US3218073A - Competitive light athletic game with soft, compact, orbiting ball - Google Patents

Description

Nov. 16, 1965 o. v. FROST 3,218,073

COMPETITIVE LIGHT ATHLETIC GAME WITH SOFT. COMPACT, QRBITING BALL Filed Sept. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 30 INVENTOR.

' DOUGLAS V. FRos'r Nov. 16, 1965 v 3,218,073

. FROST COMPETITIVE LIGHT ATHLE GAME WITH SOFT, COMPACT, ORBITING BALL Filed Sept. 15, 1961 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. DoueLAs V. FRosT COMPETITIVE LIGHT ATHLETIC GAME WITH SOFT. COMPACT, ORBI'IING BALL Filed Sept. 15, 1961 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. DOUGLAS V. F2051 United States Patent Office 3,218,073 Fatented Nov. 16, 1965 3,218,073 COMPETITIVE LIGHT ATHLETIC GAME WITH SGFT, COMPACT, ORBITING BALL Douglas V. Frost, 518 1st St., Waukegan, Ill. Filed Sept. 15, 1961, Ser. No. 138,319 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-95) My invention relates to games of skill and agility, and includes among its objects and advantages an extension of the usefulness of the game commonly called tetherball or tether tennis into one requiring much less strength and athletic prowess, and greater agility and coordination than was previously involved. As at present played, these early tether ball games employ a ball large enough and heavy enough to inflict injury if it happens to strike the face or some other sensitive part of one of the players, and that restricts its use. The possibility of play on the same principle with a ball such that accidental impact becomes substantially innocuous, not only extends its field of usefulness to a much larger number of players, but induces players of athletic prowess sufficient for strenuous play to cultivate additional dexterity and adaptability.

In the accompanying drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective of an outdoor standard equipped for playing.

FIGURE 2 is a perspective of the unit with a standard only about half as high;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged perspective of the supporting base;

FIGURE 4 is a partial section of a joint in the standard of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a plan View of the supporting base pan with certain of the parts stowed inside it for packaging;

FIGURE 6 is a section in a vertical plane on line 66 of FIGURE 5 of the pan and pole only;

FIGURE 7 is a detail section on line 77 of FIGURE 3 indicating the interengagement of the pole with the braces;

FIGURE 8 is a detail section on line 8-8 of FIGURE 7 indicating a modified construction for the braces;

FIGURE 9 is a view of the ball itself, partly in section, indicating one method of attaching a tension cord;

FIGURE 10 is a similar section indicating a different cord attachment;

FIGURE 11 is a section indicating a singlepass cord attachment;

FIGURE 12 is a similar section with a diiferent type of fastening;

FIGURE 13 is an enlarged detail of the tension cord I of FIGURE 11 at the point where it enters the ball, and

FIGURE 14 is a plan diagram of the playing area.

In the embodiment selected to illustrate the invention, the standard 10 is a tubular metal pole ten or twelve feet high and one-half inch in outside diameter.

As indicated in FIGURE 4 it is made up of an upper section 12 and a lower section 14 suitably joined, as by welding to section 14 a dowel 18 having a portion 16 removably inserted in the upper section 12 of the pole. The dowel 18 carries an eye 20 at its top and when the section 12 is removed, as indicated in FIGURE 2, the eye 20 receives a tension cord 22 carrying a ball 24 at its outer end. When the section 12 is also in place a similar eye 26 at the top of the section 12 is used to afiix the end of a longer supporting cord 28 carrying the ball 24 at its outer end.

To support the standard dependably without having to imbed it in the ground, I provide a large pan 30 having a central socket 32 adapted to receive the lower end of the pole section 14. The pan has a peripheral portion 34 in its bottom and a portion inside that at 36 lying at a higher level, with a slight depression at 38 in the center where the cup 32 is fastened in place. The pan has a high side wall 40 so that sand or bricks or any other heavy material conveniently available, may be piled in or on it to give it sufficient stability to carry the working load during play.

The side wall 40 carries an outwardly turned lip 42. To brace the pole 10 to the pan I provide an upper cross brace 44 and a lower cross brace 46. The cross piece 44 has a short horizontal central portion 48 with a turned down lip 50 to receive the section 14 in slideable engagement. On either side of the horizontal portion 48, straight diagonal braces 52 extend down and terminate in horizontal feet 54 detachably bolted at 56 to the rim of the pan. The lower cross brace 46 is in a vertical plane at right angles to the vertical plane of the cross brace 44 and is of identical construction and engages the pole section 14 and the upper cross brace firmly.

It will be obvious that the rigidity of the straight diagonal braces 52 can be greatly increased by turning their edges down as indicated at 58 in FIGURE 8.

The braces 44 and 46 are of sufficient resilience so that when they are unbolted from the pan they can be flexed enough to let their ends nest inside the wall 40 of the pan, as indicated in FIGURE 5. This leaves additional room to house a pair of paddles 60 (see FIG- URE 5), and a small envelope 62 can hold the bolts for fastening the braces in place. Two balls 24 and their tension members 28 are also indicated.

To secure the required degree of safety and at the same time provide an active and interesting game, the size and density or specific gravity of the ball and the flexibility of its attachment to the pole are critical. Designating the diameter of the ball as D and the specific gravity of the ball as sp. gr., I have found, after a long series of tests and experiments, that an optimum size of the ball is a diameter of 1 /2 inches, provided the specific gravity is 0.5. Of course, it is also essential that the ball have a very live bounce. I have found that sponge rubber balls having approximately the desired size and density are available on the market, but not for such uses. With sponge rubber, it is possible to secure desirable results with a diameter as small as three-fourths of an inch, but at all sizes from 1 /2 inches down to inch, an average density of 0.5 gives substantially optimum results. If the ball is made up with an air space at the center, compensating increase in the specific gravity of the solid portion of the ball would be in order, so that the aero-dynamic resistance of the ball to movement, and its gross weight, would remain substantially unchanged. The same applies with equal force to a completely hollow, inflated ball.

It is possible to play with larger balls, but in that case there should be a reduction in the average specific gravity so that the gross weight will not be increased substantially. An effective criterion for successful use is that for diameters of 1 /2" or more the product of the diameter multiplied by the specific gravity should not exceed about 0.90.

A ball larger than 1%" in diameter, according to the foregoing specification, will be just a little more retarded by windage in play, and just a little bit softer to off-set its larger size, and just a little bit less resilient in terms of the height to which it will bounce when dropped on the ground. For use by persons over 60 years old, for instance, such a relatively slow ball facilitates a less rapidfire game. A similar reduction in speed can be secured with a ball of any smaller diameter, by reducing the weight of the ball. Another Way to slow down the game to any desired degree is to enlarge the diameter of the tension member, especially near its outer end.

The attachment of the tension cord 28 to the ball is a mechanical connection that undergoes very severe conditions of service. One suitable attachment is indicated in FIGURE 9, where the braided tension cord 28 is passed diametrically through the ball and then brought back around one side of the ball as indicated at 64 and knotted to the tension reach at the point 66. The reach 64 should be drawn tight enough to imbed itself slightly in the material of the ball, but this can be done without changing the spherical form of the ball enough to interfere with play.

In FIGURE '10 the cord passes through the ball diametrically, but the return reach 68 is shorter and is knotted to a companion reach 70 so that the two reaches span 180 with respect to the ball but can be knotted at 72 at a point spaced away from the ball by varying distances, up to about /s of the ball diameter. This increases the Windage on the ball and reduces its speed somewhat. It has the advantage that the straight portions of the reaches 68 and 70 receive a good many of the impacts from the paddle edge when the ball is struck at an odd angle, and thus the wear is distributed and much longer life is secured for the tension cord 28, compared with the construction of FIGURE 9 where many such impacts will be received in a much more nearly transverse direction at points close to the ball.

In FIGURE 11 the same cord 28 is passed diametrically through the ball 24 and knotted at its end to form an enlargement 74 which will be partially embedded within the contours of the ball, and may be suitably fastened in place, as by adhesive.

The fastening indicated in FIGURE 12 appears to be able to survive more severe service over a much longer period of time.

One strand of cord is passed down through the ball and up again, to form two reaches 76, connected by a bight '78. A different cord, which need not be of the same size, is similarly put in, in a plane at right angles to that of the reaches 76, forming two more reaches 8%) at the corners of a square. All four are braided at 88 for about or ball diameters, and one of the reaches can be continued up to the standard.

Additional protection against wear, combined with increased windage can be desirably secured according to FIGURE 13. At its entrance into the ball 24, the tension member 28 passes through a disc 82 of solid, tough rubber, glued to the ball 24. This prevents the member 28 from cutting into the material of the ball 24 and gradually tearing out a tapered hole.

The braided hollow fabric sleeve 84 ending at 8% is also provided. This fits loosely over the member 28 so that contact with the paddle edge is by the sleeve, and if there is any sawing movement of the paddle edge, the sleeve can twist a little and distribute the wear. The extra windage due to the sleeve is concentrated close to the hall, where its effectiveness is maximum.

The problem of visibility is always present because of the high speed and relatively small diameter of the ball. I prefer to form the ball of a light pink, bright red, or orange color and to ornament it with white, yellow and blue areas such as those indicated at 2.00 in FIG- URE 9. It will be obvious that a wide variety of color schemes and ornamentation may be used to secure maximum visibility according to well known principles of optics and physiology.

The half length standard of FIGURE 2 is too low for outdoor play, but it can be set on a table or similar support in the center of a good sized room and used for indoor play.

Others may readily adapt the invention for use under various conditions of service by employing one or more of the novel features disclosed, or equivalents thereof.

When experienced players are rather evenly matched, the play sometimes extends indefinitely, if a complete winding up is the criterion of victory. One mechanical expedient to prevent this is a removable sleeve to enlarge the diameter on which the cord winds up to l" or 1 /2. This results in a relatively brief sudden death contest. Without structural change a time limit can be set, and when the whistle blows, the player who has one or more turns of line wound on in his direction becomes the winner.

For an indoor game with the standard set on a table, poles from 4 to 6 feet high are quite satisfactory. With the bottom of the pole at about the level of the feet of the players, desirable heights are from 8 feet up to or feet.

For a A ball an l8-pound test fishing line is satisfactory, and has an apparent diameter of about 4 of an inch. A ball 1 /2" in diameter of the same density weighs eight times as much and Works well with a 50- pound line which has a diameter of about of an inch, or, for strenuous play, a l-pound line with a diameter of about of an inch. Lines exceeding these diameters by percent or so slow down the game a little but not enough to spoil it.

It will be obvious that the speed of the game can be varied over a wide range to suit the age and agility of the players by varying the size of the ball and the diameter of the cord. All the particular sizes mentioned can be used without danger of injury to the players.

With a standard of 15 feet or more, the trajectory of the ball within reach of a player standing on the ground extends out far enough to make it practical to play doubles.

In singles it is best to divide the playing area diametrically into two equal parts. Doubles may be played free style or with the court divided into quadrants. In either instance, it seems desirable to have the division a narrow lane I92 (see FIGURE 14) defined by parallel lines spaced apart from about 20 to about 36, and to have a foul rule prohibiting the players from stepping into the lanes.

Athletic players can, if they make a special efiort to do so, impel the ball with about the speed of a hard hit tennis ball, but to keep the ball away from an opponent effectively, it is necessary to keep possession by hitting the ball on each complete orbit. Accuracy in getting the orbit into a plane where it goes too high for the opponent to reach it, and comes back down for another stroke by the player who hit it last, seems a more effective strategy than a power drive. There seems to be no power drive possible that will keep the ball away from ones opponent for two complete orbits, because the windage on both cord and ball increases as the square of the speed.

As at present advised with respect to the apparent scope of my invention, I desire to claim the following subject matter:

it. Equipment for playing a competitive light athletic game requiring dexterity and agility, comprising, in combination: a vertical standard 8 to 20 feet high; a tension cord of minimum diameter and wind resistance; one end of said cord being non-rotatably afiixed to said standard adjacent its upper end; a ball afiixed to the other end of said cord and adapted to circle the point of contact between cord and standard and wrap or unwrap said cord,

depending on the direction of its orbital travel; said cord being less in length than the height of its point of attachment to said standard; impelling implements adapted to be held for striking by one hand only; each implement having two ball-contacting striking areas facing in opposite directions; said ball having a diameter not greater than two inches and not less than three quarters of an inch; said range of diameters being divisible into a first subrange extending from .75 inch to 1.5 inches and a second subrange extending from 1.5 inches to 2 inches, the average density of balls having diameters within said first subrange being on the order of .5, and the average density of balls having diameters within said second subrange also being on the order of .5; said ball yielding on impact by an impelling implement, with a local distortion having a load-distortion ratio about that of a sponge rubber sphere of uniform density of one half; and an at least approximately even and level playing terrain around said standard extending radially in all directions at least as far as the length of said tension cord.

2. Equipment according to claim 1 in combination with means subdividing said terrain into an even number of equal sectors not exceeding four, separated from each other by radial foul lanes of substantial width.

3. Equipment according to claim 2 in which the point of attachment of said cord to said standard is high enough so that, as long as the point of departure of said cord from said standard remains in an upper zone of elevation extending from the point of attachment of said cord only part way down said standard, said ball may be impelled in either rotational sense, from any one of said sectors in an inclined orbit around said standard at or near the point of departure of said cord from said standard, said orbit lying above and out of reach of an opposing player in an adjacent sector.

4. Equipment for playing a competitive, light athletic game requiring dexterity and agility, comprising, in combination: a vertical standard 8 to 20 feet high; a tension cord of minimum diameter and wind resistance; one end of said cord being non-rotatably aflixed to said standard adjacent its upper end; a ball afiixed to the other end of said cord and adapted to circle the point of contact between cord and standard and wrap or unwrap said cord, depending on the direction of its orbital travel; said cord being less in length than the height of its point of attachment to said standard; impelling implements adapted to be held for striking with one hand only; each implement having two ball-contacting striking areas facing in opposite directions; said ball having a diameter not greater than two inches and not less than three quarters of an inch; said range of diameters being divisible into a first subrange extending from .75 inch to 1.5 inches and a second subrange extending from 1.5 inches to 2 inches,

' DELBERT the average density of balls having diameters within said first subrange being on the order of .5, and the average density of balls having diameters within said second subrange also being on the order of .5; said ball yielding on impact by an impelling implement, with a local distortion having a load-distortion ratio about that of a sponge rubber sphere of uniform density of one half; an at least approximately even and level playing terrain around said standard extending radially in all directions at least as far as the length of said tension cord; and means subdividing said terrain into four equal sectors separated from each other by radial foul lanes of substantial width; the point of attachment of said cord to said standard being high enough so that, as long as the point of departure of said cord from said standard remains in an upper zone of elevation, extending from the point of attachment of said cord only part way down said standard, said ball may be impelled in either rotational sense, from any one of said sectors, in an inclined orbit around said standard, said orbit being inclined and lying above and out of reach of an opposing player in an adjacent sector, While passing over said adjacent sector.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS FOREIGN PATENTS 10/ 1952 Great Britain.

B. LOWE, Primary Examiner.

I. PLAUT, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. EQUIPMENT FOR PLAYING A COMPETITIVE LIGHT ATHLETIC GAME REQUIRING DEXTERITY AND AGILITY, COMPRISING, IN COMBINATION: A VERTICAL STANDARD 8 TO 20 FEET HIGH; A TENSION CORD OF MINIMUM DIAMETER AND WIND RESISTANCE; ONE END OF SAID CORD BEING NON-ROTATABLY AFFIXED TO SAID STANDARD ADJACENT ITS UPPER END; A BALL AFFIXED TO THE OTHER END OF SAID CORD AND ADAPTED TO CIRCLE THE POINT OF CONTACT BETWEEN CORD AND STANDARD AND WRAP OR UNWRAP SAID CORD, DEPENDING ON THE DIRECTION OF ITS ORBITAL TRAVEL; SAID CORD BEING LESS IN LENGTH THAN THE HEIGHT OF ITS POINT OF ATTACHMENT TO SAID STANDARD; IMPELLING IOMPLEMENTS ADAPTED TO BE HELD FOR STRIKING BY ONE HAND ONLY; EACH IMPLEMENT HAVING TWO BALL-CONTACTING STRIKING AREAS FACING IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS; SAID BALL HAVING A DIAMETER NOT GREATER THAN TWO INCHES AND NOT LESS THAN THREE QUARTERS OF AN INCH; SAID RANGE OF DIAMETERS BEING DIVISIBLE INTO A FIRST SUBRANGE EXTENDING FROM .75 INCH TO 1.5 INCHES AND A SECOND SUBRANGE EXTENDING FROM 1.5 INCHES TO 2 INCHES, THE AVERAGE DENSITY OF BALLS HAVING DIAMETERS WITHIN SAID FIRST SUBRANGE BEING ON THE ORDER OF .5, AND THE AVERAGE DENSITY OF BALLS HAVING DIAMETERS WITHIN SAID SECOND SUBRANGE ALSO BEING ON THE ORDER OF .5; SAID BALL YIELDING ON IMPACT BY AN IMPELLING IMPLEMENT, WITH A LOCAL DISTORTION HAVING A LOAD-DISTORTION RATIO ABOUT THAT OF A SPONGE RUBBER SPHERE OF UNIFORM DENSITY OF ONE HALF; AND AN AT LEAST APPROXIMATELY EVEN AND LEVEL PLAYING TERRAIN AROUND SAID STANDARD EXTENDING RADIALLY IN ALL DIRECTIONS AT LEAST AS FAR AS THE LENGTH OF SAID TENSION CORD.

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