DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. This description will clearly enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives and uses of the invention, including what I presently believe is the best mode of carrying out the invention. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.

[0028] An illustrative enclosed play area 10 of the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1-4. The play area 10 includes front, back, and side walls 12 and a cover 14. The walls preferably are not solid walls. Rather, the walls include vertical and horizontal frame elements 16 and 18, respectively, which cross each other at right angles to define quadrilateral areas 20 (which are preferably square or rectangular). Modular activity stations are mounted in several of the areas 20. The remaining areas are closed by a transparent or see-through material, such as a mesh, fencing, or other transparent material which can withstand the impact of balls being thrown at it. Preferably, the material cannot be easily climbed. The use of the mesh also allows people (such as parents) outside the play area 10 to view the activity inside the play area. A door 22 is hingedly mounted in one of the front, back, or side walls, to allow for entry into, and exit from, the play area 10.

[0029] The various activity centers are centered around a common tub 30 (FIG. 5). The tub 30 is generally in the shape of a truncated, four-sided pyramid. The tub 30 has four short side walls 32 which are perpendicular to each other. The side walls 32 define a rim which extends perpendicularly to the wall (or cover) of the play area when the tub is mounted to the play area frame. The walls 32 are preferably all the same length and define a generally square mouth or opened end of the tub 30. Sloped side surfaces 34 extend inwardly from the side walls 32. A generally square back surface 36 extends between the ends of the sloped side surfaces, and is generally centered relative to the walls 32. The back surface 36, which lies in a plane parallel to the wall (or cover) of the play area to which the activity station is mounted, is smaller in area than the area defined by the walls 32. Preferably, the height and width of the back wall 36 is about ½ of the height and width of the walls 32. Hence, the area of the back wall is about ¼ of the area defined by the walls 32. A pair of holes 38 are formed in the back wall to allow for connection of hoop mounting brackets (as will be described below) to mount ball hoops in the tub. The holes 38 define a line perpendicular to one of the edges of the back wall 32. The two holes, which are spaced apart slightly from each other are located closer to one edge of the back wall. For example, in FIG. 5, the holes 38 are positioned closer to the bottom edge of the back wall. Additionally, as seen in FIG. 5, the holes are located approximately mid-way between the vertical or side edges of the back wall. Thus, the holes 38 are generally centered with respect to one set of opposing edges of the back wall, and are off-set from the center with respect to the other set of opposing edges of the back wall.

[0030] The tub 30 is mounted to the frame elements 14 and 16 by brackets 40 (as seen in FIG. 7) such that the walls 32 of the tub do not protrude substantially into the play area. Preferably, the tub mouth is generally flush with the rear (or outside) of the frame elements 16 and 18. By mounting the tub such that the mouth walls 32 do not extend substantially into to play area (and preferably do not extend into the play area at all), hinging on the rims by children should be minimized. Rather, children, to the extent that they hang onto elements of the play area, will hang on the frame elements which form the enclosure. If they do hang on the bottom walls of the tubs, then the child's weight will be supported by the horizontal frame element below the bottom wall of the tub mouth.

[0031] The brackets 40 include a tubular section 42 which is sized to fit around the frame elements 16 or 18 and an arm 44 extending from the cylindrical section. The tub 30 is mounted to the bracket arm 44, for example by fasteners which extend through the tub walls 32. The fasteners can be screws, bolts, etc. The tubular section 42 can, for example, be shaped to simply snap onto the frame section. Alternatively, it can extend around the frame section, and use fasteners to fix the bracket in place on the frame member 16 or 18.

[0032] A first activity station 50 is shown generally in FIG. 6. The activity station 50 includes a tub 52 having a multi-hoop 54 mounted to the back wall 56 of the tub. The hoop 54 includes a mounting plate 58 which is secured to the tub wall 56 in any conventional manner. A horizontal hoop 60 is mounted to the mounting plate 58, for example, by arms 62. Three diagonal hoops 64 are mounted to the horizontal hoop 60 and extend upwardly from the horizontal hoop 60. The diagonal hoops 64 (all of which are circular) are secured to the horizontal hoop 60 at locations 66 spaced apart by 120°. Adjacent diagonal hoops are then secured together, as at 68. The tops of the diagonal hoops 64 are closer together than the bottoms of the hoops where the diagonal hoops are secured to the horizontal hoop. However, the diagonal hoops are not closed at the top. The tops of the diagonal hoops define a space which is sized to be smaller than the ball used to throw though the hoops.

[0033] Panels 70 are mounted to the play area frame elements 16 and 18 above and below the tub 52 of the activity station 50. The panels 70 each include two adjacent openings or ports 72. The openings of the upper panel are connected to the openings of the lower panel by tubes 74, as best seen in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thus, for example, the left opening of the upper panel is connected to the left opening of the lower panel; and the right opening of the upper panel is connected to the right opening of the lower panel. Alternatively, the tubes 74 could cross over, such that the upper right opening is connected to the lower left opening, and the upper left opening is connected to the lower right opening. Hence, the upper and lower openings are in communication with each other. Rings 76 surround each of the ports 72. The tubes 74 include flanges (not shown) at their ends, and fasteners extend through the rings 76 and the tube flanges to secure the tubes in place. Although the panels 70 are shown to include two openings or ports, they could instead be provided with a single port and tube, or three or more ports and tubes. The activity station 50 can be altered to omit the tub 52, leaving only the two panels 70 and their associated tubes. In this instance, the two panels can be connected via a flat panel, to form a unitary piece, as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14, and as described below. Conversely, the panels 70 can be omitted, leaving only the tub 52.

[0034] As can be appreciated, activity station 50 actually involves two activities. The first involves the tub 52 with the multi-hoop 54. Balls can be thrown through the diagonal hoops 64 with the intent that the ball will then fall through the horizontal hoop 60. This activity is increased in difficulty when the ball is bounced off one of the sloped surfaces 53 or the back wall 56 of the tub 52 prior to the ball passing through the diagonal hoops 54. The diagonal surfaces of the tub also allow the ball to return to the play area, and the ball will not get stuck inside of the tub. In the second activity, a ball can be thrown, such that it enters one of the top panel openings 72. The openings 72 and the tubes 74 are sized to allow the ball to pass easily therethrough. Hence, if a ball is thrown into one of the top panel openings, the ball will be returned through the corresponding lower panel opening.

[0035] The second activity station 80 (FIG. 7) is generally similar to the activity station 50. The activity station 80 includes a tub 82 to which a multi-hoop 84 is mounted. The multi-hoop 84 is identical to the multi-hoop 54 (FIG. 6). However rather than the diagonal hoops extending upwardly, as in the activity station 50, the diagonal hoops extend downwardly. The play area 10 is also shown to include a solid walled hoop 86 which is mounted to one of the vertical frame members 16 adjacent the activity station 80.

[0036] A third activity station 90 is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, and can be seen in full in FIG. 2. The activity station 90 is a ceiling mounted station which includes two of the tubs 92a,b which are mounted in areas 20 that are kitty-corner from each other. The tubs 92a,b of the station 90 each include ports 94 in two adjacent sloped surfaces 96 of the tubs, as best seen in FIGS. 8 and 9. Tubes 98 extend between the ports of the two tubs 92a,b to place the ports 94 of one tub in communication with the ports of the other tub. As with the panels 70 of the first activity station 50 (FIG. 6), rings 99 surround the ports 94 to secure the tubes 98 to the tubs 92a,b. As seen in FIG. 9, a hoop 100 is mounted in the tub 92b on one of the sloped surfaces of the tub. The hoop 100 is positioned on a surface opposite one of the ports 94. Preferably, the hoop 100 and the port 94 are positioned on their respective walls, and the tube 98 has a slope such that, when a ball exits the port 94 with sufficient speed, it can pass through the hoop 100. As can be appreciated, the object of the activity station 90 is to throw a ball through the port 94 in the tub 92a with sufficient force, such that the ball will then pass through the hoop 100 in the tub 92b. Although the tubs 92a,b are shown mounted to the play area ceiling, the tubs could also be mounted to one of the play area walls, such that one of the tubs is above, below, on the same level as, or diagonal to, the other tub. Additionally, the tubs 92a,b can be next to each other, rather than kitty-corner to each other when mounted on the ceiling.

[0037] A fourth activity station 110 is shown in FIG. 10. The activity station 110 includes a double-hoop 112 mounted to the back wall 114 of a tub 116. The double hoop 112 includes a horizontal hoop 118 which is mounted to the mounting plate 120 of the double hoop 112. A vertical hoop 122 is then mounted to the front of the horizontal hoop, as at 124, to be generally perpendicular to the horizontal hoop. A pair of support arms 126 extend between the horizontal and vertical hoops. The activity station 110 can be used in several different ways. One can attempt to throw a ball through the vertical hoop, such that it then passes through the horizontal hoop. The sloped walls of the tub can also be utilized, such that the ball bounces off of one of the sloped walls and then passes through one of the hoops 118 or 122.

[0038] A fifth activity station 130 is shown in FIG. 11. The activity station 130 includes a plurality of hoops mounted in a tub 132. The tub 132 is slightly different from the tub 30 on which the other activity stations are based. The tub 132 includes a rim 134 defining a square which is sized and shaped to be mounted in one of the areas 20 defined by the vertical and horizontal frame members of the play area walls. The rim forms side portions 134a, a bottom portion 134b, and a top portion 134c. Side walls 136 extend diagonally inwardly from two opposed side portions 134a of the rim 134, a bottom wall 138 extends from the rim bottom portion 134b, and a top wall 140 extends from the rim top portion 134c. A back wall 142 then extends between the back edges of the top, bottom and side walls. The top wall 140 is stepped, as at 144 to define a forward portion 146 and a back portion 148. As can be seen, the top wall back portion 148 is lower than the top wall forward portion 146. Additionally, the junction 150 between the back wall 142 and the bottom wall 138 is curved. That is, the junction 150 forms a smooth transition between the back wall and the bottom wall of the tub—there is not a sharp corner at this junction, as there are with the other junctions in the tub 132.

[0039] Although the activity station 130 is shown to include three hoops, it could be provided with only two hoops. For example, the back hoop 158 could be omitted. Alternatively, either of the hoops 154 or 156 could be omitted. Further, the activity station 120 could be provided with a single one of the hoops 154, 156, or 158.

[0040] The activity station 130 includes a first hoop 154 mounted to the top wall forward section 146 near the front edge of the forward section. The hoop 154, as seen, is a vertical hoop, and is generally perpendicular to the top wall forward section. A second hoop 156 is mounted to the top wall inner section 148 near the front edge of the back section (i.e., near the step 144). The second hoop 156 is also a vertical hoop. As can be appreciated, because the top wall back portion is lower than the top wall forward portion, the second (or back) hoop 156 is lower than the first (or forward) hoop 154. A third hoop 158 is mounted to the tub back wall 142. The hoop 158 is a double hoop, and is identical to the double hoop 112 of the activity station 110 (FIG. 10) However, the double hoop 158 is mounted to the tub back wall 142 such that its vertical hoop 160 extends downwardly from the horizontal hoop 162, rather than upwardly. The third, double hoop 158 is positioned to be behind the second hoop 156. As noted above, the second hoop 156 is behind, and partially below, the first, front hoop 154. Hence, a player can throw a ball such that it passes through the front hoop 154, the back hoop 156, and through the horizontal hoop 162 of the double hoop 158. The curvature of the junction 150 between the back and bottom walls of the tub will cause the ball to roll forwardly along the bottom of the tub, to return the ball to the player.

[0041] Another activity station 170 is shown in FIG. 12. The activity station 170 is based on a tub 172 similar to the tub 132 of the activity station 130. However, the tube 172 could be similar to the tub 30 of FIG. 5. The station 170 includes a panel 174 having a top edge 175, a bottom edge 176, and side edges 177. The panel bottom edge is shown to be wavy, but could be straight, or provided with any other desired configuration. The panel 174 is sized to extend across the tub 172. However, the panel height is such that there is a gap between the panel bottom edge 176 and the bottom of the tub. The gab between the panel bottom edge and the tub bottom is sized to allow a ball to pass beneath the bottom of the panel. The panel 174 is provided with several openings 178. As shown, the openings can be of different shapes. Square, diamond, and round openings are shown, but other shapes through which a ball can pass can be used. The holes can all be different shapes, or some of the shapes can be repeated. Further, six openings are shown, but depending on the size of the panel, and the size of the openings, more or fewer openings could be formed in the panel. The station 170 is a type of Skeeball. The object is to throw the ball though the various openings. The openings 178 can be provided with point values 179, to allow players to “keep score”. The shape of the tub wall cause the ball to roll out the bottom of the tub through the space between the tub bottom and the panel bottom. The panel can also be sized to provide for a gap between the panel top edge 175 and the top of the tub 172. Such a gap would also be sized to allow a ball to pass therethrough. A gap above the top of the panel could be provided with an additional point value.

[0042] Lastly, the activity station 180 shown in FIGS. 13 and 14 is based on the panels 70 of the activity station 50. However, the activity station 180 does not include a tub and basket. Rather, the activity station 180 includes an elongate panel 182 having a plurality of openings 184 at the top and bottom of the panel. The same number of openings are formed at both the top and bottom of the panel. For example, the panel 182 is shown to include three openings 184 at the top and the bottom. However, two openings could be provided or four or more openings could be provided. The panel top openings are connected to the panel bottom openings by tubing 186 which extends between the openings. The openings 184 and the tubing 186 is formed as described above in conjunction with activity station 50 and panels 70 to mount the tubing 186 to the panel 182. Preferably, the openings 184 are connected by the tubing 186 such that the exit opening does not correspond with the entrance opening. For example, in FIG. 13, the top left opening is connected to the bottom right opening; the top middle opening is connected to the bottom left opening; and the top right opening is connected to the bottom middle opening. The object of the activity station 180 is to through the ball through the top openings. The ball will then pass through the tubing 184 and exit the panel 182 at the bottom opening.

[0043] As can be appreciated, the enclosed play area is centered around ball throwing activity stations. The size of the play area can be increased or decreased as desired. The number, arrangement, and position of activity stations which are mounted in the play area can also vary. For example, one or more of the activity stations can be excluded from a play area. More than one of any of the activity stations can also be included in a play area. The position of the activity stations on walls can be changed depending on the age group of children which will use the play area. For example, the height of the activity stations can be lowered for smaller children and raised for older children. Alternatively, a single play area can have activity stations that are of varying heights to accommodate children of different size and skill levels. Further, other activity stations, not disclosed herein, can be included in the play area without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, hoops can be mounted on the tub side walls. The tubs of different activity stations can be interconnected via tubes to, in effect, combine different activity stations. Additionally, the play area is not intended to be limited to the activity stations shown and described above. In fact, the play area can include various other types of backboards and activity stations, including activity stations which are not centered or built around the tub. Preferably, the hoops (and balls) are smaller than standard basket ball hoops and balls. However, the hoops and balls used in the play area can be made to most any desired size.

[0044] Further, the rims of the tubs for the various activity stations are all the same size. Hence, the activity stations are modular, and the modular activity stations can be removed from the play enclosure for repair or replacement. Additionally, one modular activity station can be replaced with a new activity station, or the arrangement of the modular activity stations can be rearranged, if desired. As can be appreciated, the use of modular activity stations gives the designer and operator of the play area a significant amount of freedom in the placement of activity stations in the play area. Additionally, older activity stations can be replaced with newer activity stations (which may or may not be the same as the older activity stations) with very little down time in the operation of the play area.

[0045] As various changes could be made in the above constructions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. For example, the frame members of the play area walls are shown to define square areas, and the tubs are all based on a square rim. However, the tubs could be based on a rim which is, for example, triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. The frame members would then similarly intersect to form correspondingly shaped areas in which the tubs can be mounted. Although the invention is described with respect to an enclosed play area, it will be apparent that the tubs or activity stations can be mounted to a single wall (or an overhead ceiling), and not be part of an enclosed play area. These examples are merely illustrative.