Title:
BOWLING AND POOL GAME APPARATUS
United States Patent 3704889
Abstract:
A combination pool and bowling game employs a guide member that is pivotally mounted on a table having ball-receiving pockets at spaced locations thereabout. The guide member is provided with an open-ended chute adjacent to one end thereof on which a movable cue ball may be supported. Additionally a tethered impact member is suspended from a stanchion on the guide member. When properly swung, the impact member may collide directly with the cue ball to propel it onto the playing surface through the chute, and the angular position of the chute will determine the direction of movement of the cue ball onto the playing surface. The tethered impact member may be used in bowling by pivoting the guide member.
Inventors:
Huffman, Donald (Westmount, Montreal, CA)
Majewski, Richard M. (Westmount, Montreal, CA)
Majewski, Richard M. (Westmount, Montreal, CA)
Application Number:
05/171205
Publication Date:
12/05/1972
Filing Date:
08/12/1971
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Assignee:
Coleco Industries, Inc. (Hartford, CT)
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
273/129R, 473/5, 473/108
International Classes:
A63D3/02; A63D7/00; A63D15/00; A63D3/00; A63D3/02
Field of Search:
273/2,14,38,39,40,15R,119R,123R,129
Other References:
Hecht Co., Christmas Catalog, 1971, p. 39..
Primary Examiner:
Oechsle, Anton O.
Assistant Examiner:
Stouffer R. T.
Claims:
Having thus described the invention, we claim
1. In a combination pool and bowling game, the apparatus comprising: a table having a substantially planar upper surface with an upstanding peripheral wall extending thereabout and a multiplicity of ball-receiving pockets at spaced locations thereabout; a support member pivotally mounted on said table adjacent said peripheral wall, having means on its upper surface for supporting a movable cue ball and having chute means for guiding movement of a cue ball from said supporting means along a generally linear path onto said table upper surface; a stanchion on said support member with tether mounting means adjacent the upper end thereof; and a tethered impact member having an elongated tether secured to said tether mounting means for swinging movement for direct impact upon a cue ball on said supporting means when said impact member is swung through an arc about said mounting means in a plane substantially parallel to said stanchion, said support member and thereby said stanchion being pivotable to change the angular disposition of said chute means relative to said upper surface for changing of the angle of entry of a cue ball onto said upper surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stanchion has a laterally extending arm adjacent the upper end thereof, said arm having said tether mounting means adjacent the free end thereof at a point laterally offset from the axis of pivoting of said support member so that the point of mounting of said tether may be altered to change the position of the axis of the arc of swing of said impact member by pivoting said support member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said arm extends in the plane of said chute.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support member includes a pair of upstanding legs spaced to opposite sides of said cue ball supporting means and chute and a bridge portion connecting said legs at a point spaced above said supporting means and chute to define a passageway in which said chute and seating means are disposed and lying in a plane perpendicular to that of said chute, said stanchion being mounted on said bridge portion with said arm extending in a plane parallel to said chute and perpendicular to the plane including said legs, said tethered ball being swingable in an arc through said passageway to strike a cue ball seated on said supporting means.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said table peripheral wall has a recess therein and a mounting member in said recess providing an upwardly opening channel, and wherein said support member has a base portion seated in said channel, said base portion and mounting member having cooperating pivot means to permit free pivoting of said support member in channel, said arm on said stanchion being of lesser length than the distance from said stanchion to the side of said base portion so as to permit said tethered ball to swing freely in an arc through said channel when said support member is pivoted to a position wherein the axis of said chute extends parallel to said peripheral wall adjacent thereto.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chute means comprises a pair of spaced, parallel wall elements extending upwardly from a base portion, and wherein said supporting means comprises a recess in said base portion adjacent the outer ends of said wall elements.
1. In a combination pool and bowling game, the apparatus comprising: a table having a substantially planar upper surface with an upstanding peripheral wall extending thereabout and a multiplicity of ball-receiving pockets at spaced locations thereabout; a support member pivotally mounted on said table adjacent said peripheral wall, having means on its upper surface for supporting a movable cue ball and having chute means for guiding movement of a cue ball from said supporting means along a generally linear path onto said table upper surface; a stanchion on said support member with tether mounting means adjacent the upper end thereof; and a tethered impact member having an elongated tether secured to said tether mounting means for swinging movement for direct impact upon a cue ball on said supporting means when said impact member is swung through an arc about said mounting means in a plane substantially parallel to said stanchion, said support member and thereby said stanchion being pivotable to change the angular disposition of said chute means relative to said upper surface for changing of the angle of entry of a cue ball onto said upper surface.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said stanchion has a laterally extending arm adjacent the upper end thereof, said arm having said tether mounting means adjacent the free end thereof at a point laterally offset from the axis of pivoting of said support member so that the point of mounting of said tether may be altered to change the position of the axis of the arc of swing of said impact member by pivoting said support member.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said arm extends in the plane of said chute.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said support member includes a pair of upstanding legs spaced to opposite sides of said cue ball supporting means and chute and a bridge portion connecting said legs at a point spaced above said supporting means and chute to define a passageway in which said chute and seating means are disposed and lying in a plane perpendicular to that of said chute, said stanchion being mounted on said bridge portion with said arm extending in a plane parallel to said chute and perpendicular to the plane including said legs, said tethered ball being swingable in an arc through said passageway to strike a cue ball seated on said supporting means.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said table peripheral wall has a recess therein and a mounting member in said recess providing an upwardly opening channel, and wherein said support member has a base portion seated in said channel, said base portion and mounting member having cooperating pivot means to permit free pivoting of said support member in channel, said arm on said stanchion being of lesser length than the distance from said stanchion to the side of said base portion so as to permit said tethered ball to swing freely in an arc through said channel when said support member is pivoted to a position wherein the axis of said chute extends parallel to said peripheral wall adjacent thereto.
6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said chute means comprises a pair of spaced, parallel wall elements extending upwardly from a base portion, and wherein said supporting means comprises a recess in said base portion adjacent the outer ends of said wall elements.
Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Small-scale and toy pool tables have previously been provided for play use, and enable a degree of simulation of the conventional games of pool. As is well known, in playing pool a shot is made by aligning the cue ball with one of the other balls, which serves as a target, and thereafter striking the cue ball with the cue or cue stick to cause it, in turn to hit the target ball for propelling it against another ball or into one of the pockets of the table. Accordingly, to realistically simulate the actual conditions to play it is not only necessary that alignment of intended shots be possible, but also that contact with the cue ball be direct so as to propel it toward the target ball along a predetermined path in a maneuver comparable to using a cue.
Small scale apparatus for use in bowling has also previously been provided, and normally such apparatus includes an upright post or stanchion to which is affixed a tethered ball or impact member. The post is positioned at a point space from the bowling pins, and the game is played by swinging the tethered ball through an indirect path from behind the post, so as to contact and thereby bowl over as many of the pins as possible. These bowling games have utilized various structures for varying the point of tether or the length of the arc.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and compact play unit employing a tethered impact member, and which may be used either as a bowling game or as a game simulating pool to develop skills and to provide amusement.
It is also an object of the invention to provide such a play unit wherein the conditions of pool playing are simulated realistically using a tethered ball in place of a cue.
Another object is to provide such a play unit wherein the tethered impact member may be adjustably positioned to afford a relatively direct and optimum swing.
Still another object of the invention is to provide such a play unit which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is yet a sturdy and durable construction.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects of the invention can be readily attained in apparatus comprising a table having a substantially planar upper surface, with an upstanding peripheral wall extending thereabout and a multiplicity of ball-receiving pockets at spaced locations thereabout. A support member is pivotally mounted on the table adjacent the peripheral wall; it has means on its upper surface for supporting a movable cue ball, and it has chute means for guiding movement of the cue ball from the supporting means along a generally linear path onto the table upper surface. A stanchion with tether mounting means adjacent the upper end thereof is provided on the support member; a tethered impact member has an elongated tether secured to the tether mounting means for swinging movement for direct impact upon a cue ball on the supporting means when the impact member is swung through an arc about the mounting means in a plane substantially parallel to the stanchion. The support member, and thereby the stanchion, is pivotable to change the angular disposition of the chute means relative to the upper surface for changing of the angle of entry of a cue ball thereonto.
The stanchion may have a laterally extending arm adjacent the upper end thereof, with the tether mounting means adjacent the free end thereof at a point laterally offset from the axis of pivoting the support member. The point of mounting of the tether may thereby be altered to change the position of the axis of the arc of swing of the impact member by pivoting of the support member. Preferably, the arm of the stanchion extends in the plane of the chute. The support member may include a pair of upstanding legs spaced to opposite sides of the cue ball supporting means and chute, and a bridge portion connecting the legs at a point spaced above the supporting means and chute to define a passageway lying in a plane perpendicular to that of the chute, in which the chute and seating means are disposed. The stanchion is mounted on the bridge portion with the arm extending in a plane parallel to the chute and perpendicular to the plane including the legs, and the tethered ball is swingable in an arc through the passageway to strike a cue ball seated on the supporting means. The chute means may comprise a pair of spaced, parallel wall elements extending upwardly from a base portion, and the supporting means may comprise a recess in the base portion adjacent the outer ends of the wall elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a combination pool and bowling game apparatus embodying the present invention, with the upper portion of the tethered ball support element broken away and the tethered ball removed to show the construction of the support member, and showing the game apparatus for use as a pool game;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a peripheral portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing in phantom line the guide portion pivoted to an alternate position;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the guide and support member assembly with a fragmentarily illustrated stanchion mounted thereon, and having a portion of the support member broken away to illustrate the means by which the guide member is pivotably interengaged therewith;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the guide and support assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, drawn to a smaller scale and having thereon racked pool balls and a set of bowling pins on a platform support therefor; and
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, drawn to an enlarged scale and with the guide member pivoted to provide an optimum swing past stanchion during play of the bowling game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Turning now in detail to the appended drawings, therein illustrated in a combination pool and bowling game apparatus embodying the present invention and including a table generally designated by the numeral 10. The table 10 has a generally rectangular frame consisting of front, side, and rear frame sections 12, 12', 12" respectively, which are joined together by contoured pocket-defining corner members 14. Retained within the frame of the table 10 below the upper edges of the frame sections 12 is a generally rectangular table member generally designated by the numeral 16; the table member 16 provides a planar upper playing surface 18 and has notched corners 20 which cooperate with the corner members 14 to define the pockets 19 in the table 10. Side pockets 19' are similarly defined by the cooperation of intermediate notches 20' in the table member 16 and inserts 22 which are mounted in notches intermediate the ends of the side frame sections 12'. For the return of balls, the pockets 19, 19' are connected by underlying tracks (not shown) to a tray (also not shown) within the front frame section 12, and an elongated slot 24 is provided therein below the table member 16 to provide access to the tray. As is conventional in regulation or standard pool tables, frame sections 12 have cushioned rails 26 which extend between the pockets 19.
The central portion of the front frame section 12 is cut away to provide an upwardly opening recess or notch (not exposed in the drawings) in which is seated a U-shaped saddle or mounting member 28. As may best be seen in FIG. 4, the saddle 28 has a base portion 32 and upstanding shoulder portions 30 at the ends thereof which are contoured to conform to the cross section of the frame section 12 so as to enable stable seating of the saddle 28 within the recess, and to cover portions of the frame sections thereabout. The base portion 32 is of inverted U-shaped cross section and has at the midpoint of its top wall a slot 34 with an enlarged circular center portion.
Pivotally supported on the mounting member 28 is the guide member generally designated by the numeral 36 and which has a base portion 38 with rectilinear sides and outer (rear) edges and a V-shaped inner (front) edge which projects over the playing surface 18 in the portion shown in FIG. 1. The base portion 38 has a generally planar bottom surface which is slidable upon the base portion 32 of the saddle 28 with a depending cylindrical boss 44 having a lug element 46 at its lower end extending diametrically to either side thereof. As best seen in FIG. 4, the guide member 36 is mounted on the saddle 28 by pivoting it 90° from the position shown to insert the lug element 46 through the aperture 34 and then the lug element will lock under the base portion 32 in any other pivoted position.
A circular recess or aperture 48 is provided in the upper surface of the base portion 38 along the center line at a point spaced toward the front edge from the axis of the boss 44 and serves to provide a seat for the cue ball 49. Upstanding parallel walls elements 50 extend on either side of the aperture 48 to the front or inner edge of the base portion 38 to provide a chute 51 which opens onto the playing surface 18 to guide the cue ball 49 thereonto. At the side edges of the base portion 38 are upstanding legs 52 which have relatively short vertical portions adjacent the base portion 38 and relatively long converging portions thereabove which terminate in a bridge portion 54 well above the wall elements 50. In this manner, the legs 52 and bridge portion 54 cooperate with the base portion 38 to define a passageway in which are disposed the aperture 48 and chute 51.
The bridge portion 54 has a circular recess 56 in its upper surface in which is seated the lower end of the generally cylindrical post or stanchion 58 so as to extend perpendicular to the planes of the base portion 38 and of the playing surface 18. Mounted on the upper end of the post 58 is a cap member 60 which has bifurcated arm position 62 extending laterally beyond the post 58 parallel to the chute 51 but oppositely therefrom (i.e., towards the rear or outer edge of the base portion).
Frictionally engaged in the bifurcated arm portion 62 is one end of the beaded tether chain 64, and the other end of the chain 64 is engaged with the tethered ball or impact member 66. Thus, when the parts are disposed in the manner indicated in FIG. 5, the tethered ball 66 will swing through an arc in the plane defined by the stanchion 58 and chute 51 and strike the cue ball 49 seated in the aperture 48, thus driving it onto the playing surface 18.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, for pool playing the game includes the pool balls 68 which may be arranged in a triangular cluster by the rack 70 (shown in FIG. 5 only). As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, for bowling the game includes cylindrical pins 74 (10, as illustrated) cooperating with nipples (not shown) on the bottom ends thereof which seat in dimples or recessed (not shown) in the top surface of the circular platform 72 which has an elongated rod 76 passing diametrically therethrough. Protective caps 78 are mounted on the ends of the rod 76, and the 76 is placed in a predetermined location and held in position by wedging it against the frame sections 12'.
In playing pool, the parts are indicated in FIGS. 1-3, with the balls 68 a cluster. The cue ball 49 is seated in the aperture 48 and the guide member 36 is pivoted to the desired position of angularity of its chute 51 relative to the cluster. The tethered ball 66 is then drawn upwardly in an arc lying in the plane of the stanchion 58 and chute 51 and released. It swings downwardly on the tether chain 64 and strikes the cue ball 49, the impact causing the cue ball 49 to move out the chute 51 and onto the playing surface 18. By pivoting the guide member 36, the angle of the chute 51 and thus the angle of entry of the cue ball 49 may be readily varied and controlled to permit striking of balls 68 at virtually any position on the playing surface 18 to propel the balls 68 into one of the pockets 19.
In bowling, as seen in FIG. 6, the pins 74 are mounted on the platform 72 and the guide member 36 is pivoted through a desired angle so that the arm 62 extends parallel to or inwardly of the frame section 12. The tethered ball 66 is then drawn rearwardly and about the stanchion 58 and released to allow it to swing about the stanchion 58 in an arc which will cause it to strike the pins 74 and knock them down. The player may have two turns as in bowling and similar scoring rules may be applied. As will be appreciated, pivoting of the guide member 36 will enable altering of the arc through which the tethered ball 66 will swing.
Plastic construction may be used advantageously for many of the parts of the apparatus because it is economical as well as being durable and practical from a manufacturing standpoint. Although specifics will be apparent to those skilled in the art, by way of example suitable materials broadly include the thermosetting resin, which may be of the phenol-formaldehyde type, and the thermoplastic resins such as the polycarbonates, long-chain polyamides, polyesters (e.g., polethylene terephthalate resins), polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc), vinyl and vinylidene resins e.g., polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, high impact polystyrene, etc.), and the like. The game board member itself is desirably fabricated from a cellulosic product such as fiberboard or from a suitable synthetic resinous material of the type listed hereinbefore, and the frame members may appropriately be of sheet metal construction. As will be appreciated, wood and other common materials of construction may be employed for various parts of the instant game apparatus.
The tether for the impact member may be provided by a length of cord or leather, a plastic strand, a bead chain, or the like, and it may be of fixed or adjustable length. From the standpoint of ready alteration of effective length, bead chains are preferred for use because they may be readily disengaged and reengaged at a different point within appropriate mounting means. The tether can be extensible if so desired, but it will not normally be so.
Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel and compact play unit incorporating a tethered ball, which may be used either as a bowling game or for a pool game, to develop skill and for amusement. The conditions in playing pool are simulated realistically, and the tethered impact member may be adjustably positioned to afford a relatively direct and more optimum swing. The apparatus is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, while permitting sturdy and durable construction.
Small-scale and toy pool tables have previously been provided for play use, and enable a degree of simulation of the conventional games of pool. As is well known, in playing pool a shot is made by aligning the cue ball with one of the other balls, which serves as a target, and thereafter striking the cue ball with the cue or cue stick to cause it, in turn to hit the target ball for propelling it against another ball or into one of the pockets of the table. Accordingly, to realistically simulate the actual conditions to play it is not only necessary that alignment of intended shots be possible, but also that contact with the cue ball be direct so as to propel it toward the target ball along a predetermined path in a maneuver comparable to using a cue.
Small scale apparatus for use in bowling has also previously been provided, and normally such apparatus includes an upright post or stanchion to which is affixed a tethered ball or impact member. The post is positioned at a point space from the bowling pins, and the game is played by swinging the tethered ball through an indirect path from behind the post, so as to contact and thereby bowl over as many of the pins as possible. These bowling games have utilized various structures for varying the point of tether or the length of the arc.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a novel and compact play unit employing a tethered impact member, and which may be used either as a bowling game or as a game simulating pool to develop skills and to provide amusement.
It is also an object of the invention to provide such a play unit wherein the conditions of pool playing are simulated realistically using a tethered ball in place of a cue.
Another object is to provide such a play unit wherein the tethered impact member may be adjustably positioned to afford a relatively direct and optimum swing.
Still another object of the invention is to provide such a play unit which is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, and which is yet a sturdy and durable construction.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
It has now been found that the foregoing and related objects of the invention can be readily attained in apparatus comprising a table having a substantially planar upper surface, with an upstanding peripheral wall extending thereabout and a multiplicity of ball-receiving pockets at spaced locations thereabout. A support member is pivotally mounted on the table adjacent the peripheral wall; it has means on its upper surface for supporting a movable cue ball, and it has chute means for guiding movement of the cue ball from the supporting means along a generally linear path onto the table upper surface. A stanchion with tether mounting means adjacent the upper end thereof is provided on the support member; a tethered impact member has an elongated tether secured to the tether mounting means for swinging movement for direct impact upon a cue ball on the supporting means when the impact member is swung through an arc about the mounting means in a plane substantially parallel to the stanchion. The support member, and thereby the stanchion, is pivotable to change the angular disposition of the chute means relative to the upper surface for changing of the angle of entry of a cue ball thereonto.
The stanchion may have a laterally extending arm adjacent the upper end thereof, with the tether mounting means adjacent the free end thereof at a point laterally offset from the axis of pivoting the support member. The point of mounting of the tether may thereby be altered to change the position of the axis of the arc of swing of the impact member by pivoting of the support member. Preferably, the arm of the stanchion extends in the plane of the chute. The support member may include a pair of upstanding legs spaced to opposite sides of the cue ball supporting means and chute, and a bridge portion connecting the legs at a point spaced above the supporting means and chute to define a passageway lying in a plane perpendicular to that of the chute, in which the chute and seating means are disposed. The stanchion is mounted on the bridge portion with the arm extending in a plane parallel to the chute and perpendicular to the plane including the legs, and the tethered ball is swingable in an arc through the passageway to strike a cue ball seated on the supporting means. The chute means may comprise a pair of spaced, parallel wall elements extending upwardly from a base portion, and the supporting means may comprise a recess in the base portion adjacent the outer ends of the wall elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a combination pool and bowling game apparatus embodying the present invention, with the upper portion of the tethered ball support element broken away and the tethered ball removed to show the construction of the support member, and showing the game apparatus for use as a pool game;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view of a peripheral portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing in phantom line the guide portion pivoted to an alternate position;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevational view of the guide and support member assembly with a fragmentarily illustrated stanchion mounted thereon, and having a portion of the support member broken away to illustrate the means by which the guide member is pivotably interengaged therewith;
FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of the guide and support assembly of FIGS. 2 and 3;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the apparatus of FIG. 1, drawn to a smaller scale and having thereon racked pool balls and a set of bowling pins on a platform support therefor; and
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevational view of the apparatus of FIG. 5, drawn to an enlarged scale and with the guide member pivoted to provide an optimum swing past stanchion during play of the bowling game.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE ILLUSTRATED EMBODIMENT
Turning now in detail to the appended drawings, therein illustrated in a combination pool and bowling game apparatus embodying the present invention and including a table generally designated by the numeral 10. The table 10 has a generally rectangular frame consisting of front, side, and rear frame sections 12, 12', 12" respectively, which are joined together by contoured pocket-defining corner members 14. Retained within the frame of the table 10 below the upper edges of the frame sections 12 is a generally rectangular table member generally designated by the numeral 16; the table member 16 provides a planar upper playing surface 18 and has notched corners 20 which cooperate with the corner members 14 to define the pockets 19 in the table 10. Side pockets 19' are similarly defined by the cooperation of intermediate notches 20' in the table member 16 and inserts 22 which are mounted in notches intermediate the ends of the side frame sections 12'. For the return of balls, the pockets 19, 19' are connected by underlying tracks (not shown) to a tray (also not shown) within the front frame section 12, and an elongated slot 24 is provided therein below the table member 16 to provide access to the tray. As is conventional in regulation or standard pool tables, frame sections 12 have cushioned rails 26 which extend between the pockets 19.
The central portion of the front frame section 12 is cut away to provide an upwardly opening recess or notch (not exposed in the drawings) in which is seated a U-shaped saddle or mounting member 28. As may best be seen in FIG. 4, the saddle 28 has a base portion 32 and upstanding shoulder portions 30 at the ends thereof which are contoured to conform to the cross section of the frame section 12 so as to enable stable seating of the saddle 28 within the recess, and to cover portions of the frame sections thereabout. The base portion 32 is of inverted U-shaped cross section and has at the midpoint of its top wall a slot 34 with an enlarged circular center portion.
Pivotally supported on the mounting member 28 is the guide member generally designated by the numeral 36 and which has a base portion 38 with rectilinear sides and outer (rear) edges and a V-shaped inner (front) edge which projects over the playing surface 18 in the portion shown in FIG. 1. The base portion 38 has a generally planar bottom surface which is slidable upon the base portion 32 of the saddle 28 with a depending cylindrical boss 44 having a lug element 46 at its lower end extending diametrically to either side thereof. As best seen in FIG. 4, the guide member 36 is mounted on the saddle 28 by pivoting it 90° from the position shown to insert the lug element 46 through the aperture 34 and then the lug element will lock under the base portion 32 in any other pivoted position.
A circular recess or aperture 48 is provided in the upper surface of the base portion 38 along the center line at a point spaced toward the front edge from the axis of the boss 44 and serves to provide a seat for the cue ball 49. Upstanding parallel walls elements 50 extend on either side of the aperture 48 to the front or inner edge of the base portion 38 to provide a chute 51 which opens onto the playing surface 18 to guide the cue ball 49 thereonto. At the side edges of the base portion 38 are upstanding legs 52 which have relatively short vertical portions adjacent the base portion 38 and relatively long converging portions thereabove which terminate in a bridge portion 54 well above the wall elements 50. In this manner, the legs 52 and bridge portion 54 cooperate with the base portion 38 to define a passageway in which are disposed the aperture 48 and chute 51.
The bridge portion 54 has a circular recess 56 in its upper surface in which is seated the lower end of the generally cylindrical post or stanchion 58 so as to extend perpendicular to the planes of the base portion 38 and of the playing surface 18. Mounted on the upper end of the post 58 is a cap member 60 which has bifurcated arm position 62 extending laterally beyond the post 58 parallel to the chute 51 but oppositely therefrom (i.e., towards the rear or outer edge of the base portion).
Frictionally engaged in the bifurcated arm portion 62 is one end of the beaded tether chain 64, and the other end of the chain 64 is engaged with the tethered ball or impact member 66. Thus, when the parts are disposed in the manner indicated in FIG. 5, the tethered ball 66 will swing through an arc in the plane defined by the stanchion 58 and chute 51 and strike the cue ball 49 seated in the aperture 48, thus driving it onto the playing surface 18.
As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 5, for pool playing the game includes the pool balls 68 which may be arranged in a triangular cluster by the rack 70 (shown in FIG. 5 only). As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, for bowling the game includes cylindrical pins 74 (10, as illustrated) cooperating with nipples (not shown) on the bottom ends thereof which seat in dimples or recessed (not shown) in the top surface of the circular platform 72 which has an elongated rod 76 passing diametrically therethrough. Protective caps 78 are mounted on the ends of the rod 76, and the 76 is placed in a predetermined location and held in position by wedging it against the frame sections 12'.
In playing pool, the parts are indicated in FIGS. 1-3, with the balls 68 a cluster. The cue ball 49 is seated in the aperture 48 and the guide member 36 is pivoted to the desired position of angularity of its chute 51 relative to the cluster. The tethered ball 66 is then drawn upwardly in an arc lying in the plane of the stanchion 58 and chute 51 and released. It swings downwardly on the tether chain 64 and strikes the cue ball 49, the impact causing the cue ball 49 to move out the chute 51 and onto the playing surface 18. By pivoting the guide member 36, the angle of the chute 51 and thus the angle of entry of the cue ball 49 may be readily varied and controlled to permit striking of balls 68 at virtually any position on the playing surface 18 to propel the balls 68 into one of the pockets 19.
In bowling, as seen in FIG. 6, the pins 74 are mounted on the platform 72 and the guide member 36 is pivoted through a desired angle so that the arm 62 extends parallel to or inwardly of the frame section 12. The tethered ball 66 is then drawn rearwardly and about the stanchion 58 and released to allow it to swing about the stanchion 58 in an arc which will cause it to strike the pins 74 and knock them down. The player may have two turns as in bowling and similar scoring rules may be applied. As will be appreciated, pivoting of the guide member 36 will enable altering of the arc through which the tethered ball 66 will swing.
Plastic construction may be used advantageously for many of the parts of the apparatus because it is economical as well as being durable and practical from a manufacturing standpoint. Although specifics will be apparent to those skilled in the art, by way of example suitable materials broadly include the thermosetting resin, which may be of the phenol-formaldehyde type, and the thermoplastic resins such as the polycarbonates, long-chain polyamides, polyesters (e.g., polethylene terephthalate resins), polyolefins (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, etc), vinyl and vinylidene resins e.g., polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, styrene/acrylonitrile copolymers, high impact polystyrene, etc.), and the like. The game board member itself is desirably fabricated from a cellulosic product such as fiberboard or from a suitable synthetic resinous material of the type listed hereinbefore, and the frame members may appropriately be of sheet metal construction. As will be appreciated, wood and other common materials of construction may be employed for various parts of the instant game apparatus.
The tether for the impact member may be provided by a length of cord or leather, a plastic strand, a bead chain, or the like, and it may be of fixed or adjustable length. From the standpoint of ready alteration of effective length, bead chains are preferred for use because they may be readily disengaged and reengaged at a different point within appropriate mounting means. The tether can be extensible if so desired, but it will not normally be so.
Thus, it can be seen that the present invention provides a novel and compact play unit incorporating a tethered ball, which may be used either as a bowling game or for a pool game, to develop skill and for amusement. The conditions in playing pool are simulated realistically, and the tethered impact member may be adjustably positioned to afford a relatively direct and more optimum swing. The apparatus is relatively simple and inexpensive to manufacture, while permitting sturdy and durable construction.