US2285782A - Indoor baseball game - Google Patents

Description

June 9, 1942. w. M. PHARR 2,285,782

INDOOR BASEBALL'- GAME Filed May 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 June 9 1942.

W. M. PHARR 1 INDOOR BASEBALL GAME Filed May 8, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 June 9, 1942. w, RR 2,285,782

' INDOOR' BASEBALL GAME I Filed May 8, 1940 s Sheets-Sheet s Patented June 9, 1942 TENT" oFF1cE mnoon BASEBALL GAME V-Villiam M. lharr, Atlanta, ca; n Application May 8, 1940; serial No. 334,057 r 59 cla ms; (or. 273-403 Generically this invention relates to games but it more especially is directed to a game' apparatus for playing'a game designated as indoor baseball and simulating the well knowngame of baseball. One of the principal objects of this invention is the provisionyof a game device. for playing a game simulating baseball, and adapted forplaying other ball and number games, affording recreative, pleasurable, andhealthful exercise and adapted to be played by one or several players 'or-competitively by teams composed of any number of players up .to nine, said device including aplay-ing field or'baseball diamond with field pieces representing baseball players arranged thereon substantially according to baseball player positions, said field pieces having an electrical connection with a game value indicating device so that when afield piece is knocked down by a thrown ball the play will be indicated by; a light and an audible signal,.;and meansfcr'resettingsaid field pieces. Anotherrobject of this invention is the provi-. sion'of a game apparatus ofthe above character which may be played indoors or if desired out of doors; and which apparatus may embody one or a pair of playing fields combined, in a unitary portable structure. i; A further important object of'this invention is an apparatus having an inclined floor section formed from a fabric or other flexible'material 3i resiliently anchored at its ends and comprising a playing field on which are predeterminedly arranged hingedly mounted field pieces, each adapted to .be knocked down by a thrown; ball, and when the ball strikes the floor said floorl'will tend to absorb the shockand preventundue defiection of the ball and automatically assume its. original position following such contact; 'A still further object of this invention isthe provision of a game apparatus; of this character in'addition to the canvas or other flexibleplaying field floor section havingsides and end sections of similar or other flexible material adapteduto likewise absorb the shock when hitby a thrown ball so that the same will not rebound as would otherwise be the case, and interconnected means in connection with therear andfront; of. the playing field for automatically returning the thrown balls to the players position: i A still further object of this inventicnlis the provision of a game apparatus embodying'a flexibleinclined floor, and vertical side and end wall structures mounted in pairs; hinged field-pieces extending above each'playing field electrically connected with a play: value indicating -d'evic'e andan audible signal device,'each field piece when struck-by a ball adapted to be knocked down and to remain in such position during the playing of the game, means at the players position for simultaneously resetting said field pieces, and means for automatically returning the thrown balls to the players position. Y .Another' object is the provision of a game apparatus embodying a pair of enclosed game playing mechanisms normally open at one end, and independently operable curtainmeans for closing one or bothof saidplayingfields, s'aid pair of independent game apparatus being combined in a unitary housing structure adapted to be portablymoved from one place to another as desired.' r f A further object cfthisinvention is the provision-of novel hingedly mounted fieldpieces, each field piece being so constructed; mounted, and electrically connected that when it is deflected bya'thrown ball it will ring a bell and light a light to indicate the play or score made, and including means for" breaking the light circuit and returning the field: piece to its normal. up right position. g V v l 7 With these and. other objects in view, which will become apparent as. the. description proceeds, theinvention jresides in the construction, com.- bination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter more fully describedand claimed, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in whichv like characters of reference indicate like. parts throughout. the'severalfigures, of which:. Fig. l is a perspective view of my improved game apparatus showing apair of playing. fields. Fig. 2.is a plan'viewof one of the playing fields andassoc'iatedpartsv a Fig. 3 is a vertic'allongitudinal section on: the line 3+3 ofFigw2. .j q g EigJl is a verticaltransverse section on the line4-4 of Fig. 2.} 7

;Fig. an enlarged detail view showing --one of the knock downfield. pieces andassociated pa '1. 1". i; T. f

Fig. 6 is anenlarged detail view injplan showing the connection .rbetween the adjacent playing fields and the -dividing curtain section; Fig, '7 is a detailperspectiva viewshowing: the details of constructionio'f the playing fieldo'r' floor S i I j I" 'J' I: .f.

Fig; 8 is a view or oneicf the: roller :mountings. '1 Fig.:9 is :aTse'ction on: the 'line"9-9'."of 'Fig; 8:.

associated pulleys;

Fig. 11 is a section on the line III I of Fig. 5.

Fig. 12 is a wiring diagram.

The game devices of this general nature with which I am familiar have proven deficient in many respects, such as, being to complicated, too expensive to construct, not adapted to be played both indoors and out of doors, comprising a play ing field so constructed as to cause the thrown balls to rebound or be sharply deflected, not having an indicating and resetting mechanism located adjacent the players box, and simplified player pieces and electrical distribution system, etc., and it was to overcome such deficiencies and to provide a flexible, resiliently mounted playing field and substantially similarly constructed guide apron structure in advance of said field for guiding thrown balls thereon, and flexible side and end field enclosing sections adapted to absorb the shock and eifect deadening of a thrown ball when hit thereby, simplified knock down player piece construction, a unique player piece resetting mechanism adapted to automatically relieve the tension on the reset pieces, and novel ball return means, the construction of the device being such as to embody a single playing field or a portable unitary double playing field with a common ball return means, said unitary device also adapted to be arranged in batteries, similar to bowling alleys, that I designed the game apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention.

In the illustrated embodiment characterizing this invention there is shown a game apparatus A including a pair of independently operable game devices B, The apparatus A may be constructed of any suitable frame construction such as corner posts I and 2 at each side of the device connected by side frame pieces 3 at top and bottom and front and rear pieces 4. Suitably secured to said frame is a rear end curtain or curtains 5,

and side curtains or walls 6 and separating the,

devices B is a suitably secured hanging curtain I. Secured to frame pieces I and 2 at each end are the spaced horizontal frame sections 8 and 3 extending frontwardly beyond standard 2 and which are connected at their ends by end posts I!) and adjacent to post 2 by posts II which are of greater height than posts I!) for a purpose directly appearing Suitably connected to front top frame 4 and post 2 are drop curtains I2 adapted to be respectively dropped or drawn up to enclose or open the devices B by draw cords I3 and I3 as desired.

Mounted adjacent curtains 6 and I spaced from rear end curtain 5 are upright frame posts I4 suitably connected by frame pieces I5 and adjacent posts 2 are the similar front posts I6 which are of less height than posts I4. The upper ends of posts I4 are hollowed out as at I! to conform to the configuration of roller I8 adapted to seat therein and which is journaled on the horizontal end portions I9 of bolt elements which extend downwardly and through standards I4 to which they are secured by nuts 2|. Posts I6 are similarly formed with cut-out portions IT in which is mounted roller I8 journaled on portions I9 of bolt elements 23 similar to posts I4,

Mounted on said rollers is a fabric floor'or bottom 22 constituting a playing field 23, and suitably secured to the ends of said floor 22 are hem secured rods or weights 24 suitably attached to one end of springs 25, the other end 26 of said springs being suitably attached to posts I4 at one end of the floor and to posts I6 at the other end to resiliently anchor said fioor on said rollers, as will hereinafter more fully appear.

Floor 22 adjacent its edges is formed with eyelets 27 extending through the folded-over or hemmed edges 22 in which are suitably secured hook elements 28, the free ends of said hook members 28 at one edge of said floor are adapted to hook over a rod 29 threaded in curtain 6 adjacent the edge of floor 22 and at an angle corresponding therewith, the hooks 28 at the opposite side of said floor are adapted to similarly engage rod 33 threaded in the partition curtain I. This construction operates to effect an interconnected bottom and side structure maintaining the parts in position, while permitting resilient movement of the parts and preventing the balls from falling between the fioor and side curtain walls. Also fioor section 22 of the adjacent device B is similarly connected at its inner edge to rod 30, the eyelets 27 of the respective sections 22 being in staggered relation. By virtue of this construction curtain I is common to both devices B and with rod 30 forms a common connection between the adjacent floors,

Each fioor 22 constitutes a playing field 23 and is formed with nine rectangular openings 3| substantially corresponding to a baseball diamond including field pieces 33 adapted to extend through said openings and represent correspondingly positioned players at home plate, first base, second base, shortstop, third base, left field, center field, and right field, representing the playing positions in a regulation'baseball game, as Will hereinafter more fully appear. Surrounding each of said openings 3| is a stiffening wire 34 secured to the under surface of the floor by the overlapping portions 35 attached by stitching 36. This construction not only holds the floor in shape so that its resilient movement will not interfere with the action of said field pieces 33, but also prevents ravelling of the edges of said openings.

As previously described, the field pieces 33 are arranged on the playing field substantially in accordance with a regular game of baseball, but in order to simplify their mounting and operation it has been found expedient to arrange them in spaced rows 31, 38, and 39, Underlyingeach of these rows is a pair of parallel spaced frame members 46 connected to cross bars 4I suitably attached to the upper ends of posts I4 and IE, or if desired, to intermediate or additional posts I4 and I6.

As all of the field pieces are similar in construction and mounting only one will be described in detail. Underlying each opening 3I and intermediate the frame members 4c is an anchor block 42 having a thickened portion 43 formed with an inclined surface 44 and a reduced portion 45 on which is mounted hinge plate 46 by a suitably insulated bolt 47 secured by nut 48. The field piece 33 has a portion 49 on which is mounted the padded portion 53, the edge of which is detachably secured by the band or plates 5| by screws 52, said padded portion having a stem portion 53 adapted to extend through opening 3| when in erected position and with its free end hingedly connected to hinge plate 45. Stem 53 adjacent its lower end has a right angular projecting lug 54 to the free end of which is suitably connected one end of spring 55, the other end of said spring being connected to one end of a chain or cable 56 passing over anchor pulley 51 suitably connected to the frame structure, the other end being connected to pulley 58 by bolt or other connecting means 59. Said pulley 58 is mounted on shaft 60 and secured thereto by set screw SI. Hingedly or otherwise connected'to the under surface of field ipiece33 ad-i j'acent-itsupper'end is a :baflle rod, 62 adapted to'extend throughop'ening 3lwith its; free end normally supported by the .Iupperi edge of block 42 andwhich operates: to prevent. a-ball 63 from lodging behind said field piece 33fwhen rolling down the inclinefloor T22 afterhaving. been thrown on the field -23-as will hereinaftermore fullyap'pea'r. 'y While-the stemporticn;,53 has been described as ,hingedly' connected to hinge plate 46,.if de sired this stem may extendibelow members between which it is rotatably mountedand with the. resetting wire orcable '56 attached toiits lower-.endl'f I i e. e I I, a Each of the fieldi'pieces has electrical connections which will'bedirectly more fully described. The respective" field" pieces: are teach" suitably grounded thr'oughhinge'plate' it and bolt iaiias atfH'lJ. Stemfl53 has suitably-secured thereto spring contact member 615 adapted tjoiengagethe ccn'tactj headififi of bolt 6'! :Whichiis mounted in the 'bell circuit and contact fidjofibolt 59 simi larly. extending through "member 45 which is mountedin the light circuit and Which'circuits will directly be more clearly described. 1 The end field piece of row 38 and its connection topulley 53 by chain .55 hasbeen described and the remaining three field'pieces in said row 38"are similarly connected to 1 their respective chains or cables 55': which areconnected to pulI- leyjzEB similar to bolts fie'at :spaced pointsxiir cumferentially'of said pulley. vShaft. ct'is journaled in posts It and at one endextends beyond saidpost'as" at T6: Shaft 60 vis securedin position by collars 'il secured by set screws 12. Mounted on shaft 69 arepulleys 13:and It simi lar to pulley-58. Pulley 73- is in alignment with and adapted'to be connected tofthe;three-;field pieces 33 mcunted in rowa3l, by .Ohains orcables 55; and pulley M to thetwo field pieces mounted in row 39 by chains or cables 56 similarto the cables Stdescribed in connection withpulley 58. 'Keyed or otherwise suitably'mounted on; the free end of shaft 63 isa ccntrolpulley 15 and connected to saidpulley:at a point-l6 is spring 11 to the' end of which is attached a: chain or cable 18 .which is adapted .to' travel .over. pulley 19 mountedinthe base 80. of newel. post 'tlljfl'on which'is mounte'djplay indicating device 82 and field cpiece resetting .mecha'n'ism ,33, said resetting fmechanism including. manually" operated handle 84 extending through 'slot'85' in one face ofsaid hollow post, saidhandle 84 being pivotally mounted asat 8Ei.with'in'said"post, and said chain or cable J8 extending upwardly through saidpost and connected to'handle '84 as'at "81; the normal position-of said handle being in the lowerposition' shownin Fig. 51 v I j j f V A weight 88 is connected to pulley 3'5 {at a point 89 circumferentiallypffset with respect to point Hi-by a chain orcord 9d and to which is resilient- 1; connected the chain" 18 so that manually raising the handle fi ltoit s upward position-rotates "puney 15 and "shaft cc with pulleys s, 58} and M, eir'erting' a pull onflcable's 55 attached to field pieces 33' thereby simultaneously moving said pieces from their "knocked: down p'ositicn's "as "shownat 9! toerect positionrFigfis) {and When the'hand'of the operator is ren'icved frorn han- 1116 .84 counterweight 83 will rotate in anti-clock iwise direction which pulls handle 84 't'o its initial lower 1 pc'sitidn and eifects': a slackening :an'd'i re.- moval of tension on cables as at 92 thereby .pe'rmitting 'each' field? piece .to be knocked down be apparent.

when struck: by a thrown ball? without disturbin theremaining field; pieces. ,1

1 Suitably mounted on the frame adjacent; cornefr'posts 1, intermediate the, end of floor; 225- and curtains 5;, and at right angles to said curtains are the rollers 93 which are of a length? substane tially corresponding to the-width: of :the space between the; rollers [81 and said rear curtains. Suitably" mounted adjacentv the rear curtain, 5v as at Mjis the endi'of; the; conveyor or ball ret r track'f95: which underliesscurtainand extends at an ,inclinefdownwardlytoa; pointSfi and thence. horizontally to the indicating mechanism or, fpost 6-! ,1: and? suitably: mounted on either; si e adjacent; the. upper: edges; of 'g'saidr ball, return chute edar'erollers B'I-similar to r0llers,;93,; and positioned at the lower. corners of said chute are the? smaller but otherwise. .similarrollers 358 L; A fabric: belt-like iconveyor floor e 99, is :adapted -to extend 1 over :rollers 93. and 91: and, under rollers 98 with. itsends resiliently anchored by. rods; orv weights 2d and springs :25 similar to fio 0l '12,2, It-will thusv be'seen that fabricgfll); constitutes a bottom'of the :rear transverse return conveyor extending; at aniincli'ne downwardly in meeting direction from the. opposite; rollers $3 to; form with the ends of fioor:22 and rear end. curtains 5 the transverseball return conveyor section J00 which is adapted toric'liver the,flballs thatlfall to the rear of fioor 22: to ,track- 95. Therefore the balls hittingthe side curtain 6 or I are dead; ened by fthe' shock absorbing qualities thereof, and the balls passing beyond the end of floor 22 fall into 'said' conveyor; and are gravity returned to post 8!, as will be well understood. A similar conveyor track having, similar structure and flexible bottomfilgis: mounted adjacent the lower or frontend of said bottomiZZ or ,playingqfield; 23 which. delivers; theth'rown ballsnot passing into rearjconveyor trackLHiB to: track 'asabove de scribed. Mounted on posts Val [similar to roller I8 and in'substantially horizontalalignment therewith isrollerf'l ill; and similarly mounted on pjost id 'is a'corresponding' rollerjl ill 1 Adapted to be mounted on said rollers-and resiliently anchored at'its ends similar to floor 22 is afabric platform floor or apron I92 which is'gsimilar to and 91 erates as floor 22, and where a, thrown bajll falls short of the'floor 22 it serves to guide the ball onto the playing field or into said deviceas 'will 1 Adjacent theindicatingpost or device it! isthe players box orfstation I93 and intermediate said box and apron; platformsecticnzlllz is foul: line I234. .Mountedon one face of; indicating device 8 lis a pluralityfof electric lights or lamps; des.-:- ignated generallyas use, :gThese'lights'jarerar ranged in three rows corresponding to the'field pieces in rows 31, 38 and 39 and in the same order and-:haveindicia H15 correspending to said'player pi rccsxEach 'of'these-rlights lii5:i's electrically connected :with its corresponding fieldipiece so that when said field piece is knocked downii't 'Will close the light circuit iand illumin'ate lightflfifi displaying the play'yalue indicia leEi'asZwill be well understood.- Eachfieldpiece is also electri .callyiconnectedjwith a bell lG'IJsQthat as said field" piece is knocked down it completes the cir -i cuit through said bell thereby giving an audible signal-as well as lightingjitsrespective light" as A facing member .9 may be suitably positioned fatithefront of the devicefoneitherside ofiball return track .85" to": add to 'theappearance' of the detiicei'andccnceal the lower edge t'of platform apron I02. Also the newel post structure may be provided with a door 8| so that ready access may be had to the interior as will be well understood and bell I01 may 'be mounted on or within the newel post or at any convenient location as desired.

The electrical distribution system by means of which the sounding of an audible signal and indicating device is operated to light a light to indicate the play when a field piece is knocked down by a thrown ball, will now be described.

In order to step down the voltage from, say, 110 volts to that suitable to take care of, for instance, a 15 watt bulb, or suitable for operation of the bell and lights, a conventional reducing transformer T is employed, and which may be conveniently mounted on the frame of the device or post 8| or within said post as desired. Said transformer has its primary coil I08 connected to a source of power supply by conductors I09 and its secondary coil IIO by conductors III to switch or terminal box H2 and from one side of secondary coil IIO to ground H3; said ground may be conveniently located at post 8| or from I I2 as desired. The conductors or wires I I9 from the lights to the field pieces at contacts 68 may extend through suitable conduit within post 8i and from the base of said post to the respective field pieces as shown in Fig. 5.

A step down current is utilized to operate the bell and the various lights and for purpose of illustration one circuit will be traced through the bell and one of the lights, the circuits to the remaining lights and through the bell being similar.

A source of electrical energy (not shown) is connected to primary coil I08 by conductors I09 and secondary coil H connected at one side to ground I I3 and from the other side by conductor III to bell I0! and from said bell by conductors H4, H5, contact 66, spring contact 65 and conductor IIB to ground III which completes the bell circuit. The light circuit is completed through said secondary coil IIE! to ground H3 and from said coil by conductors III and H8 to light I05 and from light I05 through conductor II9, contact 68, contact 65, conductor II6 'to ground II! as will be apparent.

It will be noted that the bell circuit is common to all of the light circuits so that as the field piece is knocked down and contact 65 passes over contact 66 the circuit through the bell will be momentarily completed sounding the audible signal and when said field piece reaches the limit of its downward movement said contact 65 will engage contact 68 closing the light circuit and which circuit will remain closed and the light on until said field piece is reset to erect position.

While the operation of the device would seem to be clear from the above description, it might be well to further state that the player from his position in the players box I03 throws a ball 03 in the direction of playing field 23 in an effort to knock down one of the field pieces 33. If the ball does not strike a field piece but hits the floor 22 the impact causes said floor to give and move one or both of the rollers I8 against the action of springs 25, and such action together with the flexible nature of the fioor tends to absorb the shock and deaden the ball against pronounced rebound or deflection, and if the ball is thrown with sufficient force to go beyond field 23 and hit the rear curtain 5 said curtain acts in much the same manner to deaden the ball and cause it to drop into conveyor I00, the floor of which by reason of its similar shock absorbing qualities prevents any substantial rebound, and the ball is delivered by gravity to track for return to the newel post 8I or a point availableto the players box I03, as will be well understood. The same deadening effect is produced if the ball hits the side curtains 6 or I and if it falls on floor 22 it rolls into the front conveyor I00 for delivery to conveyor 95. If the throw falls short and the ball strikes apron I02 it is directed onto field 23, as will be well understood.

If the thrown ball knocks down one of the field pieces, for instance HP, to the position shown at 9| in Fig. 5, which is permitted by the slack in cable 56, as it moves downwardly from erect position it momentarily engages contact 66, closing the bell circuit and causing ringing of the bell, and when said field piece reaches its limit of movement as at 44, contact 65 will be in engagement with contact 68 completing the light circuit and lighting light I05 on the indicating device illuminating the corresponding indicia HP thereby indicating the play, and which indicia remains illuminated until the game is terminated.

At the termination of the game the field pieces are simultaneously reset by manually moving handle 84 to its high position which causes cable I8 to rotate shaft 60 and its pulleys, thereby pulling cables 56 connected to lugs 54 attached to stems 53 of field pieces 33 and moving said field pieces to erected position, limited by stops 42'. Upon removal of the hand from handle 84 weight 88 will rotate pulley I5 and shaft 60 in anti-clockwise direction causing a slack in cables 50, thereby removing the tension on field pieces 33 so that a respective field piece may be again knocked down without interfering with the remaining field pieces, as hereinbefore described.

While not essential to the operation of the apparatus, in order to protect the interior from dust and the elements, when used out of doors, a roof 4 constructed of suitable material is provided. Also, a single rear end curtain 5 may be employed but if desired said curtain may be divided, the adjacent sections being connected to each other and to curtain I, similar to the connection of said curtain I and floor sections 22, hereinbefore described, or in any desired manner.

From the above it is apparent that I have designed a game device by means of which a game of indoor baseball may be played but which is likewise adaptable to other games, said device being simple in construction and operation, manufacturable at a reasonable cost, and efficient for the purposes intended.

Although in practice I have found that the form of m invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings and referred to in the above description as the preferred embodiment, is the most efficient and practical; yet realizing the conditions concurrent with the adoption of my invention will necessarily vary, I desire to emphasize that various minor changes in details of construction, proportion and arrangement of parts, may be resorted to within the scope of the appended claims Without departing from or sacrificing any of the principles of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I desire protected by 'LettersPatent is as set forth in the following claims: i g

'1'. A game apparatus of the character described, Comprising a movablyv mounted resilien-tly anchored fabric playing field, a frame structure supporting said field, a plurality of normally erect knockdown field pieces carried by said frame extending throughsaid fabric and predeterminedly arranged with respect to said field, said field pieces adapted to be knocked down by balls thrown on said field, means for automatically returning the thrown balls to the players station, and means connected to the respective field pieces permitting any one to be knocked down without regard to or interference with any of the others and for resetting said field pieces in erect position, said means including a manually operable rotatable means.

2. A game apparatus of the character described, comprising an inclined playing field, a plurality of normally erect knock-down field pieces predeterminedly arranged on said field, said field pieces adapted to be knocked down by balls thrown on said field, deflector means carried by the respective field pieces adapted to prevent balls rolling down said incline lodging behind the erected field pieces, means for resetting said field pieces in erect position in cluding means connected to each field piece, and means in connection with said connected means for automatically releasing the tension on the connected means of said field pieces whereby each field piece can be knocked down without disturbing the remaining field pieces.

3. A game apparatus of the character described comprising an inclined playing field, said field being constructed from a fabric material and having a plurality of cut-out openings predeterminedly arranged therein, a frame underlying said field, resilient connections between the ends of said field and said frame, a plurality of knock-down field pieces hingedly mounted on said frame and normally projecting in upright position through said openings and adapted to be knocked down by balls thrown from the players station, a resetting mechanism in connection with said field pieces, said mechanism including a rotatable element, resilient connections between said element and field pieces, manually operable means connected to said rotatable element for operating said resetting mechanism to effect simultaneous return of the field pieces to erect position, and interconnected means at each end of the playing field adapted to automatically return the thrown balls to the players station.

4. A game apparatus of the character described, comprising a chamber, a players station exterior thereof and from which balls are to be thrown, an inclined fabric fioor for said chamber constituting a playing field, the sides and end or" said chamber constructed of a fabric material adapted when hit by a thrown ball to present a deadening eiiect thereon, a plurality of hingedly mounted knock-down field pieces extending through openings in said floor in normally erect position and predeterminedly arranged with respect to playing field, each field piece having a contact member, said floor being resiliently anchored at its ends and adapted to substantially absorb the shock when hit by a thrown ball and to automatically return to its normal taut position, means for automatically returning the thrown balls to the players station, and means connected to each field piece and operable for effecting simultaneous resetting of said field pieces, said means including means 'for automatically releasingthe tensionofthe respective connected means of said resetting mechanism with respect to said field pieces. i

1 5.-A game apparatus' of the-'character described, comprising a chamber having an "inclined fabric floorconstituting a playing field, flexible sides and rear end,'a frame structure adapted to support said :fioor, sides, and end, said frame including rollers for each end'of said-floor, resilient anc'hormeans for the ends of said fioor, a plurality of normally erect knock-down field pieces carried by said frame extending through and predeterminedly arranged with respect to said field, said field pieces adapted to be knocked down by balls thrown from a players station, ball deflecting means carried by the rear of each field piece, manually operable means for simultaneousl resetting said field pieces including a rotatable element, and means connected to said rotatable element adapted to automatically release the tension of said resetting mechanism on said field pieces upon release of said a y operated means, and means for automatically returning the thrown balls to said players station.

6. A game apparatus of the character described, comprising a frame, sides and rear end carried by said frame, an inclined fabric floor resiliently anchored at its ends constituting a playing field connected with said sides, an auxiliary field resiliently mounted and located in advance of and slightly spaced from the playing field, adapted to direct balls on to said playing field, a plurality of knock-down normally erect field pieces predeterminedly arranged with respect to said field and hingedly connected to said frame, said field pieces adapted to be knocked down by balls thrown on said field, said floor, sides and end adapted to produce a deadening effect on said balls when struck thereby, ball return means, said means including ball receiving means intermediate the end of said playing field and rear end.

7. A game apparatus of the character described, comprising an enclosure into which balls are adapted to be thrown, the sides, end Wall, and floor of said enclosure having shock absorbing qualities, said floor being mounted on rollers and at an incline constituting a playing field and having resilient anchor connections, a plurality of normally erect knock-down field pieces predeterminedly arranged with respect to said field, means for automatically returning the thrown balls to the players station, and means for resetting said field pieces in erect position, said means including a rotatable means, cables resiliently connected at one end to said field pieces and at their other end to said rotatable means, and means for operating said rotatable means.

8. A game device of the character described comprising a flexible resiliently mounted playing field, a plurality of normally erect knock-down field pieces arranged on. said field adapted to be knocked down by balls thrown thereon, an auxiliary resiliently mounted field located in advance of said playing field, adapted to direct balls on to said playing field, ball return means, means for re-setting said field pieces in erect position, said means including a rotatable means, cables connected at one end to said rotatable means and at their other end to the respective field pieces, manually operable means connected to said rotatable means, and means connected to said rotatable means automatically operable at one end to said shaft and at their other end 0 resiliently attached to the respective field pieces,

manually operable means resiliently connected to said shaft for rotating said shaft to effect simultaneous i e-setting of said field pieces, and means in connection with said shaft for effecting its operation upon release of said manually operable means to release the tension of the respective cables on their connected field pieces whereby any field piece may be knocked down without interfering with any of the remaining field p WILLIAM M. PHARR.

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