Ball and hoop game

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of a game apparatus and a method of playing the game are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, an apparatus is provided including a base portion, a pole extending vertically from the base portion, an upper hoop positioned adjacent a top of the pole and secured to the pole, and a lower hoop positioned below the upper hoop and secured to the pole, wherein the lower hoop is horizontally offset from the upper hoop, and an outermost portion of the lower hoop extends further from the pole than an outermost portion of the upper hoop.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus, comprising:
 a base portion;   a pole extending vertically from the base portion;   an upper hoop positioned adjacent a top of the pole and secured to the pole; and   a lower hoop positioned below the upper hoop and secured to the pole, wherein the lower hoop is horizontally offset from the upper hoop, and an outermost portion of the lower hoop extends further from the pole than an outermost portion of the upper hoop.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper hoop and the lower hoop are circular hoops, and the upper hoop has a smaller diameter than the lower hoop. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein the upper hoop has a diameter of approximately 8 inches to approximately 16 inches, and the lower hoop has a diameter of approximately 10 inches to approximately 20 inches. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper hoop and the lower hoop are adjustable along the pole to be provided at various heights along the pole. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the lower hoop is provided approximately two feet under the upper hoop. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the pole comprises an upper pole and a lower pole, wherein the upper pole is slidably receivable into the lower pole. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 6 , further comprising:
 a securing mechanism to secure the upper pole to the lower pole at a desired height of the upper pole.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first bracket securing the upper hoop to the pole; and   a second bracket connecting the lower hoop to the pole.   
     
     
         9 . The apparatus according to  claim 8 , wherein the second bracket has a longer length than the first bracket. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the base portion comprises one or more slots to receive and secure the pole for storage. 
     
     
         11 . A portable game apparatus comprising:
 a base having an upper base portion and a lower base portion;   a first pole configured to be housed within the base;   a second pole configured to be housed within the base; and   two or more hoops configured to be housed within the base;   wherein the upper base portion and the lower base portion are configured to engage and secure at least a portion of the first pole, second pole and the two or more hoops within the base.   
     
     
         12 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the upper base portion and the lower base portion comprise one or more slots to secure the first and second poles. 
     
     
         13 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the two or more hoops are completely housed within the base. 
     
     
         14 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 a ball provided within the base;   a recess provided within the base to engage a portion of the ball to secure the ball within the base.   
     
     
         15 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 11 , further comprising:
 one or more slots within the base to receive at least a portion of one of the two or more hoops.   
     
     
         16 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein the upper base portion has one or more slots to receive at least a portion of one of the two or more hoops, and the lower base portion has one or more slots to receive at least a portion of one of the two or more hoops. 
     
     
         17 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 16 , wherein two hoops are provided and secured within the upper base portion and two hoops are provided within the lower base portion. 
     
     
         18 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the first pole comprises a first lower pole and a first upper pole that is slidably receivable into the first lower pole, and the second pole comprises a second lower pole and a second upper pole that is slidably receivable into the second lower pole. 
     
     
         19 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the lower base portion comprises an exterior portion configured to secure the first pole, and the upper base portion comprises an exterior portion configured to secure the second pole. 
     
     
         20 . The portable game apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one hoop of the two or more hoops are configured to be engaged to the first pole, and at least one hoop of the two or more hoops are configured to be engaged to the second pole, when the first pole is secured to the lower base portion and the second pole is secured to the upper base portion.