Description:
This invention relates to table shuffleboards and, in particular, to a portable, miniature shuffleboard which may be assembled for recreational play and disassembled into a neat package in a simple and expeditious manner.
Heretofore, table shuffleboards have been manufactured generally for use in commercial establishments, said shuffleboards being immovable and cumbersome due to their relatively long lengths and heavy weights. As a result, such shuffleboards were costly, space consuming and, in general, not easily accessible for enjoyment by many segments of the population.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a miniature portable shuffleboard which is capable of assembly for use as a recreational game in easily accessible small size areas, such as in recreation rooms, dens and patios of homes, and capable of disassembly into a neat package for portable transport or storage.
Other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following description and accompanying drawing wherein:
FIG. 1 is an isometric, partially exploded view of the shuffleboard in the assembled position, and
FIG. 2 is a view of the shuffleboard in its disassembled position in the form of a portable package.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawing, the shuffleboard is comprised of two sections, generally referred to as A and B, respectively, each of which are substantially the same length, e.g., approximately 4 feet. Section A includes a flat, rectangular wood member 10a having sidewalls 11a-11a projecting vertically therefrom. One end of member 10a is connected by conventional fastening or sealing means (not shown) to an end portion, generally referred to at 12a, having an end wall 13a and contiguous sidewalls 14a-14a, said walls along with wall 15a of member 10a forming a recess portion 16a. A magnet 17a is provided in end wall 13a at a distance slightly above the top surface of member 10a.
Located at the other end of member 10a is front wall 18a having a magnet 19a therein. The function of magnets 17a and 19a will be described hereinafter. A pair of threaded members 20-20 extend downwardly from said other end of member 10a and are utilized in the aligning and connecting of section A with section B.
Located beneath member 10a is a single pair of supporting legs 21-21 which are pivotally connected at 22-22, as seen in FIG. 2, by conventional fastening means such as a riveted pin, latch, etc. A crossbar 23 interconnects legs 21-21, said crossbar having a rod 24, pivotal thereon at 25, and angularly extending from the midsection thereof for connection of its flat end portion 26 with a latching device 27, when the shuffleboard is in the assembled position. When section A is in the disassembled position, as seen in FIG. 2, pivotal rod 24 extends linearly with member 10a and is secured in a spring-type latching device 28 located beneath and at the far end of said member 10a. Each of the lower ends of legs 21-21 are provided with adjustable members 29-29 so that when section A is assembled with section B, the legs may be adjusted vertically to permit member 10a to be in a parallel spaced relationship with a substantially horizontal surface which supports the legs.
Section B is similar to and complementary with section A and includes a flat, rectangular wood member 10b having sidewalls 11b-11b projecting vertically therefrom. One end of member 10b is connected by conventional fastening or sealing means (not shown) to an end portion, generally referred to at 12b, having an end wall 13b and contiguous sidewalls 14b-14b, said walls together with wall 15b of member 10b forming a recess portion 16b. A magnet 17b is provided in end wall 13b at a distance slightly above the top surface of member 10b.
An extension 31 projects from the lower portion of front wall 18b and is provided with a pair of openings 32-32 for receiving the threaded members 20-20 when sections A and B are assembled. As will be seen, when the sections are assembled, extension 31 assists in supporting section A. Further, extension 31 is located at the lower portion of member 10b such that when member 10a is joined therewith, the top surface of 10a and 10b precisely extends longitudinally in the same horizontal plane. A magnet 19b is provided in the front wall of extension 31 which faces front wall 18a of member 10a. The function of magnets 17b and 19b will be described hereinafter.
Located beneath member 10b are two pairs of supporting legs 33-33 and 34-34, respectively, the former being disposed in an area slightly behind extension 31 and the latter being disposed in an area below end portion 12b. The legs 33-33 and 34-34 are constructed and function in a similar manner as described with respect to legs 21-21 of member 10a. It should be noted, however, that when legs 33-33 and 34-34 are vertically disposed and their respective pivotal rods are angularly extended towards each other and connected to their respective latching devices, section 10b will be fully supported by same and disposed in a parallel spaced relationship to a substantially horizontal surface for supporting said legs.
After the legs of sections A and B are extended for assembly, threaded members 20-20 of section A are inserted in their respective openings 32-32 of section B, thereby causing members 10a and 10b to be connected together and to extend in the same plane. Wing nuts 35-35 or other fastening means are provided for threaded members 20-20 so as to securely join members 10a and 10b together. It is now apparent that legs 33-33 and extension 31 of section B provide the necessary support along with legs 21-21 for holding section A in the assembled position. Wooden discs or "weights" 40-40, customarily used in the shuffleboard game, are illustrated on section 10a.
When it is desirable to remove, transport or store the board from one area to another, it may be quickly disassembled into a neat package. Section A is removed from section B by unscrewing nuts 35-35 from threaded members 20-20. The pivotal rods 24 of each section are unlocked from their respective latches 27 and relocated in their respective latching devices 28 so that all the legs, that is, 21-21, 33-33, and 34-34 extend linearly in substantially parallel relationship with members 10a and 10b.
The top surface of members 10a and 10b are then placed in intimate contact with each other, e.g., member 10b is inverted and its front wall 18b is moved towards end portion 12a until magnet 19b, of one polarity (positive), contacts magnet 17a, of another polarity (negative), thereby facilitating a securing at end 12a. Similarly and simultaneously, there is relative movement towards end 12b; namely, front wall 18a of member 10a is moved towards end 12b whereupon magnet 19a contacts magnet 17b the magnets being of opposite polarity, thus resulting in a magnetic connection.
While the package thus prepared is neat at this point and may be handled rather easily, handling is simplified and made more convenient by providing a fastening means such as a strap 36 having split handles 37-37 thereon. The strap is quickly placed around disassembled sections A and B and the split handles joined so that an individual may easily pick up and transport the package from place to place.
While this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.