US3410554A

US3410554A - Magnetic ball and chain game

Info

Publication number: US3410554A
Application number: US466396A
Authority: US
Inventors: Harrison Billy Jack
Original assignee: Harrison Billy Jack
Current assignee: BILLY JACK HARRISON
Priority date: 1965-06-23
Filing date: 1965-06-23
Publication date: 1968-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1985-11-12

Description

Nov. 12, 1968 B.J. HARRISON MAGNETIC BALL AND CHAIN GAME Filed June 25, 1965 FIG. 2

INVENTOR. BILLY JACK HARRISON BY [dazed- FIG. I

United States Patent 3,410,554 MAGNETIC BALL AND CHAIN GAME Billy Jack Harrison, Keiser, Ark. (Rte. 2, Batesville, Ark. 72501) Filed June 23, 1965, Ser. No. 466,396 6 Claims. (Cl. 2731) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A ball and chain game having a length of chain with attachment means at one end thereof for attaching the chain to the ankle of the player and said chain being provided with magnetic means at the opposite end thereof to engage a ball portion of the game which has a block of magnetically attractable material secured to the ball in the interior thereof. A modified game has an additional chain portion and attachment means so that the additional chain portion can be attached to a second players leg for the game to be played by two players.

This invention relates generally to amusement contrivances, and particularly relates to a game played with a ball and chain simulating somewhat the ball and chain shackled to and used for restraining prisoners.

An object of the present invention is to provide a substantially simple game which does not include intricate structure or require complicated score-keeping procedures.

A further object is to provide a game developing skill in muscular coordination and developing speed, agility and improved equilibrium in the players.

A further object is to provide a game particularly suitable for developing leg muscles.

A further object is to provide a versatile game which may be played by one or more players.

A further object is to provide a game which may be played and enjoyed by players of any age.

A further object is to provide a game which may be played indoors or out-of-doors.

A further object is to provide a game which is simple and no batteries, or liquids will be required.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the ball and chain game structure, and illustrating the chain being shackled to a players ankle as in play.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken as on the line IIII of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the ball and game structure is indicated generally by numeral 11 and includes a ball part 13 and a chain part 15.

Ball part 13 includes a hollow plastic sphere 17 and a disc-shaped block 19. Sphere 17 is preferably integrally formed of polyethylene or some other such plastic and of uniform wall thickness. A circular opening 21 is provided in the wall of sphere 17, and block 19 is disposed oppositely and is fixedly secured to the interior surface of sphere 17. Disc-shaped block 19 includes a flat upper surface 23 and a convex lower surface 25. The contour of convex surface 25 coincides with and is fixedly secured, as by adhesive, to the interior spherical surface of sphere 17.

Chain part 15 includes a length of chain 27, an adjustable band 29, and a disc-shaped magnet 31. Adjustable band 29 is of the typical type and includes a band body 3,410,554 Patented Nov. 12, 1968 33 and a buckle 35. Holes 37 in band body 33 typically provide adjustment means for the band. A rivet 39, extending through the upwardly disposed end link 41 of chain 27 and through an aperture in band body 33, securely attaches band 29 to chain 27. A cylindrical extension member 43 is fixedly secured on the lower or downwardly disposed end link 45 of chain 27; Extension member 43 and chain 27 preferably are constructed of plastic material, and end link 45 and the extension member preferably are integrally formed. Disc-shaped magnet 31 is substantially the same size and configuration as disc-shaped block 19 and includes an upper surface 47 and a lower surface 49. The upper surface 47 of magnet 31 is adhesively secured to the lower surface 51 of extension member 43, and the magnet is concentric with the extension member.

In playing the game, a player fastens adjustable band 29 around his ankle. Ball part 13 is disconnected from chain part 15 and is placed on the floor. The weight of block 19 in the interior of sphere 17 causes the sphere to roll and become orientated with opening 21 disposed upwardly. The player may sit in a chair or stand and, while in either position, attempts to manipulate chain part 15 into such a position that magnet 31 may be lowered into opening 21 to magnetically engage block 19 with magnet 31 and thus connect the ball and

chain parts

13, 15.

Several chain parts 15 and one ball part 13 may be employed in a competitive ball and chain game played by two or more players. The object in playing a competitive game with one ball and several chains is to see which player can connect the chain part on his ankle with the ball part. A competitive game may also be played by having a number of balls, with the object of the game being to see which player can magnetically engage the most balls. Additionally, the player, after engaging a ball, may be required to drop the ball in a receptacle without touching the ball with his hands. Further, the enjoyment of the game may be heightened by providing the outer surfaces of ball parts 13 with various colors or indicia representing various numerical values; the object in playing the game being to engage the ball or balls having the highest numerical value.

The embodiment of the game structure illustrated in FIG. 3 is indicated by numeral 52 and is adapted to be played with in a somewhat different manner than game structure 11. Game structure 52 is adapted tobe played by a pair of players and includes a pair of

chain portions

53, 53 and a pair of

adjustable bands

55, 55. Rivets 57, 57' extending respectively through apertures provided in the respective end links of chain portions 53, 53' and

bands

55, 55, attach the respective chain portions and hands together. Manually releasable resilient clasp links 59, 59' are respectively secured on the inwardly disposed ends of

chain portions

53, 53. Game structure 52 additionally includes a short chain portion 61, a ring 63, an extension member 65, and a disc-shaped magnet 67. Extension member 65 and magnet 67 are of the same configuration as extension member 43 and magnet 31 of game structure 11 and are attached to the lower end link of chain portion 61. Ring 63 is secured by the upper end link of chain portion 61.

Clasp links

59, 59 respectively of pair of chain portion 53, 53' are releasably attached to ring 63. It will be understood that a first length of chain is provided by chain portion 53, ring 63, and chain portion 61, and that a second length of chain is provided by chain portion 53 which is connected as above-described to said first length of chain intermediate the length of said first length of chain. A plastic sphere 69, having a disc-shaped block 71, provides the ball part of game structure 52.

In playing the ball and chain game with the structure of the second embodiment, a pair of players each fasten one of bands 55, 55' on one ankle. The players, being thus shackled together, attempt by coordinated leg and body movements to drop magnet 67 into the interior of sphere 69 and to magnetically engage and support the sphere on the end of chain portion 61. Substantially the same game as above described relative to game structure 11 may also be played with game structure 52, with the players arranged in pairs. Competitive games may be played with four or eight players in much the same manner as described above for the first embodiment.

The game structure of the present invention develops speed, agility, and balance in the players; it is a versatile game which may be played in several ways and either indoors or out-of-doors. The game may be played by one or more players of various ages. In summary, the present invention provides a fascinating game structure providing many hours of pleasure for the player or players.

Although the invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity or understanding, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A game structure including ball means and chain means; said ball means comprising a thin-walled hollow sphere having an opening in the wall smaller in width than the inside diameter of said sphere, a block of magnetically attractable material secured to the interior surface of the wall of said sphere opposite said opening; said chain means comprising a length of chain, magnet means secured on one end of said length of chain for engaging said material and of a size smaller than said opening, and attachment means secured on the other end of said length of chain and including positive securing means for positively securing to the ankle of a player; in playing the game, a player fastens said attachment means around his ankle, and, with said ball means resting on the floor and While balancing on one foot, the player attempts to drop said magnet means on the end of said length of chain into said opening of said sphere to magnetically engage said block and said magnet means and to magnetically connect said ball means and said chain means.

2. A game structure including ball means and chain means; said ball means comprising a thin-walled hollow plastic sphere having a circular opening in the wall smaller in diameter than the inside diameter of said sphere, a disc-shaped block of magnetically attractable material secured to the interior surface of the wall of said sphere opposite said opening; said chain means comprising a length of plastic chain, a disc-shaped magnet means secured on one end link of said length of chain for engaging said block and having a diameter smaller than said opening, and attachment means secured on the other end link of said length of chain including positive securing means; in playing the game, a player fastens said attachrnent means around his ankle, and, with said ball means resting on the floor and while balancing on one foot, the player attempts to drop said magnet means on the end of said length of chain into said opening of said sphere to magnetically engage said block and said magnet means and to magnetically connect said ball means and said chain means.

3. A game srtucture including ball means and chain means; said ball means comprising a thin-walled hollow sphere having an opening in the wall, a disc-shaped block of magnetically attractable material secured to the interior surface of said wall of said sphere opposite said opening; said chain means comprising a first length of chain, discshaped magnet means secured on one end of said first length of chain for engaging said material, attachment means secured on the other end of said first length of chain, a second length of chain, means connecting one end of said second length of chain to said first length of chain and intermediate the length of said first length of chain, and a second attachment means secured to the other end of said second length of chain; the game being adapted to be played by two players with one of said attachment means secured around an ankle of each player; an object of the game being for the two players, by co-ordinated movements, to suspend and manipulate said magnet means on the end of said first length of chain through said opening of said sphere thereby to magnetically engage said block and said magnet means and to magnetically connect said ball means and said chain means.

4. The game structure of claim 3 in which said means connecting said second length of chain to said first length of chain includes a manually releasable clasp for readily disconnecting and connecting said second length of chain with said second attachment means and said first length of chain.

5. A game structure including ball means and chain means; said ball means comprising a thin-walled hollow sphere having a circular opening in the wall thereof, and a disc-shaped block of magnetically attractable material secured to the interior surface of said wall of said sphere opposite said opening; said chain means comprising two adjustable bands, first chain means interconnecting said adjustable bands, second chain means attached at one end thereof to said first chain means intermediate the ends of said first chain means and depending therefrom, and a disc-shaped magnet means secured on the other end of said second chain means for engaging said material; the game structure being adapted to be played by two players with one of said adjustable bands secured around an ankle of each player; an object of the game being for the two players, by co-ordinated movements of their legs, to suspend and manipulate said magnet means on the end of said first chain'means through said opening in said sphere thereby to magnetically engage said block and said magnet means and to magnetically connect said ball means and said chain means.

6. The game structure of claim 5 which additionally includes manually releasable clasp means for readily connecting and disconnecting said second chain means and said first chain means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 464,391 12/1891 Samuels 273- 468,274 2/1892 Goodson 273-1 1,782,254 11/1930 Breidenbach 273-1 2,218,825 10/1940 Guilloy 273-1 2,496,691 2/1950 Berry 46-241 3,140,712 7/1964 Hunter 46-241 3,140,871 7/1964 Lignori 272-74 FOREIGN PATENTS 336,361 10/1930 Great Britain.

LOUIS G. MANCENE, Primary Examiner,

S. NATTER, Assistant Examiner.