US2203990A

US2203990A - Game apparatus

Info

Publication number: US2203990A
Application number: US193899A
Authority: US
Inventors: Rae J Heymer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1938-03-04
Filing date: 1938-03-04
Publication date: 1940-06-11
Anticipated expiration: 1957-06-11

Description

June. 11, 1940. R. J. HEYMER GAME APPARATUS Filed March 4, 1938 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 11,1940. n. J. HEYMER GANE APPARATUS Filed umn 4. 195e 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented June 11, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT oT-FICE GAME APPARATUS-` Rae J. Heymer, Minneapolis, Application March 4, 193s, sena; No. 193,899

3` Claims.

This invention relates to game apparatus, and particularly to game apparatus where a ball or. projectile is impelled or. thrown at a target preferably disposed in such mannerthat the ball will l be `thrown through the air rather than rolled or impelled along a supporting surface.

It is an object of my invention to provide game apparatus of the class `referred l to wherein the `skill and accuracy of the players are largely responsible for the winning of the game, but where chance determines` `the various positions from which the ball is thrownand also preferably the y turns of the players in making their shots.

My game apparatus is particularly adapted for" a parlor basketball game where `almost the identical rules of basketball can apply, and where the chances of skilled players successfully making the various shots,` as well as the frequency of the turns` or plays of each player are approximately the same as in the actual gameof basketballas it is played in the United States. My apparatus is, however, very well adapted for various other gameshaving different rules. t `It is a further object to provide in game apparatus `of the class described a simple and eiiicient impeller which maybe directionally positioned or aimed` with respect to the target, and bodily `moved to a number of predetermined positionsin combination with a ball or projectile having means associated therewith, preferably a plurality of` facets formed on the ball, whereby the next play and position of shooting is'dependent upon the position of the ball when itcomes to rest after the preceding shot, without requiring any additional or extraneous means of chance `such as the throwing of dice, spinning of aspinner or calculating device for determining the same.

` Another object is the provision ofan improved game apparatus utilizing a playing board and one or moretargets disposed when the game is played in an elevated position` above the board with a simple, buthighly efficient impeller for throwing the ball through various arcuate paths, all of which may be quickly assembled for playing and may be knocked down into very compact position `for sale or shipment.

`A more `specific object is the provision of game apparatus including a playinglboard and target elevated above the playing board, wherein indicatedpredetermined positions on the board with reference to the target represent various shots or positions which are foundin such games as basketball, golf, etc., and wherein `the skill of the player in hitting the target depends upon his accuracy and experience in properly positioning the "ward target number 1;

l (c1. grs-ss) "characters refer to the same `or similar parts y throughout the various views, and in which: L Fig. l is a top plan lview of one form of my apparatus intended for` use by `from two to four players, set up for play, one ofthe shooters or impellers being `positioned to direct the ball to- Fig. 2 is a vertical section `taken approximately on thevline 2`-2 of Fig. 1,; l

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of one of the shooters;` ,Fig."4 is a vertical section taken onthe line 4--4 of Fig.r3, dottedlines indicating the moved position of the shooter in action, as well` as the position of the ball and a portion of the) various arcuate travels thereof;

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a suitable ball or,`

vations of the same; l f

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a somewhat different form of my invention adapted for use by one ortwo players and set upin `playing position, a

`portion of one corner of the playing fioor being broken away;

, 25 projectile and Figs. 6 and '7 are opposite end elej Fig. 9 is a fragmentary plan view of the playing field including the back, target and playing iioor `knocked down into compact flat `position for selling or shipment; l

Fig. 10 is a front elevation of a somewhat diff ferent form of ball which is` `especially adapted for use with the form of my invention shown in Figs. 8 and 9; and

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary top plan view of a somewhat different form of playing board which may be utilizedlwith a spherical ball or projectile.y

lin` the embodiment of theinventionillustrated inFigs. 1 to 7, inclusive, I provide a playingoor in the shape of a cross which may conveniently be made up of four oor sections I3, shaped as `clearlyishown in Fig. 1 in'such manner that the angled forward extremities may fit together to form the shape of a cross whenthe floor is set up.v

For convenience, the floorse'ctions I3 may` bel hinged together in pairs bysuitable hinge strips I4 secured totheundersides thereof to facilitate compact disposal of the apparatus when the same is notin use. The several licor sections are providedvwith flanges or rims which collectively form a low guard wall around the entire playing eld to diminish the chance of the ball from jumping or rolling off the board. Each of the floor sections I3 are marked off in the manner of an actual basketball iioor to define a foul alley I5 and. a foul line IE5.` The several sections are printed with appropriate identification, as shown, with the enlarged numerals from 1 to 4, the numerals preferably being printed in different colors, such as, for example: red, green, blue and yellow. On each of the oor sections is also printed a series of y predetermined positions defined as shown by circles and as shown in Fig. 1, being identified with the

numerals

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, '7, 8, 9 and 0.

The several floor sections I3 carry adjacent their inner extremities upstanding pegs |35 which are adapted when the sections are operatively positioned, to engage apertured portions of ak square pedestal I'I to secure the same centrally of the board and to support by means of `a detach able post I8 the bank boards and baskets. The bank boards for the several baskets may be conveniently constructed in the form o1" a collapsible open-ended box I9 which when distended may snugly t and be supported upon a square bracket 20 detachably and telescopically secured tothe upper end of the post I8. The baskets, as shown, comprise wire frames 2l having attachment lugs 2 Ia. extending therefrom and engageable with holes through the bank walls Iil and through the edges of the square bracket 25. The lugs 2l of the baskets thus retain the bank boards and baskets in proper position for play. The basket nettings 22 are hemmed to fit upon and be sup-ported by the basket frames.

I provide a` very simple, but scientific impeller or shooter in the form -of an integrally ccnstructecl plate 23, best shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Preferably one of these impellers is provided for each player. The plate 23 is preferably constructed from some suitable rigid material such as sheet metal and has an upwardly 'angled striking end 23, which as shown. in Fig. 3 may be tapered toward; its extremity to facilitate accuracy'in striking-the longitudinalV center when a play is made. The body of the shooter 23 is purposelyarced, terminating at its ball receiving end in `a down-turned lip 23h which engages the board or floor/prior to making a. shot. A round aperture 23o is formed in the rear end of the shooter'to receive the ball or projectile. In making `a shot from one of the predetermined :positions on the floor, the shooter 23 is directionally positioned to the best ability of the player in such manner that it will be aligned with a point on the banking wall I 9 to make possible a successful bank shot at the target or basket. The aperture 23e in the shooter is positioned just above the appropriate circle on the playing floor. The angled portion 23d of the shooter engages the playing floor, forming a fulcrum, and the curved body of the impeller with the ball held in the rear declined. portion of the curve, enables the ball to bethrown through a rather high arc to facilitate banking of the ball against the walls I9 and reproducing ac curately the play in an actual basketball game.

`A suitable form of projectile or ball 24, as il lustrated in Figs.`5 to 7, comprising a member yhaving the general shape of a sphere,kbut pro- In the form shown in Figs. l and 2, a ball is preferably provided for each contestant, colored or otherwise identied to match the color of one of the large numerals identifying the four playing sections. Each' ball is marked, preferably with the iclentiiication of ay number of the predetermined positions marked out on the four playing sections. carry on the facets 24a, the identication corresponding to one-fourth of the total number of predetermined positions on the four floor sections and the facet ofy the ball which is uppermost when the projectile comes to rest after a shot, determines` which player has the next shot and from what position that player shoots. For example (seeFig. 5), if the facet having the numerals 2-0 is uppermost, this means that player number 2 takes the next shot from position 0 on the playing field, etc. The ends of the ball illustrated in Figs. 5 to 7 are preferably atted at 24d so that the ball mayoccasionallyk stop on one of the ends thereof, indicating that afoul has beenmade. These flatted ends may be colored to cor. respond with the'coloring .of the various vnumerals on the several playing sections and-when thev ball stops with the color 4red uppermost, this means that the player having the red number takes the next shot from the foul position at ther appropriate target. f f v n In playing the game of basketball with this apparatus, the general rules for actual basketballl are Very closely followed. With' the form of the f invention shown` in Figs. land 2, two or four contestants may play. v If two play, each takes two colors or two playing sections. The object of the game, of course, is to shoot the greatest number of baskets and foulsduring the playing period l sitions his shooter 23 on the board with the aperture 23o disposed over the appropriate circle'on the playing section and strikes the tip23a ofthe shooter with the forefinger, skill and practice determiningl the proper force to be used for the 'various shots from the several lpredetermined positions. Skill is required in aiming theshooter properly for the bank shots, as well as in using the proper degree of force for the various shots The successive shots and indicationsof the turns or" the players are indicated by the facet ofthe ball turning upV after the preceding shot. Each player uses his own ball when he shoots;

A game of basketv golf` may be played with the apparatus, with one or more persons and 9 Yprede-- termined positions' marked out upon each section of the playing eld, representing 9 holes of a; golf course. Each player starts at the-number l position on his section and shoots for the basket from that position until he sinks his shot. Hei then moves` to the number 2 position and attempts to make the basket and so onv untilthe 9 baskets are completed. 'I'he player scores the numberv of shots yfor each position, and in competitiony the player .completing the 9 baskets withthe low score is the winner. y

In Figs. 8 and 9 I have illustrated avery sim- Thus, if four balls are used, each will l itY pliiied and inexpensive `form of -my apparatus i.

especially adapted for use as a premiumby large manufacturers as well as for sale `in storesv selling low pricedmerchandise; Theentire playing field, including the floor, `guard wall and banking wall, is collapsible into a flat package having the thickness yof onlythree plies of cardboard `or other suitable sheet material. In this form only one floor section, one banking `wall and one basket are utilized. The playing floor and guard l flange or wall may be constructed from a single sheet of cardboard or other suitable material 3l) having the foul alley, the foul line and a number of predetermined shooting positions printed thereon. The` edges of the sheet i 30 may be scored for folding along linesl and m and the corners may be slit along` the lines n so that the tab may be folded over the adjacent edge of one of the sides to form a very shallow box, as will be clear from an inspection of Fig. 8. `The ends may be secured together by suitable means such as the commonV paper fasteners 3|, registering apertures being provided in the joined edges.

i A back wall 32 furnishing the banking surface a n the ball may roll and lodge in one ofthe several or disposal.

is provided having folded supporting sides 32a, preferably integrally formed therewith and `adapted to be folded flush against the back wall when the apparatus is taken down for shipment The side walls 30a iit within the flanges afforded by the marginal portions ofthe playing floor and may be secured rigidly therewith by paper fasteners, registering apertures being provided in the lower` edges of such side walls and in the flanges of the playing floor.

The basket has a wire frame 33 generally smilar to the basket frame,\in the form of my invention rst described, terminating in `elongated attachment portions which, when the device is `first set up, are bent at right angles to the plane of the loop of the frame` and may be projected through apertures in the back wall 32, and the n ends of said attachment lugs` are secured be-` neath keepers 3d which are formedfrom struck` up portions on the back of the back wall '32.1 The basket netting is similar to` that shown in the form rst described. The game is played in the `same way generally as in the form rst dcscribed, both or all players utilizing the same playing floor, and a ball or projectile being provided for each of the players. i

In Fig. l a slightly different form of :projectile is shown, having a fewer number of facets corresponding to the predetermined positions printed on the playing floor, as shown in Fig. 9, and this projectile or ball is not provided as illustrated, with atted end `portions for determining foul shots. i

This ball is particularly designed after the form of my invention shown in Figs. 8 andi), having its facets identied in conformance to the positions printed upon the playing floor `3U.`

In Fig. 1l a corner of a modified form `of playing floor is illustrated in top plan. This form of playing floor is adapted foruse with a round ball which freely rolls, and which is not provided with indicating facets. Thewfloor is declined toward the rear of the board so that recessed portions 4U.- Each recess portion has identifying numerals or characters printed thereon to indicate which player has the next shot and from what position on the board th shot is tc be made. j c i From the foregoing discussionit will be seen that I hav-e provided a highly interesting game apparatus wherein the skill and accuracy ofthe `lplayersare mainly` responsible `for thewinning of the game,` and wherein skillmay be acquired from experience `and practice. i IThevterm target is `used hereafter in the appended claims in its broad sense to` `denote any objectiveor aiming point whether a receptacle or otherwise atwhich a projectile is im- H pelledor thrown. n n n It will, of course, be understood that various `changes may be made in the form, details, pro- `being manually operable to throw said projectile at said target, saidplaying board having indicia thereon indicating a plurality ofpredetermined shooting positions with respectto` said target, and the faces of said projectile having indicia thereon corresponding to the indicia of said playing board, whereby, after said projectile has been thrown and comes to rest its indicia will automatically denote the next shooting position from whichthe projectile is to be thrown by said projector.

l2. In a game apparatus adapted to be participated in by two or more players, a playing board having a target associated therewith, a ball-like projectile having a plurality of pairs of parallel faces upon any one of which it may come to rest after being thrown, apropelling device for said projectile adapted to be freely moved about over theboard and placed in any desired propelling j position thereon with respect to said target, `said propelling device having projectile receiving means and being manually operable to throw `said projectile at said target, said playing board having indicia thereon indicating a plurality `of predetermined playing positions from which the projectile `is adapted to be propelled toward said target, each face of saidprojectile having indicia thereon denoting one of the players and indicia corresponding to the indicia denoting one of the playing positions of said playing board, whereby, after said projectile has been propelled toward said target and comes to rest `on said playing board, its indicia will automatically indicate the next player and also the position from which the projectile is to be propelled toward said target by said propelling device.

3. In a gameapparatus, a playing board having a target associated therewith, said playing board having indicia thereon indicating` a plurality of predetermined projectile shooting positions with respect to said target, a ball-like projectile having a plurality of pairs of parallel faces upon anyone of which it may come to rest after being thrown, a projectorfor said projectile adapted to be freely moved about over the board and placed in any desired projecting position thereon with respect to said target, said projector comprising a comparatively flat member having an aperture therein for receiving and supporting said projectile, said projector being manually operable to throw said projectile at said target, the faces of said projectile having` indicia thereon corresponding to the indicia of l said playing board, whereby after said projectile has been thrown and cornes to rest its indicia. will automatically denote the next position from which the projectile is to be thrown by said projector, the aperture in said projector being of a size to allow any one of the indicia of said playing board to be viewed therethrough, whereby said projector may be located over, and directionally rocked about said indicia as an axis to aim it at said target whilev constantly maintain- RAE J.