partially spherical surface regions;   said game ball comprising a plurality of deflectors directed outwardly from said center of gravity, for causing the game ball to rebound erratically from a target surface in use, that is, to rebound in a manner providing variations in the game ball's rebound characteristics which are dependent upon the location on the ball's surface at which, in use, the game ball impacts said target surface;   each deflector being delineated by a bounding perimeter; and   at least one of said deflectors being contiguous, along the full length of its bounding perimeter, with at least one of said partially spherical surface regions;   characterized in that said ball surface is marked with a plurality of indicia.   
     
     
         2 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the deflectors are dimensioned so that the surface area of each deflector as a percentage of the total surface area of the game ball (the “percentage surface area”) falls in a range from 1% to 12% inclusive. 
     
     
         3 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the indicia are marked exclusively on the deflectors of the game ball, and are adapted to denote integers selected from the range consisting of the numbers 1 to 10 inclusive, with a non-numeric symbol representing one of said integers. 
     
     
         4 . Game apparatus as claimed in any one of  claims 1  to  3  inclusive, in which the deflectors have a configuration selected from the group consisting of facets and protrusions. 
     
     
         5 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the deflectors each have a facet configuration and define a circular, planar face. 
     
     
         6 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the deflectors are each configured as a protrusion defining a planar face. 
     
     
         7 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 4 , in which the number of deflectors present on the game ball falls in a range from 5 to 26 inclusive. 
     
     
         8 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , in which the game ball has properties adapted to provide a vertical height of rebound of the ball, when it is dropped onto a level, hard, target surface, which falls in a range from 50% to 80% inclusive, said height being expressed as a percentage of the height from which said ball is dropped. 
     
     
         9 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , which comprises a set of first and second types of said game balls, the deflectors and bounce characteristics of each type differing so that, in use, the first type of said game balls bounces more erratically than the second type of said game balls. 
     
     
         10 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , which includes at least one resiliently deformable, regular ball having a generally spherical configuration, said ball being marked with indicia. 
     
     
         11 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 2 , in which the game ball is constructed from at least one material selected from the group consisting of: synthetic polymers; elastomers including natural and synthetic rubbers; resins; foams; and plastics materials. 
     
     
         12 . Game apparatus as claimed in  claim 1 , in which the game ball has a predominant colour and the indicia have a predominant colour pre-selected to contrast with the predominant colour of the game ball. 
     
     
         13 . A method of playing a rebound ball game for exercising reactions and mathematical skills, in which a player causes a ball to impact a target surface and to rebound therefrom; said method comprising:
 (a) providing a resiliently deformable ball marked at discrete locations thereon with indicia denoting different numerical values;   (b) providing a target surface;   (c) bouncing said ball on said target surface such that it rebounds therefrom;   (d) manually catching said ball;   (e) reading a numerical value corresponding to whichever of said indicia is most prominently visible on said ball nearest an operatively upwardly directed portion thereof; and   (f) performing a mathematical operation upon said numerical value to yield a running total.   
     
     
         14 . A method as claimed in  claim 13 , comprising a step of defining a predetermined numerical value to serve as a starting value for the running total. 
     
     
         15 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , comprising a step of defining a predetermined numerical value to serve as a target value for the running total, and repeating steps (c) to (f) until the running total reaches the target value, starting from the starting value. 
     
     
         16 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , which further comprises measuring the time elapsed to reach the target value, starting from the starting value. 
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  or  claim 14 , in which the mathematical operation performed in step (f) comprises adding the numerical value that has been read in step (e) to a previously established value of the running total. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  or  claim 14 , in which the mathematical operation performed in step (f) comprises subtracting the numerical value that has been read in step (e) from a previously established value of the running total. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the mathematical operation performed in step (f) comprises multiplying the numerical value that has been read in step (e) by a previously established value of the running total. 
     
     
         20 . A method as claimed in  claim 14 , in which the mathematical operation performed in step (f) comprises dividing a previously established value of the running total by the numerical value that has been read in step (e). 
     
     
         21 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , which comprises additional steps of:
 providing a plurality of competing players, each of whom performs steps (c) to (f) repeatedly, while being timed, until the running total reaches the target value; and   declaring as the winner of said ball game that player whose time to reach the target value is the shortest.   
     
     
         22 . A method as claimed in  claim 15 , which comprises additional steps of:
 providing a plurality of competing players, each of whom performs steps (c) to (f) repeatedly for a predetermined period of time; and   declaring as the winner of said ball game that player whose running total most closely approaches the target value at expiry of the predetermined period of time.   
     
     
         23 . A method as claimed in  claim 13  or  claim 14 , comprising a preliminary step of providing the player with game apparatus which includes:
 at least one multi-sided game ball having a center of gravity and rebound characteristics; 
 said game ball defining a ball surface; 
 said game ball comprising a plurality of partially spherical surface regions; 
 said game ball comprising a plurality of deflectors directed outwardly from said center of gravity, for causing the game ball to rebound erratically from a target surface in use, that is, to rebound in a manner providing variations in the game ball's rebound characteristics which are dependent upon the location on the ball's surface at which, in use, the game ball impacts said target surface; 
 each deflector being delineated by a bounding perimeter; 
 at least one of said deflectors being contiguous, along the full length of its bounding perimeter, with at least one of said partially spherical surface regions; and 
 said ball surface being marked with a plurality of indicia.