Game and components thereof

Abstract

A game adapted to be played on a playing surface by one or more players, the game comprising one or more balls to be propelled by direct contact of a player's body part, one or more gates through which the balls may be propelled, one or more targets into which the balls may be propelled, and a set of rules for game play, the rules establishing the placement of the gates and targets and the order of game play, and optionally, scoring rules. The game may also be adapted to use implements to propel the balls, and the rules for game play may be adapted to correspond to the standard rules of croquet.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A game adapted to be played on a playing surface by one or more human players, the game comprising:
 one or more balls, each said ball being substantially resilient and having a hollow interior and a diameter, with each of the one or more balls suitably configured to be propelled about the playing surface by the one or more players;   one or more gates, each said gate adapted to be placed onto the playing surface,
 with each said gate having a first end and a second end and a medial portion separating said first and second ends, 
 with the first end of each said gate being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the second end of each said gate being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the medial portion of each said gate being shaped to define an opening between the playing surface and at least a portion of the medial portion of said gate, whereby said opening of each said gate has a dimension greater than the diameter of each of the one or more balls such that when each said gate is placed on the playing surface each of the one or more balls is capable of passing through each said gate beneath at least a portion of the medial portion of each said gate without touching any portion of said gate, 
 with each said gate having an anchoring means, wherein the anchoring means of each said gate comprises a first anchoring component and a second anchoring component, with the first anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said gate being located proximate to the first end of said gate and the second anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said gate being located proximate to the second end of said gate, whereby the anchoring means of each said gate is suitably configured to maintain said gate on the playing surface in a substantially vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the playing surface; 
   one or more targets, each said target adapted to be placed onto the playing surface,
 with each said target having a first end and a second end, 
 with the first end of each said target being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the second end of each said target being located above the playing surface, 
 with each said target having an anchoring means, wherein the anchoring means of each said target comprises an anchoring component, with the anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said target being located proximate to the first end of said target means, whereby the anchoring means of each said target is suitably configured to maintain said target on the playing surface in a substantially vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the playing surface; and 
   a set of rules for game play, said rules being the following:
 A. select a playing surface, 
 B. place the one or more gates onto the playing surface, 
 C. place the one or more targets onto the playing surface, 
 D. assign each of the one or more balls to a corresponding number of players, and 
 E. have each of the players proceed in turns, each player propelling the ball assigned to said player selectively through the one or more gates, into the one or more targets, into one or more other balls, if any, and to different locations on the playing surface, as desired, whereby each of the one or more balls is propelled about the playing surface by direct contact of a body part of said player. 
   
     
     
         2 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more balls is inflatable. 
     
     
         3 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more balls is relatively light weight. 
     
     
         4 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more balls is made of synthetic rubber. 
     
     
         5 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more balls comprises a gripping feature. 
     
     
         6 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more balls is suitably configured to be propelled about the playing surface by use of one or more implements, wherein the one or more implements are one or more of the group of bat, club, stick, paddle, and cue;
 whereby rule E of the set of rules for game play is modified as follows:
 have each of the players proceed in turns, each player propelling the ball assigned to said player selectively through the one or more gates, into the one or more targets, into one or more other balls, if any, and to different locations on the playing surface, as desired, whereby each of the one or more balls is selectively propelled about the playing surface by direct contact of a body part of said player or by use of the one or more implements. 
 
 
     
     
         7 . The game of  claim 1  further comprising one or more implements, wherein each of the one or more implements is suitably configured to propel each of the one or more balls about the playing surface, wherein the one or more implements are one or more of the group of bat, club, stick, paddle, and cue;
 whereby rule E of the set of rules for game play is modified as follows:
 have each of the players proceed in turns, each player propelling the ball assigned to said player selectively through the one or more gates, into the one or more targets, into one or more other balls, if any, and to different locations on the playing surface, as desired, whereby each of the one or more balls is selectively propelled about the playing surface by direct contact of a body part of said player or by use of the one or more implements. 
 
 
     
     
         8 . The game of  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of balls, wherein each of the plurality of balls is uniquely identifiable and visually distinct from each other said ball. 
     
     
         9 . The game of  claim 7  wherein at least one of the plurality of balls is of a different size than at least one other of the plurality of balls. 
     
     
         10 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more gates is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         11 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more gates has a substantially semi-circular shape. 
     
     
         12 . The game of  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of gates. 
     
     
         13 . The game of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of gates is substantially the same size and shape as each other of the plurality of gates. 
     
     
         14 . The game of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the plurality of gates is of a different size from at least one other of the plurality of gates. 
     
     
         15 . The game of  claim 12  wherein at least one of the plurality of gates is of a different shape than at least one other of the plurality of gates. 
     
     
         16 . The game of  claim 12  wherein each of the plurality of gates is uniquely identifiable and visually distinct from each other of the plurality of gates. 
     
     
         17 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring means of each of the one or more gates comprises a pair of stakes, one said stake being the first anchoring component of said anchoring means and the other said stake being the second anchoring component of said anchoring means, with each said stake being suitably configured to being inserted into the playing surface. 
     
     
         18 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring means of each of the one or more gates comprises a pair of weights, one said weight being the first anchoring component of said anchoring means and the other said weight being the second anchoring component of said anchoring means, with each said weight being suitably configured to being placed onto the playing surface. 
     
     
         19 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring means of each of the one or more gates comprises a pair of feet, one said foot being the first anchoring component of said anchoring means and the other said foot being the second anchoring component of said anchoring means, with each said foot being suitably configured to being placed onto the playing surface. 
     
     
         20 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more targets is substantially rigid. 
     
     
         21 . The game of  claim 1  wherein each of the one or more targets has a substantially elongate shape. 
     
     
         22 . The game of  claim 1  wherein there is a plurality of targets. 
     
     
         23 . The game of  claim 22  wherein each of the plurality of targets is substantially the same size and shape as each other of the plurality of targets. 
     
     
         24 . The game of  claim 22  wherein at least one of the plurality of targets is of a different size from at least one other of the plurality of targets. 
     
     
         25 . The game of  claim 22  wherein at least one of the plurality of targets is of a different shape than at least one other of the plurality of targets. 
     
     
         26 . The game of  claim 22  wherein each of the plurality of targets is uniquely identifiable and visually distinct from each other of the plurality of targets. 
     
     
         27 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring means of each of the one or more targets comprises a stake, said stake being the anchoring component of said anchoring means, with said stake being suitably configured to being inserted into the playing surface. 
     
     
         28 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring means of each of the one or more targets comprises a weight, said weight being the anchoring component of said anchoring means, with each said weight being suitably configured to being placed onto the playing surface. 
     
     
         29 . The game of  claim 1  wherein the anchoring means of each of the one or more targets comprises a foot, said foot being the anchoring component of said anchoring means, with each said foot being suitably configured to being placed onto the playing surface. 
     
     
         30 . The game of  claim 1  wherein said rules for game play further comprise:
 F. keep score based on the one or more players passing balls through the one or more gates in a predetermined order and striking the one or more targets with the one or more balls in a predetermined order. 
 
     
     
         31 . The game of  claim 1  wherein said rules for game play further comprise:
 F. keep score based on the rules of standard croquet. 
 
     
     
         32 . The game of  claim 1  wherein there are a plurality of balls, a plurality of gates, a plurality of targets, and a plurality of players,
 wherein rule B of the set of rules for game play is modified as follows:
 place the plurality of gates onto the playing surface in a configuration acceptable under standard rules of the game of croquet for the placement of croquet wickets; 
 
 rule C of the set of rules for game play is modified as follows:
 place the plurality of targets onto the playing surface in a configuration acceptable under standard rules of the game of croquet for the placement of croquet stakes; and 
 
 the set of rules for game play further comprises rule F as follows:
 keep score based on the rules of standard croquet. 
 
 
     
     
         33 . A game adapted to be played on a playing surface by one or more human players, the game comprising:
 one or more balls, each said ball being substantially resilient and having a hollow interior and a diameter, with each of the one or more balls suitably configured to be propelled about the playing surface by the one or more players;   one or more gates, each said gate adapted to be placed onto the playing surface,
 with each said gate having a first end and a second end and a medial portion separating said first and second ends, 
 with the first end of each said gate being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the second end of each said gate being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the medial portion of each said gate being shaped to define an opening between the playing surface and at least a portion of the medial portion of said gate, whereby said opening of each said gate has a dimension greater than the diameter of each of the one or more balls such that when each said gate is placed on the playing surface each of the one or more balls is capable of passing through each said gate beneath at least a portion of the medial portion of each said gate without touching any portion of said gate, 
 with each said gate having an anchoring means, wherein the anchoring means of each said gate comprises a first anchoring component and a second anchoring component, with the first anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said gate being located proximate to the first end of said gate and the second anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said gate being located proximate to the second end of said gate, whereby the anchoring means of each said gate is suitably configured to maintain said gate on the playing surface in a substantially vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the playing surface; 
   one or more targets, each said target adapted to be placed onto the playing surface,
 with each said target having a first end and a second end, 
 with the first end of each said target being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the second end of each said target being located above the playing surface, 
 with each said target having an anchoring means, wherein the anchoring means of each said target comprises an anchoring component, with the anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said target being located proximate to the first end of said target means, whereby the anchoring means of each said target is suitably configured to maintain said target on the playing surface in a substantially vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the playing surface; 
   one or more implements, wherein each of the one or more implements is suitably configured to propel each of the one or more balls about the playing surface, with the one or more implements being one or more of the group of bat, club, stick, paddle, and cue; and   a set of rules for game play, said rules being the following:
 A. select a playing surface, 
 B. place the plurality of gates onto the playing surface in a configuration acceptable under standard rules of the game of croquet for the placement of croquet wickets, 
 C. place the plurality of targets onto the playing surface in a configuration acceptable under standard rules of the game of croquet for the placement of croquet stakes, 
 D. assign each of the plurality of balls to a corresponding number of players, 
 E. have each of the players proceed in turns, each player using one of the one or more implements to propel the ball assigned to said player selectively through the plurality of gates, into the plurality of targets, into one or more other balls, and to different locations on the playing surface, as desired, in a manner consistent with standard rules of the game of croquet, and 
 F. keep score based on the rules of standard croquet. 
   
     
     
         34 . The game of  claim 33  wherein all of the one or more implements are of the same type. 
     
     
         35 . A game adapted to be played on a playing surface by one or more human players, the game comprising:
 one or more balls, each said ball being substantially resilient and having a hollow interior and a diameter, with each of the one or more balls suitably configured to be propelled about the playing surface by the one or more players;   one or more gates, each said gate adapted to be placed onto the playing surface,
 with each said gate having a first end and a second end and a medial portion separating said first and second ends, 
 with the first end of each said gate being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the second end of each said gate being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the medial portion of each said gate being shaped to define an opening between the playing surface and at least a portion of the medial portion of said gate, whereby said opening of each said gate has a dimension greater than the diameter of each of the one or more balls such that when each said gate is placed on the playing surface each of the one or more balls is capable of passing through each said gate beneath at least a portion of the medial portion of each said gate without touching any portion of said gate, 
 with each said gate having an anchoring means, wherein the anchoring means of each said gate comprises a first anchoring component and a second anchoring component, with the first anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said gate being located proximate to the first end of said gate and the second anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said gate being located proximate to the second end of said gate, whereby the anchoring means of each said gate is suitably configured to maintain said gate on the playing surface in a substantially vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the playing surface; and 
   one or more targets, each said target adapted to be placed onto the playing surface,
 with each said target having a first end and a second end, 
 with the first end of each said target being suitably configured to be placed in contact with the playing surface and the second end of each said target being located above the playing surface, 
 with each said target having an anchoring means, wherein the anchoring means of each said target comprises an anchoring component, with the anchoring component of the anchoring means of each said target being located proximate to the first end of said target means, whereby the anchoring means of each said target is suitably configured to maintain said target on the playing surface in a substantially vertical orientation substantially perpendicular to the playing surface.