Hydrodynamic or air levitation system and method of play using the same

Abstract

There is provided a system for hydrodynamic and/or air levitation of an object, such as a ball by a stream of water, and a striking object for hitting the object, and a method of play comprising the system.

1 . A hydrodynamic levitation system comprising an object for hydrodynamic levitation, a striking object for striking the object for hydrodynamic levitation, and a base which has an entrance aperture and an exit aperture. 
     
     
         2 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 1 , further comprising a conduit and wherein the entrance aperture is capable of connection to the conduit, and wherein the conduit is capable of transport of water obtained from a water source. 
     
     
         3 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 1 , wherein the exit aperture is smaller than the entrance aperture. 
     
     
         4 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 1 , wherein the exit aperture has a valve which controls the feed of a stream of pressurized water from the water source out of the exit aperture. 
     
     
         5 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 2 , wherein the water source comprises a stream of pressurized water which is of a pressure sufficient to hydrodynamically levitate the object for hydrodynamic levitation at a height above the base and wherein the stream of pressurized water can be varied such that it is able to be altered in height so as to be able to be struck by users of varying height with the striking object. 
     
     
         6 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 1 , wherein the striking object is a projectile. 
     
     
         7 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 6 , wherein the projectile is propelled from a water gun or a dart gun. 
     
     
         8 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 7 , wherein the dart gun fires darts made of foam and/or plastic. 
     
     
         9 . The hydrodynamic levitation system of  claim 8 , wherein the darts contain a suction cup tip. 
     
     
         10 . A method of play comprising:
 providing a hydrodynamic levitation system comprising an object for hydrodynamic levitation, a striking object for striking the object for hydrodynamic levitation, and a base which has an entrance aperture and an exit aperture;   connecting a conduit between a closed source of pressurized water and the entrance aperture of the base;   opening the source of pressurized water to provide a flow of pressurized water to the entrance aperture of the base, said flow of pressurized water being sufficient to provide a stream of pressurized water from the exit aperture of the base;   hydrodynamically levitating the object for hydrodynamic levitation on a portion of the stream of pressurized water;   providing a user with the striking object; and,   allowing the user to attempt to strike the hydrodynamically levitated object for hydrodynamic levitation with the striking object.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein during or after the opening step, the water pressure is varied to provide a height of the stream of pressurized water which is suitable for the user. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of hydrodynamically levitating the object for hydrodynamic levitation comprises placing the object for hydrodynamic levitation in a top center position of the stream of pressurized water. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the step of hydrodynamically levitating the object for hydrodynamic levitation comprises placing the object in an off-center location in the top of the pressurized stream. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the placing of the object in an off-center location in the top of the pressurized stream comprises placing the object perpendicularly into a side portion of the stream of pressurized water and releasing the object. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the striking object is a projectile. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the projectile is propelled from a water gun or a dart gun. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the dart gun fires darts made of foam and/or plastic. 
     
     
         18 . An air levitation system comprising an object for air levitation, a striking object for striking the object for air levitation, and a base which has an entrance aperture and an exit aperture. 
     
     
         19 . The air levitation system of  claim 18  wherein the striking object is a projectile fired from a water gun or a dart gun. 
     
     
         20 . A method of play comprising:
 providing a hydrodynamic levitation system comprising an object for hydrodynamic levitation, and a base which has an entrance aperture and an exit aperture;   connecting a conduit between a closed source of pressurized water and the entrance aperture of the base;   opening the source of pressurized water to provide a flow of pressurized water to the entrance aperture of the base, said flow of pressurized water being sufficient to provide a stream of pressurized water from the exit aperture of the base;   hydrodynamically levitating the object for hydrodynamic levitation on a portion of the stream of pressurized water; and,   allowing the user to attempt to strike the hydrodynamically levitated object for hydrodynamic levitation with the user's hand.