US3061312A

US3061312A - Toy

Info

Publication number: US3061312A
Application number: US151284A
Authority: US
Inventors: Marvin I Glass; Stan Henry
Original assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
Current assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
Priority date: 1961-11-09
Filing date: 1961-11-09
Publication date: 1962-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 1979-10-30

Description

Oct. 3i), 1962 M. l. GLAss ETAL TOY Filed Nov. 9, 1961 .eral type referred to above. objects of the invention is the provision of a toy or game Filed Nov. 9, 1961, Ser. No.

Claims. (Cl. 273-110) The invention relates to toys or games, and more particularly, to a toy or game which is competitively operable by a pair of opposing players or contestants. Still more particularly, the invention relates to toys or games in which the travel of a ball, or other object, is controllable by the players and in which the game is won by vthe scoring of one or more goals, depending upon the rules which are used.

One of the principal objects of the inventionl is to provide a no-vel, competitively operable game of the gen- Another of the principal involving movable members which are independently operable by opposingvplayers to control the travel of an v object, such as, for example, a ball, during the play of Athe game. ,vision of a game which incorporates various of the above Another object of the invention is the promentioned features, ywhich is simple and inexpensive to i manufacture, and which will provide -many long hours of -entertaining activity over a longperiod of time.

- vOther objects and advantages of the invention will become known by reference to the following description and accompanying drawings of one embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings:

FIGURE l is a partially broken away and sectioned plan view of a toy or game embodying various of the features of the disclosed invention; and

FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken along line 2-2 of FIGURE 1.

As shown in the drawings, the disclosed game cornprises a pair of opposed members or boards 21 which are pivotally mounted on suitable supporting means ,23

`and are independently manipulatable in opposition to each other to score a goal by controlling the travel of a freely moving ball 25 relative to the boards 21. More particularly, the boards each include a receptacle 27 in j which the ball 25 is receivable to score a goal and are mounted to afford independent and selective pivotal movement thereof about a rst common axis and about j separate, respectively associated second axes extending transversely of the common axis. The gamealso incorporates separate suitable means 29 operable by the opposing contestants to independently and selectively manipulate the boards 21 either about the common axis or about the respectively lassociated second axes extending transversely of the common axis.

, Considering 'the construction of the disclosed game in greater detail, the support means 23 can be for-med in various shapes and, in the disclosed construction, constitutes a ring 31 whichy is strengthened by the incorporation of an inner horizontally extending flange 33 andan inverted, generally T-shaped, diametric `rib 35. As shown in FIGURE 1, the cross bar 37 disposed at the bottom of the'inverted T-shaped rib 35 is interrupted at the central part thereof to facilitate molding of Ithe ring as a single piece. Extending radially from the ring 31 in diametric opposition to each other are a pair of control j boxes 39 respectively housing certain components of the separate means 29 for operably` manipulating the boards Desirably, the ring 31 extends above the normal level of the boards21 so as to provide a skirt which assists in retainingnthe ball 25 on the boards 21 and is covered United States Patent 3,061,312 Patented Oct. 30., 1962 .with a transparent dome or shell 41 which prevents loss of the ball, but permits full view of the play of the game.

The pivotally mounted boards 21'are each generally of identical construction, except for being left and right handed, and are generally at members. In thel disclosed construction, each of the boards is shaped to occupy substantially 1/2 of the area enclosed bythe -ring 31. Thus, the boards are of semi-circular shape. However, if the support means 23 were other than of circular shape, the shape of theboards could be correspondingly changed. Moreover, each of the boards need not occupy substantially 1/2 of the available area'within the ring. For instance, if desired, the ring 31 could be provided with a llat, level area intermediate the boards 21.

The rigidity of each of the boards 21 is reinforced by the provision of a downwardly projecting flange 43jextending along the straight edge of each of the boards. Further rigidity is obtained, in each of the boards 21, by the use of a pair of generally parallel ribs 45 which project outwardly from the straight side of the associated flange 43 in perpendicular relation to the straight sides jof the boards, and by a pair of extensions or legs 47 which project transversely toward each other from the associated parallel ribs 45 inwardly of the receptacle 27.

`In addition, the flanges 43 and the transverse legs 47 cooperate with other componentsY of the construction to facilitate functioning of the game.

-ln this last regard, various arrangements canbe employed to support the boards 21 for independent and .selective pivotal movement about-a common axis and about separate axes extending transversely of the common axis. In the disclosed construction, a pin or stud .49 extends in axial alignment from both sides of the diametric rib 35, at the longitudinal center thereof, and

projects through somewhat larger apertures 51 in the adjacent portions of the anges 43. The boards 21 are retained in pivotally mounted relation on the ends of the pin-49 by suitable Vmeans which, in the disclosed construction, is a spring clip 50 engaging the pin I49 outwardly of the flanges 43.

f ally of hollow rectangular formation and extends through a mating aperture in the top of the associated control box 39 to permit vertical movement thereof relative to the associated control box. The lower part of the inner l wall of each ofthe control keys 53 is apertured for receipt of the outer end of a control bar 55. i

More specifically, each of the

control bars

55,1 as seen best in `FIGURE 2, is an elongated element which f projects through a vertical slot 57 in the ring'314 and rests with its lower edge bearing upon the inwardly ,di rectedv ange 33. Extending in axial alignment from M,each of the sides of each control bar is a pivot pin 59, each of which is normally engaged with the outer surciated control lever.

` diametric rib 35, thereby engaging the pivot pin 59 g against the ring 31 and establishing the normal control bar disposition. In this normal position, the associated one of the keys 53 is elevated with respect to the top of the associated control box 39 and the upper edge of 'each control bar 55 is engaged with the adjacent'one yof the transverse legs 47 to thereby support the boards 21 in a generally downwardly and outwardly inclined relation to each other. Accordingly, when one of the keys 53 in one of the control boxes 39 is depressed, the associated control bar 55 is rocked to thereby elevate its inner end, causing pivotal movement of the associated board 21 in one direction about the common axis which extends in axial alignment with the pivot pin 49. Of course, when the key 53 is released, the associated spring 61 will return the control bar 55 to its normal disposition, thereby lpermitting return movement of the associated board to its normal horizontal position.

If the other of the keys 53 is depressed, the assocated board 21 is rocked in the opposite direction about the common axis extending in axial alignment with the pivot pin 49. If both keys 53 are depressed simultaneously, the associated board 21 is pivoted upwardly, toward the opposite board, about an axis which is disposed perpendicularly to the pivot pin 49 and which is located adjacent to the diametric rib 35.

Accordingly, by selectively depressing the keys 53, the associated boards 21 can be manipulated so as to oppose the sinking of the ball 25 in the receptacle 27 in the adjacent one of the boards 21, and so as to direct the ball toward the receptacle 27 in the opposing one of the boards 21.

Travel of the ball 25 relative to the lboards 21 is also inuenced by a series of obstacles or Ibatiies associated with the boards. More specifically, each of the boards 21 includes a pair of spaced, upright bafes 65 located in generally converging relation to each other so as to direct the travel of the ballr25 toward the associated receptacle 27. Also located on each of the boards 21 are a pair of arcuate barriers 67 which act to deflect Vthe ball 25 in various directions depending upon the disposition of the boards. Disposed above each of the receptacles 27 is a goal post 69 which is also adapted to deflect the ball 25 under certain circumstances. However, the cross bar 71 of each of the goal posts 69 is positioned high enough so as not to normally interfere with dropping of the ball 25 into the associated receptacle 27. Y

Each of the receptacles 27 islocated centrally of the associated one of the boards 21 and constitutes an opening 73 in the associated board, together with an upwardly projecting partial lip 75 along the rearof thefope'nng `two outermost legs.

Preferably, the convergent disposition of therlegs 79, together with the ring segment 81, Will retain the ball 25 in the pocketstructure 77. However, an auxiliary support member can also be utilized in eachof the receptacles 27, `which support member also functions as a part of a meansV or arrangement 83 for ejecting or projectingtheball 25 from the associated receptacle 27.

Each of the ball ejecting means 83 constitutes a lever `85 pivotally mounted intermediate its ends for movement of one end into Ithe associated pocket structure 77 so asto eject the ball 25 therefrom. More specifically,

each of the levers 85 is pivotally mountedrelativeto the ring 3-1 by reason of the projection of a radially outwardly directed arm 87 through an associated aperture 89 in the ring immediately above the inwardly extending flange 33. Inaddition, each of the levers 85 includes aA pivot pin 91 which extends in axial alignment from each of 'the'sides' thereofand bears against the inner surface of CFI the ring 31 and the upper surface of the ange 33. Each of the pivot pins 91 is retained in place and the associated one of the levers is disposed in its normal position by a spring 93. Each of the springs 93 extends through a slot 95 in the ring 31 beneath the flange 33 and connects a hook 97 on the associated lever 85 to a cross member 99 in the adjacent control box 39.

The forward end of each of the levers 85 is partially disposed in a radial slot 101 in the flange 33 and includes, at its outer end, a spoon shaped part 103 which, as previously pointed out, is capable of serving the double function of supporting an objcct in the associated pocket structure 77 when the associated lever 85 is in its normal position and of ejecting the object from the associated receptacle 27 when the associated lever 85 is suitably pivoted.

Each of the levers 85 can be pivoted from its normal position so as to pivotally elevate the spoon part 103 by a button 105 supported in the adjacent one of the control boxes 39. More specically, each of the buttons 105 is a generally cylindrical member which projects through a mating aperture 107 in the upper wall of the associated control box 39 and which includes an enlarged head 109 at its lower end to prevent loss thereof from the associated control box. Each button 105 is vertically supported by engagement of its head 109 with the upper edge of the associated radially outwardly projecting arm 87. When either one of the buttons 105 is depressed, the associated lever 85 is pivoted to expel the ball 27, or other object, from the associated receptacle 27.

Disposed outwardly of the ring 31, above each 0f the control boxes 39 is a counter for keeping score, which counter comprises a wire support 111 and a series of beads 113 Awhich are movable along the wire support 111 so as to keep track of the number of goals made by each player.

As already indicated, the game is played by a pair of opposing contestants, each of which manipulates the keys 53 in one of the opposing control boxes 39 so as `to pivot the associated one of the boards 21 in an attempt to sink the ball 27 in the receptacle 29 in the opposing one of the boards 21.

As already explained, the boards 21 are mounted so as to permit, incident to manipulation of the'keys 53, pivotal movement about a common axis extending in alignment with the pivot pin 49 or pivotal movement of either of the boards 21 about respective axes extending perpendicularly of the common axis. When one of the contestants is successful in sinking the ball 27 in the opposing receptacle 27, the associated `button 105 can lbe depressed to eject the ball, again making the ball 27 available for further play. A score can be kept by means of the beads 113 mounted along the outer periphery of the ring 31.

Various of the features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A toy comprising support means, a pair of members disposed in opposing relation to each other, means pivotally connecting said members to said support means for pivotal movement of both of said members about a common axis and for pivotal movement of each of said members about separate parallel axes extending perpendicularly of said common axis, separate means on said support means for selectively pivoting each of said members about either said common axis or the associated one of said axes extending perpendicularly of said com mon axis, each of said member pivoting means including ,a first lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said support means for engagement of one end thereof with the underside of the associated one of said mem- -bers about either said common axis or the associated side of said common axis and in spaced relation to and on one side of the associated one of said axes extending perpendicularly to said common axis, a frstelement carried by said support means for engagement with the other end of said first lever to cause pivotal movement thereof and of the associated one of said members in one direction about said common axis, a second lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said support means for engagement of one end thereof with the underside of the associated one of said members at a point located in spaced relation to said common axis on ythe side thereof opposite from said one side and in spaced relation to and on said one side of the associated one of said axes extending perpendicularly to said common axis, and a second element carried by said support means for engagement -with the other end of said second lever -to cause pivotal movement thereof and of the associated one of said members in the direction opposite to said one direction about said common axis, whereby said members can be pivoted about said axes perpendicular to said common axis incident to common pivotal move ment of the associated rst and second levers.

2. A toy comprising support means, a pair of members disposed in opposing relation to each other, each of said members having a ball receiving receptacle therein, separate means on said support means for discharging a ball from each of said receptacles, each of said ball discharging means including an arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said support means, said arm having one end enterable into the associated one of said receptacles incident to pivotal movement thereof, a button carried by said support means and engageable with the other end of said arm to effect ball discharging pivotal movement of said arm, means pivotally connecting said members to said support means for pivotal movement of both of said members about a common axis and for pivotal movement of each of said members about separate parallel axes extending perpendicularly of said common axis, and separate means carried by said support means for independently pivoting each of said members selectively about either of said common axis and said axes extending perpendicularly of said common axis, thereby permitting selective manipulation of said members in an attempt to sink a ball in said receptacle in the opposite member.

3. A toy comprising support means defining a ring having a diametric rib thereacross, a pair of semi-circular members pivotally connected at the center of their straight sides to said rib adjacent the center thereof for pivotal movement of both members about a common axis extending perpendicular to said rib and for pivotal movement of each of said members about separate axes extending parallel to said rib, a ball, a transparent dome mounted on said ring for confining said ball within said ring and between -said members and said dome, a receptacle in each of said members for receiving said ball, separate means on said support means for discharging said ball from each of said receptacles, each of said ball discharging means including an arm pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said support' means, said arm having one end enterable into the -associated one of said receptacles incident to pivotal movement thereof, means carried -by said support means and engageable with the other end of said arm for effecting ball discharging pivotal movement of said arm, separate means on said support means for selectively pivoting each of said members about either said common axis or said axes extending parallel to said rib, each of said member-pivoting means including a first lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said support means for engagement of one end thereof with the underside of the associated one of said members at a point located in spaced relation to and on one side of said common axis and in spaced relation to and on one side of the associated one of said axes extending parallel to said rib, a first element carried by said support means for engagement with the other end of said first lever to cause pivotal movement thereof and of the associate-d one of said members in one direction about said common axis, a second lever pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on said support means for engagement of one end thereof with the underside of the associated one of said members at a point located in spaced relation to said common axis on the side thereof opposite from said one side and in spaced relation to and on said one side of the associated one of said axes extending parallel to said rib, and a second element carried by said support means for engagement with the other end of said second lever to cause pivotal movement thereof and of the associated member in the direction opposite to said one direction about said common axis, whereby said members can be pivoted about said axes parallel to said rib incident to common pivotal movement of the associated iirst and second levers.

4. A toy comprising support means, a pair of members disposed on said support means in closely spaced, opposing relation to each other, each of said members having a ball-receiving means therein, means pivotally connecting each of said members to said support means for tiltingmovement relative thereto, a pair of separate means carried by said support and associated respectively with each of said members, each of said separate means being engageable with the associated one of said members to provide tilting thereof about a pair of axes extending generally horizontally and disposed perpendicular to one another, whereby-said member may be manipulated toward and away from the opposing member as Well as from side to side, the adjoining edges of said members being normally essentially coplanar to permit movement of the ball from one member to the other, and means carried by said support for movement relative to said ball- Y receiving means to eject a ball deposited therein.

5. A vtop comprising support means, a pairgof members disposed on said support means in closely spaced, opposing relation to each other, each of said members having a plurality of ball-receiving means therein, means pivotally connecting each of said members to said support means for tilting movement relative thereto, a pair of separate means carried by said support and associated respectively with each of said members, each of said separate means Y a ball deposited therein.

References Cited in the le of this patent FOREIGN PATENTS 907,022 France June 4, 1945 Patent No 3,061,312 October 30, 1962 Marvin IA Glass et alo It is hereby certified that err ent requiring correction and that th corrected below.

, strike out about either said ssociated" and insert instead (SEAL) Attest:

ESTON G. JOHNSON DAVID L. LADD A ttesting Officer l Commissioner of Patents