US3806122A

US3806122A - Target disc, tethered ball & game initiating spinner

Info

Publication number: US3806122A
Application number: US00339923A
Authority: US
Inventors: S Jones
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1973-03-09
Filing date: 1973-03-09
Publication date: 1974-04-23
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-23

Abstract

The invention comprises a target, preferably in the form of a disc, defining a plurality of spaced apertures, preferably each aperture being disposed in a separate zone defined by indicia on said target. The target can be suspended in an upright position, within a frame. A ball, preferably inflatable, is dimensioned to be passable through said apertures and is tethered via a cord to a post adapted to be releasably secured in an upright position to the ground. Means are also provided for randomly selecting the aperture to be kicked at and the number of kicks per player. Preferably, such means comprise a disc bearing spaced indicia and spinably supported in a frame to which pointer is secured. The apparatus is adapted for use indoors and outdoors with the target spaced a controlled distance from the post.

Description

United States Patent 1191 Jones 1 1 Apr. 23, 1974 Stanley Linnial Jones, 2018 W. 30th St., Los Angeles, Calif. 90018 221 Filed: Mar. 9, 1973 21 Appl. No.: 339,923

[76] Inventor:

[52] US. Cl 273/95 A, 273/102 S, 273/105 R [51] Int. Cl. A63b 71/02 [58] Field of Search 273/95 R, 95 A, 97 R, 98,

273/101, 102 S, 134 D, 142 R, 127 R [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,488,919 11/1949 Mansfield 273/98 3,603,593 9/1971 Chew Primary ExaminerRichard C. Pinkham Assistant ExaminerMarvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or FirmJohn .1. Posta, Jr.

[5 7 ABSTRACT The invention comprises a target, preferably in the form of a disc, defining a plurality of spaced apertures, preferably each aperture being disposed in a separate zone defined by indicia on said target. The target can be suspended in an upright position, within a frame. A ball, preferably inflatable, is dimensioned to be passable through said apertures and is tethered via a cord to a post adapted to be releasably secured in an upright position to the ground. Means are also provided for randomly selecting the aperture to be kicked at and the number of kicks per player. Preferably, such means comprise a disc bearing spaced indicia and spinably supported in a frame to which pointer is secured. The apparatus is adapted for use indoors and outdoors with the target spaced a controlled distance from the post.

10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures EATENTEHAPR 23 1 14 3806, 122

TARGET DISC, TETHERED BALL & GAME INITIATING SPINNER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION a. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to sports game apparatus and more particularly to sports game apparatus employing a ball to be kicked.

b. Description of Prior Art Games involving physical sports activity are becoming recognized as of considerable importance in the development of children, contributing to general body health and also muscular coordination dexterity. They also stimulate the competitive spirit and teach fair play. They also fill in time which otherwise might be wasted in idle pursuits. Moreover, their recreational value is recognized for adults for general body tone and healthy relaxation.

Despite the above listed advantages, physical sports sometimes are ignored because of the cost of equipment and the lack of space in which to conduct the sport. The latter is particularly true in crowded urban areas and during the wintertime in snowbound areas. Few sports are adapted for use in the home. Those sports adapted for home use normally take up considerable space and require considerable financial outlay. Such, for example, is the case with ping-pong.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide simple, inexpensive sports game apparatus adaptable for use equally by any number of children and adults. Such apparatus should permit the development of a high degree of skill and physical coordination and yet should be easy to use by old and young alike of either sex. It should be interesting and attractive in appearance, safe and be capable of being used indoors and outdoors in open or confined spaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION All the foregoing needs have been met by the sports game apparatus of the present invention. Such apparatus is substantially as set forth in the Abstract above. The apparatus is simple to use, inexpensive to purchase and maintain, safe, and capable of being employed equally by any number of persons of all ages and either sex. Of considerable importance, the apparatus can be easily set up and used within a confined space outdoors or indoors so that healthy exercise and relaxation can be obtained therewith regardless of space or weather conditions.

The present apparatus employs components which can be provided with attractively colored and interesting indicia. All components necessary to play this sports game are provided, including means for selecting the order of players, the number of chances a player has, the apertures to be kicked at and the scoring value of the apertures. Further aspects of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings of which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the sports game apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic enlarged front elevation of the target and target support means of the sports game apparatus of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a schematic enlarged front elevation of a second preferred embodiment of the target of the sports game apparatus of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 As shown schematically in perspective view in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings, a novel sports game apparatus is provided. Thus, an apparatus 10 is depicted which comprises a target 12, defining a plurality of apertures 13, target support means in the form of a frame 14 secured to the target and supporting it in an upright position, a kickball 16, dimensioned to pass through apertures 13, and a cord or other flexible means 18 tethering ball 16 to a stake 20. Apparatus 10 also includes means in the form of a disc 22 bearing indicia 23 and spinably supported on a stand 24 bearing a pointer 26 for randomly determining the aperture 13 through which ball 16 is to be kicked and the number of chances a player has to accomplish the same. Target 12 bears indicia 28 to determine the value or points awarded for successfully kicking ball 16 through an aperture 13.

Target 12 can be of any suitable size, configuration and construction, such as a plywood, metal, plastic, paperboard or the like, and essentially comprises a fiat plate or disc 30 defining apertures 13 suitably spaced from one another. lndicia 28 may include divider lines 32 dividing disc 30 into four scoring zones 34, which zones, for ease of viewing and for aesthetic appeal can be, for example, of different colors, zone by zone. Indicia 28 may also include numerals 36 varying with and disposed within zones 34 and representing different scoring values for various of the apertures 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, two apertures 13 bear a value of 25, one bears a value of 50, and one a value of I00. Apertures 13 can be of any suitable size and shape, but preferably are circular to conform to the configuration of ball I6 and somewhat larger than ball 16.

Frame 14 can be fabricated of any suitable material, such as plastic, wood, fiberboard or metal. Preferably, it is light in weight, but rigid and strong. It has been found that for this purpose it is desirable to construct frame 14 of tubular aluminum or the like. Frame 14 can be of any suitable size and shape consistent with the size and shape of target 12.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, frame 14 can be of a generally inverted U-shape and can comprise a generally horizontal top member 38, the opposite ends of which are connected to diverging depending side legs 40, and about the middle of which is connected to depending rear leg 42 so as to form a tripodal support.

If desired, top member 38 and legs 40 can be made of one piece of tubing or the like, while rear leg 42 can be secured thereto by any suitable means such as a threaded bolt 44 passing down through apertures (not shown) in an overlapping portion 46 of leg 42 and top member 38 and releasably secured in place by a wing nut 48. The lower ends of

legs

40 and 42 can be provided with feet 50 to facilitate stable placement of frame 14 on a surface such as the ground.

Target can be supported within frame 14 in an upright position by flexible means 52 permitting the target to give" upon impact with ball 16. Means 52 may comprise cord, rope or chain 54 secured to the periphcry of disc 30, as through ears 56, and to frame 14, as by single plates 58 secured by bolts 60 to member 38 through apertures (not shown) and by rings 62 secured through apertures (not shown) to

legs

40 and 42. With such a construction, disc 30 is permitted to swing within frame 14, making the task of kicking ball 16 through apertures 13 interesting and of variable difficulty, depending on wind, distance, etc.

Ball 16 preferably is round and can be solid or hollow. Preferably it is inflatable and somewhat resilient to facilitate kicking thereof. Thus, it can resemble a volleyball, basketball, or large softball or the like. It is durable and has an exterior which resists scuffing. Ball 16 can be made of leather, plastic, rubber or the like, in the manner of basketballs, footballs, soccerballs, beach balls, etc.

Ball 16 is provided with tethering means in the form ofa ring 64 to which is secured flexible line 18 of cord, rope, chain or the like. Line 18 is also secured to post 20 which can be in the form of stake 66, as shown in FIG. 1, for outdoor use. For indoor use, an upright bar can be releasably securable to a floor by a suction cup at one end thereof (not shown). Stake 66 may have a sharpened point (not shown) for easily releasably securing it in the ground. Line 18 is long enough to permit free play of ball 16 while still preventing the same from moving out of the desired field of play. This arrangement permits apparatus to be used successfully indoors as well as outdoors, without danger of destruction of property by the ball. The length of line 18 can easily be adjusted to adapt apparatus 10 to the particular needs of the moment.

Disc 22 can be fabricated of the same or different material than disc 30 and can be of any suitable size and shape. As shown in FIG. 1, it is spinably secured to stand 24 by a pin 68. Stand 24 includes an elongated upright member 70 secured at its lower end to a circular base 72. Pointer 26 is secured to member 70 and overlies the exposed face 74 of disc 22, which face bears indicia 23 dividing face 74 into a plurality of zones 76, each bearing a numerical indicium 78, varying from zone to zone.

Device 10 can be used in a number of ways to play a novel kickball game. For example, disc 22 can be spun to see which player gets the highest number, as indicated by pointer 26. Each player before playing can then spin disc 22 to determine how many chances he will be given to kick ball 16 through an aperture. If zones 76 are of different colors corresponding to the colors in zones 34 of target 12, pointer 26 can be used to indicate by color which aperture 13 is to be aimed at. Numerals 36 on target 12 then determine the score which each player makes if he successfully kicks ball 16 through the required aperture 13.

Before such kicking is carried out, stake 66 is driven into the ground and target 12 on frame 14 is positioned a suitable distance away, depending on the length of line 18. Each player in turn attempts to kick ball 16 through the previously determined aperture 13 and score is kept. The player who first reaches a preselected goal of, for example, 500 points, wins the game.

It will be obvious that apparatus 10 can be utilized to play the game in any number of other suitable ways. FIG. 3

As shown schematically in front elevation in FIG. 3, the target can be modified in order to stimulate a greater demonstration of skill. Thus, in FIG. 3 a target is provided which is similar in construction, shape and the like to target 12, but differs therefrom in that its apertures 82 are of various sizes, the smaller the size. the greater the numerical point scored by kicking ball 16 therethrough. Thus, aperture 82 with which numeral 50 is associated is smallerin diameter than those apertures 82 associated with numeral 25. Aperture 82 associated with numeral is smaller than the rest of apertures 82 shown in FIG. 3. With such an arrangement, more and varied types of kickball games can be played on the apparatus of the invention. Moreover, aiming skill can be determined and improved by reference to the size of the aperture through which a given player is able to consistently kick ball 16.

In a typical embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, a target frame is provided which is about 44 inches in heighth, with a leg spread of about five feet. The frame is formed of tubular aluminum. A circular target disc of composition wood, having a circumference of about 93 inches and a thickness of threefourths inch is positioned within the target frame about 2 /2 feet above the ground. Each aperture therein (there are four apertures) is 10 /2 inches in diameter. A cord line of about 6 feet in length (usually about 4 to 6 feet indoors and about 5 to 10 feet outdoors) interconnects a hollow rubber kick ball of about 6 inches in diameter to a ring secured to a wooden spike.

A spinable wheel constructed in the manner of the target is secured to a three foot high aluminum stand. The face of the spinable wheel is marked off into zones of differing colors corresponding to those zones bearing the apertures in the target. Each spinable wheel zone also includes a number indicating the number of chances a player has to kick the ball through the aperture selected by spinning the wheel. Thus, each player first spins the wheel to determine what aperture he will kick at and the number of times he can kick at the aperture. The player then tries to do so and each successful kick scores for him the numerical value associated with the required aperture on the target. If the player kicks the ball through the wrong aperture, a predetermined number of points are deducted from his score. Accordingly, a novel sports game apparatus is provided for conducting healthy, stimulating recreational games in which any number of players can participate.

Various modifications, changes and alterations can be made in the present apparatus and in its components. All such modifications, changes and alterations as are within the scope of the appended claims form part of the present invention.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A novel kickball sports game apparatus, said apparatus comprising, in combination,

a target comprising a plate defining a plurality of spaced apertures,

a ball adapted to be kicked through said apertures,

tethering means for said ball to limit the distance to which said ball can be kicked,

means for randomly selecting the aperture and the number of chances to be allotted each player to kick said ball through said aperture,

target support means secured to said target for supporting said target in an upright position,

said target support means including an upstanding frame and flexible means interconnecting said frame and said target,

said target comprising a disc and said flexible means comprising a plurality of flexible lines secured to said disc at spaced intervals along the periphery thereof and to said frame, whereby said disc hangs in an upright, swingable position in said frame.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said disc is divided by indicia into zones, each zone including one of said apertures.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said apertures are of differing size and said zones bear indicia of differing values related to the size of said apertures.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said frame is of a hollow tubular inverted U-shaped construction.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said ball is inflatable and wherein said tethering means includes a flexible line secured to said ball and a post secured to said line and releasably securable to a surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the disc suspended from the frame has a second plurality of colorcoded zones.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first plurality of color-coded zones and the second plurality of colorcoded zones are matched together.

10. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the apertures in the target are of different sizes.

Claims

1. A novel kickball sports game apparatus, said apparatus comprising, in combination, a target comprising a plate defining a plurality of spaced apertures, a ball adapted to be kicked through said apertures, tethering means for said ball to limit the distance to which said ball can be kicked, means for randomly selecting the aperture and the number of chances to be allotted each player to kick said ball through said aperture, target support means secured to said target for supporting said target in an upright position, said target support means including an upstanding frame and flexible means interconnecting said frame and said target, said target comprising a disc and said flexible means comprising a plurality of flexible lines secured to said disc at spaced intervals along the periphery thereof and to said frame, whereby said disc hangs in an upright, swingable position in said frame.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said random selection means comprises a disc bearing spaced indicia, a disc support means to which said disc is spinably secured and a pointer secured to said disc support means in proximity to said spinnable disc.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the random selection means has a first plurality of color-coded zones.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the disc suspended from the frame has a second plurality of color-coded zones.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the first plurality of color-coded zones and the second plurality of color-coded zones are matched together.