US3703011A

US3703011A - Aquatic game and equipment therefor

Info

Publication number: US3703011A
Application number: US95509A
Authority: US
Inventors: Charles P Goggi; Eugene S Goggi
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1970-12-07
Filing date: 1970-12-07
Publication date: 1972-11-21
Anticipated expiration: 1989-11-21

Abstract

Aquatic game equipment is disclosed comprising a vessel having a collar of buoyant material and a plurality of holes disposed in a circumferential row in the vessel above the buoyant collar. A weight in the bottom of the vessel is provided to maintain the equipment in an upright position when placed in the water. According to a preferred form of aquatic game, a plurality of vessels according to the present invention are placed in the water and individuals kneeling or standing in the vessels attempt to force an opponent through the use of jousting sticks to tip his vessel sufficiently to cause it to ship water through the holes above the collar, thereby to sink the opponent''s vessel and win the game.

Description

United States Patent Goggi et al.

[54] AQUATIC GAME AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR [72] Inventors: Charles P. Goggi, 140 Cebra Avenue, Stapleton; Eugene S. Goggi, 5 Liberty Avenue, Dongan Hills, both of NY. 10304 [22] Filed: Dec. 7, 1970 [21] App1.No.: 95,509

[52] U.S. Cl ..9/1 A, 272/1 B, 273/67 R [51] Int. Cl. ..B63c B63b 35/00 [58] Field of Search.'....9/1 A, l R; 272/1 B; 273/1 R, 273/67 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,371,640 3/1968 Tsokalas ..9/1 A 2,906,531 9/1959 Merickel et al ..9/1 A 3,145,990 8/1964 Prouty ..272/1 B [15] [4 1 Nov. 21, 1972 Primary Examiner-Trygve M. Blix Attorney-Kenyon & Kenyon Reilly Carr & Chapin [5 7 ABSTRACT Aquatic game equipment is disclosed comprising a vessel having a collar of buoyant material and a plurality of holes disposed in a circumferential row in the vessel above the buoyant collar. A weight in the bottom of the vessel is provided to maintain the equipment in an upright position when placed in the water. According to a preferred form of aquatic game, a plurality of vessels according to the present invention are placed in the water and individuals kneeling or standing in the vessels attempt to force an opponent through the use of jousting sticks to tip his vessel sufficiently to cause it to ship water through the holes above the collar, thereby to sink the opponents vessel and win the game.

12 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures AQUATIC GAME AND EQUIPMENT THEREFOR FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a game and equipment therefor and more particularly to a new and improved aquatic game and new and improved aquatic game equipment therefor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Generally, it is desirable that a game be enjoyable, challenging and require the exercise of skill while at the same time be easy to learn and utilize equipment which is safe and easy to use. In addition, the game and equipment therefor should preferably appeal to persons of all ages, and such equipment should be relatively inexpensive, should be sturdy and capable of repeated use without damage thereto and should be capable of being hand-carried and of being easily transported in a car or the like.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present inventionan aquatic game is provided which is enjoyable, challenging and requires the exercise of skill. The game is easy to learn and has an appeal for persons of all ages. Aquatic game equipment is provided which is safe and easy to use, is relatively inexpensive, is sturdy and will stand up under repeated use and may be hand carried by one person and may be easily transported in a car to a body of water where the equipment may be used.

In general, these and other advantages and objects of the present invention are achieved wherein aquatic game equipment is provided comprising a vessel having means for buoying the vessel in the water and means for causing the vessel to ship water when it is tipped a given amount.

According to one aspect of the invention the vessel is also provided with means for maintaining the vessel in an upright position. Means may also be provided on the vessel to facilitate hand carrying thereof.

In a preferred embodiment of aquatic game equipment according to the present invention the vessel comprising a tub having a collar of buoyant material and a row of holes therein above the collar to permit water to flow into the tub when it is tipped over too far. The tub may also be provided with a weight in the bottom thereof to maintain the tub in an upright position when it is in the water. Preferably the tub is either cylindrical or conical in shape. Handles may also be provided on the collar.

According to a preferred form of aquatic game according to the present invention, individuals kneeling or standing in vessels according to the present invention which have been placed in water,attempt to cause an opponent to tip his vessel over sufficiently to ship water thereby to sink the vessel by means of jousting with jousting sticks held by the individuals. A preferred form of jousting stick comprises a handle and a head of soft resilient material such as sponge rubber or the like.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a preferred embodiment of aquatic game equipment according to the present invention as used in a preferred form of aquatic game according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the vessel of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, elevational view of the jousting stick of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective, partially sectional view of another embodiment of vessel according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED. EMBODIMENT Referring now to the figures there is shown in FIGS. 1 3 a preferred embodiment of aquatic game equipment according to the present invention and an illustration of a preferred form of aquatic game which may be played with such equipment. As shown in FIG. 1, aquatic game equipment according to one embodiment of the present invention, includes vessels 12 which are shown floating in a body 14 of water. A pair of individuals l6 and 18 are respectively positioned in vessel l2 and each

individual

16, 18 is shown wielding a jousting stick 20.

According to a preferred form of aquatic game which may be played with vessels l2 and jousting sticks 20,

individuals

16 and 18 kneeling or standing in vessels 12 attempt to prevent water from flowing into ones own vessel while attempting to cause the other individual to tip his device to allow water to enter into and to sink it. This game will be described in greater detail hereinafter.

Referring now to FIG. 2 there :is shown a preferred embodiment of vessel according to the aquatic game equipment of the present invention. As shown vessel 10 comprises a tub 22 of substantially cylindrical configuration having a cylindrical sidewall 24 and a substantially flat bottom 26, the top of tub 22 being open to permit an individual to position himself therein. Tub 22 may comprise any material such as plastic which is durable, lightweight and preferably buoyant. Such material may for example be polystyrene or the like.

Tub 22 is provided with a collar 28 of buoyant material in the mid-section region thereof. The dimensions of collar 28, the degree of buoyancy provided thereby and the positioning thereof on tub 22 will be determined to a great extent by the dimensions, weight and buoyancy of tub 22 and by the maximum weight of an individual to be carried by vessel 12 in the water. Generally, the dimensions and degree of buoyancy of collar 28 should be such that vessel 12 is capable of supporting a male adult of normal size and weight. It will be apparent, however, that the dimensions and degree of buoyancy of vessel 12 and more particularly of collar 28 will be dependent upon the size of in dividual carried in vessel 12. Thus, for example, where children are to be carried by vessel 12 a smaller tub may be used than if large male adults are to be carried thereby.

Positioned in the bottom of tub 22 is a weight 30 of heavy material such as lead. Weight 30 is provided to maintain vessel 12 in an upright position when it is floated in the water with an individual positioned therein. Weight 30 tends to counteract the weight of an individual above the water line and to act as a countermoment to offset the moment created by an individual off-center in vessel 12.

A row of holes 32 in sidewall 24 above collar 28 extends around the periphery of wall 24. Holes 32 permit water to pour into tub 22 when it is tipped at an angle as when an individual carried in vessel 12 is thrown off balance. As tub 22 fills up with water, it will tend to sink and if too much water is shipped, vessel 12 will sink. As explained above, according to the game of the present invention when vessel 12 is sunk the individual carried therein will be defeated.

Handles 34 are provided on collar 28 so that vessel 12 may be hand carried.

Referring now to FIG. 4, there is shown another embodiment of vessel 12 comprising a conically shaped tub 36 having a collar 38, a row of holes 40 therein above collar 38 and a weight 42 in the bottom or apex of tub 36. Handles 44 are also provided on collar 38 to permit hand carrying thereof.

FIG. 3 shows a preferred embodiment of jousting stick which may be used according to the game of the present invention. As shown, stick 20 comprises a handle 46 and a head 48 at one end thereof. The entire handle or at least the head thereof is preferably comprised of a soft resilient material such as sponge rubber so that individuals using the jousting sticks in sport will not be injured thereby.

A preferred form of aquatic game according to the present invention utilizing the equipment described hereinabove may be played as follows:

Each individual playing the game is provided with a jousting stick 20 and positions himself in a vessel 12 which has been placed in a body of water such as a pool or lake. Each individual then wields his jousting stick against his opponent and attempts to cause him to tip his vessel over sufficiently so that it will ship water while the individual attempts to prevent water from flowing into his own vessel through the row of holes above the buoyant collar. The individual whose vessel is last to sink wins the game.

It will be understood that vessels 12 will be sufficiently buoyant that they will not sink to the bottom but will provide support for the individual even after water has reached the row of holes in vessel 12. At this point vessel 12 will reach a state of relative equilibrium and water will flow in and out of vessel 12. Vessel 12 may be emptied of water by baling it out or tipping it on its side.

Thus it is seen that according to the present invention that there is provided an aquatic game which is enjoyable, challenging and requires the exercise of skill but which is also easy to learn and which utilizes equipment which is safe and easy to use. Additionally, the aquatic game of the present invention has an appeal to persons of all ages and the aquatic game equipment of the present invention is relatively inexpensive, sturdy, capable of repeated use without damage thereto, and is capable of being hand carried and of being easily transported in a car or the like.

What is claimed is:

l. Aquatic game equipment comprising:

a. a tub-shaped vessel having a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall;

b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to the mid-section region of said vessel;

c. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the side wall about the periphery of said vessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

2. The aquatic game equipment of claim 1 and further including a weight disposed in the bottom of said vessel.

3. The aquatic game equipment of claim 1 wherein said collar is provided with at least one handle for carrying said vessel.

4. The aquatic game equipment of claim 1 and further comprising, in combination therewith, a jousting stick, said jousting stick being comprised of a handle and a head, at least the head of said jousting stick being comprised of a soft resilient material.

5. Aquatic game equipment comprising:

a. a substantially conical-shaped vessel having a side wall and a base portion, said vessel in its operative position being disposed with the apex of the cone being down and below the base of the cone, the apex of the cone being submerged in the water and the base of the cone being open;

b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to the mid-section range of said vessel;

0. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the side wall about the periphery of said vessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

6. The aquatic game equipment of claim 5 and further including a weight disposed in the bottom of said vessel.

7. The aquatic game equipment of claim 5 wherein said collar is provided with at least one handle for carrying said vessel.

8. The aquatic game equipment of claim 5 and further comprising, in combination therewith, a jousting stick, said jousting stick being comprised of a handle and a head, at least the head of said jousting stick being comprised of a soft resilient material.

9. Aquatic game equipment comprising:

a. a vessel adapted to float with its central axis in a substantially upright position, said vessel having a side wall and a circular cross-section with respect to the central axis;

10. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 and further including a weight disposed in the bottom of said vessel.

1 1. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 wherein said collar is provided with at least one handle for carrying said vessel.

12. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 and further comprising, in combination therewith, a jousting stick, said jousting stick being comprised of a handle and a head at least the head of said jousting stick being comprised of a soft resilient material. 5

Claims

1. Aquatic game equipment comprising: a. a tub-shaped vessel having a bottom wall and a substantially cylindrical side wall; b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to the mid-section region of said vessel; c. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the side wall about the periphery of said vessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

5. Aquatic game equipment comprising: a. a substantially conical-shaped vessel having a side wall and a base portion, said vessel in its operative position being disposed with the apex of the cone being down and below the base of the cone, the apex of the cone being submerged in the water and the base of the cone being open; b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to the mid-section range of said vessel; c. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the side wall about the peripHery of said vessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

9. Aquatic game equipment comprising: a. a vessel adapted to float with its central axis in a substantially upright position, said vessel having a side wall and a circular cross-section with respect to the central axis; b. a buoyant collar to provide additional buoyancy when the vessel is tilted, said collar being disposed about the side wall of said vessel adjacent to the mid-section region of said vessel; c. said vessel further having a row of apertures disposed in the side wall about the periphery of said vessel above said collar and adjacent to said collar, said row of apertures being adapted to enable water to enter the vessel when the vessel is tilted to a predetermined angle.

11. The aquatic game equipment of claim 9 wherein said collar is provided with at least one handle for carrying said vessel.