US2911758A

US2911758A - Ball catapulting device

Info

Publication number: US2911758A
Application number: US668078A
Authority: US
Inventors: Franklin D Carson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1957-06-26
Filing date: 1957-06-26
Publication date: 1959-11-10
Anticipated expiration: 1976-11-10

Description

Nov. 10, 1959 CARSQN 2,911,758

I BALL CATAPULTING DEVICE Filed June 26, 1957 INVENTOR. FRANKLl/V D. C/MJ 01V United States Patent BALL CATAPULTING DEVICE y Franklin D. Carson, Concord, Calif. I

' Application June 26, 1957, Serial No. 668,078

2 Claims. c1. 46-145) This invention relates to a device to catapult a ball toward a target.

. More specifically this invention relates to a device useful in a simulated basketball game in which the device is formed to resemble a human figure having arms that throw a ball towards a basketball target or basket.

A principal object of this invention is to provide a device shaped to resemble a human figure in which the arms of the figure are arranged to swing in a vertical plane in such a manner that a ball placed on the ends of the arm will be thrown outwardly from the figure.

A further object of this invention is to provide means for selectively limiting the arm movements in more than one position so that the ball will be directed forward of the device when the arms are arranged to stop in one position and the ball will be arranged to travel over the device in the opposite direction when the arms are arranged to stop in another position.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a novel mechanism to control the movement of the arms of the device incorporating a stop to adjustably set the arms for either a forward or overhead toss of the ball.

Other objects of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following specification and referring to the accompanying drawings in which similar characters of reference represent corresponding parts in each of the several views.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the device with a portion cut away to show the inner structure thereof.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of the device of Fig. 1 shown in an alternate condition of operation.

In Figs. 1 and 2 there is shown a principal embodiment of the invention formed to simulate a human figure indicated generally at A.

The figure or figurine A is mounted on a base plate 15 so that the figure stands upright thereon.

Figurine A comprises two legs 17, a torso portion 18 and a head portion 19. Torso portion 18 is hollow as at 20 to provide an area to house a mechanism 21 for actuating arms 24 pivotally mounted adjacent two shoulders 25 of torso portion 18. Arms 24 are mounted to swing on a vertical plane by a shaft 27 pivotally carried by torso portion 18, on which the two arms are journaled. Shaft 27 is formed to provide a crank 28 disposed within hollowedout area 20 of torso portion 18 by which the shaft may be rotated to cause movement of the arms. Arms 24 are urged upwardly by a rubber band 29. Rubber band 29 is connected to a pin 30 on the bottom portion of hollowed-out area 20 and crank 28 so that force of the rubber band is disposed to pull the crank downwardly.

The limit of movement of shaft 27 is controlled by engagement of crank 28 with the forward face 31 of figurine A so that arms 24 cannot be rotated beyond a predetermined upward position. Downward rotation of arms 24 against the bias of rubber band 29 is restricted only by engagement of the arms with legs 17. Arms 24 may be stopped from upwardly movement in an intermediate position by interposing 'a block 35 between face 31 and crank 28 so as to stop shaft 27 from moving the arms upwardly when the crank engages the block.

Block 35 is mounted on a pin 36 reciprocally mounted I in a vertical hole 37 and having an actuating handle 40.

Block 35 may be alternately either raised by lifting handle 40 whereat the block is positioned to allow the crank to lie against face 31, or handle 40 may be pressed downwardly to interpose the block between the crank and face 31. v

The back of figurine A is covered by a cover plate 45 by which the working parts ofthe device are concealed;

The tips of arms 24 are formed with a pocket 47 which is formed in complementary contour to a ball 48. Pocket 47 is arranged to hold the ball within the confines of the pocket as the arm is moved downwardly. Upon release of the arm the ball is carried upwardly until the movement of the arm is stopped by the action of crank 28 either against face 31 or block 35.

When arms 24 stop, the ball is catapulted outwardly. Block 35 is arranged to stop arm 24 at a point whereat the ball will be projected upwardly and forwardly of Figure A. When block 35 is removed so that crank 28 is allowed to travel to face 31, arms 24 are arranged to travel further upwardly to a point whereat the ball is arranged to travel upwardly and rearwardly and thus travel over the head of the figure.

In operation figurine A is used in combination with a basketball target generally indicated at B. The target comprises a backboard 50 which is mounted to a vertical surface by mounting members such as suction cups 53. Backboard 50 is arranged to support a simulated basketball basket 55 with a hoop 56 and with a basket portion 57. The figurine may be used in a game to catapult the ball toward basket 55. The object of the game is to sink the ball in the basket.

Figurine A may be arranged to face the basket wherein the device can be used to toss ball 48 forwardly toward basket 55. Handle 40 is then placed in the downward position to set arms 24 to throw ball 48 forwardly toward basket 55. Ball 48 is then placed in pocket 47 and arms 24 are pulled manually downwardly and released whereby the ball is catapulated upwardly in a direction generally toward basket 55.

As a variation of the game figurine A may be turned around so as to face directly away from basket or target 55 whereat the device can be used to make an overhead toss of the ball toward basket 55. To cause an overhead toss of the ball block 35 is moved upwardly via control handle 40 to set arms 24 to stop in a position to allow the ball to travel over the head of the figurine in a direction generally towards the basket. The device is thus enabled to make both a forward and overhead toss of the ball.

It is obvious that other embodiments of the invention could be employed. For example in the preferred embodiment, rubber band 29 is used to actuate crank 28. It is believed obvious that other resilient means such as a spring could be employed for this purpose.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is understood that certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the spirit of the invention as limited only by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A device for tossing a ball toward a target comprising: a body shaped to generally resemble a human form; arms pivotally mounted on said body for movement in a vertical plane; the ends of said arms formed to provide a pocket adapted to hold a ball; an axle pivotally carried by, said body; said arms fixed to said axle; a crank Patented Nov. 10, 1959' saidbody and positioned; and arranged. to be. interposed between said first abutment and said crank to engage said crank to stop upward movement of said arms beyond a second position below said first position; and means to move said' second abutmentfrom the position between said first] abutment and said crank to render said second abutment inoperative.

2.- A device for tossing aball toward a target comprising: a body shaped to generally resemble a human form and having a hollow interior; arms pivotally mounted on said body for movement in a vertical plane; an axle pivotally carried by said body; said arms fixed to said axle; ag clrank connected to said axle, and disposed within the hollow portion of said body; resilient means to urge said crank downwardly to biassaid arms upwardly; first stop means including an abutment within the hollow portion of said body positioned and arranged to stop said crank from moving beyond a first position; a second stop means within the hollow portion of said body; said second stop means being slidably movable to an operative position interposed between said first stop means and said crank to stop said crank from moving said arms beyond a second position below said first position and to an inoperative position displaced from the position between said crank and said first stop means to allow said crank to engage said first stop means; means slidably mounted on said body to move said second stop'means to the operative and inoperative positions and the ends of said arms formed to provide a pocket to hold a ball whereby a ball held in said pocket is tossed forwardly from said pocket when said arms are moved upwardly to the second position and rearwardly when said arms are moved to the first position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED. STATES PATENTS 20 1,433,335 Bensch Oct. 24, 1922 1,675,453 Forry July 3, 1928 1,903,254 Bishop Mar. 28, 1933