US2247852A - Game - Google Patents

Description

July 1, 1941. F. L. sAuNDr-:Rs

GAME

Filed Feb. 1e, 193s) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 ZIM/UWM E L. Sundef's July 1, 1.941.v F. sAUNDEs GAME Filed Feb. 16, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 @www .E L. Saunders Patented July 1, 1941 UNITEDV STATES PATENT OFFICE Fred L. Saunders, Marysville, Wash. Application February 16, 1939, Serial No. 256,811

` I c (o1. ,273;105)

Y 4 Claims.

This invention relates to an improved gaine adapted to be played indoors' and in some respects resembling the game of basketball.

It is a primary lobject of this game to provide amusement, exercise and' skill combined in a game which may be" played in a relatively restricted space and based on' delivering a resilient sphere or ball, such as an inflated rubber ball into an elevatedV basket by means of first bouncing the ball. so that it will lodge in the basket on the rebound.

Another object of the invention is to provide a game apparatus including a basket having supporting means to mount -i-t in an elevated position and a block Vconnected to and spaced from said supporting means a predetermined distance, on which an inflated orfresilientl ball. is intended to be bounced with the proper'force to rebound into the basket,

Still a further' aim ofthe invention, is" to pro-I vide a game apparatus' including a harness adapted to be worn by the player and provided with means for supporting one or more baskets in which the player catches the bounding ball by positioning his body so that' one of the baskets is v disposed in the path ofthe trajectory ofthe ball. Other objects and advantages vof the invention will hereinafter become more fully apparent from'v the following description of the drawings, which illustratel the preferred embodiments of the iiivention, and wherein:

Figurev 1Y is a perspective view of one embodiment of the game apparatus, l

Figure Z is Va side elevational View of the same, Figure' 3 isY a perspective viewof another embodinient of the apparatus',

Figure iis a side elevational view,- partly in section, of the apparatus as seen` in Figure 3',

Figure 5 is a perspective View of another embodiment of the apparatus',`

Figures 6 and '7 are perspective views of other embodiments of vthe apparatus,

Figure y8- is aperspectiv'e View of still another embodiment of theY apparatus, Figure 9 is a vertical sectional 'viewl taken along the line 9-'9 of Figure '8,

Figure 10 is an elevational view partly in section showing a modie'd form of supporting standard forthe basket or receptacle, and

Figure 1`1 is a View similar to Figure 10 showing -anothermo'ded'form 'of supporting meansv for the basket or receptacle.

Referring more particularly'to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or correspondingA parts throu'ghoutthe different views, I5 designates generally the preferred embodiment of the game apparatus which includes a basket, designated generally I 6, formed of a ring or hoop I'I to which is connected the'open end or mouth of a flexible bag I8 which is preferably formed of mesh fabric such as light gauge wire or cord or which may be formed of cloth. The hoop I'I of the basket or receptacle I6 may be secured between or formed integral with corresponding ends of a pairof spaced standardsIS, and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the hoop I'I is formed of the portions I'I' and I 1" each of which is substantially semi-circularY in shape and disposed with their ends in overlapping rela- 1 tionship as indicated at 20 and suitably secured together in any manner as by welding. The standards I9 are thus formed integral with the hoop II constituting the depending ends or legs of the hoop portion I'I' which depend downwardly from the hoopI'I at the points 2U and which are adapted to have their lower ends mounted in a base plate 2I. A pair of spaced hooks 22A are connected to one edge of the base plate 2 I' and are adapted to be releasably connected to corresponding ends of the' corresponding ile'xible members 23, the opposite ends of which' are connected at spaced points to one edge of 'a block 24 by a second pair of hooks 22. yBlock 24 may be formed of wood or of a resilient material such Vas rubber;

Plate 2I and block 24 are' adapted to rest on'a suitable horizontal supporting surface'with the block 2'4 spaced from plate 2| so that the' elements 23` are in a fully extended position, as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. Hoop I'I is preferably disposed at'an oblique angle to the 'standards I9 so'that the open 'mouth of the basket I6 is inclined toward theb-lock 24. A sphere 25, such as a gas or air inflated rubber ball isv adapted to be thrown so that it will b'ou'nc'e on block 24 and rebound therefrom into the basket I6 as indicated by the broken lines 26.'

In Figures 3 and 4, a basket rreceptacle desig` nated generally 2l is illustrated which' may be constructedsimilarly tothe basket or Vreceptacle I6 and'includingthe hoop Il and bag I8: Hoop I1 is provided with the supporting arms'28 between corresponding ends of 'which the hoop-'is adapted to be secured in any suitable manner and which projects outwardly therefrom with the free ends 29 thereof bent downwardly to releasably engage recesses 3U which openV outwardly of the top of a beam' 3! which is secured to a vertical supporting structure 32 for mounting'the basket 21. The intermedia-te portions of the armsv 28 areV curved slightly so that the hoop portion I'I of the basket 21 will be disposed at an oblique angle relatively to the vertical structure 32 so that the basket 21 will open away from the support 32. It is to be understood, that the hoop I1 of the basket 21 could be similarly constructed to the hoop I1 of the basket I6 with the arms 2'8 formed integral with one section thereof, if desired. The basket 21 is adapted to be mounted by means of the arms 28 and beam 3| in its elevated position relatively to a horizontal surface, designated 33 on which a ball or sphere 25 is adapted to be bounced so that it Will rebound into the basket 21. As a modification of the supporting means, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4, for the basket 21, the downturned ends 29 of the arms 28 and the beam 3I could be dispensed with and suction cups 34, as illustrated in Figure 11, could be attached to the free ends of the arms 28 and pressed into engagement with one side of the wall 32 for supporting the basket 21 by means of the vacuum created thereby.

Another novel embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figure 5 comprising a plurality of baskets 35 each formed, similarly to the basket I6, or the basket 21 of a hoop I1 and a bag I8 which are'positioned in spaced apart relationship by means of the rods 36 between which the hoops I1 of the baskets 35 are disposed and to which they are secured in any suitable manner in spaced apart relationship, to provide a battery of baskets or receptacles 35. An arm 28 projects laterally from the outer side of each of the outer baskets 35 and is provided with a downturned free end 29. These arms 28 are welded or otherwise secured to the hoops I1 of the two outer baskets and on their outer sides to form with said hoops a supporting iframe which includes the rodsl 36. Ends 29 of the arms 28 may be mounted in a beam, not shown, corresponding to the beam 3l, for supporting the baskets in an elevated position and the intermediate portions of the arms may be bent slightly so that the open mouths of the three baskets 35 will be inclined away from the arms 28. If desired, arms 28 may be provided at their ends with suction cups 34 to replace the depending ends 29 for supporting the three baskets 35, as heretofore described. Baskets 35 are adapted to be relatively small as compared to baskets I6 and 21 and their bag portions I8 are preferably of diierent colors. A plurality of spheres or balls 25 are adapted to be used when using the apparatus, as illustrated in Figure 5, with the diierent balls 25 corresponding in color to the bag portions I8 of the baskets 35 so that the score resulting from bouncing one of the balls into one of the baskets will depend upon whether the ball corresponds to the color of the basket in which it lodges. In this apparatus as in the other apparatuses heretofore described, the balls 25 must be iirst bounced on a base board or floor and to rebound into one of the baskets 35 in order to count for the player.

In Figure 6 another embodiment of the invention is illustrated comprising a basket 31 including a hoop I1 and bag I8 and provided with supporting means in the form of arms 38 having corresponding hooked ends 39 which are adapted to engage over the upper edge of a vertical supporting structure 4I] and are disposed at an angle to the remaining portions of the arms 38 so that said portions project outwardls7 from one side of the structure 4I). The hoop I1 of the basket 31 is disposed between the free ends of the arms 38 and suitably connected thereto so that the basket 31 will have its open top inclined away from the structure 48. Basket 31 is relatively large in diameter and is provided with the partitions 4I`, which are preferably formed of material corresponding to the bag I8 and which are secured therein, as illustrated in Figure 6, in a manner to divide the basket 31 into three corresponding compartments 42 each of which extends the length of the basket 31 and has an open top portion defined by two of the upper edges of the partitions 4I and by substantially one-third of the hoop I1. Bag I8 may have three distinct colors each co-extensive with one of the pockets 43 for distinguishing the three pockets, and as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 5, a number of balls 25 may be used with the basket 31 with certain of the balls corresponding in color to the color of the pockets 42 so that the balls 25 when bounced onto a base surface in a manner to rebound into one of the pockets 42 will be scored depending upon the color of the ball and the color of the pocket 42 into which it is directed so that a higher score may be given a player possessing suicient skill to deliver the balls 25 so that they will lodge in a pocket 42 which matches the color of the ball. In Figure 7 another embodiment of the game apparatus is illustrated wherein the baskets 43 are supported by means of the arms or brackets 44 the free ends of which are secured to a belt 45 provided with a pair of shoulder straps 43. Belt 45 is adapted to be worn around the waist of the player and supported by a shoulder strap 48 which extends over each of the players shoulders for supporting a pair of baskets 43, which are disposed at substantially right angles to the shoulder straps 46 so that when the harness, designated generally 41, is in position over the shoulders and around the waist of a player the arms 44 will be projecting outwardly from. the front and back of his body to mount one of the baskets 43 in front and one in back of the player. When the apparatus as seen in Figure 7 is used the game may be played by two or more contestants each equipped with a complete apparatus including the baskets and harness and one or more balls 25 can be used with the object of the game being for one player to bounce the ball off of a floor or base surface so that another player may position himself to catch the ball in one of his baskets 43.` A game could also be played by a single player Wearing the harness and baskets by bouncing a ball 25 against a vertical wall so that the ball would rebound on the floor and be caught in one of the baskets 43.

In Figures 8 and 9 still another embodiment of the game apparatus is illustrated including a frame, designated generally 48 including an inverted U-shaped member 49 forming the back portion thereof, a pair of standards 5D having the corresponding obliquely disposed ends 5I which connect with the upper horizontal portion of the member 49 at its ends and which space the upright portions of the members 50 from the depending legs of the member 49. A plurality of U-shaped horizontally disposed members 52 are disposed in spaced apart relationship one above the other with the ends of their intermediate portions connected to the upright portions of the standards50 and with the ends of their legs connected to' the depending legs of the member 49 to form the frame, designated generally 48, which is adapted to be supported by a base member 53 in which the lower ends of the standards 50 are mounted. The inverted U-shaped member 49, which constitutes the back of the frame 48 is closed by a strip of fabric 54 which constitutes the back wall of the receptacle, designated generally 55. A plurality of strips of fabric 56 are each connected at one end to the intermediate portion of one of the members 52 and are each connected at their opposite ends to the back wall 54, in any suitable manner such as by stitching, and on the same horizontal plane as the intermediate portion 52 to which the other end is connected to thereby divide the receptacle 55 into three distinct superposed compartments 51. Strips 56 extend the width of the frame 48 and are of sull'lcient length so that their intermediate portions depend substantially below the level of their secured ends to form pockets, as best seen in Figure 9, which are adapted to receive balls or spheres 25. The sides of the receptacle 55, which are formed by the upper portions of the standards 50 and the depending legs of the member 49, are closed by means of the strips 58 which constitute the side walls of the compartments 51 so that the two bottom compartments open outwardly While the upper compartment opens outwardly and upwardly.

The portions of the fabric constituting the different compartments 51 may be distinctively colored, similarly to the pockets 42 or the baskets 35, to correspond with the balls or spheres 25 to provide xa higher score for the player suiciently skillful to deliver a ball into a compartment 51 which matches the color of the ball. As in the previous embodiments, the balls 25 used with the receptacle 55 must be first bounced onto the floor or base surface to rebound into one of the cornpartments 51 in order to constitute a score.

Instead of extending the standards 55 down to the base 53 the standards could be cut-off slightly below the bottom member 52, as in Figure 9, to demountably engage a socket 59 of a standard 60 mounted in the base 53. Where -the standard 6l) is employed two standards will be mounted in the base 53 each provided with a socket 59 to receive one of the standards 50. Standards 60 and sockets 59 could also be employed with the embodiment as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 in which case the legs I9 would be cut-off slightly below the hoop I1 to demountably engage the sockets 59 of the standards 6D which would be mounted in base plate 2|.

Obviously the size of the various baskets and receptacles which have heretofore been illustrated and described could obviously be varied in size and shape and the size of the spheres 25 could likewise vary to correspond to the size of the baskets or the size of the baskets and balls could vary relatively to each other to increase or decrease the dexterity required in directing a ball into a basket or into a compartment or pocket of a receptacle.

Various other modicatio-ns and changes are contemplated and may likewise be resorted to, and the right is therefore expressly reserved to make such variations and changes as do not depart from the spirit and scope of therinvention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a game apparatus, a harness including a waist encircling belt and shoulder straps connected thereto, supporting means projecting outwardly from said belt between said shoulder straps, and a basket having a hoop forming its open end, said hoop lbeing disposed between and connected to the free end of said supporting means and supported thereby in spaced apart relationship to the belt.

2. A game apparatus comprising a harness including a waist encircling belt and lshoulder straps, a basket -comprising a bag of exible, open mesh fabric and a rigid frame for retaining the mouth of the bag in an open position, and arms secured to and projecting outwardly from said belt, said frame being secured between the free ends of the arms and supported thereby in spaced apart relationship to the harness.

3. A game apparatus comprising a pocket including a bag portion formed of flexible open mesh material, an open frame of rigid'material connectedto the open mouth of the bag portion for supporting the same in an open position, a harness comprising a waist encircling belt provided with supporting shoulder straps, and legs secured to and projecting from said frame and secured to the belt to support the pocket in an elevated position, said legs being disposed in substantially the same plane as said frame for supporting the open mouth of the pocket in substantially a horizontal position.

4. In a game apparatus, a harness including a waist encircling belt having shoulder straps projecting upwardly therefrom; pairs of arms extending outwardly from opposed portions of the belt, -between the shoulder straps; and pockets, each including a bag of exible open mesh fabric provided with a rigid ring connected to the open mouth of the bag for holding the bag in an open position, said rings being disposed between and secured to the free ends of the pairs of arms for mounting the pockets on opposite sides of the harness.

FRED L. SAUNDERS.

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