Device, system and method for use with a ball game

Abstract

A ball game device and system includes a ball-rebounding body having a frame within which a resilient surface is suspended. The frame is configured to be immovable for optimizing ball rebound. In this way, the body can be used on virtually any surface and the game played in virtually any environment. Preferably, the frame would have a base and a rebound surface-supporting structure. The resilient rebound surface is continuous and is configured to be variably tilted. The resilient surface is conical such that ball rebound and trajectory is rendered unpredictable, or predictable depending on where the ball strikes the resilient surface and/or a centrally disposed positioned within the rebound surface. In the preferred embodiment, defense boundaries offensive lines and other features are included to provide a wide variety of game formats. Notably the centrally disposed surface provides a spot that the thrower can aim at to maximize ball rebound.

1 . A ball game device comprising:
 a frame, the frame comprising;   a primary frame member;   two front support members, each configured for attachment to the primary frame member;   at least one rear support member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to the primary frame member and being configured for supporting the primary frame member in a generally angled position relative to the horizontal and the at least one rear support further being configured to extend rearwardly of the primary frame member;   at least one secondary rear support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end configured for placement on a generally flat and substantially horizontal surface, the at least one secondary rear support member configured to be disposed in a substantially vertical position;   a connection member, the connection member being configured to receive therein the distal end of the at least one rear support member and further being configured to allow the at least one secondary rear support member to pass through the connection member;   a conical ball impact and rebound surface suspended within the primary frame member; and   a flat head member disposed substantially within the center of the ball impact and rebound surface;   wherein a ball thrown at the conical ball impact and rebound surface will impact and rebound from such surface; and   wherein a ball thrown at the flat head member will impact and maximize rebound from the flat head member.   
     
     
         2 . The ball game device of  claim 1  wherein the primary frame member is configured as a circle and is further configured to be presented at an angle relative to the vertical. 
     
     
         3 . The ball game device of  claim 2  wherein the primary frame member, the at least one rear support member, and the at least one secondary rear support member are each configured as a tubular structure. 
     
     
         4 . The ball game device of  claim 3  wherein the conical ball impact and rebound surface is suspended within the primary frame member via a plurality of outer perimeter attachment members. 
     
     
         5 . The ball game device of  claim 4  wherein the conical ball impact and rebound surface comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         6 . The ball game device of  claim 5  wherein the conical ball impact and rebound surface suspended within the primary frame member further comprises a center aperture having an edge and wherein the flat head member disposed substantially within the center of the ball impact and rebound surface comprises a portion of a shaft member that is suspended therein by a plurality of inner perimeter attachment members and projects forwardly of the center aperture. 
     
     
         7 . The ball game device of  claim 6  wherein the shaft member is attached to one end of a cord and a tensioning means wherein the tautness of the conical ball impact and rebound surface is configured to be varied via the tensioning means. 
     
     
         8 . A ball game system comprising:
 a resilient ball;   a frame against which the ball may be thrown, the frame comprising:
 a primary frame member; 
 two front support members each configured for attachment to the primary frame member; 
   at least one rear support member having a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end connected to the primary frame member and being configured for supporting the primary frame member in a generally angled position relative to the horizontal and the at least one rear support further being configured to extend rearwardly of the primary frame member;
 one secondary rear support member having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end configured for placement on a generally flat and substantially horizontal surface, the secondary rear support member configured to be disposed in a substantially vertical position; 
 a connection member, the connection member being configured to receive therein the distal end of the secondary rear support member and further being configured to allow the secondary rear support member to pass through the connection member; 
 a conical ball impact and rebound surface suspended within the primary frame member; and 
 a flat head member disposed substantially within the center of the ball impact and rebound surface; 
   wherein the ball impacts and rebounds from the conical ball impact and rebound surface when the ball is thrown at such surface; and   wherein the ball impacts and rebounds from the flat head member when the bail is thrown at the flat head member.   
     
     
         9 . The ball game system of  claim 8  wherein the primary frame member is configured as a circle and is further configured to be presented at an angle relative to the vertical. 
     
     
         10 . The ball game system of  claim 9  wherein the primary frame member, the at least one rear support member, and the secondary rear support member are each configured as a tubular structure. 
     
     
         11 . The ball game system of  claim 10  wherein the conical ball impact and rebound surface is suspended within the primary frame member via a plurality of outer perimeter attachment members. 
     
     
         12 . The ball game system of  claim 11  wherein the conical ball impact and rebound surface comprises a resilient material. 
     
     
         13 . The ball game system of  claim 12  wherein the conical ball impact and rebound surface suspended within the primary frame member further comprises a center aperture having an edge and wherein the flat head member disposed substantially within the center of the ball impact and rebound surface comprises a portion of a shaft member that is suspended therein by a plurality of inner perimeter attachment members. 
     
     
         14 . The ball game system of  claim 13  wherein the shaft member is attached to one end of a cord and a tensioning means wherein the tautness of the conical ball impact and rebound surface is configured to be varied via the tensioning means, 
     
     
         15 . The ball game system of  claim 14  further comprises a plurality of boundary elements. 
     
     
         16 . The ball game system of  claim 15  wherein the plurality of boundary elements comprise a forward thrower line, a rearward thrower line and a pair of out-of-bounds lines that extend angularly rearward from the rearward thrower line to define a game playing area. 
     
     
         17 . The ball game system of  claim 16  further including stakes for anchoring the ends of the out-of-bounds lines when the system is used at the edge of a water body. 
     
     
         18 . A ball game method wherein a bail throwing pitcher throws a bail at the frame configured in accordance with  claim 16 . 
     
     
         19 . The ball game method of  claim 17  wherein at least one defending ball catcher is positioned within the boundary elements. 
     
     
         20 . The ball game method of  claim 18  wherein the frame is configured to be immovable during game play irrespective of the surface upon which the frame is placed.