WO1995003097A1

WO1995003097A1 - Sliding ball game

Info

Publication number: WO1995003097A1
Application number: PCT/SE1994/000703
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alec Planinc; Klas Forsberg
Original assignee: Alec Planinc; Klas Forsberg
Priority date: 1993-07-21
Filing date: 1994-07-20
Publication date: 1995-02-02
Also published as: AU7279594A; SE9302462D0; SE9302462L

Abstract

A ball game in which a cord is placed through a passage in a playing ball, with the cord being attached at either end to two playing handles. The inventive game is played by rapid movement of the playing handles, which causes the ball to freely and rapidly move between the players along the connecting cord. A low friction interface is provided between the ball and the connecting cord to provide enhanced play value.

Description

SLIDING BALL GAME

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a ball game and, more importantly, to a ball game in which a ball slides back and forth along a cord connecting player handles, each player handle manipulated by a player of the game.

Description of the Prior Art

Numerous ball games exist which provide exercise and enjoyment for players in which ball shaped objects are typically thrown between players during the game. A number of such games include use of a projectile of some type connected to a cord or rod which extends between players of the game.

An example of such a game is U.S. Patent No. 3,814,427, in which a projectile is tethered to a resilient flexible cord, Player handles are connected to each end of the resilient cord and the player handles are utilized by the players in such a manner that the tethered projectile can be thrown to the opposing players.

A similar toy device is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,731 ,929, in which a resilient body is attached to an elastic cord with rings connected to each end of the elastic cord. Again, as in the patent mentioned above, the game is played by attempting to throw the resilient body at the opposing player, with the resilient body traveling towards the opposing player due to the elastic nature of the cord connecting the two players.

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CONFIRMATION COPY Another toy device is described in U.S. Patent No. 3,991 ,510, in which a small mass is connected to a flexible rod and the small mass travels between two handles connected to the flexible rod along the rod itself. The motions of the player moves the handles to cause the mass to oscillate between the two handles.

Although such toy devices have existed for a substantial period of time, they all have inherent limitations which greatly limit their play value. That is, such prior art devices as described above do not provide an enjoyable game for one or more players as does this invention.

Summary of Invention

The invention described herein is a ball game in which a ball will glide between two players on a cord connected between two player handles. The ball is specifically arranged to provide a low friction interface between the connecting cord and the ball, such that the players can easily and rapidly propel the ball along the cord by manipulation of the player handles.

It is a feature of the invention that the cord between the two player handles can be made of any approriate material, which material takes into account the requirement of a low friction interface between the ball and the cord.

It is a further feature of the invention that the cord is placed in a passage through the ball, and the passage includes low friction material which interfaces with the cord so that the ball travels freely and rapidly between the two players. It is a still further feature of the invention that the inventive ball game can be played in high wind conditions due to the fact that the playing ball is secured to the connecting cord in the manner previously described.

It is another feature and advantage of the invention that enhanced play value is provided, since during play of the game the ball cannot be lost or thrown away from the players as it is connected to the cord between the two players.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings :

FIG.1 is an illustration of the invention showing the player handles, the playing ball and the connecting cord;

FIG.2A illustrates a first embodiment of the playing ball; and

FIG.2B illustrates a second embodiment of the playing ball.

FIG.3 is an illustration of the invention showing the player handles, the playing ball and the connecting cord being used by two players.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

Referring now to FIG.1 , there is shown an illustration in which handles 1 are designed to be grasped by two players while playing the ball game of the invention. Ball 3 has a passage therethrough indicated at 2 in FIG.1. Cord 4 passes through passage 2 as shown in FIG.1 , and cord 4 is connected in any suitable manner to handles 1.

Referring now to F1G.2A, there is shown one embodiment of the ball used with the invention. As illustrated, passage 2 has include therein a suitable material 6 which is designed to provide a low friction interface between cord 4 and ball 3. The material 6 can be, for example, any type of plastic material which will interface with cord 4. Cord 4 could be made, for example, of nylon, or other suitable low friction material. Material 6 and the material from which cord 4 is made, is not critical as long as the materials chosen provide a low friction interface such that ball 3 can easily and rapidly travel between the players during play of the ball game.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, there is shown a second embodiment of the ball 3. Again, material 6 is placed within passage 2 to provide a low friction interface between cord 4 and ball 3. In the situation where ball 3 is made of lightweight material, it may be desirable to place weight 5 within ball 3, to add additional weight to ball 3 which will change the playing characteristics of the game. It is, of course, understood that the amount of weight added within ball 3 can be varied depending upon the playing characteristics desired.

Dimensions X1 and X2 shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 2B can be of any suitable dimension, depending on the size of the ball 3, provided however that dimension X2 is preferred to be 2 to 3 times the diameter of cord 4. Dimension X1 is shown as being larger than dimension X2, so that cord 4 can be moved in an up and down direction during play, with the difference in dimensions between X1 and X2 being sufficient to prevent binding of cord 4 within ball 3 during play.

Playing of the game is accomplished by two players each grasping handles 1 as shown in FIG. 1. The players move the handles in an up and down, or left to right, motion to propel ball 3 along cord 4. The various hand motions utilized by the players are essentially unlimited, and it is possible, for example, to have ball 3 rotate about a player along cord 4 with proper manipulation of the playing handles.

The foregoing is considered illustrative only of the principles of the instant invention, and it is to be understood that various modifications may be made in the shape and/or the size and/or material of the components of the invention, and modifications are not to be considered as limiting, and fall within the scope of the following claims.

For example the term "playing ball" or "ball" as used herin is for descriptive purposes only and is not meant to be limiting as the "ball" can be of any desired shape or size depending on the desired playing characteristics.

Claims

What Is Claimed Is :

1. Game apparatus for use by two players, the apparatus including, two player handles (1 ) between which is attached a cord (4); a projectile (3) having a passage (2) through which cord (4) is passed, and material (6) included within passage (2), said material (6) arranged to provide a low friction interface with cord (4).

2. Game apparatus in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein cord (4) is attached to a first end of handle (1 ) opposite an end grasped by a player of the game apparatus.

3. Game apparatus in accordance with Claim 2, wherein an additional weight (5) is placed within ball (3).

4. Game apparatus in accordance with Claim 3, wherein passage (2) has a first diameter at the center of ball (3), and a second diameter at the surface fo ball (3).