PLAYTHING COMPRISING MOVABLE SUPPORTS AND A RUNNING LINEAR FLACCID LINE
United States Patent 3826493
A plaything comprising two mug-shaped receptacles and a linear flaccid line which may be a cord, a chain, a string of beads, or the like. One end of said line is held inside one receptacle, and the other end of said line is held inside the other receptacle, both of said receptacles being at least large enough to house substantially all of said line. Prior to using the plaything, the two receptacles are placed side by side on a horizontal surface and substantially all of said line is hand-fed into one receptacle so as to be amassed in a heap with the last fed-in parts resting on top of the previously fed-in parts. Then, when the receptacle housing most of said line is positioned above the other receptacle, said line -- because of gravity -- will run from the upper receptacle into the lower receptacle. When most of said line is amassed in a heap in the lower receptacle, the positions of the receptacles are interchanged and the direction of running of said line reversed. A receptacle having a spout for guiding the running of said line is disclosed as a modification. Also different types of lines which are suitable for use as part of the plaything of this invention are illustrated.
US Patent References:
Toy telephone
Pflaum - November 1936 - 2059603
Amusement device
Sabo - October 1958 - 2854786
Toy telephone
Pflaum - November 1936 - 2059603
Amusement device
Sabo - October 1958 - 2854786
Application Number:
05/281922
Publication Date:
07/30/1974
Filing Date:
08/18/1972
View Patent Images:
Export Citation:
Primary Class:
Other Classes:
446/491
International Classes:
A63F9/00; A63F9/00
Field of Search:
273/1R,1E,1M 272/8R,8N,8D 46/1R,33 181/29
Primary Examiner:
Oechsle, Anton O.
Assistant Examiner:
Shapiro, Paul E.
Parent Case Data:
RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of my application, Ser. NO. 87,959, filed NOv. 9, 1970, for a PLAYTHING AND METHOD OF PLAYING A GAME, now abandoned.
Claims:
What is claimed is
1. A plaything comprising:
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a series of separate members conjointly connected together.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a series of concatenated members linked together.
4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a chain.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a string of beads.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a cord.
7. The invention of claim 1 wherein opposite ends of said linear flaccid line are held to said first and second supports.
8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said line rests in a heap on one of said supports.
9. A plaything comprising:
10. The invention of claim 9 wherein at least one of said receptacles comprises a bottom and an upstanding member over which said flaccid line runs.
11. The invention of claim 9 wherein at least one of said receptacles comprises a bottom and a member upstanding from said bottom, said upstanding member being formed with an opening providing a spout for guiding said line as it runs from said receptacle.
12. The invention of claim 9 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a chain.
13. The invention of claim 9 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a string of beads.
14. The invention of claim 9 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a cord.
15. The invention of claim 9 wherein at least one of said receptacles is provided with a handle, whereby said receptacle can be positioned with the cavity of said receptacle in an upwardly open position.
16. A plaything comprising:
1. A plaything comprising:
2. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a series of separate members conjointly connected together.
3. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a series of concatenated members linked together.
4. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a chain.
5. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a string of beads.
6. The invention of claim 1 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a cord.
7. The invention of claim 1 wherein opposite ends of said linear flaccid line are held to said first and second supports.
8. The invention of claim 1 wherein said first portion of said line rests in a heap on one of said supports.
9. A plaything comprising:
10. The invention of claim 9 wherein at least one of said receptacles comprises a bottom and an upstanding member over which said flaccid line runs.
11. The invention of claim 9 wherein at least one of said receptacles comprises a bottom and a member upstanding from said bottom, said upstanding member being formed with an opening providing a spout for guiding said line as it runs from said receptacle.
12. The invention of claim 9 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a chain.
13. The invention of claim 9 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a string of beads.
14. The invention of claim 9 wherein said linear flaccid line comprises a cord.
15. The invention of claim 9 wherein at least one of said receptacles is provided with a handle, whereby said receptacle can be positioned with the cavity of said receptacle in an upwardly open position.
16. A plaything comprising:
Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The closest prior art, of which the applicant is aware, is U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,786, issued Oct. 7, 1958 to J. L. Sabo. The Sabo patent discloses an amusement device employing a highly flexible helical type spring, adjacent turns of which are integral with one another. A plurality of light weight balls are positioned within the helical spring. Means are provided for transferring the major portion of the spring and the balls from a first closure plate located in one end of the spring to a second closure plate located in the other end of the spring. This transfer is accomplished by alternately changing the relative elevations of the closure plates.
The present invention comprehends a plaything comprising two supports and a linear flaccid line, opposite ends of which are held to the supports. Prior to using the plaything, the two supports are placed side by side on a horizontal surface, and substantially all of the said line is hand-fed to one of the supports where said line is deposited or amassed in a heap with the last fed-in parts landing substantially on the previously fed-in parts. When the supports are positioned so that the support carrying most of said line is above the other support, said line -- because of gravity -- will run from the upper support to the lower support. When most of said line has been amassed in a heap on the lower support, the relative positions of the two supports will be changed and the direction of running of the line reversed.
The invention also comprehends the following items: A plaything in which the supports have upstanding members providing rims over which the line runs when it is being transferred from one support to the other. A plaything in which the upstanding members form walls which house the line as it is amassed on the supports. A plaything in which the supports are in the form of receptacles for receiving and housing the line as it is deposited on the supports. A plaything in which the upstanding members or walls are formed with openings which may be in the form of spouts for guiding the running of the line. A plaything in which the line is conjoined and/or concatenated in a manner similar to that of a string of beads or a chain.
It is to be understood that as used herein, the term "line" comprehends linear lines of the type to which a cord belongs, that the word "flaccid" comprehends lacking firmness or elasticity, in other words flabby, that the word "conjoined" emphasizes both the togetherness of a joining and the separateness of the things joined, and that the word "concatenated" comprehends the joining or linking together in a series. The above terms, as employed in the specification and appended claims, are not intended to include the helically coiled spring disclosed in the above cited Sabo U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,786, which patent identifies the coiled spring shown therein as a "Slinky."
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a novel plaything which can be used by an individual for personal enjoyment.
An other object of the invention is to provide a novel plaything incorporating two movable supports, either of which can be positioned above the other so that a line carried by the upper support will -- due to gravity -- run to the other support.
A further object of the invention is to provide novel playthings which can be used by two or more contestants to determine which of the contestants is most proficient in transferring the line from one support to the other support.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel method for playing a game involving the use of two receptacles and a linear flaccid line.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, including movable supports and a preferrably linear flaccid line, and showing a method of hand feeding a line, in the form of a bead chain, to one of the supports in preparation to using the plaything;
FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a reduced scale, front elevational, partly cutaway view of the plaything of FIG. 1 showing the plaything held at the "ready" position as an individual starts to use the plaything;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the transfer of a portion of the line from an upper to a lower support;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the relative positions of the supports interchanged, so that the direction of running of the line between the supports is reversed;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating a situation in which the individual using the plaything failed to cause all of the line to enter the lower support;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section, of a modified form of the invention in which a support is equipped with an opening in the form of a spout used to guide the line;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view, partly in cross section, showing a short length of flaccid, conjoined concatenated line in the form of a bead chain of the type which forms part of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of one of the supports, partly in cross section, and embodying the invention when the line used is in the form of a string of beads;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view, partly in cross section, of a portion of the string of beads shown in FIG. 9; and
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 9 embodying one form of the invention when the line used is in the form of a cord.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 and in 8, a plaything 10 comprises a first movable support or receptacle 12A, a second movable support or receptacle 12B and a linear preferably flaccid conjoined, concatenated line 14 shown here in the form of a metallic bead chain.
The movable supports or receptacles 12A and 12B are shown as made of plastic and as being identical in shape and form, although it will be understood that supports or receptacles of different material, size and configuration may be used. The support 12A, which is shown in the form of a mug-shaped receptacle, comprises a bottom 16A, an upstanding, preferably cylindrical, encircling member or sidewall 18A, and means for holding, moving and positioning the receptacle 12A in the form of a handle 20A, which handle is associated with the outer surface of the wall 18A. The upper edge of the sidewall 18A is formed with a convex portion or smoothly rounded surface or lip or rim 22A. As stated above, the support or receptacle 12B is a duplicate of the support or receptacle 12A, and the support 12B comprises a bottom 16B, an upstanding, preferably cylindrical, encircling member or sidewall 18B, and a means for moving and positioning the receptacle 12B in the form of a handle 20B, which handle is secured to the outer surface of the sidewall 18B. The upper edge of the sidewall 18B is formed with a convex portion or smoothly rounded surface or lip or rim 22B. The bottom 16A, the sidewall 18A and the lip 22A define an upwardly open cavity 24A of sufficient capacity to receive and house at least most of the line 14, and the bottom 16B, the sidewall 18B and the lip 22B define an upwardly open cavity 24B also of sufficient capacity to receive and house at least most of the line 14. It will be understood that the handles 20A and 20B may be omitted, in which instance the bottom 16A and the bottom 16B, or the sidewalls 18A or 18B may be grasped by a person using the plaything 10, and thus the bottom 16A and 16B and/or the sidewalls 18A and 18B will serve as a means for moving and positioning the receptacles 12A and 12B.
The linear conjoined concatenated line 14 shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 is preferably in the form of a conventional flaccid metallic bead chain comprising a series of hollow spherical beads 26 conjointly linked together by dumbbell shaped connectors or links 28, each connector having two heads 29 - 29, one head being located in one spherical bead and the other head being located in an adjacent bead. In one form of the plaything embodying this invention, a bead chain having a length of approximately twenty feet and weighing about two-tenths of an ounce per foot has been found satisfactory, and it will be understood that other chains and other forms of linear flaccid lines similar to those shown in FIGS. 9 through 11 may also be employed in a manner hereinafter further explained.
Opposite ends 30A and 30B of the line 14 are preferably held within the cavities 24A and 24B formed by the walls 18A and 18B of the supports 12A and 12B respectfully by means of removable means or members in the form of thin circular disks 32A and 32B, each disk having a diameter or size slightly greater than the inside diameter or size of the cavities 24A and 24B respectfully. Preferably the disks 32A and 32B will be made of cardboard or other suitable material, the disks having radially extending slots 34A and 34B respectfully, and the slots being arranged to receive one of the connectors 28 in the manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the disk 32B. Adhesive tape or glue 36A and 36B may be used to further secure the ends 30A and 30B to the disks 32A and 32B, which disks may be forced into the bottoms of the cavities 24A and 24B. If desired glue, not shown, may be used to hold the disks and therefore the ends 30A and 30B within the cavities 24A and 24B. Making the disks of a heavy metal will, due to the weight, hold the ends 30A and 30B in place.
OPERATION
In preparing to use the plaything 10 in a desirable manner, the supports 12A and 12B are placed at substantially the same elevational position adjacent to one another on a horizontal surface 38, such as a tabletop or floor. Then substantially all or at least a large portion of the line 14 is hand-fed, as shown by arrows 41 -- 41 in FIG. 1, into one of the supports, as for example the support 12A, so that a large or first portion 40 of the line 14 will -- because of its flaccidity -- become amassed in a heap 39 on one of the supports or in other words be housed in one of the cavities, say the cavity 24A, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in layers with the last fed-in parts of the portion 40 resting on top of the previously fed in parts. This assures that the line 14 will not become tangled, which would make it difficult to orderly remove the first or large portion 40 from the cavity.
As soon as the large portion of the line 14 is housed in one of the cavities, say cavity 24A of FIG. 1, the supports 12A and 12B are picked up, with one support in each hand, and held adjacent to one another and at substantially the same elevation in a manner substantially as shown in FIG. 3. In this position the large or first portion 40 of the line 14 is housed in the cavity 24A and a smaller or second portion 42 of the line 14 extends up out of the cavity 24A and over the upper convex rim 22A and is headed toward the support 12B by way of the short space between the supports 12A and 12B and thence over the upper convex rim 22B and down into the cavity 24B where the end 30B is held or attached as previously described. When the two supports 12A and 12B are held in the position shown in FIG. 3, the line 14 will remain substantially fixed.
In order to transfer the large or first portion 40 of the line 14 from the support 12A to the support 12B, the support 12A, as shown in FIG. 4, is positioned above the support 12B or the support 12B is positioned below the support 12A, making sure that the portion of the rim 22A over which the line 14 hangs is located substantially above the center of the cavity 24B. This causes some of the line 14 to hang substantially vertically, as shown in FIG. 4, from the upper support 12A to the lower support 12B. As soon as the vertical separation or relative elevational positions between the two supports becomes great enough, the force of gravity acts on the vertically hanging section of the line 14 and causes much of the line 14 to run, in the manner shown by the arrow 43 in FIG. 4, from the support 12A to the support 12B. In this instance, much of the line 14 is deposited or amassed in a heap in the cavity 24B in layers with the last fed-in parts resting on top of the previously fed-in parts.
When most of the line 14 has been transferred from the upper support 12A to the lower support 12B, the elevational positions of the two supports are interchanged with the result that the support 12B which, as shown in FIG. 5, now holds the large or first portion 40 of the line 14, will now be above the support 12A. In this instance a section of the line 14 hangs vertically from the now upper support 12B to the now lower support 12A, and the force of gravity will cause the line 14 to run, as shown by the arrow 45 in FIG. 5, from the support 12B to the support 12A. The vertical positions of the supports 12A and 12B can be interchanged as many times as desired, thus causing the line to run back and forth between the supports.
The convex portions or smoothly rounded rims or lips 22A and 22B preferably have a large enough radius of curvature so as to facilitate free running of the line 14 over the said rims. In other words, it is preferable that the curvature of the lips or rims be such that at no time will the line, regardless of which type of line is used, become snagged on the rim.
The vertical distance between which the two supports are held determines the speed at which the line 14 will run. As the supports are separated vertically from one another, a critical distance will be reached that will cause the line 14 to run slowly from the upper support to the lower support, and as the vertical separation is increased, the speed of running of the line 14 will increase. When the line 14 runs slowly, it is quite easy for an individual to cause the line 14 to enter the lower support. As the speed of running increases, it becomes more and more difficult for a person using the plaything 10 to control the entrance of the line 14 into the cavity of the lower support, with the result that the line 14 may spill over and out of the lower support 12A as shown in FIG. 6. If the line 14 should slop over the rim 22A of the lower support 12A, the line 14 will hang down substantially vertically, as shown in FIG. 6, from the lips 22A and 22B of both supports and will be pulled by the force of gravity from both supports, with the result that, in a few seconds all of the line 14, except for the ends 30A and 30B held to the supports 12A and 12B, will run out of both supports in the manner shown by the arrows 47 and 49 in FIG. 6, and pile up on the floor as shown at 50 of FIG. 6.
When two or more individuals begin to use the subject plaything 10 to play a game, each contestant will place his two supports 12A and 12B on a horizontal surface and, if necessary, hand feed most of the line 14 into one of the supports. Then all contestants will pick up their supports and hold the almost empty support and the almost full support at substantially the same elevation, or "at the ready," in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3. At a signal, each contestant either raises his full support or lowers his substantially empty support until the line 14 runs from the upper support to the lower support. The first contestant to complete the transfer of the line, without having the line spill over the rim of the lower support, wins the heat and scores one point. This operation is repeated as many times as desired and at the end of the game the contestant having the most points wins.
A restricted and somewhat less desirable use of the subject plaything can be accomplished by placing one of the supports, say the support 12A, on the edge of a table and then lowering the other support, say the support 12B, below the fixed support. Then after the line 14 has been transferred to the support 12B, the support 12B is raised above the fixed support 12A. This transfers the line 14 from the movable support 12B back to the fixed support 12A. This, of course, can be repeated.
MODIFICATIONS
FIG. 7 discloses a modified form of the present invention as comprising a movable support 12C, which may be constructed the same as the supports 12A and 12B, except that an opening in the form of a notch or spout 52 is formed at any desirable location in the side wall 18C preferably adjacent to the lip 22C. This spout, as shown in the drawing, is preferably U-shaped and has a smoothly rounded portion or surface 54 and thus the line 14 will neither become snagged nor will the line 14 slither back and forth along the lip 22c. This arrangement helps a person control the movement or running of the line 14 as it leaves the upper support and enters the cavity of the lower support, which is not shown in FIG. 7.
FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate modified forms of linear flaccid lines, which may be used in the present invention to replace the linear flaccid line 14 shown in FIGS. 1 through 8. FIG. 9 shows a portion of one of the supports 12A which is formed with a sidewall 18A having a round upper lip 22A over which runs a linear flaccid conjoined line 14X formed from a string 60 which mounts or is strung with a series of apertured beads 62, 62, 62. The apertures 64, 64, for which see FIG. 10, permit the beads 62, 62, 62, to be slidably mounted on the string 60, or if desired, at least some of the beads may be secured to the string 60 in any desired manner as for example by glue or other suitable means, not shown. The line 14X will be recognized as being a more or less conventional string of beads. FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 9 but discloses a linear flaccid line 14Y formed from a cord or the like.
ADDITIONAL OPERATION
While it requires less skill to use a plaything in which each support or receptacle has an opening in the form of a notch or spout similar to the spout 52 shown in FIG. 7, many individuals -- because of the increased skill required -- will derive more enjoyment from using the supports 12A and 12B, which do not have such openings or spouts. When unspouted supports are used, the line 14 will slither back and forth along the rims 22A and 22B. This slithering results from the manner in which the flaccid line feeds from the cavity of the support. At times the line will feed from one location in the cavity, and at other times from another location.
It is apparent that a number of other modifications can readily be made without altering the basic inventive concept, for example, the above disclosure, which shows the subject plaything as comprising two movable supports or receptacles, does not preclude the use of one stationary and one movable support. In this latter instance, the stationary support can be a box fixed adjacent to the edge of a tabletop and the line transferred from the fixed box to the movable support and back again by moving the movable support alternately below the tabletop and above the tabletop.
Since certain changes may be made in the above device without departing from the scope of the invention involved it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the drawings accompanying this specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.
The closest prior art, of which the applicant is aware, is U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,786, issued Oct. 7, 1958 to J. L. Sabo. The Sabo patent discloses an amusement device employing a highly flexible helical type spring, adjacent turns of which are integral with one another. A plurality of light weight balls are positioned within the helical spring. Means are provided for transferring the major portion of the spring and the balls from a first closure plate located in one end of the spring to a second closure plate located in the other end of the spring. This transfer is accomplished by alternately changing the relative elevations of the closure plates.
The present invention comprehends a plaything comprising two supports and a linear flaccid line, opposite ends of which are held to the supports. Prior to using the plaything, the two supports are placed side by side on a horizontal surface, and substantially all of the said line is hand-fed to one of the supports where said line is deposited or amassed in a heap with the last fed-in parts landing substantially on the previously fed-in parts. When the supports are positioned so that the support carrying most of said line is above the other support, said line -- because of gravity -- will run from the upper support to the lower support. When most of said line has been amassed in a heap on the lower support, the relative positions of the two supports will be changed and the direction of running of the line reversed.
The invention also comprehends the following items: A plaything in which the supports have upstanding members providing rims over which the line runs when it is being transferred from one support to the other. A plaything in which the upstanding members form walls which house the line as it is amassed on the supports. A plaything in which the supports are in the form of receptacles for receiving and housing the line as it is deposited on the supports. A plaything in which the upstanding members or walls are formed with openings which may be in the form of spouts for guiding the running of the line. A plaything in which the line is conjoined and/or concatenated in a manner similar to that of a string of beads or a chain.
It is to be understood that as used herein, the term "line" comprehends linear lines of the type to which a cord belongs, that the word "flaccid" comprehends lacking firmness or elasticity, in other words flabby, that the word "conjoined" emphasizes both the togetherness of a joining and the separateness of the things joined, and that the word "concatenated" comprehends the joining or linking together in a series. The above terms, as employed in the specification and appended claims, are not intended to include the helically coiled spring disclosed in the above cited Sabo U.S. Pat. No. 2,854,786, which patent identifies the coiled spring shown therein as a "Slinky."
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a novel plaything which can be used by an individual for personal enjoyment.
An other object of the invention is to provide a novel plaything incorporating two movable supports, either of which can be positioned above the other so that a line carried by the upper support will -- due to gravity -- run to the other support.
A further object of the invention is to provide novel playthings which can be used by two or more contestants to determine which of the contestants is most proficient in transferring the line from one support to the other support.
A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel method for playing a game involving the use of two receptacles and a linear flaccid line.
The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of the invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly in cross section, of a preferred embodiment of the invention, including movable supports and a preferrably linear flaccid line, and showing a method of hand feeding a line, in the form of a bead chain, to one of the supports in preparation to using the plaything;
FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken substantially on the line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a reduced scale, front elevational, partly cutaway view of the plaything of FIG. 1 showing the plaything held at the "ready" position as an individual starts to use the plaything;
FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIG. 3 but showing the transfer of a portion of the line from an upper to a lower support;
FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4 showing the relative positions of the supports interchanged, so that the direction of running of the line between the supports is reversed;
FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5 but illustrating a situation in which the individual using the plaything failed to cause all of the line to enter the lower support;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view, partly in cross section, of a modified form of the invention in which a support is equipped with an opening in the form of a spout used to guide the line;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged view, partly in cross section, showing a short length of flaccid, conjoined concatenated line in the form of a bead chain of the type which forms part of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 7;
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary view of a portion of one of the supports, partly in cross section, and embodying the invention when the line used is in the form of a string of beads;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged view, partly in cross section, of a portion of the string of beads shown in FIG. 9; and
FIG. 11 is a fragmentary view similar to FIG. 9 embodying one form of the invention when the line used is in the form of a cord.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 6 and in 8, a plaything 10 comprises a first movable support or receptacle 12A, a second movable support or receptacle 12B and a linear preferably flaccid conjoined, concatenated line 14 shown here in the form of a metallic bead chain.
The movable supports or receptacles 12A and 12B are shown as made of plastic and as being identical in shape and form, although it will be understood that supports or receptacles of different material, size and configuration may be used. The support 12A, which is shown in the form of a mug-shaped receptacle, comprises a bottom 16A, an upstanding, preferably cylindrical, encircling member or sidewall 18A, and means for holding, moving and positioning the receptacle 12A in the form of a handle 20A, which handle is associated with the outer surface of the wall 18A. The upper edge of the sidewall 18A is formed with a convex portion or smoothly rounded surface or lip or rim 22A. As stated above, the support or receptacle 12B is a duplicate of the support or receptacle 12A, and the support 12B comprises a bottom 16B, an upstanding, preferably cylindrical, encircling member or sidewall 18B, and a means for moving and positioning the receptacle 12B in the form of a handle 20B, which handle is secured to the outer surface of the sidewall 18B. The upper edge of the sidewall 18B is formed with a convex portion or smoothly rounded surface or lip or rim 22B. The bottom 16A, the sidewall 18A and the lip 22A define an upwardly open cavity 24A of sufficient capacity to receive and house at least most of the line 14, and the bottom 16B, the sidewall 18B and the lip 22B define an upwardly open cavity 24B also of sufficient capacity to receive and house at least most of the line 14. It will be understood that the handles 20A and 20B may be omitted, in which instance the bottom 16A and the bottom 16B, or the sidewalls 18A or 18B may be grasped by a person using the plaything 10, and thus the bottom 16A and 16B and/or the sidewalls 18A and 18B will serve as a means for moving and positioning the receptacles 12A and 12B.
The linear conjoined concatenated line 14 shown in FIGS. 1 through 8 is preferably in the form of a conventional flaccid metallic bead chain comprising a series of hollow spherical beads 26 conjointly linked together by dumbbell shaped connectors or links 28, each connector having two heads 29 - 29, one head being located in one spherical bead and the other head being located in an adjacent bead. In one form of the plaything embodying this invention, a bead chain having a length of approximately twenty feet and weighing about two-tenths of an ounce per foot has been found satisfactory, and it will be understood that other chains and other forms of linear flaccid lines similar to those shown in FIGS. 9 through 11 may also be employed in a manner hereinafter further explained.
Opposite ends 30A and 30B of the line 14 are preferably held within the cavities 24A and 24B formed by the walls 18A and 18B of the supports 12A and 12B respectfully by means of removable means or members in the form of thin circular disks 32A and 32B, each disk having a diameter or size slightly greater than the inside diameter or size of the cavities 24A and 24B respectfully. Preferably the disks 32A and 32B will be made of cardboard or other suitable material, the disks having radially extending slots 34A and 34B respectfully, and the slots being arranged to receive one of the connectors 28 in the manner similar to that shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 for the disk 32B. Adhesive tape or glue 36A and 36B may be used to further secure the ends 30A and 30B to the disks 32A and 32B, which disks may be forced into the bottoms of the cavities 24A and 24B. If desired glue, not shown, may be used to hold the disks and therefore the ends 30A and 30B within the cavities 24A and 24B. Making the disks of a heavy metal will, due to the weight, hold the ends 30A and 30B in place.
OPERATION
In preparing to use the plaything 10 in a desirable manner, the supports 12A and 12B are placed at substantially the same elevational position adjacent to one another on a horizontal surface 38, such as a tabletop or floor. Then substantially all or at least a large portion of the line 14 is hand-fed, as shown by arrows 41 -- 41 in FIG. 1, into one of the supports, as for example the support 12A, so that a large or first portion 40 of the line 14 will -- because of its flaccidity -- become amassed in a heap 39 on one of the supports or in other words be housed in one of the cavities, say the cavity 24A, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 in layers with the last fed-in parts of the portion 40 resting on top of the previously fed in parts. This assures that the line 14 will not become tangled, which would make it difficult to orderly remove the first or large portion 40 from the cavity.
As soon as the large portion of the line 14 is housed in one of the cavities, say cavity 24A of FIG. 1, the supports 12A and 12B are picked up, with one support in each hand, and held adjacent to one another and at substantially the same elevation in a manner substantially as shown in FIG. 3. In this position the large or first portion 40 of the line 14 is housed in the cavity 24A and a smaller or second portion 42 of the line 14 extends up out of the cavity 24A and over the upper convex rim 22A and is headed toward the support 12B by way of the short space between the supports 12A and 12B and thence over the upper convex rim 22B and down into the cavity 24B where the end 30B is held or attached as previously described. When the two supports 12A and 12B are held in the position shown in FIG. 3, the line 14 will remain substantially fixed.
In order to transfer the large or first portion 40 of the line 14 from the support 12A to the support 12B, the support 12A, as shown in FIG. 4, is positioned above the support 12B or the support 12B is positioned below the support 12A, making sure that the portion of the rim 22A over which the line 14 hangs is located substantially above the center of the cavity 24B. This causes some of the line 14 to hang substantially vertically, as shown in FIG. 4, from the upper support 12A to the lower support 12B. As soon as the vertical separation or relative elevational positions between the two supports becomes great enough, the force of gravity acts on the vertically hanging section of the line 14 and causes much of the line 14 to run, in the manner shown by the arrow 43 in FIG. 4, from the support 12A to the support 12B. In this instance, much of the line 14 is deposited or amassed in a heap in the cavity 24B in layers with the last fed-in parts resting on top of the previously fed-in parts.
When most of the line 14 has been transferred from the upper support 12A to the lower support 12B, the elevational positions of the two supports are interchanged with the result that the support 12B which, as shown in FIG. 5, now holds the large or first portion 40 of the line 14, will now be above the support 12A. In this instance a section of the line 14 hangs vertically from the now upper support 12B to the now lower support 12A, and the force of gravity will cause the line 14 to run, as shown by the arrow 45 in FIG. 5, from the support 12B to the support 12A. The vertical positions of the supports 12A and 12B can be interchanged as many times as desired, thus causing the line to run back and forth between the supports.
The convex portions or smoothly rounded rims or lips 22A and 22B preferably have a large enough radius of curvature so as to facilitate free running of the line 14 over the said rims. In other words, it is preferable that the curvature of the lips or rims be such that at no time will the line, regardless of which type of line is used, become snagged on the rim.
The vertical distance between which the two supports are held determines the speed at which the line 14 will run. As the supports are separated vertically from one another, a critical distance will be reached that will cause the line 14 to run slowly from the upper support to the lower support, and as the vertical separation is increased, the speed of running of the line 14 will increase. When the line 14 runs slowly, it is quite easy for an individual to cause the line 14 to enter the lower support. As the speed of running increases, it becomes more and more difficult for a person using the plaything 10 to control the entrance of the line 14 into the cavity of the lower support, with the result that the line 14 may spill over and out of the lower support 12A as shown in FIG. 6. If the line 14 should slop over the rim 22A of the lower support 12A, the line 14 will hang down substantially vertically, as shown in FIG. 6, from the lips 22A and 22B of both supports and will be pulled by the force of gravity from both supports, with the result that, in a few seconds all of the line 14, except for the ends 30A and 30B held to the supports 12A and 12B, will run out of both supports in the manner shown by the arrows 47 and 49 in FIG. 6, and pile up on the floor as shown at 50 of FIG. 6.
When two or more individuals begin to use the subject plaything 10 to play a game, each contestant will place his two supports 12A and 12B on a horizontal surface and, if necessary, hand feed most of the line 14 into one of the supports. Then all contestants will pick up their supports and hold the almost empty support and the almost full support at substantially the same elevation, or "at the ready," in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 3. At a signal, each contestant either raises his full support or lowers his substantially empty support until the line 14 runs from the upper support to the lower support. The first contestant to complete the transfer of the line, without having the line spill over the rim of the lower support, wins the heat and scores one point. This operation is repeated as many times as desired and at the end of the game the contestant having the most points wins.
A restricted and somewhat less desirable use of the subject plaything can be accomplished by placing one of the supports, say the support 12A, on the edge of a table and then lowering the other support, say the support 12B, below the fixed support. Then after the line 14 has been transferred to the support 12B, the support 12B is raised above the fixed support 12A. This transfers the line 14 from the movable support 12B back to the fixed support 12A. This, of course, can be repeated.
MODIFICATIONS
FIG. 7 discloses a modified form of the present invention as comprising a movable support 12C, which may be constructed the same as the supports 12A and 12B, except that an opening in the form of a notch or spout 52 is formed at any desirable location in the side wall 18C preferably adjacent to the lip 22C. This spout, as shown in the drawing, is preferably U-shaped and has a smoothly rounded portion or surface 54 and thus the line 14 will neither become snagged nor will the line 14 slither back and forth along the lip 22c. This arrangement helps a person control the movement or running of the line 14 as it leaves the upper support and enters the cavity of the lower support, which is not shown in FIG. 7.
FIGS. 9 through 11 illustrate modified forms of linear flaccid lines, which may be used in the present invention to replace the linear flaccid line 14 shown in FIGS. 1 through 8. FIG. 9 shows a portion of one of the supports 12A which is formed with a sidewall 18A having a round upper lip 22A over which runs a linear flaccid conjoined line 14X formed from a string 60 which mounts or is strung with a series of apertured beads 62, 62, 62. The apertures 64, 64, for which see FIG. 10, permit the beads 62, 62, 62, to be slidably mounted on the string 60, or if desired, at least some of the beads may be secured to the string 60 in any desired manner as for example by glue or other suitable means, not shown. The line 14X will be recognized as being a more or less conventional string of beads. FIG. 11 is similar to FIG. 9 but discloses a linear flaccid line 14Y formed from a cord or the like.
ADDITIONAL OPERATION
While it requires less skill to use a plaything in which each support or receptacle has an opening in the form of a notch or spout similar to the spout 52 shown in FIG. 7, many individuals -- because of the increased skill required -- will derive more enjoyment from using the supports 12A and 12B, which do not have such openings or spouts. When unspouted supports are used, the line 14 will slither back and forth along the rims 22A and 22B. This slithering results from the manner in which the flaccid line feeds from the cavity of the support. At times the line will feed from one location in the cavity, and at other times from another location.
It is apparent that a number of other modifications can readily be made without altering the basic inventive concept, for example, the above disclosure, which shows the subject plaything as comprising two movable supports or receptacles, does not preclude the use of one stationary and one movable support. In this latter instance, the stationary support can be a box fixed adjacent to the edge of a tabletop and the line transferred from the fixed box to the movable support and back again by moving the movable support alternately below the tabletop and above the tabletop.
Since certain changes may be made in the above device without departing from the scope of the invention involved it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the drawings accompanying this specification shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.