US20070197318A1

US20070197318A1 - Apparatus and method for game

Info

Publication number: US20070197318A1
Application number: US11/622,231
Authority: US
Inventors: Jude R. Serrano
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-11
Filing date: 2007-01-11
Publication date: 2007-08-23

Abstract

A tossable disk for playing a game is provided. The disk may be comprised of a first ring comprised of a curved top outer surface, a second ring comprised of a curved bottom outer surface, a top indented inner surface substantially at the center of the first ring, and a bottom indented inner surface substantially at the center of the second ring. The first ring is attached to the second ring at a peripheral edge. The first ring, the second ring, the top indented inner surface, the bottom indented inner surface and the peripheral edge together may provide a closed structure, and together may enclose a cavity. The disk may be thrown at or through a target device having a net, a top member, and a bottom member. The net may be fixed to the target device in a manner, which allows the disk to pass through the net and between the top member and the bottom member.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to improved methods and apparatus concerning games.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are various games known in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One or more embodiments of the present invention provide one or more throwable inflatable disk games. Typically, in each of these throwable inflatable disk games, an inflatable disk, disk device, which may be called a “velocidisk” is thrown towards various shaped targets in a similar fashion to the Frisbee (trademarked). These targets differ depending upon the type of game played.
Typically the “velocidisk” throwable inflatable disk in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, has the shape of a blood platelet or a bagel. Various embodiments may have contouring shapes to accommodate aerodynamic capabilities.
The disk may have a hollow interior, which is inflatable with air injected through a valve that is placed in the body. The disk may be easily controlled when thrown, especially over short distances.
The disk may have an outer rim fits well when grasped in a human being's hand. The outer rim may give a firm grip of the disk before it is deployed making it more precise to land on a target.
The disk may also include dimples or substantially circular indentations, which aid in the aerodynamic stability of the disk in flight. The disk provides the feeling of throwing a football instead of a flimsy plastic disk like the Frisbee (trademarked). A football can be difficult to throw, however the disk of embodiments of the present invention can be thrown easily like a Frisbee (trademarked) and still has the popular culture look of a football.
The disk can be used in a number of different games. These games may have rules somewhat similar to an ultimate Frisbee (Trademarked) game, basketball, soccer, football, tennis, and volleyball, for example.
In one embodiment, the present invention provides apparatus comprising a disk. The disk may be comprised of a first ring comprised of a curved top outer surface, a second ring comprised of a curved bottom outer surface, a top indented inner surface substantially at the center of the first ring, and a bottom indented inner surface substantially at the center of the second ring. The first ring is attached to the second ring at a peripheral edge. The first ring, the second ring, the top indented inner surface, the bottom indented inner surface and the peripheral edge together may provide a closed structure, and together may enclose a cavity. The disk may be substantially in the shape of a donut having a center, with the top indented inner surface and the bottom indented inner surface overlapping the center of the donut. A plurality of circular indentations or dimples may be located on the top outer surface of the first ring. Each of the plurality of indentations may be substantially circular.
The disk may be made of two layers of material: an outer part or layer and an inner part or layer. The outer part may be made of textured leather segments, having a texture similar to footballs and basketballs, stitched to the shape of the said object much like a football is manufactured. The inner part of the disk can be of an inflatable butyl rubber inserted in the outer leather casing before the disk is inflated.
The disk may also be made of plastic made by injection and blow mold molding process. This process may be used when quantity is desired over quality in mass production. Molding it may be desired for various sizes of the disk to be able to cater to the small hands of a youth.
Other materials such as a material such as used for a Nerf (trademarked) product is also suitable. The typically symmetrical design of the disk is suitable to be made of Nerf (trademarked) foam material.
An apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may also include a target device having a net, a top member, and a bottom member. The net may be fixed to the target device in a manner, which allows the disk to pass through the net and between the top member and the bottom member. The apparatus may be further comprised of a playing surface, wherein the target device is fixed to the playing surface. The playing surface may be a tennis playing surface or a basketball playing surface, for example,
One or more embodiments of the present invention also provide a method, which may include the steps of throwing a disk, such as previously described, through a target device. The target device may be fixed to a playing surface as also previously described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a disk in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional perspective view of the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a first game playing environment for use with the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a second game playing environment for use with the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of part of a device for use in the second game playing environment of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a third game playing environment for use with the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of part of a device for use in the third game playing environment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows a side view of part of the device of FIG. 8 along with the disk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time;

FIG. 10 shows a fourth game playing environment for use with the disk of FIG. 1;

FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of part of a device for use in the fourth game playing environment of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 shows a side view of part of the device of FIG. 8 along with the disk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a disk 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 shows a cross sectional perspective view of the disk 10. FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional side view of the disk 10.
Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the disk 10 includes a central indented top region 12 a, a top inner surface 14 a, a top outer surface 16 a, a central indented bottom region 12 b, a bottom inner surface 14 b, and a bottom outer surface 16 b. The top outer surface 16 a is connected to the bottom outer surface 16 b at a peripheral edge 17. The shape of the disk 10 is generally a torus, however, in at least one embodiment, the central indented top region 12 a and bottom region 12 b have surface features. The closest resemblance to the disk 10 in nature is perhaps the blood platelets of human hemoglobin. The disk 10 may also resemble a bagel without a hole at the center
Each of the top outer surface 16 a, top inner surface 14 a, bottom inner surface 14 b, bottom outer surface 16 b, central indented top region 12 a, central indented bottom region 12 b, and the peripheral edge 17 may be made of two layers of material: an outer part or layer and an inner part or layer. The outer part may be made of textured leather segments, having a texture similar to footballs and basketballs, stitched to the shape of the said object much like a football is manufactured. The inner part can be of an inflatable butyl rubber inserted in the outer leather casing before the disk 10 is inflated.
The disk 10 may also be made of plastic made by injection and blow mold molding process. This process may be used when quantity is desired over quality in mass production. Molding it may be desired for various sizes of the disk 10 to be able to cater to the small hands of a youth.
Other materials such as a material such as used for a Nerf (trademarked) product is also suitable. The typically symmetrical design of the disk 10 is suitable to be made of Nerf (trademarked) foam material.
The top outer surface 16 a and the bottom outer surface 16 b have a plurality of circular indentations. The top outer surface 16 a has a plurality of substantially circular indentations. The plurality of indentations form circles or substantially circular patterns 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, 18 e, 18 f, and 18 g. Each of the circles 18 a-g has a plurality of indentations. The indentations are friction dimples. The primary purpose of the indentations is to generate a turbulent air disturbance just off the leading edge, such as edge 17, of the disk surface on top, such as top outer surface 16 a, and bottom, such as the bottom outer surface 16 b. The faster the spin the more turbulent air is produced. This disturbance causes the disk 10 to be more stable in flight than without its presence. Without the turbulent air disturbance, the disk 10 will tend to veer off early on during the flight to the left due to the prevailing forces of gravity and center of pressure fighting against each other. The so-called friction dimples or circular indentations partially help balance these two forces leading to a more level flight during the initial and middle trajectory. The secondary purpose would be that the circular indentations provide a grip to the palm of the thrower. These dimples or circular indentations are an exaggeration of the dimples in the likes of footballs and basketball in that they serve similar purpose.
The bottom outer surface 16 b has a plurality of substantially circular indentations, which may be a mirror image of the substantially circular indentations located on the top outer surface 16 a. The plurality of indentations forms circles or substantially circular patterns similar to circles or substantially circular patters 18 a, 18 b, 18 c, 18 d, 18 e, 18 f, and 18 g. Each of the circles on the bottom outer surface 16 b has a plurality of indentations, similar to the top outer surface 16 a.
The disk 10 has a hollow cavity 22, which is enclosed by the surfaces 12 a, 14 a, 16 a, 14 b, 16 b, and the edge 17. Air can be pumped into the cavity 22 through a valve 24 and when the valve 24 is closed the cavity 22 is sealed and no air comes out of the cavity 22. The cavity 22 may include left region 22 a, central region 22 b, and right region 22 c.
The disk 10 may be made of two layers of material. The outer being leather segments stitched to the shape of the said object much like a football is manufactured. The inner part can be of an inflatable butyl rubber inserted in the outer leather casing before inflating. The disk 10 may also be made of plastic made by an injection and blow mold molding process. This process may be used when quantity is desired over the quality in mass production. Molding it may be desired for various sizes of the disk 10 to be able to cater to the small hands of a youth. Other materials such as the Nerf (trademarked) product are also suitable. The symmetrical design of the disk 10 is suitable to be made of Nerf (trademarked) foam material.
FIG. 4 shows a diagram of a first game playing environment 100 for use with the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The game playing environment 100 may be similar to a tennis court. The environment 100 may include a playing surface 101, which includes rectangular regions 102, 104, 106, 108, 110, and 112. The environment 100 may also include net 114, which includes net portions 116 and 118. Also provided are poles 120 and 122 for holding up the net 114. The net portion 116 may be connected to the pole 120 at an end 116 a and the net portion 116 may be connected to the pole 122 at an end 116 b. Similarly, the net portion 118 may be connected to the pole 120 at an end 118 a and the net portion 118 may be connected to the pole 122 at an end 118 b. The net 114 is connected so that the both portions 114 and 118 are taut. There is a space or gap 117 between the net portion 116 and 118.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the disk 10 is sized so that it can fit through the gap 117 of the net 114. A first player 120 a playing on a side 101 a of the net 114 can attempt to throw the disk 10 through the gap 117, from the side 101 a to the side 101 b. A second player 120 b playing on a side 101 b of the net 114 can attempt to catch the throw from the first player 120 a and attempt to throw the disk 10 through the gap 117 from the side 101 b to the side 101 a. Side 101 b has boundary lines 103 a, 103 b, and 103 c.
A game can be played by using the game playing environment 100 of FIG. 4. The game may be called “Cambio Velocidisk”. This game can be played using rules similar to tennis. The court dimensions of the game playing environment 100 may be similar to conventional volleyball courts. The game, with reference to FIG. 4, may be played as singles (two players) or doubles (two sets of two players, for a total of four players). The game of FIG. 4 can be played on a rectangular court having any one of the following surfaces: grass, dirt, wood and/or concrete floors. One or more of the following game rules may also be used for “Cambio Velocidisk” of FIG. 4:

- (a) Only a player's hands may be used to deliver, toss or throw the disk.
- (b) The right to serve may be decided by a toss of a coin.
- (c) Opponents would typically stand on opposite sides of the net 114.
- (d) A “Cambio Velocidisk” game is commenced with a server, on one side of the net 114, throwing a disk 10 through the gap 117 between the net portions 116 and 118. The player who delivers (tosses or throws) the disk 10 to start the point is called the server. The player who stands opposite from the server is the receiver.
- (e) If the server to start the point lands the disk 10 outside the boundary lines (such as if server from side 101 a servers to side 101 b and then disk 10 lands outside boundary lines 103 a, 103 b, and 103 c), it is ruled a fault and a second serve is given.
- (f) In one embodiment, each player must release the disk 10 immediately (such as two seconds) after each catch. Failure to initiate disk release within two seconds, in one embodiment, will result in a turnover.
- (g) A player has an “advantage” when that player is the one serving.
- (h) A server of the disk 10 is at an advantage to score.
- (i) A “fumble” occurs when a player drops the disk 10 to the ground (such as so the disk 10 contacts the game playing floor 101 or a ground region outside the game playing surface 101, which renders the disk 10 “dead” (which means that the server has to give up the disk 10 and the advantage or service).
- (j) The receiving side has to force the server to fumble in order to gain an advantage or the right to serve.
- (k) During a volley, each player aims the disk 10 to the opposite side of the net 114 (if the player is on side 101 a, he/she tosses disk 10 to side 101 b, to a location to make it difficult for the opponent to catch the disk 10, i.e. to attempt to make the opponent fumble).
- (l) A server scores a point for every forced fumble by the opposing player.
- (m) A catch is made when a player successfully takes control of the disk 10 without dropping it.
- (n) In one embodiment, a player is allowed four steps as soon as the disk 10 is caught. Any more steps cause a foul. When the greater than four steps foul is committed twice, a score is given to the opposing player.
- (o) A disk 10 that lands on the line, such as one of lines 103 a, 103 b, or 103 c when throwing to side 101 b is in bounds resulting in a point or an advantage.
- (p) If a disk 10 hits the net 114 during a point and goes into the opponent's court (i.e. the disk 10 is throw from, for example, side 101 a to side 101 b), the disk 10 is in play.
- (q) Any player who touches the net 114 or bounces the disk 10 off the net 114 is at fault.
- (r) Failure to serve the disk 10 between the net portions 116 and 118 successfully causes a fault.
- (s) In case of a double fault, a score is given to the opposing player.
- (t) In one embodiment, a game will be played to twenty-five points.

FIG. 5 shows a diagram of a second game playing environment 200 for use with the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The environment 200 includes a circular surface 201. The circular surface 201 includes outer sections 202, 204, 206, 208, 210, and 212, inner sections 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, and 224, and central circular section 226. The sections 202-226 are optional areas for children. The sections 202-226 may be filled with letters, numbers, pictorial representations of animals, map of the world, just to name a few. A game such as MONOPOLY (trademarked) can be incorporated in the system. A device 300 including a pole 340 is fixed at the center of the central circular section 226. The environment 200 also includes free throw lines 214 a, 216 a, 218 a, 220 a, 222 a, and 224 a, and a three point circle 228.
FIG. 6 shows a more detailed diagram of part of the device 300, including a portion of the pole 340. The device 300 includes top members 310, 312, 314, and 316 which form a cross structure, and corresponding bottom members 330, 332, 334, and a member not shown which form a corresponding aligned and parallel cross structure. The device 300 also includes a circular top member 326 and a circular bottom member 328. The top members 310, 312, 314, and 316 are connected to the circular top member 326, and the bottom members 330, 332, 334, and a member corresponding to member 316 are connected to the circular bottom member 328.
An end of each of the members 310, 312, 314, and 316 are connected to the pole 340. An end of each of the members 320, 322, 324, and a pole corresponding to pole 316 are connected to the pole 340. The device 300 can be fixed, although it can also be movable. In at least one embodiment the device 300 does not rotate. A peripheral net 317 is attached to the circular top member 326 but is not attached to the circular bottom member 328. The peripheral net 317 includes net sections 318, 320, 322, and 324.
A game played with the game environment 200 of FIG. 5 and the device 300 of FIG. 6 may be called “Kardiak Velocidisk”. This game may be played using rules similar to basketball. One or more of the following rules may be used:

- (a) There may be two teams and each team may have seven players.
- (b) The court configuration may be of a circular type as shown in FIG. 5.
- (c) The court surface, or circular surface 201 can be grass, dirt, wood and/or a concrete floor.
- (d) The disk 10 may be thrown at any direction with one hand.
- (e) The person in possession of the disk 10, in one embodiment, must not stay stationary for over five seconds. Doing so will cause a turnover.
- (f) In one embodiment, a player must run with the disk 10. The player may throw it at any spot.
- (g) The person in possession of the disk 10, in one embodiment, has five seconds to throw the disk 10.
- (h) When a pass is not completed (meaning the disk 10 has bee dropped so it contacts the surface 201, or a surface outside of the surface 201), the defense takes over possession. The defense becomes the offense and has to take the disk 10 out of bounds to reset the play.
- (i) The disk 10 may be intercepted by the opposing (defensive) team or batted away to cause the disk 10 to be open for both teams. The disk 10 on the ground, or surface 201, stays alive so long as it is within bounds and can be picked up by either team.
- (j) In one embodiment, the disk 10 must be held by the hand, and the arms or body are not used for holding it.
- (k) In one embodiment, tackling, striking, holding, tripping, use of bad language, and/or pushing by a player result in a foul.
- (l) In one embodiment, a goal shall be made when the disk 10 is thrown through the peripheral net 317 between the circular top member 326 and the circular bottom member 328.
- (m) In one embodiment, a two point field goal shot is made from anywhere during play inside the three point circle, or inside circle 228 in FIG. 5.
- (n) A three point field goal shot is typically made from anywhere outside the three point circle, or outside circle 228 in FIG. 5.
- (o) A free throw, one point, can be awarded to an unguarded shot taken from behind one of free throw lines 214 a-224 a and inside three point circle 228 in FIG. 5, while the clock is stopped.
- (p) In one embodiment, for a game with reference to FIGS. 5-6, a referee shall be the judge of the players and shall note the fouls and shall have power to disqualify players.
- (q) In one embodiment, the referee shall be judge of the disk 10 and shall decide when the disk is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He or she may decide when a goal has been made and keep count of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
- (r) In one embodiment, the time shall be four fifteen minute quarters, first and second being the first half, third and fourth the second half.
- (s) Typically, the side making the most goals in the time allotted shall be the winner.
- (t) In the case of a draw or tie the game may be continued, after a break, for fifteen minutes.

FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a third game playing environment 400 for use with the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The environment 400 includes a playing surface 401 comprised of portions (or half courts) 402 and 404. The half courts 402 and 404 may be mirror images of each other. The playing surface 401 may be substantially in the form of a full court basketball playing surface or floor. The half courts 402 and 404 include three point lines 402 a and 404 a, respectively. The half court 402 also includes lines 402 b, 402 c, 402 d, and 402 e, which are not typically located on a basketball court, but which may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly the half court 404 includes lines 404 b, 404 c, 404 d, and 404 e, which are not typically located on a basketball court, but which may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A device 500, including a pole 504 is fixed at a location on the half court 402 similar to a basketball pole on a half court of a basketball court. A similar device, including a pole may be fixed on the half court 404, but is not shown in FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 shows a diagram of the device 500, including a portion of the pole 504. The device 500 includes a member 502, U-shaped members 506 and 508, bracket 510 and net 512. The bracket 510 includes top member 510 a, bottom member 510 b, and side members 510 c and 510 d, which together surround an opening 510 e. The net 512 is attached to the top member 510 a but is not attached to the bottom member 510 b or the side members 510 c and 510 d. The member 502 is fixed at one end to U-shaped member 506 and at another end to U-shaped member 508. The U-shaped members 506 and 508 are fixed to bracket 510. The member 502 has a center which is fixed to one end of the pole 504.
A game for use with the game playing environment 400 of FIG. 7 and the device of FIG. 8 may be similar to the game referred to with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The sections created by dividing lines 402 b-e and 404 b-e are optional areas for children. They may be filled with letters, numbers, pictorial representations of animals, a map of the world, just to name a few possibilities. A game such as Monopoly (trademarked) can be incorporated onto the playing surface 401.
FIG. 9 shows a side view of part of the device 500 of FIG. 8 along with the disk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time. The disk of FIG. 1 is shown in dashed lines and identified as 550 a, 550 b, 550 c, 550 d, and 550 e at different points in time in FIG. 9. The disk of FIG. 1 is thrown in a direction D, shown in FIG. 9, and passes from the position shown by 550 a to the position shown by 550 b. Next the disk of FIG. 1 when it reaches the location shown by 550 c, impacts the net 512. This causes the net 512 to deflect upwards to positions 512 a and then to 512 b. The net 512 pivots about an edge 513 which is fixed to the top member 510 a of the bracket 510. Next the disk of FIG. 1 goes throw locations shown by 550 d and 550 e in FIG. 9. During the disk's flight from positions 550 a-550 e, the disk passes through the opening 510 e in bracket 510 and drops down between the members 502 and 510 b.
A game, referring to FIGS. 7-9, may be called “Convex Velocidisk”, and in accordance with one embodiment may be played as follows:

- (a) This game can be played using the same rules as basketball.
- (b) The court dimensions for playing surface 401 shown in FIG. 7, may be similar to a conventional basketball court.
- (c) There may be two teams, each of which may have seven players.
- (d) The surface 401 in FIG. 7 can be a rectangular court surface of any type such as grass, dirt, wood and concrete floors.
- (e) The disk 10 may be thrown at any direction with one hand.
- (f) The person in possession of the disk 10 must not stay stationary for over five seconds. Doing so will cause a turnover.
- (g) The person in possession of the disk 10, in one embodiment, has five seconds to throw the disk 10.
- (h) A player must run with the disk 10. The player may throw it at any spot.
- (i) When a pass is not completed (i.e. the disk 10 falls and contacts the surface 401 or a ground surface outside the surface 401), the defense takes over possession. The defense becomes the offense and has to take the disk 10 out of bounds to reset the play.
- (j) The disk 10 may be batted away from any player. The disk 10 that is batted away from a player can roll on the ground and remains alive so long as it is within bounds, i.e. on the playing surface 401, shown in FIG. 7, and can be picked up by either team.
- (k) In one embodiment, the disk 10 must be held by the hand, and the arms or body must not be used for holding it.
- (l) The disk 10 can be played by evading an opposing player, moving the disk 10 by throwing, or handing the disk 10 to another player.
- (m) Tackling, striking, holding, tripping, use of bad language and pushing result in a foul.
- (n) A goal shall be made when the disk 10 is thrown through the net 512 and between the top member 510 a and the bottom member 510 b.
- (o) A two point field goal shot, can be made from anywhere during play inside the three point arc, or three point lines 402 a and 404 a.
- (p) A three point field goal shot is made from anywhere outside the three point arc or outside three point lines 402 a and 404 a.
- (q) A free throw-one point is awarded to an unguarded shot taken from behind one of the free throw lines shown in FIG. 7, while a clock is stopped.
- (r) A referee may be the judge of the players and shall note the fouls and shall have power to disqualify players.
- (s) The referee may be judge of the disk 10 and may decide when the disk 10 is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and may keep the time. He or she may decide when a goal has been made and keep count of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
- (t) The time may be four fifteen minute quarters, first and second being the first half, third and fourth the second half.
- (u) The side making the most goals in the entire game may be declared the winner.
- (v) In the case of a draw or tie, the game may be continued, after a break, for fifteen minutes.

FIG. 10 shows a diagram of a fourth game playing environment 600 for use with the disk 10 of FIG. 1. The game may be called “Field Velocidisk”. The environment 600 includes a playing surface 601 comprised of portions (or half fields) 602 and 604. The playing surface 601 has a half field line 606 a, side lines 606 b and 606 c, and base or end lines 606 d and 606 e. The half fields 602 and 604 may be mirror images of each other. The playing surface 601 may be substantially in the form of a full soccer field with the markings of a basketball court. The word “court” is typically used when referring to similarities to a basketball court, and the word “field” is typically used when referring to the playing ground in which “Field Velocidisk” is played on. The half fields 602 and 604 include three point lines 602 a and 604 a, respectively. The half field 602 also includes lines 602 b, 602 c, 602 d, and 602 e, which are not typically located on a basketball court, but which may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Similarly the half field 604 includes lines 604 b, 604 c, 604 d, and 604 e, which are not typically located on a basketball court, but which may be provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. A device 700, including a pole 704 is fixed at a location on the half field 602 similar to a basketball pole on a half court of a basketball court. A similar device may be fixed on the half field 404, but is not shown in FIG. 10.
FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a portion of the device 700. The device 700 includes a member 702, a bracket 704, a net 706, and a pole 708. The bracket 704 includes top member 704 a, bottom member 704 d, and side members 704 b and 704 c. The net 706 is attached at its top to the top member 704 a but is not attached to the bottom member 704 d, or to the side members 704 b and 704 c. The pole 708 is fixed to one end of member 702, and an opposite end of member 702 is fixed to bottom member 704 d.
FIG. 12 shows a side view of part of the device 700 of FIG. 11 along with the disk of FIG. 1 shown at different points in time. The disk of FIG. 1 is shown in dashed lines and identified as 750 a, 750 b, 750 c, 750 d, and 750 e at different points in time in FIG. 12. The disk of FIG. 1 is thrown in a direction D2, shown in FIG. 12, and passes from the position shown by 750 a to the position shown by 750 b, and then to the position shown by 750 c. Next the disk of FIG. 1, when it reaches the location shown by 750 d, impacts the net 706. This causes the net 706 to deflect upwards to positions 706 a and then to 706 b. The net 706 pivots about an edge 713 which is fixed to the top member 704 a of the bracket 704. Next the disk of FIG. 1 goes to location shown by 750 e in FIG. 9. During the disk's flight from positions shown by 750 a-750 e, the disk passes through the opening 704 e in bracket 704 and drops down over bottom member 704 d.
A game, for use with the game playing environment 600 of FIG. 10 and the device 700 of FIGS. 11 and 12 may be played as follows:

- (a) The game can be played using the same rules as soccer.
- (b) There may be two teams, each team including nine players.
- (c) Typically the disk 10 is held in an individual's hand, instead of the foot, to move the disk 10 around.
- (d) The game, referring to FIGS. 10-12, can be played on a rectangular field or surface of any type such as grass, dirt, wood and/or concrete floors.
- (e) The disk 10 may be thrown at any direction with one hand.
- (f) The person in possession of the disk 10 must not stay stationary for over five seconds. Doing so will cause a turnover.
- (g) A player must run with the disk 10. The player may throw it at any spot.
- (h) The person in possession of the disk 10 has ten seconds to throw the disk 10.
- (i) When a pass is not completed, the defense takes over possession in the mid field, at around half field line 606 a.
- (j) When a pass is not completed, the defense takes over possession. The defense becomes the offense and has to start over the play starting at midfield, at half field line 606 a, to reset the play.
- (k) The disk 10 may be intercepted by the opposing (defense) team or batted away to cause the disk 10 to be available for both teams. The disk 10 on the ground or surface 601 of FIG. 10, stays alive so long as it is within bounds (i.e. within lines 606 b-e) and can be picked up by either team.
- (l) The disk 10, in one embodiment, must be held by hand. In one embodiment, the arms or body must not be used for holding it.
- (m) A foul may be called for tackling, striking, holding, tripping, use of bad language and/or pushing.
- (n) A goal shall be made when the disk 10 is thrown through the net 706 between the top member 704 a and the bottom member 704 d.
- (o) In one embodiment, the referee shall be the judge of the players and shall note the fouls and shall have power to disqualify players.
- (p) In one embodiment, the referee shall be the sole judge of the disk 10 and shall decide when the disk 10 is in play, in bounds, to which side it belongs, and shall keep the time. He or she, in one embodiment, shall decide when a goal has been made and keep count of the goals, with any other duties that are usually performed by a referee.
- (q) In one embodiment, the time shall be two ninety continuous minutes, split between four periods.
- (r) In one embodiment, the team making the most goals in that time shall be the winner.
- (s) In the case of a draw or tie the game may be continued, after a break, for thirty minutes.

Although the invention has been described by reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to include within this patent all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of the present invention's contribution to the art.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

A disk comprising:

a first ring comprised of a curved top outer surface;

a second ring comprised of a curved bottom outer surface;

a top indented inner surface substantially at the center of the first ring;

a bottom indented inner surface substantially at the center of the second ring; and

the first ring attached to the second ring at a peripheral edge;

and wherein the first ring, the second ring; the top indented inner surface, the bottom indented inner surface and the peripheral edge together provide a closed structure, and together enclose a cavity.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the disk is substantially in the shape of a donut having a center, with the top indented inner surface and the bottom indented inner surface overlapping the center of the donut.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a plurality of indentations located on the top outer surface of the first ring.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein

each of the plurality of indentations is substantially circular.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein

the disk is made substantially an outer layer and an inner layer;

wherein the outer layer is made of a textured leather;

and wherein the inner layer is made of butyl rubber.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising

a target device having a net, a top member, and a bottom member; and

wherein the net is fixed to the target device in a manner, which allows the disk to pass through the net and between the top member and the bottom member.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising

a playing surface, wherein the target device is fixed to the playing surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein

the playing surface is a tennis playing surface.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein

the playing surface is a basketball playing surface.

10. A method comprising the steps of:

throwing a disk through a target device;

wherein the disk is comprised of:

a first ring comprised of a curved top outer surface;

a second ring comprised of a curved bottom outer surface;

a top indented inner surface substantially at the center of the first ring;

the first ring attached to the second ring at a peripheral edge;

11. The method of claim 10 wherein

12. The method of claim 10 wherein

the disk is comprised of a plurality of indentations located on the top outer surface of the first ring.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein

each of the plurality of indentations is substantially circular.

14. The method of claim 10 wherein

the disk is made substantially an outer layer and an inner layer;

wherein the outer layer is made of a textured leather;

and wherein the inner layer is made of butyl rubber.

15. The method of claim 10 wherein

the target device has a net, a top member, and a bottom member; and

the net is fixed to the target device in a manner, which allows the disk to pass through the net and between the top member and the bottom member.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising

fixing the target device is fixed to the playing surface.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein

the playing surface is a tennis playing surface.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein

the playing surface is a basketball playing surface.