US2239014A - Game - Google Patents

Description

April 22, 1941 E, A, PETERSON GAME- Filed Aug. 3Q, 1939 Eric A. Pefens g v I w x ATTORNEYS Patented Apr. 22, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAME Eric A. Peterson, Worcester, Mass.

Application August 30, 1939, Serial No. 292,732

4 Claims.

My invention relates to a tethered ball game and has as one of the principal objects thereof the provision of an improved game requiring considerable skill in maintaining actuation of the ball over a desired course and at the same time affording exercise to the operator or operators.

Another object of my invention is to provide a game of the above described character which is simple in construction, durable in use, amusing in operation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the following description, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views:

Figure l is a side elevation of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof.

Figure 3 is a sectional View taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 1 on an enlarged scale.

In practicing my invention, as illustrated in the drawing, I provide a substantially rectangular-shaped base 5 on which is centrally mounted an upwardly extending standard 6, the latter being of a trihedral and conical configuration in side elevation. Secured to the apex end of the standard 6 is the upper end of a, flexible element or cord 7, the lower end of which terminates superjacent the base and has attached thereto a ball or sphere 8, the latter being preferably constructed of rubber or the like.

Playing stations are arranged adjacent the ends of the base 5 and constitute ball-propelling mediums or means 9, one being arranged on each side of the standard 6 and spaced therefrom. Each of the mediums comprises a bracket fixed to the base and provided with a pair of upwardly extending spaced arms ll formed with oppositely disposed recesses or sockets l2 in which is rotatably mounted a ball l3 for movement relative to said bracket. Slidably and rotatably mounted in each of the balls I3, is a rod I4 having an end disposed toward the standard 6 and on which is fixed one end of a paddle I for hitting and propelling the ball 8 as hereinafter described. The opposite end of the rod is disposed on the opposite side of the bracket I0 and constitutes an operating handle IS.

The game is preferably played by two persons, each endeavoring to drive the ball by means of the propelling mediums 9 in opposite directions, the object being for one person to maintain the ball continuously rotating about the standard in one direction to effect winding of the cord thereabout and for the other person to endeavor to interrupt and reverse the rotation, the one successively winding the cord about the standard an agreed number of times being declared the winner.

Obviously, to effect rotation of the ball about the standard the same must be struck with one of the paddles l5, it being understood that the harder the ball is struck the greater the speed of rotation and which results in the ball being orbitally moved in a path about the standard and which path varies with respect to the standard due to the centrifugal force of the ball. Variation of the path of rotation requires adjustment of the paddle with respect to the standard and this is accomplished through the mounting of the rod in the ball. It will be apparent that a relatively slow rotation of the ball 8 serves to keep the same in substantially the same path.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that considerable skill is required to properly adjust the paddle with respect to the path of rotation of the ball in order to strike the ball to effect either continued or reversed rotation thereof. Furthermore, it will be apparent that upon deceleration of the ball the same will engage the corners of the standard and cause a further variation in the path of rotation thereby requiring a high degree of skill to quickly adjust one of the paddles for striking the ball.

In instances where the game is played by one person it is the object of the game to maintain the ball continuously rotating about the standard in one direction and without engaging said standard.

It is obvious that the invention is not confined to the herein described use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which it is adaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, as the same is only illustrative of the principles of operation, which are capable of extended application in advance forms, and that the invention comprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a game of the character described, comprisinga base, a standard mounted on the base, a ball tethered to said standard for orbital movement therearound, and manually operated paddles pivoted on the base on opposite sides of the standard for engagement with said ball to effect continuous orbital movement about said standard.

2. In a game of the character described, comprising a base, a standard mounted on the base, a ball tethered to said standard for orbital movement therearound, and manually operated paddles mounted on the base by universal connection for engagement with said ball to effect continuous orbital movement about said standard.

3. In a game of the character described, comprising a base, a standard mounted centrally on said base, a ball tethered to said standard for orbital movement therearoulnd, vertically disposed arms mounted on the base on opposite sides of the standard, and manually operated paddles having a universal connection with the upper ends of the arms for engagement with said ball to effect continuous orbital movement about said standard.

4. In a game of the character described, comprising a base, a standard mounted on the base, a ball tethered to said standard for orbital movement therearound, and manually operated paddles swingingly supported on the base on opposite sides of the standard above the upper face thereof for engagement with said ball to effect continuous orbital movement about said standard.

ERIC A. PETERSON.

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