US3312470A - Pendulum game - Google Patents

Description

April 4, 1967 A. G. AMES 3,312,470

PENDULUM GAME Filed July 10, 1964 INVENTOR. B"

ALVIN 6. AMES War-Flake ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,312,470 PENDULUM GAME Alvin G. Ames, 2352 N. Vermont St., Arlington, Va. 22207 Filed July 10, 1964, Ser. No. 381,682 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-95) This invention relates to a game device which includes a tethered sphere which, when set into pendulous motion, moves to and fro over a base, allowing the player to move objects from one point of the base to another during the brief moments when the sphere is out of the way at a point beyond the area of play, and offering means for other types of games and activities involving use of the pendulum.

The purpose of this invention is to provide a means for engagement in entertaining contests and for development of manipulative skillsparticularly nimble, deft, and quick movements of arms, hands, and fingers. The apparatus is substantially built and the mechanism is foolproof in that on player has an advantage other than his natural facilities of perception, timing, and quick reaction. All games played with this device are games of skill. Luck and chance play no part.

The device includes a base to which is affixed a pendulum unit which, when unfolded, provides a raised suspension point from which is suspended a chain, cord or rod. To the base in the two corners nearest the player are affixed posts, on one of which are placed several rings (preferably three); having center holes so that the rings can be placed over the posts. Several pegs are affixed to the base near the point where the swinging pendulum comes nearest the base, each peg being just high enough to hold one of the rings in position while presenting no interference to free oscillation of the pendulum.

The entertainment use of my invention is believed obvious; my invention can also be used in testing manual skills of persons in specialized fields and also for rehabilitation of injured parties.

The design of my invention enables the production of a simple structure capable of enabling the play of a series of reasonably challenging and competitive games. The structural components of my game apparatus are uniquely combined to facilitate manufacture at a reasonable cost and sale at a reasonable and competitive price. Various game pieces may be employed as will be described hereinafter. The apparatus includes a base to which is pivotally mounted a pendulum means including a pendulum support and pendulum. The pendulum means is pivotally connected to the back end of the base to allow swinging movement from an upward play position to a storage position in horizontal alignment with the base.

Other obvious advantages and meritorious features will more fully appear from the following specifications, claims and accompanying drawings herein:

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the game apparatus when folded, as when packaged or when not in use;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the game apparatus when unfolded, ready for use;

FIG. 3 is a side perspective view of the game apparatus showing in full lines the position of the pendulum at the time a move can be made; that is, when the pendulum is momentarily out of the players area of movement;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 showing other games which can be played; and

FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of a pivotal game piece.

Referring now to the drawing, it will be seen that the base 15 has a front end 17 and a back end 19, a pendulum means 21 being pivotally connected to the back end 19. The pendulum means 21 includes a pendulum support "ice 23 having an inner end 25 pivotally connected as by screw 27 to the back end 19 of the base 15. A pendulum 29 is provided which has an upper end 31 connected to theouter end 33 of the pendulum support 23, the lower end or bob 35 being spaced a predetermined distance from the base when the pendulum means 21 is in play position as shown in FIG. 3, the pendulum means 21 being shown in storage position in FIG. 1. In play position the pendulum support 23 extends upwardly and toward the front end 17 of the base to position the bob 35 when in rest or dwell condition over the central portion of the base.

It will be noted that the pendulum support 23 is an inverted U-shaped frame having the ends of its legs pivotally mounted at each side of the back end 19 of the base with the pendulum 29 being connected to the bight member at the transverse center thereof. It will be recognized that the legs define a predetermined zone of free oscillation for the pendulum with respect to rearward movement.

A highly satisfactory apparatus is found in having the base about 18 inches long, the pendulum support 23 about 18 inches long and extending upwardly at an angle of about 60 from the base providing a pendulum length of about 14 /2 inches, the transverse width between the legs of the pendulum support being about 8% inches to restrict the zone of free oscillation.

The base 15 includes means 37 at its back end 19 which extends transversely outward beyond and above the vertical side walls 39 to provide an abutting engagement with the ends of the legs of the pendulum support 23; preferably said means 37 is a triangular shaped member which extends across the back end of the base thereby providing not only a 60 angular abutment face 41 but also a horizontal face 43 which secures the pendulum support 23 in storage condition.

A set of rings 45 is provided and the base 15 includes a pair of tall posts 47 at each front corner and a series of spaced short pegs 49 projecting upwardly from the base [and longitudinally aligned with the connection of the pendulum 29 to the pendulum support 23, the front or first peg 49 being vertically below the bob 35 when in rest position. The short pegs 49 are of a predetermined height to enable receipt of a ring 45 thereon without presenting interference to the free oscillating movement of the pendulum.

A stop member 51 is provided which is preferably stored as shown in FIG. 1 on the right corner tall post 47, the hole in the stop member being sized also to receive the pegs 49 for use as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 wherein the stop member 51 defines an orbital zone of free oscillation for the pendulum.

FIG. 5 shows a game piece 53 having pivoted members 55 mounted on a wire unit 57 which is mounted on the board by means of holes 56, one pivotal member being shown in the vertical position and the other pivotal member being shown in a knocked-down horizontal position to indicate the position assumed after being hit by the bob 35.

The bob 35 is prefenably magnetic, as seen in FIG. 3 a magnet 59 is mounted on the bottom thereof, this magnet being used to pick up a magnetic object 61 supported on the stop member 51 positioned at the back end of the base as shown in FIG. 3.

The game apparatus is designed so that several games can be played. The following is a description of a game requiring quick movements.

The rings 45 (preferably three) are placed on the post 47 in front of the player at his left. The player begins by drawing the pendulum bob 35 toward himself so that the chain '63 is almost in a horizontal position. He releases the bob in a manner so that it will swing back and forth midway between the parallel bars 23. Using one hand only, the player now moves one ring from the post 47 at his left and places it on the first peg 49 near the center of the base while the bob is at the rearward fiar-away point. With the same hand he next moves, the second ring to the second short peg. Next, he .moves the third ring to the third peg. Then he moves the rings, again one :at a time, from the short pegs to the post from which he originally removed them. Following this, he moves the rings to the short pegs again. Again, he returns them to the tall post. This cycle is repeated until the player fouls outthat is, until he interrupts the swinging pendulum with his hand or with a ring or until the pendulum, which can maneuver out of line, touches one of the upright parallel bars of the pendulum support 23. The players score for the round is. the humber of successful moves he makes before fouling out.

While the device is suited to competitive type play, as described, it is also suited to individual play, affording amusement and also an excellent means for developing motor skills. For instances:

(1) A player can keep record of his highest score with his right hand, and from day to day he can attempt to break his previous record.

(2) Aplayer can keep record of his highest score with his left hand, and from day to day he can attempt to break his previous record.

(3) A player can keep record on play in which he uses his hands alternately.

(4) Finally, he can make the activity more challenging by imposing .upon himself a non-skip routine; that is, he must make a successful move on every swing of the pendulum.

Competing players can use the variations just described togive interesting, and fun-provoking, variations to the contests.

Basic rules are as follows: A player is never permitted to reach behind the pendulum to place or take away a ring. Each ring must lie fiat on the base if it is to be counted in scoring. There is no objection to correcting a leaner atany time before the player fouls out. In all games, only one ring can be moved at one time.

A second game for Which'the apparatus is designed is one requiring skill in setting the pendulum into circular motion and into an elliptical motion. For this game a separate part is used. This part may be a sphere or a cylinder or any other stop member 51 which can be placed on one of the three short pegs. Preferably it will be so designed that it can be positioned on the tall post at the right of the player when not in use.

The game has three phases. In the first phase a player places the stop member 51 on the forward short peg 49. He releases the pendulum in a circular swinging motion so that it will circle or orbit about the stop member placed on the first peg. If a good orbit is attained, the pendulum will circle the stop member fifty or more times before coming to a halt. The player who achieves the highest number of orbits wins this phase of the game.

In the second phase, a player places the stop member on the second peg. Again, he releases the pendulum-- this time in an elliptical motion. If the proper trajectory (direction and impetus) is attained, the pendulum will clear, or circle about, the stop member five, ten, or in rare cases, as many as fifteen times, The player who achieves the highest number of orbits wins this phase of the game. i

In the third phase, a player places the stop member on the rear peg. Again, he releases the pendulum, and again in an elliptical motion. If the proper trajectory is attained, the pendulum will clear, or circle about, the stop member one-and in rare cases twice-and possibly a third time. The player who achieves the highestnumber of orbits wins this phase of the game.

I claim:

1. In a game apparatus, a horizontal b-ase defining an area of play, a pendulum, pendulum support means sup porting said pendulum above said base with the state of rest position of the pendulum being over and above said area of play, said support means being constructed and arranged to provide a large unobstructed zone of player hand access to said area of play, a set of rings, said base including a series of spaced pegsv projecting upwardly from said base in said area of play, each peg being of a height to receive a ring, said rings having their openings of a diameter larger than that of said pegs whereby said rings can be [readily manually removed from said pegs, a ring and peg combination presenting no interference to free oscillatory movement of the pendulum, said pendulum being a predetermined distance above said base when at said state of rest position so that when moving, the pendulum presents a moving obstacle to free entry and exit of said area of play to the player's hand.

2. In a game apparatus as defined in claim 1 and including a stop member and wherein one of the pegs is positioned directly beneath the state of rest position of the pendulum, said stop member having a hole receiving said one of said pegs to define an orbital zone of free oscillation for said pendulum.

3. In a game piece as defined in claim 1 and wherein said base has vertical side walls and said pendulum support means includes an inverted U-s-haped frame, the ends of the legs of the U-shaped frame being pivotally mounted to their respective side walls at the back end of the base, said pendulum being connected to the bight member of the U-shaped frame, said pendulum support defining a predetermined zone of free oscillation for said pendulum.

4. In a game apparatus as defined in claim 3 and wherein said base includes means at said back end which extend transversely outwardly beyond and above said side Walls for abutting engagement with said legs of the U-shaped member when said pendulum support is in play position.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 712,923 11/ 1902 Frysinger 27340 714,969 12/1902 Talbert 27341 1,695,624 12/1928 Welpley 273-1 2,212,163 8/ 1940 Mangold 27340 2,277,057 3/1942 Back 273--1 3,262,703 7/ 1966 Hodick 273- FOREIGN PATENTS 1,044,431 11/ 1953 France.

191,584 1/ 1923 Great Britain.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

S. NATTER, Assistant Examiner.

Claims (1)

1. IN A GAME APPARATUS, A HORIZONTAL BASE DEFINING AN AREA OF PLAY, A PENDULUM, PENDULUM SUPPORT MEANS SUPPORTING SAID PENDULUM ABOVE SAID BASE WITH THE STATE OF REST POSITION OF THE PENDULUM BEING OVER AND ABOVE SAID AREA OF PLAY, SAID SUPPORT MEANS BEING CONSTRUCTED AND ARRANGED TO PROVIDE A LARGE UNOBSTRUCTURE ZONE OF PLAYER HAND ACCESS TO SAID AREA OF PLAY, A SET OF RINGS, SAID BASE INCLUDING A SERIES OF SPACED PEGS PROJECTING UPWARDLY FROM SAID BASE IN SAID AREA OF PLAY, EACH PEG BEING OF A HEIGHT OF RECEIVE A RING, SAID RINGS HAVING THEIR OPENINGS OF A DIAMETER LARGER THAN THAT OF SAID PEGS WHEREBY SAID RINGS CAN BE READILY MANUALLY REMOVED FROM SAID PEGS, A RING AND PEG COMBINATION PRESENTING NO INTERFERENCE TO FREE OSCILLATORY MOVEMENT OF THE PENDULUM, SAID PENDULUM BEING A PREDETERMINED DISTANCE ABOVE SAID BASE WHEN AT SAID STATE OF REST POSITION SO THAT WHEN MOVING, THE PENDULUM PRESENTS A MOVING OBSTACLE TO FREE ENTRY AND EXIT OF SAID AREA OF PLAY TO THE PLAYER''S HAND.

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