GB2543791A - Sleeved tetherball games - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus includes a vertical post 1 on a base 8 wherein a ball 3, 38 is rotated by one or more player around the post, a connection means (fig,5) including an axle arrangement between ball and a sleeved tether 41 at one end, and a hooped connector arm 17 at the other. The hooped connector arm encircles the post, at a position between a hooped support collar and top collar, to that the a part of the ball to post connection means is able to brush against one of two types of play attachment arranged on or near the post; the play attachment being either a horizontal threaded bar 9 mounted onto the post; and at least one propeller 11 attached to one end of the horizontal bar or a plurality of base pins 48 located in sockets 58, each pin having detachable sticks 53 whereby as players propel the ball 38 around the post during either of two different types of game the propeller and sticks are moved by the tether. Each type of game is able to be played at different heights and using either a hand held bat and tethered ball, a hand propelled ball or a ball propelled by players feet.

Description

0001 Sleeved Tethered Ball Games apparatus and Description 0002 Prior art 0003 In the prior art there are various tethered ball games or other apparatus for practising ball control with either tennis type balls to be struck with bats or rackets, or larger balls to be hit directly by limbs similar to volleyball or football, most are based on a vertical screw thread around which the tether loop winds moving either up or down to a winning position, powered simply by the rotation of the ball around the post. This requires one player to hit the ball clockwise to win, the other player needing to hit the ball anti clockwise to win. In the bat and ball versions, apart from this there are few limitations to the flight of the ball, which may be hit at acute angles upward or downward while still rotating around the post, thus if you are shorter than your opponent, you may be disadvantaged, as you will be if you have a weak backhand. In the lower level football versions, the equivalent of hitting backhand with your foot is still more difficult, and launching a football upward too steeply also prevents the opponent from returning the ball with his/her foot easily. If both players proceed with hitting the ball in the same direction, a competitive game is not possible in the prior art. The tether also poses problems with the football versions in particular. With a ball propelled at ground level on a string or tether, the centrifugal force of the rotating tethered ball is often overcome by the forces of the ball when it bounces on the ground, thus the ball may be deflected and shoot erratically in any inward direction making it difficult to kick by the next player, especially from a standing still position. Also if a part of the tether brushes against a resisting item during its rotation, the tether will mostly tangle around that item pulling the ball out of its orbit, thus ruining the flow of any game. In most prior art tethered ball games, the spinning of the ball can be stopped, but the ball is still able to flop around and bounce in and out of an orbit, particularly in ground contact games, due to the flexible cord or string it is attached by. 0004 In the present invention the means of allowing the ball to spin without twisting the tether also stops the ball from flopping around in all directions, by means of a stiff axle system formed as part of the stiff tether sleeve, this makes the ball more predictable when orbit is interrupted by ground contact. In the present invention the ball may rotate either way around the post and in more than one example, each player may hit the ball in the same direction while still having the potential for advancing his/her position towards their winning point. This is because the start point for a twin propeller game is with the bar centralised, so that during the game either of the two propellers is wound towards the post to win by the action of the tethered ball passing in rotary fashion below the bar. Alternatively a player may change the hitting direction and still advance their position by brushing the back of a blade on their opponents propeller with the tether. With an example of the detachable sticks game, each player may chose to propel the ball in either direction to detach certain sticks to win. 0005 In another example (fig 4, the twin bar version of a propeller game), a player may choose to try and either unwind the opponents bar or advance his/her own with each rotation of the ball, this is because each player has his /her own separate bar which starts in a position with the single propeller as far away from the post as the threads of the bar allow (a small stop pin or cap is present on the opposite end of the bar), this prevents the bar from completely unscrewing through the post). In order for this version to work as described, both bars must be fitted with the same thread, for example; right hand threads wherein each right handed player advances his own bar when hitting a forehand shot clockwise (when viewed from above) and under the bar, and unwinds his opponents bar by hitting backhand or in the opposite direction. Propeller blades may be straight in one example, or curved (either towards or away from a player). 0006 Compared to many existing tethered ball type games, the present invention offers more versatility in the way it is played, for example both players may be using forehand or rotating clockwise to win, which is particularly suitable for football based versions, it is also the aim of the present invention in one example for a simultaneous football and hand ball/bat game or practice to occur with or without bars/propellers inserted high and low on the post. In one example the propellers incorporate a curved shape, with for example a concave front of the blade facing the direction of travel of the tether thus providing a brushing by the tether when for example the ball is chipped beyond the blade, the resultant predominantly downward movement of the tether will still catch on a blade causing a rotation of the propeller and the attached bar, thus chipping a ball is also a successful way of advancing a players position. A chipping (or digging as in volleyball) motion is also possible when for example using a bat or upper limb to move the ball for example when the bar is in a much higher position up the post, a higher level of skill and accuracy is required in keeping the ball below the horizontal bar/s at the moment that it crosses the bar to the opposing half of the court (each court being a semicircle either side of the bar) during the game. With a detachable sticks game, where each player has their own sticks to protect, and the opponents to destroy, to much propulsive force could remove all the sticks in one turn ruining the game, thus gentle chip shots and accuracy are encouraged. Resistance poles may be used in most examples of the present invention to slow the ball or introduce more skill in play. 0007 List of drawings 0008 Fig. 1 .Cross section from the side showing the post and an adapter base on the existing base of a similar proprietary game. Also showing two possible ball positions and ball sizes for various games options on a single post. The post is shown without any bars/propellers in place for clarity in seeing examples of possible female threaded openings through the post (one or more threaded bars may be fitted at various heights to play various threaded bar games, or with no threaded bars fitted, ball hitting practise or snapping sticks attachments can be added). 0009 Fig. 2. Perspective view from the front and side showing a single threaded bar in the start position for a game with a propeller at each end, the right hand thread makes this arrangement more suitable for right handed players either side of the bar wherein a player hits the ball to advance their position with a forehand shot. Ball and tether not shown for clarity of the other parts, if shown, the loop or hoop of the tether in this example would be fitted around the post above the support collar. 0010 Fig. 3. Perspective view from the front and side showing a similar set up to fig 2. Wherein a left handed threaded bar and reversed direction propeller blade curves makes the game more suitable for forehand play by left handed players, or backhand shots by right handed players. Also showing that players are able to advance their position by hitting in the opposite direction to normal (concave side of a blade), wherein the tether brushes the back (convex shaped) side of an opposing players blade. 0011 Fig. 4. Perspective view from the front and side showing an example using two threaded bars, wherein each player tries to advance their position by winding one bar into the post to win, or to reverse an opponents position separately must brush the back of an opponents blade with the tether. Threads on both bars are right handed, in order that the propellers are wound inwardly towards the bar from a start position with the propellers wound fully away from the post. 0012 Fig. 5. View from the front of an example of a flexible tether made from cord with one example of an anti-twist connection to a ball at one of the tether end and a loop at the other end for fitting around the post. 0013 Fig. 6. Cross section of a post in one example of the present invention wherein the post is short and a suitable height for foot propelled versions of games. The adapter base is shown fitted over an existing base and post with tubular spacer in place. 0014 Fig. 7. View from the front of one example of a support collar wherein the frustum shaped collar is fitted around the post below the bar if necessary as a guide or support to the tether loop or hoop. The frustum may include the means to clip into shape around the post so that it can be fitted when a bar is already in place. 0015 Fig. 8. View from the front above and to the side showing a frustum collar in place on the post and an example wherein the number and shape of propeller blades varies from other examples. 0016 Fig. 9. View from the front, below and side showing a right hand threaded bar with a stop pin in one end and a propeller at the other end, as would be used as in the example of fig 4, or could alternatively be used as a single bar/single propeller game wherein one player winds the bar into the post to win, and the other player standing the other side of the bar unwinds the propeller away from the post to win. 0017 Fig 10. View from the front through part of the post showing how the threaded bar would look if you could see into the post. With a left hand threaded bar having four circular profile, propeller blades protruding straight from the bar at each end. 0018 Fig. 11. An example of a one piece propeller with straight blades having bulbed tips, which may be preferred in a game when players attempt to brush the blades from both directions with part of the tether or sleeved tether. 0019 Fig. 12. A one piece propeller in a four curved blade example, possibly cut from a 2mm thickness plastics sheet, or injection moulded. 0020 Fig. 13. Close up of from the side of the propeller end of a threaded bar passing into the female thread on a section of the post. The propeller in this example is made from two crossed over circular or square (when viewed in cross section) plastics curved rods passed through openings in the end of the bar. 0021 Fig. 14. Cross section of a sectional sleeved tether, axle arrangement and ball with axle housing, wherein the stiff tubular sleeve is provided in several sections which are fitted over the tether. At the hoop end, two sectional pieces are shown linked by an overlapping locking sheath (57) as would be required in one example to play a game, another section of sleeve in the same diagram shows the sheath in a position not overlapping adjacent sleeved sections as would be the case when folding of the sleeved tether is required for storage. Also shown is an example of a simple knotted connection of the tether to the hoop, wherein a natural hinge point as created close to this point. 022 Fig. 15. Cross section of an example of a sleeved tether comprising a single piece tether sleeve forming an axle through the ball at one end and joined to a post connector arm at the other end via a flared end piece and mechanical hinge point (39). 0023 Fig. 16. A view from above of an arranged post supporting element before a post is inserted. wherein a bracing plate is seen positioned within the walls of the post anchorage element. Also showing possible positions for socket openings which when aligned with similar openings in a lower fitted bracing plate (not shown) provide fixed positions for base pins to be inserted if required for a snapping sticks game. A central opening for post insertion and finger openings for easy positioning or removal of the bracing plate from within the post anchorage element are also shown. 0024 Fig. 17. Close up view of a ball with axle housing means showing how the ball and axle housing are fitted around the tubular axle formed from part of the tether sleeve. Also shown is the means by which the ball is retained in position at the end of the tether and sleeve.

Fig. 18. Close up of a cross section through the joint between two pieces of a sectional tether sleeve, with the tether inside the sleeve, and the sleeve bridged and temporarily joined into a single acting piece of sleeve by the action of the locking sheath.

Fig. 19. A Slice through the centre of the apparatus, viewed from the front and slightly above of an example of a short post in two sections with possible joining means (34 and 37). Also shown is an example of a sleeved tether wherein the sleeve forms an axle through the ball, allowing the ball to spin on the axle when it impacts the floor on its way around the post. The apparatus shown in this example is for the snapping sticks game at ground level with a football, one detachable stick is shown attached to a vertical base pin, one attached to a downward angled base pin and one stick shown in mid air after it has been snapped free of a base pin. The example of a post support or stand shown comprises at least one bracing plate within an open topped post anchorage element (52). The post anchorage element is a tube open at both ends in this example for used with soil or sand within, alternatively the anchorage element may have a sealed bottom forming a bowl or bucket, so that water, soil or sand may be used for weighting. The post is shown inserted through the bracing plates and with a linchpin (54) fitted to connect post to anchorage element.

Fig.20. Perspective view from one side and slightly above of a post supported by above ground post anchorage element (bowl), also triangular tiered sheets with snapping sticks and base pins attached to the bowl rim in readiness for a ground level ball game. Also showing two flexible resistance poles in position through socket openings in the bracing plate. This arrangement including resistance poles, post anchorage element, post etc could be similarly used in an example involving threaded propeller bar as previously shown. 0025 List of parts 0026 No. 1. The Post 0027 No.2. The Tether 0028 No.3. A small Ball suited to bat propulsion 0029 No.4. A large Ball suited to hand or foot propulsion 0030 No.5. Female threaded opening through the post 0031 No.6. Hoop or loop Support collar 0032 No.7. An Adapter Base 0033 No.8. A proprietary base 0034 No.9. A threaded Bar 0035 No. 10. A Propeller 0036 No. 11. A curved propeller Blade 0037 No. 12. A straight Propeller Blade 0038 No. 13 A left hand thread on a Bar 0039 No. 14. A right hand thread on a Bar 0040 No. 15. A stop pin 0041 No. 16. A single piece propeller 0042 No. 17. The loop or hoop 0043 No. 18. Possible branches of a tether anti spin system 0044 No. 19. Washer of anti spin system for tether cord connection 0045 No.20. Taper headed pin for anti spin tether system 0046 No.21. Tubular adapter spacer sleeves 0047 No.22. Example of opening in post for insertion of pin providing adjustable means of fixing either a support collar, an anti post twist pin or pins for joining post sections. 0048 No.23. A Threaded bar with single Propeller at one end and a stop pin at other end 0049 No.24. A flexible resistance pole. 0050 No.25. A folded section of a sectional sleeved tether. 0051 No.26. Example of rubber O rings used to retain a sectional sleeved tether in a folded position if required . 0052 No.27. Possible curved outwardly rim of a post anchorage element, to provide possible openings for attachment of triangular sheets if required. 0053 No.28. A triangular sheet, top tier. 0054 No.29. A triangular sheet, lower tier. 0055 No.30. Pin or base pin used to connect triangular sheets to the rim of the post anchorage element. 0056 No.31. Clip on arrangement on triangular sheet. 0057 No.32. Substrate such as sand or soil. 0058 No.33. Example of a base pin fitted between two tiers of triangular sheet, the pin mushroomed over at one end to stop it passing through the sheet. 0059 No.34. Anti rotational pin or key, to stop sections of the post from twisting. 0060 No.35. Push fit or clip on propeller collar allowing attachment to a threaded rod, or removal. 0061 No.36. Round or square (in profile) twin crossover blades forming a propeller. 0062 No.37. Internally fitted tube forming an example of connection means between sections of the post. 0063 No 38. A ball with provided axle housing means 0064 No. 39. A hinge point between the tether or tether sleeve flaired end piece and the post connector piece. 0065 No.40 Axle housing 0066 No. 41. Section of sleeve forming a tubular axle. 0067 No. 42. Curved ball retaining washer. 0068 No. 43. An angled base pin 0069 No. 44. Knot in tether to hold sleeve in position 0070 No. 45. Tether sleeve 0071 No. 46. Post connector arm 0072 No. 47. Opening for insertion of post 0073 No. 48. Vertical base pin 0074 No. 49. Openings for fingers etc. for the easy removal or replacement of the item. 0075 No. 50. Adjustable top stop 0076 No. 51. Bracing plate 0077 No. 52. Post anchorage element 0078 No. 53. A detachable snapping stick 0079 No. 54. Linchpin 0080 No. 55. Tether end washer 0081 No. 56. A section of a sectional tether sleeve 0082 No. 57. Locking sheath 0083 No. 58. Socket opening ready for base pin insertion 0084 No 59. Slit or cut in a detachable Snapping stick wall to allow stretching over a base pin. 0085 No. 60. Flared end to the tether sleeve. 0086 No. 61. Additional ball retaining plate 0087 Statement of invention 0088 In the present invention, apparatus is provided for playing a variety of sleeved tether ball games, wherein a ball is propelled by at least one player around a fixed vertical post, the travel of the ball is limited by the connection means between ball and post comprising a sleeved tether and connector hoop wherein, at a first end the tether is knotted at the point that it emerges from within one end of a tubular sleeve, the sleeved tether at this end is fitted within a housing following the central axis of the ball thereby forming an axle so that the ball can spin freely on the axle, also included are means by which the ball is retained at the first end of the connection means, whilst at the second and opposite end of the connection means the tether emerges from the sleeve and is knotted, a hoop ended connector arm is attached at this end, in use, the hoop encircles the post above a vertically adjustable hoop support collar and below an adjustable hoop top collar, wherein the post below the support collar is supported by a post anchorage element with attachments, various play attachments may be fitted at various positions on or around the post wherein the rotating connection means between ball and post may brush over a part of at least one play attachment during either of two possible types of game comprising: a first type of game, wherein a detachable male threaded bar attachment is screwed horizontally into a female threaded opening provided through the post, a first propeller is attached to one end of the bar, said propeller comprising a plurality of blades protruding perpendicularly to the length of the bar, a second propeller or alternatively a stop pin is fitted at the opposite end of the bar with the post positioned between the two ends of the bar, the blades are potentially brushed by the rotating connection means as a part of the first type of game, detachable apparatus for a second game type includes base pins which are inserted vertically into socket openings with detachable sticks attached to each base pin, wherein the detachable sticks may be brushed by the rotating connection means, additionally there is provided at least one drilled opening through the post walls for the possible insertion of various pins including base pins anti post twist pins or linchpins, and items for post anchorage comprising at least one flat, circular bracing plate with socket openings and central opening through which the lower part of the post is fitted, wherein the bracing plate surface is positioned perpendicular to the vertical post and with the outer edge of the bracing plate positioned within an open topped post anchorage element, at least one linchpin is fitted through oppositely aligned openings in the walls of the post and post anchorage element at a position above or below the fitted bracing plates, water, soil or sand weighting is incorporated between or below bracing plates . 0089 Post detail 0090 The equipment includes a post (1) which may be solid or tubular, and in one version is able to be assembled in several connectible sections for ease of carriage. The post can be secured in the ground or may be secured by above ground using apparatus similar to fig. 19 or fixed to an existing proprietary post base using an adapter base (fig 1), which can be filled with sand or water for stability and may double as a container for carriage of the rest of the equipment. The post shall be in one example constructed from plastics, be hollow, tubular and of a diameter 25mm ( but could be a different diameter e g. 70mm)). At various heights up the post circular openings are bored horizontally through opposite walls of the tubular post, the openings are for example slightly larger than the diameter of the corresponding bar which may be inserted for a game. The openings include additional reaming to enlarge one portion of the circumference of each hole, this will allow an externally threaded bar to be wound through the post at various heights, and subsequently be wound back and forth easily during a game. Alternatively the post could be for example, metal, formed in sections which fit together, and of a narrower diameter for example 16mm, with a horizontal female threaded attachment/s fastened to the post at various heights to accept the threaded bar/s. 0091 Propeller Bar detail 0092 The bar (9) in one example is constructed from a solid plastics material, or alternatively may be tubular, the thread can be heat moulded as part of the bar or separately manufactured from for example circular plastics cable which could be secured at one end, wrapped around the bar and fixed at the other end, thereby creating a left or right hand thread (see figs 9,10) around the bar of the correct pitch and diameter to fit the female threaded opening of the post. 0093 In one example, (fig. 2) a single, threaded bar is provided, which is around 600mm long and 8-12mm in diameter. The bar has a right hand thread and a propeller 10 at each end and in a portable version, at least one propeller is detachable. Before playing a game the bar 9 is first wound through the post to the middle of the male thread before the detachable propeller is refitted. When a first player is standing to one side of the bar with a propeller to his/her left, and another to the right, the left hand propeller blades are curved concavely towards the player when each blade 11 is at the bottom of its rotational travel. The right hand propeller at the same time will have blades which curve convexly away from the first player at the bottom of their travel. If the ball is played clockwise (viewed from above) and below the bar towards the left propeller and the tether brushes against a concave blade, then, the propeller when viewed from the left end of the bar towards the right will rotate in a clockwise manner, screwing through the post and moving the left propeller towards the post. If the same ball is travelling anticlockwise towards the right hand propeller and brushes a convex blade, the left hand propeller will be moved towards the post. For the opposing player standing oppositely (on the other side of the bar) the same will seem to apply as he/she looks forward, ( because he/she sees a mirror image), but in reality this time it is the opposite propeller which will be moved towards the post by the sleeved tether and ball movements described above. 0093 In an example with two bars (fig.4) and a first player stood as above, each bar has a right hand thread, the first bar has a propeller at its left hand end with the post to its right wherein the bar passes through the post with a short pin (15) or stopper at the right hand end of the bar. The second bar has a propeller at its right hand end, with the post to the left, the thread passes through the post and a short pin or other stop mechanism is fitted at the other end of the second bar. Applying the same operations as in the previous paragraph will have the same result on the left bar, however if a blade on the right bar is actioned by the same player it will not affect the first (players own) bar, but the second (oppositions bar) can be unwound (if not prevented by the stop pin).Thus the game with two bars allows a player to advance his own bar or unwind the opponents with each rotation of the ball but not both. In the two bar set up, each bar is mounted as close together as possible,while still allowing successful operation, and if one is above the other then the propellers may be of different lengths to compensate. Propellers may be constructed from a circular or square (in cross section); tubular or solid plastics material, or wood or pvc. coated wire for example (fig 16). Each propeller or pair of joined propellers could in one example, simply be inserted through tight holes in the end of the bar, before being secured with a clip if necessary. In another example (fig 15), the propellers may all be moulded from a single piece of, for example high density polyethylene, with a central hub, perhaps shaped in a tubular fashion, able to be clipped or otherwise secured to the end of the threaded bar as required. 0094 It is important to note that attention is needed in construction to the direction of curvature of blades, what the thread of the bar is, which end the propeller is to be fitted to a bar, (left or right hand threaded) and whether a single bar with a centralised start point allowing lengths of bar either side of the post (having a propeller at each end) is required, or alternatively two separate bars with opposing starting points being either side of the post wherein each bar has a single propeller to be wound inwardly towards the post. Some or all of the above need to be matched to the players needs if it is wished that one or more players standing either side of the bar/s are all able to advance their position with forehand or the equivalent (foot) shots dependant on whether the players are right or left handed. In one example, if a left handed player wishes to play against a right handed player, then the blades of a propeller will preferably be straight (not curved) to allow fair play, so that both players, when one is either side of the bar can advance their position with forehand shots against blades that are equally easy to brush against with the tether. A separate detachable propeller/s with a plurality of straight (or differently shaped) blades may be provided in this eventuality or in other examples if preferred. 0095 Support collar for the loop or hoop 0096 The post also includes provision where necessary for a tight fitting circular collar (6) to be fastened around the post at adjustable heights to support the tether loop part way up the post when needed. This collar may for example comprise a circular “washer like” flat plastic disc which slides over the post or may clip around the post at the required position where it may be secured by clips, or pins inserted through small holes in the post below the collar. Alternatively an open ended, hollow frustum shaped collar may firstly be opened out and then the narrow end is clipped in place tightly around the post. 0097 The Ball 0098 The ball may be for example a tennis ball (3) propelled by a bat or in one version, may be a football/volleyball (4) or rugby shaped ball, attached by the loop/hoop and tether/tether sleeve to the post at a suitable height for proposed use, for example a football intended to be kicked may be attached at a lower point on the post than a tennis ball which is intended to be hit with a bat. Of course the height of any bar/s will also be dependant on intended use. In one example (preferred) the ball is constructed so that it is able to incorporate or have added a housing running along a central axis through which an axle can be inserted and fixed into a freely rotating position. The ball can be for example sponge with a plastic tubular housing bonded or otherwise attached., or the ball can be inflatable, with a sealed inclusive axle housing passing through the central axis of the ball. 0099 Prevention of twisting of a cord (flexible) tether 0100 The ball includes means of attachment to a tether, in one example a nylon or string bag around the ball, or the tether may pass through an entry point in the ball before being fastened to an internal curved washer to spread the forces and allow spinning of the ball. If an external bag is used a separate freely rotating joint is required in a position close to the ball to allow the ball to spin independently without twisting the tether continually. 0101 The tether in one example (fig 5) is made from a thin nylon or tough polyethylene cord or similar, with a loop or plastics hoop at the post end. The loop is fixed in minimum size at a larger diameter than the post (by applying a knot or similar) to allow free movement around the post and up and down the post by sliding. The loop at its smallest will be also smaller than the diameter of the collar or disc if fitted. The loop will also be able to be enlarged to allow easy fitting or removal over the post and bars . 0102 An example of the type of freely rotating joint required between the ball and main section of tether uses a washer with a large central opening and two or more smaller openings through the washer body equally spaced around the central opening. A taper headed pin is passed through the central hole in the direction of the ball so that the ball net or short tether can be attached to this pin such that the tapered pin head is free to rotate within the central opening in the washer without passing right through. The longer section of tether which includes the loop is constructed with a number of branches (at the opposite end to the loop) matching the number of small openings around the washer. The branches are passed through the washer openings before being tied off behind or around the outside of the washer thus the ball is able to spin or twist without twisting the full length of the tether. 0103 Adapters and Adapter Base details 0104 Tubular adapter, spacer sleeves 21 may be used to adapt a proprietary base for use by the present invention and may be included in one example, allowing fitting over the top of existing proprietary base/post systems 8 of similar equipment on the market, thereby saving cost.

The tubular adapters simply slot over the lower part of an existing proprietary post 8, coming to rest on top of the lid of the proprietary base. Several sized adapter spacer sleeves are provided to take up the spacing between different sized proprietary central posts and the larger diameter post of the present invention. In one example a full adapter base (Fig 13) is provided, which can be fitted on top of proprietary bases with the addition of adapter spacer sleeves. Alternatively the adapter base is larger and may be used separately as the main base used in the present invention, or may be used in conjunction with below ground anchorage systems. A below ground extension of the post is possible comprising either a hollow tube (particularly suited to the beach) or a screw threaded section made for example of rigid plastic or steel. Water or sand weighting added inside the adapter base around the post of the present invention will improve stability of the apparatus in use. The internal wall of the adapter base may double as a section of the post, to which other sections are fitted, or in another example the internal wall of the adapter base is slightly larger in diameter than the post, so that the post can slide freely within the internal wall of the adapter base. The adapter base may also have a lid with a central opening which can be fitted over the post, and include suitable fastening and sealing means (to prevent water leakage) if required. A grip washer or similar is also provided to position between the adapter base and the top of the proprietary base (where used together) to prevent rotational slippage of the adapter during games. The adapter base can also be used to store the component parts of the present invention when not in use and may include a carry handle for enhanced portability. The adapter base is in one example circular, or is supplied with a lid or cover which is circular, to act as a tether guide and loop/hoop support in a similar way to part 6. i.e. when the tether loop is required to be kept up the post. This circular feature also helps avoid a snagging of the tether on comers, fastening clips etc. of any base. 0105 Standard base 0106 A base for the apparatus is in one example formed from a post anchorage element with bracing plates and linchpin, wherein the tubular post anchorage element may be open at both ends, or have a closed bottom ( forming a bowl or bucket). During or after assembly as in (figs 19,20) sand, soil or water are added between Bracing plates to provide weight to stabilise the post in use.

Components may be stored in the bowl or bucket between uses. The base is preferably circular to avoid snagging of the tether if a football is to be attached to the post and used at or near ground level, otherwise the base could be a different shape, for example square. 0107 Detachable sticks game and apparatus required 0108 The threaded bar with propellers previously described herein, need not be installed through the post, (or can be removed or ignored depending on its position on the post). Instead the hoop moves between the lower support collar and top stop collar (both positioned below the bar if fitted) the detachable sticks and base pins are made in one example of a tubular plastics material, the first piece forms a base pin inserted either vertically in the ground (e g. lawn), or through socket openings in the bracing plate (where used), tiered triangular sheets or alternatively base pins may protrude at slanted angles to the post through drilled slant openings in the post wall, the base pins are generally just out of reach of the “ball - post connection means” when the ball is being rotated after being hit by a player, so that the tether or sleeve do not snag on a base pin. However, when one end of the detachable sticks are stretched to fit over the base pins, the overall length is increased so that the sticks can be brushed by the passing sleeved tether and “snapped” off the corresponding base pin on which they were mounted; to score points in a game. The snapping sticks form a tight fit over the base pins and have a slit lengthways at the end of the stick, so that they can spring open to a wider diameter when the stick is brushed or hit for example by part of the sleeved tether brushing the top of the stick above the slit, thereby snapping or detaching the stick off from around the base pin when the stick is forced to spring open as the slitted portion is forced against the widest point of the base pin. 0109 In one example the sticks are manufactured from the same material (for example 8mm diameter plastics tube) as the base pins, the slits in the sticks allowing them to stretch slightly to fit over one end of the base pins the slits may, in one example extend the full length of each snapping stick, or alternatively the slit may only be short, for example 25mm on a 100mm long snapping stick, this short length slit restricts how far over the base pin the snapping stick can be fitted, additionally rubber O rings or stiff plastic spacers may be applied to just below the top of each base pin to prevent the detachable sticks over gripping the base pins. Snapping sticks can be played at a high or low level on the post, with for an example at ground level a tethered football bouncing on the ground as it rotates around the post with the hoop rotating between the adjustable hoop support and top collars, the snapping sticks are either fitted over vertical base pins which are pushed into the ground ( for example 200-500mm away from the post), the base pins may alternatively be fitted through socket openings in at least one bracing plate (part of the post anchorage system, or), or are threaded through socket openings in triangular(for example) sheets into the ground ( e.g. lawn), or through a plurality of tiered triangular sheets which may be attached to or near the base. 0110 In a high level (up the post) example suitable for a bat and ball version of the snapping sticks game, base pins may protrude from the post higher up, arranged at downward and/or upward angles, so that the sleeved tether can be guided by a player during the tethers rotation to brush against and snap them off with or without the ball needing to bounce or make contact with the floor, thereby the game can be played higher up the post with bat and ball for example, the tether may be kept rotating (by players) between two sets of snapping sticks (one upward facing set and one downward facing) using lower hoop support collar and top collars to prevent the hoop/tether sleeve reaching the base pins, but allowing the sleeved tether to reach the snapping sticks when mounted on their bases. 0111 In an example of a game at a low level, where the ball (for example a football) may bounce on the ground, the support collar and base pins are again adjusted to a position where the sleeved tether would not normally brush or catch base pins as it rotates. With the snapping sticks connected to the base pins, the ball (when kicked ) is able to guide the “ball - post connection means” so that it will brush against one or more snapping stick, and if kicked hard this may snap many sticks in one rotation. To make the snapping of multiple sticks in one rotation harder for players, it may be a rule that the connection means has to be guided cleanly up and over at least one stick or a flexible resistance pole before further sticks can be legitimately snapped. Players may take turn alternately, and in one example may try and kick the ball in either direction. In another example the sticks may be marked or coloured, whereby one player attempts to snap only his own colour. Sticks may be varied in length, for example 60-150mm, or may in a further example be equal in length. 0112 The socket openings in the present invention may not be restricted to being present in the bracing plates, in one example, additional or alternative socket openings may be included in separate triangular (or other shaped) sheets of 2mm thickness plastics material cut in various sizes. The separate base pin sheets may be single layer or tiered with long base pins inserted through the tiers wherein sockets are aligned with long base pins passing through the tiers of sheet to form a sandwich like structure, which may be attached to the ground, or to the post anchorage element or other post base, or attached through a pair of tiered sheets similar in construction to a support collar ( but of larger maximum diameter) wherein the tiered sheets can be adjustably fitted over the post (for example above the top collar with the base pins angled downwardly, or below the support collar with base pins angled upwardly) to form additional positions for snapping sticks to be attached for a game. 0113 Threaded bar games with a sleeved tether 0114 In examples of variations of this game, the connector hoop is fitted below the bar, and rests on the lower support collar (which is a tight fit around the post, but adjustable up or down before the game starts). The ball is rotated around the post and moved upwardly by a player until part of the rotating “ball-post connection means” brushes against a propeller blade, thereby rotating the bar to screw it horizontally in one direction, the blades are able to be moved by brushing part of the ball-post connection means against the front or back of a blade thereby screwing the bar one way or the other through the female threaded opening through the post until stopped by the fouling of a propeller or stop pin against the post, the ball can be rotated in either opposite directions around the post, or the same way around the post by opposing players to move the threaded bar one way or the other, dependant on whether one propeller and a stop pin are fitted to the bar, or two propellers (each at opposite ends) . Propellers in one example are made from flat plastics sheet for example (2mm thick), blades are generally straight in profile, (but may have bulbed ends), or may be curved. Blades may most likely number three or 4 on each propeller, the length of each blade in one example being 80mm, however variations to the above may occur to suit differing post dimensions, tether lengths etc. Hoop support and stop collars can be adjusted to be wider apart, narrower, or higher /lower position on the post below the bar, thereby making the game harder or easier. In a preferred example this game is played with a football and at a low level on the post, with the ball bouncing on the floor as it rotates, causing it to spin on the axle and roll like a wheel when in contact with the ground, the bar may be fitted 600-800mm above the ground for example. In another example the post is longer and the bar fitted much higher, for example shoulder height, the ball could be a tennis sized ball hit with a bat by players, or a soft larger ball to be hit with the hands of players, in this example the ball would not be able to reach the floor due to the post height and tether length, the support collar would be at a similar distance below the bar as in the football version, which would mean the hoop is kept much higher up the post and the ball is off the floor at all times. This tennis version does not need the stiff sleeve over the tether due to centrifugal force making the ball travel more predictable and also there would be no deflections caused by ground contact, thus a standard flexible cord with no sleeve could be used to tether a ball when playing a game at this height on the post. 0115 Flexible resistance poles. 0116 At least one flexible resistance pole may be included in apparatus for any of the games described herein. In one example the pole is of 8mm tubular, plastics construction and may be 300mm in length. One end is inserted through a socket opening 58 in at least one positioned bracing plate 51. Each pole extends vertically upwards from the post anchorage element or nearby if inserted in open ground ( e.g. the lawn). The poles are brushed by the passing tether sleeve when rotating at a similar height to the pole, so that the long flexible pole is bent over by the tether sleeve, until the sleeve passes over the top end of the pole if it has enough forward momentum. The tether sleeve progress will be slowed or stopped and deflection may occur, which may be beneficial to the game. 0117 Ball movement improvements due to tether sleeving 0118 In the present invention, the ball spins on an axle formed from the tethered sleeve which passes through the central axis of the ball. Due to the sleeving on the tether, (which in one example is 8mm diameter plastics tube ) and the axle system, the tether is kept predominantly straight most of the time, even when on the floor football games are attempted, wherein, as the ball is kicked around the post, bouncing on the floor, The ball spins on its axle like a rolling wheel, following a mainly circular path due to the tether/sleeve. Not only does this reduce the chance of twisting the tether, but also, as the ball follows a much more predictable circular path it is easier to kick than it would if the tether was flexible cord and were not sleeved or made stiff by some other means . 0119 Sleeved Tether and post construction examples and portability issues 0120 The post may be a single piece, especially suitable for shorter, (e.g football only) versions of games, or alternatively, to improve portability and versatility or for playing different height games described herein, the post may be sectional, made for example from 20mm diameter outer plastics or metal tube, inside which can be fitted 18mm diameter plastics tubular insert. In one example aligning holes are drilled through tubes and inserts, then short horizontal pins ( for example 8mm) may be fitted to lock parts together and prevent rotational movement of the outer post in relation to the insert. 0121 The sleeved tether in one example is 2 metres long, the sleeving being a single 8mm plastics tube of about 1.8metres length. The hooped connector piece is 200mm long with a hoop with internal diameter around 25-30mm. A V section, flat or similar stiff arm extends from the hoop, ( for example 150mm in length) to the point where it connects to the end of the tether or to the sleeving at a point near that at which the tether it is knotted as it emerges from the sleeving at the 2nd end of the ball-post connection means (the knotting at each end of the tether keeps the sleeve in position, a washer may also be fitted between the ends of the sleeve and the knot (to protect the knot and allow individual rotation of the parts). If the hooped connector piece is attached to the tether, a hinge point will naturally be created due to the flexibility of the tether cord. If the hooped connector piece is as in another example connected to the sleeve, the sleeve may need a short flared end piece either formed or fitted to increase the sleeve diameter to 15mm (for example) . This will allow more room for accommodating the knot in the tether (which will rest against the 8mm tube end before the point of flaring). A hole may be drilled in the flared end aligned with a hole in the hooped connector arm through which an inserted pin, loose rivet or nut and bolt (for example 6mm plastics material), the pin to be parallel with the hoop when the hoop is laid horizontally on a flat surface, thereby a hinged connection is formed. The hinged connection helps prevent a jamming of the hoop against the post by keeping the hoop more horizontal around the post when the ball is kicked upwardly. The direction of hinging is preferably that which allow vertical hinging of the ball-post connection means near the post. In another example, no hinge is included in the ball-post connection means, the size of the hole in the hoop is large enough to allow the entire ball-post connection means to tilt as the ball is propelled in an upward direction, thus preventing a jamming of the hoop against the post. Additionally, a second anti twist may in one example be incorporated in the ball - post connection means if necessary to allow the tether sleeve to rotate relative to the hooped connector piece at the point where the two are connected. 0122 In one portable version of the sleeved tether and ball apparatus, the sleeving around the tether is in a plurality of separate adjacently fitted sections. To stop these hinging during a game, tightly fitting sliding outer sheaths of around 150mm length are included. These can in one position straddle each cut in the tether sleeve. For folding, these sheaths may be slid to one side over a single piece of the sleeve, so that they do not overlap the joints between adjacent sleeve pieces, the internal tether is a flexible cord which will now allow folding at the ends of the sleeve sections. Another advantage of the sectional tether sleeve may be to allow partial folding of the ball-post connection means to cause a shortening or other adjustment of the distance between ball and post in a game. The folded sections of the sleeve would need to be tightly clamped in position parallel to each other, for example using elasticated bands at each end of the folded sections.

Claims (18)

Claims

1. In the present invention, apparatus is provided for playing a variety of sleeved tether ball games, wherein a ball is propelled by at least one player around a fixed vertical post, the travel of the ball is limited by the connection means between ball and post comprising a sleeved tether and connector hoop wherein, at a first end the tether is knotted at the point that it emerges from within one end of a tubular sleeve, the sleeved tether at this end is fitted within a housing following the central axis of the ball thereby forming an axle so that the ball can spin freely on the axle, also included are means by which the ball is retained at the first end of the connection means, whilst at the second and opposite end of the connection means the tether emerges from the sleeve and is knotted, a hoop ended connector arm is attached at this end, in use, the hoop encircles the post above a vertically adjustable hoop support collar and below an adjustable hoop top collar, wherein the post below the support collar is supported by a post anchorage element with attachments, various play attachments may be fitted at various positions on or around the post wherein the rotating connection means between ball and post may brush over a part of at least one play attachment during either of two possible types of game comprising: a first type of game, wherein a detachable male threaded bar attachment is screwed horizontally into a female threaded opening provided through the post, a first propeller is attached to one end of the bar, said propeller comprising a plurality of blades protruding perpendicularly to the length of the bar, a second propeller or alternatively a stop pin is fitted at the opposite end of the bar with the post positioned between the two ends of the bar, the blades are potentially brushed by the rotating connection means as a part of the first type of game, detachable apparatus for a second game type includes base pins which are inserted vertically into socket openings with detachable sticks attached to each base pin, wherein the detachable sticks may be brushed by the rotating connection means, additionally there is provided at least one drilled opening through the post walls for the possible insertion of various pins including base pins anti post twist pins or linchpins, and items for post anchorage comprising at least one flat, circular bracing plate with socket openings and central opening through which the lower part of the post is fitted, wherein the bracing plate surface is positioned perpendicular to the vertical post and with the outer edge of the bracing plate positioned within an open topped post anchorage element, at least one linchpin is fitted through oppositely aligned openings in the walls of the post and post anchorage element at a position above or below the fitted bracing plates, water, soil or sand weighting is incorporated between or below bracing plates . Claim

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein post height, position and type of play attachments and ball size are suitable for games wherein the ball is propelled by hand held bats or rackets around the post. Claim

3.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post height, position and type of play attachments and ball size are suited to games wherein the ball is propelled around the post by players feet. Claim

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post height, position and type of play attachments and ball size are suited to games wherein the ball is propelled by hand around the post. Claim

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein adapter base components for connection of the post to an existing proprietary base are used instead of the post anchorage element and associated apparatus. Claim

6.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post anchorage element is open at both ends before the fitting of any bracing plates. Claim

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the post anchorage element includes a closed bottom end, thereby creating a sealed bowl suitable for holding water . Claim

8. The apparatus of claim 1 and either of claims 2,3,4 wherein play attachments for conducting the first type of game are excluded. Claim

9.The apparatus of claim 1 and either of claims 2,3,4 wherein the play attachments for conducting the second game type are excluded. Claim

10. The apparatus of claim 1 or 9 wherein the provided threaded bar attachment has a right hand male thread, and the corresponding female threaded openings in the post match this. Claim

11. The apparatus of claim 1 or 9 wherein the provided threaded bar attachment has a left hand male thread, and the corresponding female threaded openings in the post match this. Claim

12.The apparatus of claims 1 or 9 wherein the propeller blades are curved. Claim

13. the apparatus of claims 1 or 9 wherein the propeller blades are straight for part of their length. Claim

14. The apparatus of claims 1 or 8 wherein the detachable sticks have a lengthwise slit through their entire length. Claim

15. The apparatus of claims 1 or 8 wherein the detachable sticks have a lengthwise slit through at one end Claim

16.The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection means between ball and post includes at least one hinged point along its length. Claim

17. The apparatus of any previous claim wherein the post and/or sleeved tethered ball are sectional, allowing adjustment or folding, with the means to lock the sections together once adjusted or unfolded ready for use. Claim

18. The sleeved tethered ball game apparatus as substantially described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.