US4869503A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Field game
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1988-04-25
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Granted: 1989-09-26
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Expires: 2008-04-25
Abstract
Abstract The game utilizes free-standing game pieces to enhance a player's options when there are a less than a desirable number of participants for a traditional field game. Each of the game pieces is composed of a lightweight material for easy positioning. The game pieces are large enough to serve as both a target and an obstacle. The game pieces are also constructed with a flexible support means to both cushion contact with a human player or the game object and lessen the possibility of the game pieces breaking upon such contact. The game pieces are connected to a base that disconnects upon contact capable of breaking the support means. Rules for use of the game pieces are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Mark Grasso
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-10 01:22
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0024; A63B63/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A game piece adapted for placement on a playing field suitable for humans, said game piece comprising: a base adapted to rest on a playing field; a figure having the approximate size of a human; support means for supporting the figure in a generally vertical position, said support means having a vertical axis about which said support means is adapted to bend upon application of a predetermined force and thereafter resiliently return to its original position, said support means having an elongated shape extending along a portion of said figure; and means removably connecting said support means to said base for permitting said support means to become disconnected from said base when said figure is impacted with a predetermined force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A game piece adapted for placement on a playing field suitable for humans, said game piece comprising: a base adapted to rest on a playing field; a figure having the approximate size of a human; support means for supporting the figure in a generally vertical position, said support means having a vertical axis about which said support means is adapted to bend upon application of a predetermined force and thereafter resiliently return to its original position, said support means having an elongated shape extending along a portion of said figure; and means removably connecting said support means to said base for permitting said support means to become disconnected from said base when said figure is impacted with a predetermined force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The game piece of claim 1 wherein said base is hollow and adapted to be filled with a relatively dense material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The game piece of claim 1 wherein said game piece is manually positionable at different locations of said playing field by a human.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The game piece of claim 3 wherein said figure is formed from a composition selected from the group of thermoplastic and thermosetting polymeric resinous materials and paper products.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The game piece of claim 4 wherein said figure is formed from a composition selected from the group consisting of polystyrene foam or polyurethane foam.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
19 words
The game piece of claim 1 wherein said figure has the shape of the outline of a sports player.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The game piece of claim 1 wherein said figure possesses a pictorial representation of a sports player.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The game piece of claim 1 wherein said figure is adapted to simulate selected functions of a human player engaged in a game, said functions including a target function and an obstacle function.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of playing a field game in which at least two human participants perform activities which form a normal part of the game, said method comprising: providing a first team having at least one human participant and at least one stationary game piece having the approximate size of a human participant; providing a second team having at least one human participant and at least one game piece having the approximate size of a human participant; positioning the game pieces of said first and second teams at fixed locations on the playing field and maintaining the game pieces at those positions during at least one phase of the game; employing a game piece of the first team as an obstacle to the human participant of the second team; and employing a game piece of the second team as a stationary target at which a human participant of the second team can propel an object employed in the play of the game.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
161 words
A method of playing a field game in which at least two human participants perform activities which form a normal part of the game, said method comprising: providing a first team having at least one human participant and at least one stationary game piece having the approximate size of a human participant; providing a second team having at least one human participant and at least one game piece having the approximate size of a human participant; positioning the game pieces of said first and second teams at fixed locations on the playing field and maintaining the game pieces at those positions during at least one phase of the game; employing a game piece of the first team as an obstacle to the human participant of the second team; and employing a game piece of the second team as a stationary target at which a human participant of the second team can propel an object employed in the play of the game.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 9 wherein the game pieces of the first and second teams comprise: a base adapted to rest on said playing field; a support means for supporting a figure in a generally vertical position, said support means being connected to said base; and a figure connected to said support means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the second team comprises two or more game pieces and further wherein a game piece of the second team is employed as an obstacle for a human participant of the field game.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the first team comprises two or more game pieces and further wherein a game piece of the first team is employed as a target at which a human participant of the field game propels an object.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-09-25 | 1993-03-27 | 1993-09-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-09-25 | 1997-03-27 | 1997-09-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-09-25 | 2001-03-27 | 2001-09-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |