US2939707A

US2939707A - Plastic toys

Info

Publication number: US2939707A
Application number: US485041A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerome H Lemelson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1955-01-31
Filing date: 1955-01-31
Publication date: 1960-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 1977-06-07

Description

June 7, 1960 J. H. LEMELSON PLASTIC TOYS Filed Jan. 31, 1955 INVENTOR. Jerome H.Leme|son Un ed States Pat nt 1 2,939,101 PLASTIC. ToYs Jerome H. Lemelson, Staten Island, N.Y. (8B Garfield Park Homes, Metuchen, NJ.)

Filed Jan. 31, 1955, Ser. No. 485,041

6 Claims. (Cl. 273-105) This invention relates to inflatable toys and in particular to a new and improved target and backdrop which may be used for toss games and the like.

It is a primary object of this invention to provide a new and improved toy and game device in the form of a target for tossing balls or other objects and which may be made large and light in weight at low cost. a 7

Another object is to provide a new and improved game device comprising a target form and an inflatable base for supporting said target form erect on a surface.

Yet another object is to provide a new and improved target and support therefor which may also be used as a backdrop and which is made of thin flexible inflatable material, whereby said support may be made relatively large yet may be packed and stored in a small volume.

Still another object is to provide improved constructions in game apparatus which may easily be produced at low cost.

Another object is to provide a new and improved supporting means for a toss game ring which may be used for basket-ball games and the like.

Other objects and features of my invention are described in the annexed description and drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a target device employing an inflated bag as a support;

Fig. 2 is an elevation of a target device having a target portion secured to an inflatable bag in a manner diiferent than that illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a partial view of target device having a further modification in the target portion thereof.

In Fig. 1 is shown a target device 10 comprising the assembly of an inflatable bag and a target form 13 illustrated as a ring loop having an axis substantially parallel to the surface on which it is mounted. The inflated bag is made of two die-cut sheets 11 and 12 of flexible plastic which may be sealed in a sealing line near the border of each which extends in a closed loop and completely encloses the internal volume such that it may be inflated to essentially the shape shown.

The ring loop 13 has a pair of rod-like legs 14 projecting therefrom as shown which are secured to a flat board or plate 16 by means of pocket formations 15 in said plate. The board 16 is held against the surface of the wall 12 of the inflatable bag by means of a pocket formed with said wall and a strap. The lower end of 16 fits into said pocket which is formed by providing a U-shaped seal S between a rectangular sheet of plastic 18 and the wall 12. The strap 17 extends across the upper end of 16 and is secured by line sealing the ends of said strap to the wall 12. The dimensions of 17 and 18 as well as the positioning of the welds for each are such that the board 16 is tensionally held thereby as shown when the bag is inflated.

Fig. 2 is a side view of an inflated target device 20 comprising the assembly of two flexible

plastic sheets

21 and 22 and having a target in the form of a basket ring 23 and a circumscn'bing netting 26 secured thereto. A

ire

pair of straight sections of wire 24 extend from the 23 and are secured to the inflated bag by passing directly into respective pockets formed when a square of flexible plastic sheet is line sealed in U-shaped sealing lines S to the wall 22 of the inflated bag. The numeral 2] refers" to ballast in the form of sand or the like partially filling. the enclosure for maintaining said device erect on a sur face and returning it to the position shown if tipped over by the impact of a ball or other form thrown at the target.

In Fig. 3 is shown a modification to the device illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 wherein the ring loop target 13 which may be made of rigid or semi-rigid metal is replaced by a U-shaped target made of rigid vinyl sheeting. The target comprises a sheet of plastic such as a rigid vinyl sheet of plastic formed with a semi-cylindrical portion 33 having flange portions 34 and 35 at each side thereof which are secured to the surface of the inflated backdrop and support 30.

Sheets

31 and 32 sealed together in a circumscribing or closed loop sealing line comprise the walls of the inflated bag and the flanges 34 and 35 are sealed thereto by means of sealing lines S. A ball B tossed at the target may be glanced or bounced ofl the inflated wall 32 so that it falls into the target loop formed by a portion 33 and the wall of 32.

It is noted that variations in the construction and mounting of the target portion or loop are possible and the target may take various forms without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. In game apparatus, a target including: aflexible plastic bag capable of inflation to a defined shape whereby I the walls of said bag are drawn into a semi-rigid state of tension and said bag is self supporting, means for supporting a base portion of said bag, when inflated, on a surface whereby part of said bag projects away from said surface in an erect condition, a target form comprising a ring loop supported oir' saidprojecting part of the inflated bag in an attitude whereby the central axis of said ring is essentially vertical when said bag is in said erect attitude on said surface.

2. A game device in accordance with claim 1, said ring loop comprising the combination of a ring member, a support for said ring member, means securing said ring member to said support, and means securing said support to said flexible plastic bag.

3. A game device in accordance with claim 2, said support for said ring member comprising a board member, and the said means for securing said board member to said flexible plastic bag comprisesa pocket formed with said flexible plastic bag and a piece of sheet material line sealed to said flexible member, part of said board member being held in said pocket by said sheet material whereby said ring member projects outwardly therefrom.

4. A game device in accordance with claim 2, said support for said ring member comprising plural arm portions formed with and projecting from said basket loop, said last mentioned securing means comprising a piece of sheet material which is sealed to said plastic bag and holds said arm portions in engagement therewith.

5. A game device in accordance with claim 2, the means for securing said arm portions to said flexible plastic bag comprising plural pockets formed with the wall of said flexible plastic bag by means of sheet material (line sealed) to the exterior of the sheet material comprising said flexible plastic bag, each of said pockets being shaped for receiving a respective of said plural arm portions therein whereby to support said ring loop off said flexible plastic bag.

6. In game apparatus, a target including a flexible plastic bag having flexible sheet walls capable of being in- Pa tented June 7,. 1960;

semiq'igid'Maw-ofi tensiom tom degrev-whereby' said" bag is converted from a limp condition to a self-supporting member, means for supporting a base poxtion of said bag,

by said target erm is supported when said bag isinfleted;

952,862 Armstrong Mar. 22, 1910 Evans :.5-' Aug. 14, 1,995,495 Barmck Mar. 26, 1935 2,247,852 Saunde'rs-' July 1, 1941 2,482,234.-