Electrically-powered toss game
US4739993A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 1987 |
| Grant date | Apr 26, 1988 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 1, 2007 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S273/30
- WIPO fieldFurniture, games
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An electrically powered device for tossing and catching a ball includes a cup portion configured to receive the ball and having an internal push member which can be reciprocated within the cup portion. Both the push member and the ball preferably are coated with Velcro material to hold the ball to the push member, and a coil spring is provided between the push member and the bottom wall of the cup portion to urge the push member in an upward position adjacent the open end of the cup portion. A solenoid or other electrically-powered device is provided for retracting the push member within the cup portion to enable a user to catch the ball within the cup portion, and a latching bar is provided to hold the push member in its retracted position. Additionally, a switch is provided to withdraw the latching bar from its engagement with the push member after catching the ball so the ball can be forcibly ejected from the cup member by the action of the coil spring. In this way, the device can be used to toss a Velcro-covered ball towards a playmate having a comparable device for catching the tossed ball and thereafter the playmate can activate the switch on his device to return the Velcro-c…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.