AU2017100450A4 - Inflatable Game Fielder - Google Patents

Abstract

Abstract The present invention relates to an article for sports, particularly an inflatable object which may be used to represent a fielder, or scoring of points or runs in sports, such as cricket.

Description

Title of the Invention Inflatable Game Fielder Field of the Invention 2017100450 26 Apr 2017

The present invention relates to an article for sports, particularly an inflatable object 5 which may be used to represent a fielder in sports such as cricket.

Background of the Invention

Currently there are numerous recreational activities for sport enthusiasts including playing outdoor social games. Such social games may include playing cricket, for example in a backyard of a family home or at a park. It is not uncommon for such .o games to be restricted by the number of players available to participate in a game.

Furthermore, scoring of runs, particularly in the social or backyard cricket format of the game, requires setting up of boundaries and imaginary or ghost fielders.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to at least ameliorate the problem in the art. 15 Summary of the Invention

The present invention provides an article for recreational activities comprising a balloon-like structure having an inflatable portion, an inlet for pumping air, and a means for inflating the balloon-like structure wherein the structure is configured to display images indicating a score or a decision. 20 Preferably, the structure displays runs scored when a batsman hits the article in a game of back yard cricket. 1

Preferably, the structure displays the decision as OUT” when a batsman hits the article in a game of back yard cricket. 2017100450 26 Apr 2017

In another aspect, the invention provides a method of playing recreational sport using the article according to the invention. 5 Preferably, the method according to the present invention is used for playing backyard cricket or for coaching purposes.

Brief Description of the drawings .0 Figure 1 shows the inflatable article as an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 shows the decision OUT” displayed on the article as an embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed. Description of the invention

The present invention provides an article for sports, particularly an inflatable object 15 which may be used to represent a fielder or scoring of points or runs in sports, such as cricket in sports such as cricket.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, an inflatable article is disclosed. The inflatable article includes a balloon-like structure having an inflatable portion, and an inlet, and preferably, a means for inflating the balloon-like structure. 20 These and other aspects and features of the disclosure are described below.

The article according to the present invention is inflatable, preferably a 'ten pin' shaped target which may be used in multiples to play cricket in a back yard, a 2 parkland or even a school play area. The article can also be placed in the outfield and used as a target for practicing stroke play. In one embodiment, the article is unique in that one side has a happy face and a blank square where a number can be written (to indicate a score) and the reverse side an angry face with the word 5 OUT'. For example, a set of such articles can provide a batsman with eight scoring targets and the bowler with seven OUT' targets. The article can also be used in close as a target for a novice batsman, possibly learning to block a ball rather than giving a catch, hitting the article midway up or higher. 2017100450 26 Apr 2017

The balloon-like or ten pin like structure or article 1, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, may .0 be constructed from a plastic, elastic, or other latex material, and able to contain air so as to obtain an inflatable balloon-like structure 1. The material of the balloon-like structure 1 may, however, be constructed from a tightly woven material, such as nylon, cotton, and the like. The balloon-like structure 1 may also come in many shapes and sizes, and may be designed to resemble, represent, or emulate certain .5 types of people, creatures, or characters either real or imaginary. In this exemplary embodiment, the balloon-like structure 1 is a fielder for cricket, for example.

With reference to FIG. 1, the article 1 may include an opening disposed near a bottom or base of the article 1. More specifically, the opening may include a valve, an elastic or other resilient member connected to and disposed around a periphery 20 of the opening, such that the opening of the balloon-like structure 1 may fit onto the base, thereby connect the balloon-like structure to the base. Additionally, and/or alternatively, the balloon-like structure 1 has a separate base chamber that can be filled with water (for temporary use) or sand (for permanency) in order to maintain the location where the object has been placed. 25 In another embodiment, the article 1 may include an opening disposed near 3 a back of the article 1 to inflate the article by means of pumping in air through a valve, for example. 2017100450 26 Apr 2017 5 4

Claims (5)

1. Claims The claims defining the invention are as follows: Claim 1 An article for recreational activities comprising a balloon-like structure having an inflatable portion, an inlet for pumping air, and a means for inflating the balloon-like structure wherein the structure is configured to display images indicating a score or a decision.
2. Claim 2 The article according to claim 1 wherein the structure displays runs scored when a batsman hits the article in a game of back yard cricket.
3. Claim 3 The article according to claim 1 wherein the structure displays the decision as OUT” when a batsman hits the article in a game of back yard cricket.
4. Claim 4 A method of playing recreational sport using the article according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. Claim 5 The method according to claim 4 for playing backyard cricket or for coaching purposes.