US3428318A - Game comprising ball flipping means and target incorporating signaling means - Google Patents

Description

Feb. 18, 1969 v E. B. VICK v GAME COMPRISING BALL FLIPPING MEANS AND TARGET INCORPORATING SIGNALING MEANS Filed May 10. 1966 Sheet AXM Feb. 18. 1969 E. B. VICK' GAME COMPRISING BALL FLIPPING MEANS AND TARGET INCORPORATING SIGNALING MEANS Flled Mav 10 1966 of a Sheet INVENTO 04 8. V/cg BY d OFRQV United States Patent 3 428 318 GAME COMPRISING BALL FLIPPING MEANS AND TARGET INCORPORATING SIGNAL- ING MEANS Elva B. Vick, RR. 2, Newburgh, Ind. 47630 Filed May 10, 1966, Ser. No. 548,935 US. Cl. 273--101 2 Claims Int. Cl. A63b 65/12, 63/00 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A game defined by the combination of a ball flipper, a target and a ball return, where the target face has an opening behind which and along the side edges thereof are pivotal signal controlling members, where the opening has a height equivalent to the letter-toknees dimension in baseball, and where the pivotal signal controlling members are spaced apart to simulate the edges of baseball home plate.

The present invention relates to a game, and more particularly to a new and novel game which simulates the pitching of regulation baseball through flipping action.

As is known, with the increase in population, there is a continual need for added recreational pastimes for all age groups. In this connection, the applicant herein has invented a new and novel amusement game which requires skill on the part of the player and which provides, as well, a great amount of entertainment value.

Broadly, the instant novel game is defined by a ball flipper, a structure which employs an elastic member for receiving a playing ball in a slingshot relatlonshrp, and spaced therefrom, perhaps at a distance of fifty to sixty feet, a target area. The latter comprises a target face having an opening therein, and a ball-receiving space disposed behind such opening, with a ball return being provided in the target face for introducing the ball along an inclined channelway to its point of origin at the ball flipper structure.

In order to create the simulation of regulation baseball, the opening in the target face extends between the known letter and knee positions, while disposed within the target structure, and along the side edges of the opening in the face thereof, are pivotal members, which, when hit, cause the energization of lamps or other signaling means to notify the player. The aforesaid pivotal members are positioned to represent the outside edges of home plate dimension-wise.

In other words, the player flips the ball as in a slingshot towards the target, where, for example, if the target opening is missed, a ball results, and where if either of the pivotal members are hit, a strike results. Any variation in scoring is, of course, achievable, depending upon the desires of the players. The instant invention is readily installed for use, comprising a simplicity in the number of components, and representing economies in such installation without sacrificing any amusement benefits.

Accordingly, the principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game which broadly simulates the pitching of regulation baseball through flipping action.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game having a target opening arranged to simulate a batter at home plate in baseball.

A further and more general object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game which may be proportioned, for various installations; which basically comprises a ball flipper, a target, and a ball return; which is readily installed for use; and, which provides a high degree of amusement coupled with skill.

3,428,318 Patented Feb. 18, 1969 Other objects and a better understanding of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein FIG. 1 is a view in front elevation, looking toward the target area from the ball flipper structure in FIG. 2, showing such game target and the ball return in accordance with the teachings of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a view in side elevation of the over-all game; and,

FIG. 3 is an independent view in front elevation showing the ball flipper structure used in playing the applicants new and novel game.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

Referring now to the figures, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2, the applicants new and novel game comprises, in a typical embodiment of the invention, a target 12 elevated with respect to the floor level. The target 12 is defined by a front upstanding framework 14 comprising vertical members 14a and horizontal members 14b. In order to provide for ready erection, the vertical members 14a have laterally extending portions which are adapted to be received in the ends of the horizontal members 14b.

The target 12 is typically made from tarpaulin or like material, where the front face 12a thereof is positioned by the framework 14 through a series of mounting cords 16. An opening 17 is provided in the target face 12a and, as should be evident from FIG. 2, a series of walls surround such opening 17 behind the target face 12a to define a ball-receiving space 20. More particularly, the latter comprises side walls 20a, a rear wall 20b, typically padded or quilted, and a forwardly sloped lower rear wall 20c, the latter permitting ready movement of the ball towards another opening 22 in the face 12a of the target 12.

Various arrangements may be provided for retaining the over-all target in position for use, such as, as shown, guide lines 24 which secure either to support member 25 disposed on a wall behind the target or to points along the ceiling around the target (not shown). The aforementioned opening 22 in the target face 12a empties onto a platform 26 disposed in front of the target, where, as further evident from FIG. 2, a sloped portion 27 is provided fanning into an elongated ball return channelway 29 which feeds back to the area where the players are located. In a typical installation of the invention, some fifty to sixty feet are provided between the players and the above-described target area.

With further reference now to FIGS. 1 and 2, pivotal members 30 are provided within the ball-receiving space 20 in the target and along each side edge of the opening 17. Members 30 are spaced apart at a dimension equivalent to the side edges of the home plate in the game of baseball and, additionally, the opening 17, from top to bottom, approximates a letter to knee dimension of baseball.

The members 30 typically pivot on a horizontally disposed rod 31, where guide ropes 32 extend from the top horizontal member 1412 of the framework 14 and from the mounting member 25, so that the pivotal members 30 normally are in the position presented in FIG. 2. An

incandescant lamp 35, or other signal device, interconnects each member 30 through a drawstring 35a, so that when hit with a ball, the member 30 moves rearwardly, causing the lamp 35 to become energized. Thereafter, because of the guide ropes 32, the members 30 return to the position of FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the novel ball flipper structure 40 provided to propel the playing ball towards the target comprises a stand 40a supporting an upstanding hollow member 40b which receives a freely rotatable member 40c therewithin having an arm-like portion 40d. An elastic member 42 is secured to the arm-like portion 40d, such elastic member 42 having an enlarged central portion 42a which receives the playing ball in slingshot fashion. Obviously, the design of the member 42 may be varied, including its length, the material of which it is made, and the configuration of the ball-receiving portion.

In use, the player places the ball in the elastic member 42 of the ball flipper structure 40 and moves such member 42 rearwardly as in the use of a slingshot. If desired, member 40c can be rotated to effect the proper directioning of the ball towards the target. Upon release, the ball is propelled towards the target area and, if successful, passes through the opening 17. If either edge of the home plate is struck, i.e. the pivotal members 30, the lamp 35 becomes energized, indicating a strike to the player. Thereafter the ball passes through opening 22 and along the platform 26, the sloped portion 27 of the platform, and the channelway 29 to the players position. Obviously, the aforedescribed ball return path permits passage of a ball whether or not it passes through the opening 17 in the target face 12a, i.e. in the instance of a ball.

From the preceding, it should be apparent that the applicant herein has provided a new and novel game structure whereby through flipping action a baseball pitch to a batter at home plate is simulated. Although only one target face is shown in the drawing, it should be under stood that a series of targets may be employed one adjacent the other. As to the ball, in one form of invention, it is sized between a regulation hard ball and a regulation soft ball. Moreover, and obviously, the configuration of the platform and ball return may be varied and, as well, the over-all dimensioning and proportioning of the game, from small to large size. Thus, the preceding description should be considered illustrative and not as limiting the scope of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A game structure comprising, in combination, a ball flipping device, a target having a face with an opening disposed therein, a ball return communicating with said target, two members pivotally mounted for movement in a vertical plane within said target adjacent the side edges of said opening and movably responsive to contact by a flipped ball, and signal means responsive to movement of said members, said ball flipping device including a fixed framework mounting a rotatable portion on which an elastic member is disposed for receiving said ball in slingshot relationship.

2. The game structure of claim 1 where said opening has a height equivalent to the letter-to-knees dimension in baseball, and where said pivotal members are spaced apart to simulate the edges of baseball home plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 951,257 3/1910 Peuser 273-101 XR 1,043,308 11/1912 Everson 273-26 2,433,224 12/ 1947 Koci et al 273-85 2,534,067 12/1950 Rubin 2731.5 3,057,337 10/1962 Rock et al. 124-20 3,133,733 5/1964 Elseroad 273-1022 3,157,399 11/1964 Gaudet.

3,277,878 10/1966 Pankratz.

RICHARD C. PINKHAM, Primary Examiner.

PAUL E. SHAPIRO, Assistant Examiner.

US. Cl. X.R.

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