US3208444A

US3208444A - Game device

Info

Publication number: US3208444A
Application number: US238993A
Authority: US
Inventors: Sipos Walter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1962-11-20
Filing date: 1962-11-20
Publication date: 1965-09-28
Anticipated expiration: 1982-09-28

Description

Sept. 28, 1965 w. SIPOS 3 0 ,444

GAME DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1962 Walter Sipos I N VEN TOR.

BY MM 5% United States Patent 3,208,444 GAME DEVICE Walter Sipos, 108 Chestnut St., Albany, N.Y. Filed Nov. 20, 1962, 'Ser. No. 238,993 3 Claims. (c1. 124-4) The present invention generally relates to game devices, and more particularly to a game device wherein a projectile is first launched into the air and subsequently driven forward toward a target area.

One of the primary objects of the present invention is to provide a game device wherein the participants, which may be of any reasonable number, are required to exercise a certain degree of skill in conjunction with physical dexterity thus providing a challenge to the participants so as to maintain their interest in the game.

Another object of the present invention resides in the provision of a game device which requires a certain amount of coordination between a foot and hand of the players in a manner which, aside from providing a source of entertainment, also provides a means for increasing the dexterity of the players, particularly children.

Also, an object of the present invention is to provide a game device which is of interest to and playable by adults as well as children.

In conjunction with the above objects, it is also an object of the present invention to provide a game device which is simple in construction, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and of a generally durable nature.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter do scribed and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the game device comprising the present invention illustrating the manner in which the device is to be used; and

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken substantially on a plane passing along line 22 in FIG- URE 1 illustrating the launcher in both its lower loading position and upper discharge position.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, reference numeral is used to generally designate the game comprising the present invention, this game 10 consisting basically of four parts, a launcher 12, a projectile 14, a striker bat 16, and a target area 18. In use, the projectile 14 is positioned on the launcher 12 and subsequently discharged in a substantially vertical direction therefrom for a subsequent striking by the striker bat 16 in an effort to drive the projectile 14 toward, and preferably into, the target zone 18.

The launcher 12, made of any suitable material such as wood, metal or plastic, consists of a flat elongated base 23*, a triangular support 22 secured to the upper surface of the base and orientated transversely thereof at a point slightly forward of the transverse center line, an elongated launching platform 24 shorter in length than the base 20 and pivotally mounted on the upper apex end 26 of the support 22, and an actuating edal 28 pivotally mounted on the base to the rear of the rear end of the launching platform 24.

The launching platform 24 includes two depending ears 30 located opposite from each other at approximately the center of the platform-24, these ears receiving the ends of a rod 32, the center portion of which is rotatably journaled within the apex portion 26 of the support 22, this apex portion 26 being suitably enlarged, as best seen in FIGURE 2, for the reception of the rod 32.

Adjustably mounted on the forward end of the platform 24 is an upwardly opening receptacle 34 for receiv- 3,203,444 Patented Sept. 28, 1965 ing and holding the projectile 14 before the launching thereof. This receptacle 34, consisting of two upwardly diverging side panels 36, is mounted between two oppositely positioned upwardly extending cars 38 ad acent the forward end of the platform 24 by means of a transversely extending rod 40, the ends of which are engaged through suitable apertures within the ears 38 and the central portion of which engages the inner surface of the bight portion formed between the lower ends of the diverging panels 36. The adjustment of this receptacle 34 is effected by means of an adjusting rod 42 pivotally secured adjacent one end of the rear panel 36 by looped rings 44 and selectively engageable with a pin 46 projecting laterally from the adjacent side of the platform 24, the adjusting rod 42 being provided with longitudinally spaced recesses 48 formed in the lower portion thereof for effecting this selective engagement with the pin 46. It will be appreciated that the forward end of the launching platform 24, in conjunction with the receptacle 34, is to be of a weight greater than the rear end of the platform 24 so as to, prior to the launching of the projectile 14, always assume the position indicated in full lines in FIGURE 2.

The actuating pedal 28 is pivotally mounted to the base 20 rearward of the platform 24 by a transversely extending rod 50 journaled through the enlarged rear portion 52 of the pedal 28 and having the ends thereof journaled within opposed upwardly extending ears or tabs 54. The forward end of the pedal 28 extends over the rear end of the platform 24 and has depending therefrom a socket 56 rotatably mounting a ball-bearing 58, thereby reducing to a minimum any frictional drag which may be encountered upon a sliding of the forward end of the pedal 28 over the rear end of the platform 24 during the downward movement thereof. In order to return the pedal 28 to its upper position for a subsequent launching of a projectile 14, an expanded coil spring 60 is mounted between the upper surface of the base 26 and the lower surface of the pedal 28 forward of the pivotal connection therebetween, this coil spring 60 functioning so as to bias the pedal 28 upwardly, it thus being readily apparent that immediately upon a removal of the launching pressure from the pedal 28, the spring will return the pedal 28 to its upper position while the platform 24 is being returned to its original position by the greater weight of the forward receptacle containing end thereof.

The projectile 14 is preferably in the shape of a truncated cone so as to simulate a space capsule, however, it will be readily appreciated that the present invention also contemplates the use of any other shape, or in fact, a conventional ball.

The striker bat 16 consists of an enlarged fiat portion 62 having the profile 64 of either a human or an animal face thereon, and an elongated gripping handle 66 projecting from one end thereof. It is intended that both a simulated space capsule and a paddle having a profile thereon be used so as to further stimulate the interest of the players of the game.

The target zone or area 18, is preferably circular in nature and can consist of a preformed peripheral member 68 or an area outlined on the playing surface, this target zone 18 being positioned forward of the forward end of the launcher 12.

From the foregoing, it is considered readily apparent that a novel and intriguing game device has been defined wherein a projectile is positioned within a receptacle and subsequently discharged therefrom in a substantially vertical direction by the pressure of the players foot upon an actuating pedal, this pedal being orientated so as to enable the player to rest his heel on the playing surface during the application of the launching pressure so as to give the player greater control over the applied force, it being appreciated that this force can also be applied with a stamping action of the foot vertically downward onto the pedal if a greater launching force is deemed necessary. After the projectile has been launched vertically, the particular angle of launching being variable upon an adjustment of the receptacle within which the projectile is originally positioned, a striker bat held in the hand of the player is brought into contact with the pro jectile so as to drive the projectile forwardly toward the target zone. Inasmuch as the projectile is to be driven forward by being contacted with a striker bat or paddle, it will be appreciated that this projectile be preferably made of a resilient plastic or rubber-like material, however, other materials can be used if so desired.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. A game device comprising an elongated flat base, an elongated launching platform, a support fixed to said base and projecting thereabove beneath said launching platform, said platform being pivotally mounted on said support, an upwardly opening, projectile receiving receptacle secured to said platform at one end thereof, said one end of the platform over-balancing the other end thereof so as to orientate the platform in an initial position with said one end on said base and the other end raised, an actuating pedal, means pivotally mounting a first end of said pedal on the base remote from and in alignment with the other end of the platform, the second end of the pedal overlying and slidably engaging the other end of the launching platform, a physical depressing of the pedal effecting a downward movement of the other end of the platform into engagement with the base, said movement resulting in a corresponding upward movement of said one end of the platform resulting in the forceful discharge of any projectile therein, the second end of the pedal overlying the other end of the platform throughout its range of movement, and a spring resiliently biasing said pedal upwardly so as to allow an automatic return of the platform to its initial position upon a removal of the force depressing the pedal.

2. The device of claim 1 including means pivotally mounting said receptacle so as to vary the direction of discharge of a projectile, and means for releasably fixing said receptacle in any one of a plurality of pivotally adjusted positions, said last-mentioned means consisting of an elongated adjusting member pivotally secured at one end to the receptable, said member having a plurality of recesses spaced therealong, and a rigid projection on the platform, said projection being selectively engaged by one or another of said recesses.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein the second end of the pedal includes a friction reducing means engaged with the other end of the platform.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/25 Krause 124-4 X 8/34 Walton 27310l 5/63 Taylor 273-106 X

Claims

1. A GAME DEVICE COMPRISING AN ELONGATED FLAT BASE, AN ELONGATED LAUNCHING PLATFORM, A SUPPORT FIXED TO SAID BASE AND PROJECTING THEREABOVE BENEATH SAID LAUNCHING PLATFORM, SAID PLATFORM BEING PIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON SAID SUPPORT, AN UPWARDLY OPENING, PROJECTILE RECEIVING RECEPTACLE SECURED TO SAID PLATFORM AT ONE END THEREOF, SAID ONE END OF THE PLATFORM OVER-BALANCING THE OTHER END THEREOF SO AS TO ORIENTATE THE PLATFORM IN AN INITIAL POSITION WITH SAID ONE END ON SAID BASE AND THE OTHER END RAISED, AN ACTUATING PEDAL, MEANS PIVOTALLY MOUNTING A FIRST END OF SAID PEDAL ON THE BASE REMOTE FROM AN IN ALIGNMENT WITH THE OTHER END OF THE PLATFORM, THE SECOND END OF THE PEDAL OVERLYING AND SLIDABLY ENGAGING THE OTHER END OF THE LAUNCHING PLATFORM, A PHYSICAL DEPRESSING OF THE PEDAL EFFECTING A DOWNWARD MOVEMENT OF THE OTHER END OF THE PLATFORM INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE BASE, SAID MOVEMENT RESULTING IN A CORRESPONDING UPWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID ONE END OF THE PLATFORM RESULTING IN THE FORCEFUL DISCHARGE OF ANY PROJECTILE THEREIN, THE SECOND END OF THE PEDAL OVERLYING THE OTHER END OF THE PLATFORM THROUGHOUT ITS RANGE OF MOVEMENT, AND A SPRING RESILIENTLY BIASING SAID PEDAL UPWARDLY SO AS TO ALLOW AN AUTOMATIC RETURN OF THE PLATFORM TO ITS INITIAL POSITION UPON A REMOVAL OF THE FORCE DEPRESSING THE PEDAL.