US1935174A - Game - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 14, 1933. H. E. BISAILLON ET AL I 1,935,174

GAME

Filed NOV. 21, 1931 IN V EN T0 RS. f/ec/or fizlmillon and M'lliam J Home Z. BY

r I I I r A TTORN E Y .member;

Patented Nov. 14, 1933 UNITED ST S PATENT orricn Application November 21,. 1931 Q Serial No. 576,552;

lil'Claims. (Cl. 273---102) This invention relates to new and useful improvements in games and hasparticular relation to a gam apparatuswhi-ch may be used either indoors or outdoors and which may be used in playing with marbles or'the like and which in a slightly modified embodiment may be used in connection with an air rifle, pop gun or the like.

An object of the inventionis to provide an apparatus for use in playing marbles or the like which apparatuswill enable the players to perform without soiling their clothes and which apparatus may be used outdoors or indoors as desired.

Another'object is to provide a game apparatus as indicated and which may be easily equipped with means whereby it may be used as a shooting gallery.

A further object is to provide a game apparatus of the character stated and which is collapsible and be folded to occupy arelatively small space as for storing, transportation, shipping or the like.

An additional object is to provide an'apparatus as for the purpose stated and which may be manufactured and'sold at a relatively low price.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the following detailed description taken in connection. with the accompanying drawing wherein the invention is shown, However, it will be understood that the invention is not limited to the'details disclosed but includes all such variations and modifications as fall within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claims to which claims reference should be had for a definition of the invention. I

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the apparatus or device complete; a I

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the frame of the device the cover and floor being omitted; Fig. 3 is a top plan View of the bottom or floor section alone; t

Fig. 4 is a viewof the frame alone showing the manner of folding or collapsing the device;

Fig. 5 is a detailed sectional-view on an enlarged scale showing the target support and the manner of mounting the same when the device isused in a marble game; 7 7

Fig. 6 is a-perspective view showing a corner Fig. 7 is a detailedsection view on an enlarged scale and showing theconnection between the upper or top section and the lower or floor section of the device; I V k r Fig. 8 is a detail elevational view on an enlarged scale showing a joint with the, parts extended;

Fig. 9 is a similar view showing the parts partly collapsed;

Fig. 10 is a detail sectional View showing the manner of mounting and the location of the apron or bouncing board; and

Fig. 11 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the device as equipped when used as a shooting gallery. I Y

Referring in detail to the drawing, the 'im- ,65 proved game apparatus includes a body or housing generally indicated at 15 and which as shown is substantially in the form of a funnel having a large openfront end and gradually tapering toward its rear end. The housing includes a lowor or floor section 16. comprising a somewhat U- shaped member 17 preferably formed of a rod and including arms 18 and 19 and a relatively short connecting portion 20.

- To the free end of each of the arms l8and 19 .75 is secured a somewhat L-sha'ped corner or con necting member 21, said member having arms 22 and 23. The free ends of the arms 18 and 19 extend into the arms or branches 22 of the corner members 21 as most clearlyshown in Fig. 6 and when one of the corner members is arranged on, eachof the arms 17 and 18' the branches 23 of the corner members will be facing one another. A front or connecting rod 24 is inserted into the branches 23 ofthe corner 'members whereby a substantially triangularly shaped frame is provided. a i

A floor or bottom'25 ofcardboard, canvas or other material is applied to the triangular frame constructed as above described and this floor 25 may be either permanently securedto the frame or removably secured thereto as desired. "Further, the floor 25 stops shortof the connecting bar 20 between the arms 18 and-l9 of the member 1'? whereby to. provide an opening 26 through which marbles or the like .may pass in the use of the apparatus as will later appear.

'Any suitable means may be provided for supporting a target withinthe body or housing 15. As disclosed in Figs. 1, 3 and 5-the target, which 0 is a marble. 27, is supported on an element 28 including a base and a pair of depending lugs 29 adapted to be passed through spaced openings 30 in the floor 25 wherebyto mount the element in the housing. Additionally, the element ineludes an upstanding portion 31 concave at its upper end whereby to support the target or marble27.'- I

The body or housing 15 includes an upper or top section comprising a substantially triangular- 1 1y shaped frame 32. This frame 32 includes a pair of members 33 and 34 which members are or may be identical or substantially identical and each of which members has one of its ends entering an arm 35 of a corner member which corner member is quite similar to the corner member 21 before referred to. The other branches 36 of these top corner members are arranged to receive the respective ends of a front connecting rod 37 forming the third side of the substantially "triangular frame 32.

Intermediate their ends the members 33 are doubled or turned upon themselves whereby each 'is provided with an eye 38 and a short extension 'or end member 39 which functions as a leg in the assembled structure as will later be set forth. Prior to the assembling of the member 1'7 with the corner pieces 21 and the cross bar 24 the members 33 and 34 are connected with the substantially U-shaped member 17. This is accom 'plished by threading one of the arms of the member 17 through the eyes 38 of the members 33 and 34 whereby to so dispose the latter members that their eyes occupy the short connecting bar 20 between the arms 18 and 19 of the member 17.

It will be apparent that by the means described the members 33 and 34 may have pivotal movement relative to the member 1'7 and it is preferred that the length of the connecting portion 26 of the member 17 be such that said por- *tion is substantially entirely occupied by the eyes 38 whereby the members 33 and 34 will have but limited lateral movement when assembled in the body or housing 15.

The L-shaped corner members of the upper and 'floor frames or sections are each preferably provided in their outer surfaces with tapped openings as shown at 40 in Fig. 6 for the reception of pivot screws. Combined leg and frame members 41 and 42 are pivotally secured to the upper cor- 'ner members as at 43 and to the lower corner members as at 44. These members 41 and 42 extend below the floor or lower section 16 to provide legs 45. Here it should be noted that the legs 45 are longer than the legs 39'whereby when "the device is set up ready for use the floor 25 inclines from the rear of the housing toward the open front thereof.

The leg members 40 and 41 each comprise upper and lower sections a and b pivotally connected whereby the sections may be folded inwardly to collapse the device as suggested in Fig. 4. This collapsing of the housing or body is, of course, made possible due to the pivoting of the eyes 38 on the connecting portion 20 and due to the pivotal connections between the members 41 and 42 and the upper and lower frame members as well as to the pivotal connections between the sections a and b forming the members 41 and 42.

Figs. 8 and 9 show on an enlarged scale the connection between the sections a and b of the members 41 and 42. In these figures it will be seen that the sections are permanently connected by a pin 46 carried by one of the sections as for example the section 12, operating in a slot 47 shown as in the section a. Also, the member 22 is shown as carrying a pin 48 arranged in spaced relation to the pin 46 and adapted to pass into an open ended notch 49 in the lower end of the section a when the parts are in extended position as shown in Fig. 8. Of course, the section a may be made the lower section and the section b the upper section, if desired.

When it is desired to collapse the housing or body 15 the section a is pulled upwardly relative to the section b whereby the pin 48 is no longer in the notch 49 and the sections may then pivot relatively about the pin 46. Of course, the target holder 28 is preferably removed before the device is collapsed. A covering of fabric or other material 50 is disposed to cover the space between the members 33 and 34 of the frame 32 and this fabric also closes the spaces represented by the side triangles formed at one side of the body by the arm 18 and members 33 and 41 and at the other side of the body by the arm 19 and members 34 and 42.

A sheet or strip of material 51 is arranged within the body 15 between the target holder 28 and the opening 26 in the floor 25. This sheet 51 is preferably suspended to have its lower edge disposed slightly above the floor 25 whereby a marble rolling along the floor may pass under the sheet although a marble passing inwardly of the housing above the floor will have its force spent against the sheet 51 and will drop down and pass under the sheet and through the opening 26 into a box or other receptacle 52 arranged to collect the marbles.

As clearly shown in Fig. 1 an apron or bouncing board 53 is applied to the front of the hous ing 15. This board 53 inclines as shown and serves to prevent marbles passing under the housing and additionally should a marble shot at the target fall short of the open end of the housing it will hit the board 53 and bounce into the housing. This board or member 53 may be formed of a sheet of cardboard or the like mounted in a metal frame 54 the upper ends of which are bent to provide hooks 55 engaged over the connecting bar 24, of the lower section or floor 16. The board or apron 53 may therefore be easily applied or removed as the device is set up or collapsed.

It is thought that from the foregoing description the complete operation will be apparent. Any desired rules for scoring points or otherwise may, of course, be adopted by the players and the players will shoot at the target 27. The shot marbles will enter the open end of the housing 15 either directly from the players hand or after striking the bouncing board 53 and the force of the marbles will be spent against the sheet 51. 25 and pass through the opening 26 to the container 52. The upper edge of the'board 53 preferably extends beyond the hooked ends of the frame 54 as shown at 56 and is disposed above the front edge of the floor 25 to prevent marbles passing outwardly off said edge. This is as best shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 11 illustrates the housing or body 15 equipped whereby the device may be used as a shooting gallery. Preferably the device would be used in connection with an air-rifle or popgun and to this end a tin or other metal liner or member 57 is inserted into the housing or body 15 the said liner being shaped to substantially 58extending through the opening 26 in the floor 25 and disposed to direct anything passing through the liner into the box or receptacle 52. When an air rifle is used the receptacle 52 may be partially filled with sand or the like. A target 59 of any preferred type is preferably suspended adjacent the mouth of the housing and corks, BB shot or the like discharged at the target 59 will be conducted into the receptacle 52.

Played marbles will roll on the floor )7 fill the body. At its rear end the liner 57 includes a downwardly extending portion or spout When the device or apparatus is to be used as F ing of marbles.

I clothes.

suggested in Fig. 11 the target holder 28 and -U-shaped member to support the first pair of the sheet 51 may be removed and the member 57 inserted into the housing. The member will rest on the floor 25 and being of metal will protect the covering 50 and will also serve to collect and limit the flying about of shot and thereby prevent accidents. Obviously; the metal funnel-like member 5'7 and its target 59 may be easily removed from the body or housing'l5 whereby the housing may be used in the playwith marbles it will be noted that the players do not kneel in' the dirt and need not get their hands soiled after which, if-they are children, they would likely wipe their hands on their It will be appreciatedthat thehousing or body '15 of the present apparatus-may be constructed of any desired material. The covering 50 may be of fabric and thefioor 25 as well as the bouncing board 53 may be of fabric as shown. However, the frame is preferably of metal although it will be apparent that in certain embodiments the frame might well be of wood. Also, the bouncing board, floor and covering could, if desired,. be of wood, as for example, relatively thin boards.

Since the housing 15 is collapsible as above described it is preferred that themetal funnel or member 57 also be collapsible. To this end the member 57 may be hinged at the junctures of its sides with its top and bottom as at 60 and may also have its sides formed'of sections hingedly their ends to provide each with an eye, said pair of frame members assembled on the U-shaped member with the connecting portion of the latter in the eyes of the pair of members, one of the ends of each of said members extending to provide rear legs for the body, a second pair of members connecting the other. ends of the first pair of members to the arms of the U-shaped member to support the first pair of members in inclined position above the U-shaped member, said second pair of members extending below the U-shaped member to provide front legs for the body, a fioor supported by the U-shaped member, and a covering closing the spaces between the first pair of members and the first pair of members and the arms of the U-shaped member whereby the body is substantially funnel-shaped prising a floor section including a substantially U-shaped frame member having a relatively short connecting portion, a pair of frame members bent intermediate their ends to provide each with an eye, said pair of frame members assembled on the U-shaped member with the connecting portion of the latter in the eyes of the pair of members, one of the ends of each of said members extending to provide rear legs for the body,'a second pair of members connecting the other ends of the first pair of members to the arms of the closing the spaces between the first pair of mem- *bers and the first pair ofmembers and the arms of the U-shaped member. i

' V 3. In an apparatus of the character described,

In the use of the apparatus members, in inclined position above the U-shaped membe'rjsaid second pair'of members extending belowthe U-shaped member to provide front legs for the body, a floor supported by the U-shaped 30 member, said floor having an opening adjacent its rear, said front legs being of greater length than said rear legs whereby said floor is inclined away from the opening therein, and a covering ahollow body, said body comprising a floor section including-a substantially U-shaped frame it member having a relatively short connecting portion,'a' pair of frame membersbent intermediate their endsto provide each with an eye, said pair of frame'members assembled on the U-shaped member with the connecting portion of the latter 1 in the eyes of the pair of members to form pivotal connections, one of the ends of each of said members extending beyond said eyes to provide rear legs for the body, a second pair of members connecting the other ends of the first pair of members to the arms of the U-shaped member to support the first pair of members in inclined position above the U-shaped member, said second pair of members extending below the U-shaped member to provide front legs for the body, a fioor supported by the U-shaped member, said fioor having an opening adjacent its rear, a covering closing the top space between the first pair of members and the side spaces betweenthe first pair of members and the arms .of the -U-shaped member whereby the body is substantially funnel-shaped and open at its front end, said second pair of members pivotally connected with the first pair .of members and the arms of the U-shaped memher, .and said second pair of members jointed bell tween said pivotal connections whereby thesec- 1 ond pair of members may be collapsed to dispose the first pair of members against the floor section of the body.

- 4. In an apparatus of the character described,

a hollow body, said body comprising a floor section including a substantially U-shaped frame member having a relatively short connecting portion, a pair of frame members bent'intermediate their ends to provide each with an eye, said pair of members assembled on the U-shaped member with the connecting portion of the latter in the eyes of thepair of members to form a pivotal connection, one of the ends of each of said members extending beyond said eyes to provide rear i-gggg legs for the body, a second pair of members connecting the other ends of the first pair of members to the arms of the U-shaped member to support the first pair of members in inclined position above the U-shaped member, said second pair of members extending below the U- shaped. member to provide front legs for the body, a floor supported by the U-shaped member, said floor having an opening adjacent its rear, a

covering closing the top space between the first $34.9,

the overlapping ends of said sections, a pin on one of the sections [inwardly of the overlapping ends thereof, and the other of said sections having a notch in its overlapping end to receive said pin when the sections are in extended condition whereby the second pair of members may be collapsed to dispose the first pair of members against the floor section of the body.

5. In an apparatus of the character described, a hollow body, said body comprising a floor section including a substantially U-shaped frame member having a relatively short connecting portion, a pair of frame members bent intermediate their ends to provide each with an eye, said pair of frame members assembled on the U- shaped member with the connecting portion of the latter in the eyes of the pair of members to form pivotal connections, a second pair of members connecting the other ends of the first pair of members to the arms of the U-shaped member to support the first pair of members in inclined position above the u shaped member, a floor supported by the U-shaped member, said fioor having an opening adjacent its rear, a covering closing the top space between the first pair of members and the side spaces between the first pair of members and the arms of the U- shaped member whereby the body is substantially funnel-shaped and open at its front end, said second pair of members pivotally connected with the first pair of members and the arms of the U-shaped member, and said second pair of members jointed between said pivotal connections whereby the second pair of members may be collapsed to dispose the first pair of members against the floor section'of the body. I V

6. In a game apparatus of the character described, a housing comprising a substantially flat floor section and a top section, a covering enclosing said sections, and including flexible side wall portions closing the spaces between said sections, said sections arranged in intersecting planes and directly hingedly connected at their rear end portions, and means for maintaining said sections in extended condition forming a housing with an open end, said means adapted to be collapsed to permit the sections to move to lie one on to the other. Y

7.; In an apparatus of the character described, a substantially funnel shaped housing open at its large front end, said housing including a floor inclining toward the front of the housing, said floor having an opening adjacent its rear end, a removable target holder in the front portion of the housing, a metal liner within the housing, said metal liner open at its large front end, said liner shaped substantially the same as the housing and said liner having its smaller end downturned to provide a spoutportion extending through the opening in the floor of the housing.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, av substantially funnel shaped housing open at its large front end, said housing including a floor inclining toward the'front of the housing, said floor having an opening adjacent its rear end, a removable target holder in the front portion of the housing, means whereby the housing may Z be collapsed into a substantially fiat condition, and a removable metal liner shaped to substantially fill the entrance to the housing and having a downturned open discharge end extending through the opening in the fioor of the housing. i1?

9. The combination as in claim 6,including a removable metal liner shaped to substantially fill the entrance to the housing and having a downturned open discharge end extending through the opening in the fioor of the housing.

10. ihe combination as in claim2 including a removable metal liner shaped to substantially fill the entrance to the housing and having a downturned open discharge end extending through the opening in the floor of the housing.

HECTOR E. BISAILLON. WILLIAM J. I-IAMEL.

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