Patent · US Expired

Game structure having a tethered ball

US4173340A · kind A · utility

12Cited by
1References
4Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateMar 28, 1978
Grant dateNov 6, 1979
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 28, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63B69/0091
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A structure useful in playing a game in which a tethered ball is repeatedly being engaged can be constructed so as to utilize a hinged member connecting a tether for the ball to an upright support mounted on a base. The hinge member is preferably constructed as a unitary body out of a resilient, elastomeric material such as a natural or synthetic rubber so as to include ends which are sufficiently large and massive so as to be incapable of bending connected by a flexible portion shaped so as to permit bending between the ends of the hinge member and so as to permit the ends being twisted relative to one another no more than about 90 degrees when the ends are located so as to be in alignment with one another. The flexible portion also permits twisting between the ends of the hinge member when the ends are not located in alignment with one another. This hinge member serves to control movement of both the tether and the ball carried by the tether so as to provide that the ball may be moved in more or less the manner in which a ball is hit back and forth across a net in a conventional net type game such as tennis, Ping Pong or the like.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.