GB2277453A

GB2277453A - Improvements in or relating to skittles or markers

Info

Publication number: GB2277453A
Application number: GB9308949A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John David Archer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-04-30
Filing date: 1993-04-30
Publication date: 1994-11-02
Anticipated expiration: 2013-04-30
Also published as: GB9308949D0; GB2277453B; WO1994025123A1

Abstract

A skittle or marker is described for use in physical education exercises or games comprising three or more support members (30) which are pivotally connected together through relative movement about an axis between a folded position in which they overlie one another and an extended position in which they are equally angularly spaced about the axis to form a freestanding structure. <IMAGE>

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO SKITTLES This invention relates to so-called skittles". Skittles are general purpose markers and supports used in various physical education activities, as an aid to carrying out exercises and playing various games.

Known skittles for this purpose take the form of generally frustoconical wire frames, as shown typically in Figure 1 of the accompanying drawings. These wire frames are of welded construction, and being conical can nest one over the other for storage purposes. They are arranged to be freestanding on the floor, and have a generally circular wire hoop (20) to form a base. Conventionally, such skittles have four side members (21) which extend generally vertically up the side of the cone, and which are connected at the top by an upper generally circular hoop (21), and at an intermediate point by an intermediate hoop (22).

It can be seen that such a skittle may be used as a marker resting on the floor or ground for use in the playing of a variety of physical educational games.

One or more of the side members (23) may be formed with a series of notches, as indicated at (24), so that two or more of the skittles may be used to support horizontal poles or bamboos, thus forming, for instance, a jump or a form of barrier.

51.jCP 1 fwt @@@@@@@@ rQ,rn from Wamaue in use particularly in that the welded joints between the various wire components become broken in the wear and tear of use. Further, although they are arranged to stack one over the other for storage purposes, they still take up a considerable amount of space even when stacked.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved skittle which alleviates these disadvantages.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a skittle for use in physical education exercises or games, comprising three or more support members which are pivotally connected together for relative movement about an axis between a folded position in which they overlie one another, and an extended position in which they are equally angularly spaced about the axis to form a freestanding structure.

Preferably the support members are each formed of metal rod or wire material.

Preferably said axis is vertical when the skittle is in use and the support members are so pivotally connected at spaced upper and lower points along that axis.

Preferably each support member has upper and lower pivot portions which extend generally along said axis, and the support members are pivotally connected together by a respective band of elastic material which e!lv r ~es Sâld uDDer an owe Divot portions respectively.

Preferably said band of elastic material is a band of rubber or synthetic rubber, or is in the form of a metal coil spring.

Preferably at least one of said support members is formed with a series of support notches adapted to receive and retain a horizontal pole or bamboo In order to promote a fuller understanding of the above, and other aspects of the present invention an embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to Figure 2 of the accompanying drawings of which Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a prior art skittle, and Figure 2 shows a similar schematic perspective view of an embodiment of the invention.

The skittle shown in Figure 2 comprises three support members indicated generally at (30), which are pivotally connected together to pivot relative to one another about an axis indicated at (31). The axis (31) is generally vertical when the skittle is in use resting upon the floor or other surface.

Each of the support members (30) is formed from steel rod or wire of a suitable diameter, and comprises a base portion (32), a sloping side member (33) and @@@@portion (34). The end of each base portion (32) @@ terminated @@@@@@ @@@@@ @@@@@@ an a loop (35) which includes a pivot portion indicated at (36) extending generally along the axis (31). The three pivot portions (36) of the three support members (30) are pivotally held together by means of a rubber band (37) which encircles them.

An exactly similar arrangement is provided at the top of the skittle with the upper portions (34) having respective loop portions (38), pivot portions (39), and having a connecting rubber band (40).

Thus it can be seen that the three support members can be pivoted or folded between the position shown in Figure 2 for use, where the skittle forms a freestanding item which can rest by the corners (41) between the respective base portions (32) and side portions (33) of the support members, on the floor or the ground; and a folded or closed position where the three support members overlie one another in a single plane for storage.

The lower or base portion (32) of the support members are preferably angled so that only the corners (41) contact a flat surface achieving a three-point contact with the support surface when the skittle is in use, making for extra stability.

One or more of the support members may include notches indicated at (42) in the side member thereof, and a notch as indicated at (43) in the upper member !34). to provide, in each case, support for horizontal pones -- nsmboos.

While tnree snort members are shown in the embodiment of Figure 2, it will be appreciated that four, or even more support members may be similarly pivoted together if desired.

While reference is made to the connection of the pivot portions with a rubber band (37), it will be appreciated that other elastic materials may be used, and the band may be implemented in the form of a coil spring forming the band.

The support members are preferably, as shown, formed from steel rod or wire, and may be coated with synthetic plastics material for durability and protection of the user. In an alternative arrangement, the support members may be formed from sheet plastics material.

Thus it can be seen that the embodiment provides a skittle which fulfils the function of the prior art skittle, but which is much more convenient in use, particularly in that it can be folded flat and stored in very much less space. Further, and in particular, there are no welded joints to become broken, and if for any reason the bands (37) and (40) become broken in use, they are comparatively simply and cheaply replaced, so that the skittle can be repaired by the user without difficulty. The elasticity of the band, and the resultant collapsibility of the skittle of Figure 2, also represents a safety feature in use; if a person was to fall accidentally on the skittle, it would collapse. Again, any damage which might occur to the support members would "ariablV snmr y invoice +he r becoming bent; and they are of course ea straight-ned While the embodiment shown in Figure 2 is shown with the support members equally spaced at approximately 120 to one another in use, it will be appreciated that if for any reason it is desired to use a skittle near a wall, two of the support members can be aligned with one another up against the wall, with the third support member extending outwards perpendicular to the wall.

The bands (37) and (40) need not be elastic and may be in the form of a tape or cord tied around the pivot portions.

In an alternative arrangement, the bands (37) and (40) may be replaced by a sheet member of for instance synthetic plastics material, provided with an aperture to receive the pivot portions, or a respective aperture for each pivot portion.

In a further alternative arrangement, the bands (37) and (40) may be replaced with a horizontal loop formed on one support member and arranged to receive the pivot portions of the other support members.

In the two alternative arrangements, the loop formation of the pivot portions would be dispensed with, leaving only a generally straight pivot portion. The free ends of the pivot portions may then be provided with a cap, for instance of rubber or plastics material for protection and retention in the sheet member or horizontal loop.

Claims

1. A skittle for use in physical education exercises or games, comprising three or more support members which are pivotally connected together for relative movement about an axis between a folded position in which they occupy substantially the same plane through the axis, and an extended position in which they are substantially equally angularly spaced about the axis to form a freestanding structure wherein each support member has upper and lower pivot portions which extend generally parallel to said axis, and the support members are pivotally connected together by respective rings which encircle said upper and lower pivot portions respectively.

2. A skittle as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the support members are each formed of metal rod or wire material.

3. A skittle as claimed in claims 1 or 2 wherein said axis is vertical when the skittle is in use and the support members are pivotally connected at spaced upper and lower points along that axis.

4. A skittle as claimed in Claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein said ring is a band of elastic material.

5. A skittle as claimed in Claim 4 wherein said band of elastic material is a band of rubber or synthetic rubber.

6. A skittle as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said band of elastic material is in the form of a metal coil spring.

7. A skittle as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 wherein at least one of said support members is formed with a series of support notches adapted to receive and retain a horizontal pole.

8. A skittle for use in physical education exercises or games comprising: three or more legs each having a vertical portion; and a retainer; whereby said vertical portions of the legs are held with respect to each other by said retainer so that each leg is pivotable substantially about its respective vertical portion between a folded position in which the legs occupy substantially the same plane and an extended position in which they are equally angularly spaced to form a freestanding structure.

9. A skittle as claimed in Claim 8 wherein said retainer has at least one recess or aperture and at least one of said vertical portions of said legs extends through said recess or aperture.

10. A skittle as claimed in Claims 8 or 9 wherein said retainer has one aperture and all of said vertical portions of said legs extend through the recess or aperture.

11 A skittle as claimed in claims 8,9 or 10 wherein the retainer is a band of elastic material.

12 A skittle as claimed in any of claims 8 to 11 wherein each leg has an upper and lower vertical portion with respective retainers.