Two-person underwater projectile goal-scoring sport, and equipment therefor

Abstract

This invention is a simple method to play a one-on-one underwater goal-scoring sport together with the pertinent field of play, the projectile and the goal apparatus. While underwater, one offensive player throws the projectile toward the underwater goal apparatus defended by a defending player who tries to tag out the offensive player before they can throw, or who tries to prevent the projectile from touching the goal area. Variations to the projectile and the goal apparatus are also described as options for use in the sport.

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         8 . A goal apparatus for use in a two or more person underwater, projectile throwing, game for play in a pool where the game has as its object throwing the projectile in an attempt to penetrate or touch a goal area demarcated by the goal apparatus, wherein the goal apparatus comprises two vertical markers defining side limits of the goal area, and a crossbar or horizontal feature positioned adjacent a wall of the pool and defining a bottom limit of the goal area, wherein a top limit of the goal area is defined by the surface of water in the pool, or is a second horizontal feature that extends above or below the water surface, from one vertical marker to the other. 
     
     
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         12 . The goal apparatus of  claim 1  comprising vertical markers extending 2.5 to four feet below the water surface in the pool, a floating horizontal tube or rod of between 6 and 12 feet in length, having opposed ends with each end attached to one of said vertical markers at or near the surface of the water, the crossbar or horizontal feature positioned adjacent a wall of the pool comprising a horizontal tube or rod of between 6 and 12 feet in length and having opposed ends and being more dense than water, and that is attached at each of its ends to lower ends of each respective vertical marker, so as to provide the goal area with a rectangular shape. 
     
     
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         17 . The goal apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said vertical markers are ribbon markers that are non-flexible, and include, at the top of said markers, a hook that is securable to a side or a deck of the pool. 
     
     
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         21 . The goal apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said vertical markers hang from a structure above or floating on the surface of the water of the pool, with the crossbar or horizontal feature positioned adjacent a wall of the pool maintained at 2.5 to 4 feet below the surface of the water. 
     
     
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         23 . The goal apparatus of  claim 2  having a netting, cloth, vinyl, or banner that is held between the vertical markers. 
     
     
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         25 . The goal apparatus of  claim 5  wherein said netting, vinyl, banner or cloth includes a sensor that generates a signal as the projectile penetrates a plane defined by the goal area. 
     
     
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         29 . The goal apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of a perimeter of the goal apparatus is a rope or ribbon-like material attached at two points along a wall of the pool, at least 6 feet apart, and at least 3 feet below the surface of the water of the pool. 
     
     
         30 . A projectile for use in a two or more person underwater, projectile throwing, game for play in a pool where the game has as its object throwing the projectile in an attempt to penetrate or touch a goal area demarcated by a goal apparatus, wherein said projectile is a cylindrical device for throwing by hand underwater, and ranging in length from between about 10 and 40 cm, with a length to width ratio of about 4 and 6, and having a mass of between about 50 and 500 grams. 
     
     
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         35 . The projectile claimed in  claim 8  wherein the cylindrical device has a longitudinal axis, fins, and a tail, a portion of the tail extends longitudinally past the fins to a flat end surface, the flat end surface being planar, orientated generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and having a circumference between 1 cm and 2.5 cm. 
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . The projectile claimed in  claim 9  having a tapered or rounded front end made of a material softer than the shaft of the cylinder of the projectile. 
     
     
         38 . The projectile claimed in  claim 10  wherein said projectile has a hollow air-filled interior. 
     
     
         39 . The projectile claimed in  claim 11  having an open end fitted with a removable nose-cone cap to permit an addition of water to said hollow air-filled interior to modify the buoyancy of the device. 
     
     
         40 . The projectile claimed in  claim 12  in which the removable nose-cone cap is a soft material to serve as both a closure for the hollow air filled interior and to minimize injury to a person hit by the projectile device when thrown by hand. 
     
     
         41 . The projectile claimed in  claim 8  wherein said projectile has a curved shape, so that a vector along a longitudinal axis of a front section of the projectile, is at an angle of between 0.1 and 20° to a vector of a tail section of the projectile. 
     
     
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         43 . The projectile claimed in  claim 10  wherein said projectile is made of a material that can be deformed near a middle portion of its length so as to permit the projectile to move through a straight or at an adjustably curved path when thrown by hand underwater. 
     
     
         44 . A projectile for manual throwing in an underwater game having as an object penetrating or touching a goal area demarcated by a goal apparatus, the projectile comprising:
 a generally cylindrical body with a longitudinal axis, a length between 10 and 40 cm, a length to width ratio of about 4 and 6, and a mass between 50 and 500 grams;   a tapered front end;   a rear portion with fins extending radially therefrom; and   a tail end at a rear area of the fins, or extending along the longitudinal axis rearwardly from the rear portion and past the fins, to a flat end surface, the flat end surface being generally circular with a circumference of between 1 cm and 2.5 cm. planar with a circumference between 1 cm and 2.5 cm.   
     
     
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