04/771422

07/06/1971

10/29/1968

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473/3

473/15, D21/316, 473/340, 273/127B, 473/162, 473/28

A63D15/00; A63D15/08; A63G31/00; A63D15/00; A63D15/06

273/2,3,3.3,4.1,4.2,5.2,12,14,4.3,4.4,5.1,123,127B,127D,129,136G,136GB

Oechsle, Anton O.

Brown, Theatrice

What I claim as new is as follows

1. A game construction comprising a plurality of playing balls, a putting club for imparting momentum to said balls, means for retaining said balls within a preselected confined playing area including a polygonal barrier frame, each one of a preselected number of sides of said polygonal frame being disconnectable at a joint along an intermediate length thereof, hinge means positioned within each corner of said polygonal frame for permitting folding of said sides in flattened overlying relation pursuant to disconnection of said frame, and removable means for retaining the balls projected within a target area located within each corner formed by said polygonal frame, said polygonal frame conforming to a rectangular shape, the longer sides of said rectangular shape including said disconnectable joints, each joint characterized by a groove formed within a first abutting edge of said joint and extending to a height equal to said rectangular side, the innermost portion of said groove terminating in a flared dovetailed recess, said groove engaged by a splined edge portion of a second abutting edge, the surface configuration of said spline being identical to said groove and of a height equal to that of said groove, said groove and spline forming a disconnectable tongue and groove connection.

2. A construction defined in claim 1 wherein said hinge means includes a first butt hinge connecting a first end of a short rectangle side of said frame with a first adjacent disconnectable side of said longer frame side, the inwardly facing surface of said first disconnectable side adapted to be folded toward the inwardly facing surface of said short side in overlying relation therewith, and a second offset hinge connecting the end of said last mentioned short side opposite said first end and a second disconnectable side opposite the first disconnectable side, the inwardly facing surface of said second disconnectable side adapted to be folded toward the outwardly facing surface of said first disconnectable side in overlying relation therewith.

3. The structure as recited in claim 2 wherein said ball retaining means comprises a triangular housing including a triangular top wall extending over corresponding sidewalls of said triangular housing thereby forming a shoulder, recess grooves formed within the upwardly facing edges of each corner and extending therefrom for engagement with said shoulder, a tab overlying said top wall and extending over the apex of said triangular top wall, and entrance means suspended from the triangular top wall and extending downwardly for substantial contact with a playing surface upon which said rectangular frame lies.

4. A construction as set forth in claim 3 wherein said triangular top wall is further characterized by an aperture formed within said top wall for removal of spent balls and further wherein said entrance means is a cloth curtain disposed perpendicularly to said playing surface and of dimensions substantially corresponding to the dimensions of a rectangular opening formed by the top wall and sidewalls of said triangular housing.

5. A game apparatus as recited in claim 4 wherein said playing surface comprises, a plurality of rectangular panel members disposed in abutting edgewise relationship to form a rectangle of dimensions substantially identical to the rectangular base dimensions of said barrier frame, hinge means connecting adjacent abutting edges for permitting the folding of each panel toward an adjacent panel, said folding resulting in the overlying contact between said adjacent panels.

6. A game construction as claimed in claim 5 wherein one side of each panel is covered with a textured material for permitting controlled roll of said balls during play.

7. A game construction as set forth in claim 4 wherein said playing surface comprises a rectangular mat of dimensions substantially identical to the dimensions of the base of said rectangular barrier frame, said mat characterized by a flexible material for permitting the rolling or folding of said mat into a compact package.

8. A construction as set forth in claim 7 wherein one side of each panel is covered with a textured material for permitting controlled roll of said balls during play.

9. A game device for confining playing members within preselected bounds comprising a barrier frame having connected sections, each one of a preselected number of sections being disconnectable at a joint along an intermediate length thereof, said disconnectable joint characterized by a groove formed within a first abutting edge of said joint and extending to a height equal to said section, the innermost portion of said groove terminating in a flared dovetailed recess, said groove engaged by a splined edge portion of a second abutting edge, the surface configuration of said spline being identical to said groove and of a height equal to that of said groove, said groove and spline forming a disconnectable tongue and groove connection, hinge means positioned between certain adjacent sections for permitting folding of said adjacent sections in flattened overlying relation pursuant to said disconnection of said other sections, the frame being used in combination with balls serving as playing members, a putting club for imparting momentum to said balls, and means for retaining the balls that have been projected within at least one target area located within the frame.

The field of the invention pertains to games using balls and clubs. More particularly, the invention relates to a game construction utilizing balls which are propelled about a playing surface defined by a rectangular barrier frame which includes target pockets in the frame corners into which the balls are directed. The barrier frame is constructed in a manner permitting the disassembling and folding together thereof.

The increasing popularity of games of skill is evidenced by the number of new games being devised and placed on the market. Consumer appeal is enhanced by the fact that more people now than ever before have leisure time available, and these people are seeking new ways of passing this time as pleasantly as possible. In the past, games have been constructed to include a playing surface upon which is placed playing balls to be projected by a club or cue stick into target pockets placed on the playing surface. However, these prior constructions have failed to include a facility for easily disassembling the game when not in use thereby facilitating the storage thereof. Further, past devices have generally neglected to include a flexibility in construction to permit use of the game in a manner that would permit a natural ground surface to function as a playing surface outdoors or an indoor floor or rug area to serve as a playing surface indoors.

Summarizing the present invention, a rectangular barrier frame defines the boundary limits of the playing surface. In addition, the inner walls of the barrier frame provide a rebounding surface for the ball thus increasing the flexibility and commensurate skill required by a player in scoring a shot. Removable target pockets are included in each corner of the rectangular barrier frame. To facilitate storage of the game when the same is not in use, the barrier frame may be dismantled and folded to form a flat package construction. The present frame contains no base per se but rather utilizes an outdoor ground surface or a floor or carpeted surface when used indoors. This mentioned flexibility permits easy transport of the game construction from place to place as well as enabling game players to use various textured surfaces in the pursuit of the game thereby requiring additional skill on the part of the participants. If desired, a folding floor mat or pad may be used for providing a playing surface. Among the various objects of the present invention are:

To provide a game which offers a pleasant pastime for individuals, and at the same time increases manual dexterity and other skills.

To provide a game which may be used indoors and outdoors.

To provide a game including a barrier frame and target components which may be disassembled and folded for storing.

To provide a game which may be learned with ease.

To provide a game having a playing surface in the form of a folding pad or mat.

These together with other objects and advantages which will become subsequently apparent reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the game components employed during play.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view illustrating a typical putter-type club utilized in projecting the ball about the playing surface.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view taken substantially along the plane of section line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view of a target pocket placed within each corner in the rectangular barrier frame.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary view in perspective showing the tongue and groove joint (disassembled) which is utilized in joining sidewall segments of the rectangular barrier frame.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary exploded view in perspective of the target pocket shown in disassembled relation to the barrier frame corner.

FIG. 7 is an edge view of the rectangular barrier frame disassembled and folded.

FIG. 8 is a view in perspective showing a folding mat or pad as a playing surface which may be employed as a playing surface in place of a natural ground surface or indoor flooring surface.

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a hinge joint employed in the folding pad when in the unfolded position assuming a flat planar playing surface.

Referring to the drawings, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, reference numeral 2 generally denotes the rectangular barrier frame which defines the outer limits of the game playing surface. Longitudinal sidewall segments 4 of suitably resilient and hard material are detachably joined at joint 5 by a fastening construction explained hereinafter. Transverse sidewall sections 6 of material identical with that of segments 4 are disposed perpendicular to the sidewall sections 2 thereby completing a rectangular barrier frame. Target pockets 8 constructed in a manner fully discussed hereinafter are inserted in each of the corners formed by the rectangular barrier frame 2. The rectangular frame 2 is made to rest upon a playing surface which may typically be a flat outdoor ground area or an indoor area of flooring or carpeting. A foldable pad or mat 10 may be utilized instead of the aforementioned playing surfaces if so desired by the game participants. In actual fabrication, the pad or mat material would consist of a resilient material the upward surface of which forms a textured area suitable for controlled ball rolling. The actual construction of the pad 10 is more fully discussed hereinafter. In order to propel the ball about the playing surface a club 12 is employed, the club generally resembling a putter golf club. In pursuance of the game, a cue ball 14 of a suitable resilient material colored white or other distinguishing color, and generally identical with the design and appearance of a pool cue ball is utilized in translating momentum from putter club 12 to balls 16, the latter fabricated in a manner identical with cue ball 14 but typically identified by differently colored surfaces and differently described indicia thereon. Recesses 18 are formed within the top edge of sidewalls 6 for permitting the attachment of auxiliary accessories such as a scoring device to the rectangular barrier frame.

Reference to FIG. 5 of the drawings indicates how laterally opposing longitudinal sidewalls composed of sidewall segments 4 are joined to form a continuous coplanar frame section by means of spline 19 appending from one edge of a first sidewall segment 4 and characterized by a dovetail end 20 which interlocks with groove 22 formed within an adjacent abutting edge of a second sidewall 4 forming a tongue and groove joint within abutting edges of frame segments 4. This tongue and groove joint is so constructed to permit the disassembling thereof for the purpose of folding the rectangular barrier frame 2 as more clearly explained in the disclosure, infra. The height of spline 19 is identical with that of frame segment 4 so that in the joined position, the edges of spline 19 lie coplanar with the corresponding edges of frame segments 4.

As shown in FIG. 4 and 6 of the drawings, the target pocket 8 contains a right angle corner to conform with the corners of the rectangular barrier frame 2. The aforementioned triangular pocket 8 is constructed from wood, plastic or other suitable material and includes two vertical wall portions 24 and 26 which diverge from the frame corner and terminate in coplanar edges defining the boundary of an entrance 28 covered by a yieldable closure 30 of flexible material such as cloth, plastic or the like. The closure 30 is rectangular in shape and is attached to suspend from a horizontally disposed pin 32, the ends of which are suitably attached to the vertical wall portions 24 and 26. The top portion 34 of triangular pocket 8 is a right triangular plate which overhangs wall portions 24 and 26 forming a shoulder. A lip extension or tab 36 overlies and overhangs from the right angular portion of triangular top 34. An aperture 39 is formed within the triangular top 34 in order to facilitate retrieval of spent balls from the top of the triangular target pocket.

Recesses 40, clearly shown in FIG. 6 are formed within the adjoining top edges of each corner joint formed by sidewalls 4 and 6 to a depth equal to the thickness of triangular top 34. Each of the recesses 40 extend to a length substantially equal to that of the legs of triangular top 34 forming the right angle therein. When installed, the shoulder portion 35 of triangular top 34 is seated within the recesses 40 of the barrier frame corner thereby locking the triangular target pocket in position.

A hinge 42 is mounted on the inward corner formed by the sidewall segments 4 and 6. The hinge pin 44 is positioned perpendicularly to the game playing surface when the rectangular barrier frame 2 is positioned for play. The hinge is fastened to the frame sections by suitable screw fasteners 46.

FIG. 7 illustrates the folding relationship of the rectangular barrier frame sections. When folding of the frame is desired, abutting segments 4 of opposing sidewalls are disconnected at joint 5 shown in FIG. 1, permitting the rotational folding of these segments toward sidewall section 6. The rotational folding of each half of the rectangular barrier frame 2 is facilitated by two types of hinges, one of each type being used in a corner of each half portion of the rectangular barrier frame 2. A butt hinge 42 permits the flat folding of sidewall section 6 and sidewall segment 4 as illustrated by numeral 50 in FIG. 7. The remaining sidewall segment 4 is folded toward the already overlying and folded frame sections by rotating this last mentioned segment 4 about offset hinge 48, the offset of the hinge being equal to the depth of sidewall segment 4. In the final folded position, the second mentioned sidewall segment 4 overlies the first mentioned sidewall segment 4 as shown in phantom in FIG. 7.

Although the rectangular barrier frame 2 may be placed upon an outdoor ground area or likewise upon an indoor carpeted or floored area, it may be desirable to place the frame on a pad or mat instead. FIG. 1 illustrates how a pad 10 is utilized during the playing of the game. The upward surface of the pad is of suitable texture to permit the controlled motion of a projected ball along this upward playing surface. FIG. 8 specifically illustrates the orientation of panels 52 which compose the pad 10. Butt hinges 54 connect abutting panel edges in a manner permitting the folding and unfolding of panels 52 in an accordion fashion. Each hinge 54 is affixed to abutting edge surfaces by appropriate fasteners 56.

FIG. 2 specifically illustrates the construction of the putter club 12 which is employed to impart momentum to the balls which rest upon the playing surface. A handle grip 58 of plastic or other elastomeric material is positioned at the terminal end of shaft portion 60 and adapted to be grasped by a participant's hands. The downward terminal end includes a club head 62 which generally resembles the form of a putter golf club.

The design disclosed herein can be adapted to a plurality of rules for playing games with the instant apparatus. However, the obvious game would be a combination of the rules of golf and pool with those rules being adapted for use with the instant apparatus. For example, the balls in play would be struck much in the manner of putting a golf ball. The cue ball functions much as a cue ball used in playing pool or other games of this type, the cue ball being struck first with the intent of propelling it into another ball in such a manner as to impart momentum to the other ball and directing same into a certain pocket. The balls can be numbered for consecutive play or colored for two or more individual plays or one or both for other types of play. It is obvious from the above description that a number of rules and method of play can be incorporated into using the instant apparatus.

Although the foregoing description describes a triangular target pocket, it would be obvious from the above description to use another polygonally shaped pocket which conforms to the corners of the barrier frame.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.