U.S. patent application number 12/026924 was filed with the patent office on 2008-09-11 for ball and ladder game for use in combination with an indoor table game.
This patent application is currently assigned to Regent Sports Corporation. Invention is credited to Anthony Cosenza.
Application Number | 20080220913 12/026924 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39742219 |
Filed Date | 2008-09-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080220913 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cosenza; Anthony |
September 11, 2008 |
BALL AND LADDER GAME FOR USE IN COMBINATION WITH AN INDOOR TABLE
GAME
Abstract
A ball toss game that is configured to be mounted to a game
table includes a frame having a pair of vertical posts (vertical
support members) arranged parallel to one another and at least
three cross members extending between and coupled at their ends to
the pair of vertical support member. The ball toss game also
includes a pair of coupling members for mounting to two opposing
vertical side surfaces of the game table. The coupling member has a
receiving portion that receives a lower end of a respective
vertical support member and a fastening means for releasably
mounting the lower end to the coupling member such that the frame
stands upright. The ball toss game includes a pair of objects
attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is
tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon
where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross
member.
Inventors: |
Cosenza; Anthony; (Bay
Shore, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DARBY & DARBY P.C.
P.O. BOX 770, Church Street Station
New York
NY
10008-0770
US
|
Assignee: |
Regent Sports Corporation
Hauppauge
NY
|
Family ID: |
39742219 |
Appl. No.: |
12/026924 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60893493 |
Mar 7, 2007 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
473/476 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63B 2067/063 20130101;
A63B 63/00 20130101; A63B 67/06 20130101; A63B 43/007 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
473/476 |
International
Class: |
A63B 63/00 20060101
A63B063/00 |
Claims
1. A ball toss game that is configured to be mounted to a game
table comprising: a frame having a pair of vertical support members
arranged parallel to one another and at least three cross members
extending between and coupled at their ends to the pair of vertical
support member; a pair of coupling members for mounting to two
opposing vertical side surfaces of the game table, each coupling
member having a receiving portion that receives a lower end of a
respective vertical support member and a fastening means for
releasably mounting the lower end to the coupling member such that
the frame stands upright; and a pair of objects attached to two
ends of a cord to form a connected member that is tossed at the
frame in order to score points if and depending upon where the
connected member is temporarily secured to one cross member.
2. The ball toss game of claim 1, wherein each end of the cross
member includes a threaded bore that receives a threaded fastener
that passes through a through opening in the adjacent vertical
support member and threadingly engages the bore for attaching the
cross member end to the vertical support member.
3. The ball toss game of claim 1, wherein the table game is
selected from the group consisting of an air hockey table, a
foosball table, a table tennis table, and a combination game
table.
4. The ball toss game of claim 1, wherein the coupling member
comprises a bracket having a pair of planar flanges that extend
outwardly from a base portion that defines the receiving portion,
each of the planar flanges being mounted to the vertical side
surface.
5. The ball toss game of claim 4, wherein the receiving portion
includes an arcuate side wall and a floor that is perpendicular to
the arcuate side wall, the floor having a flat inner edge that
seats against the vertical side surface.
6. The ball toss game of claim 5, wherein the arcuate side wall is
U-shaped.
7. The ball toss game of claim 5, wherein the floor includes a
through opening for receiving a threaded fastener that is
threadingly engaged to a threaded bore formed in the lower end of
the vertical support member to securely mount the vertical support
member to the floor.
8. The ball toss game of claim 1, wherein the lower ends of the
vertical support member are mounted to the coupling members at a
height that is elevated relative to a ground surface which supports
the table game.
9. In combination, a ball and toss game and a table game that
includes a playing surface that is supported by and elevated from a
ground surface by a plurality of legs, the table game including a
perimeter side wall and wherein the ball and toss game includes a
frame having a pair of vertical support members arranged parallel
to one another and at least three cross members extending between
and coupled at their ends to the pair of vertical support member,
the frame being releasably mounted to the perimeter side wall such
that the frame remains elevated and spaced from the ground surface
and extends across and over the playing surface, the ball and toss
game including a pair of objects attached to two ends of a cord to
form a connected member that is tossed at the frame in order to
score points if and depending upon where the connected member is
temporarily secured to one cross member.
10. The combination of claim 9, wherein the ball and toss game
includes a pair of coupling members for mounting to the perimeter
side wall of the game table at two opposing locations, the coupling
member having a receiving portion that receives a lower end of a
respective vertical support member and a fastening means for
releasably mounting the lower end to the coupling member such that
the frame stands upright.
11. The combination of claim 10, wherein the coupling members
comprise brackets.
12. The combination of claim 10, wherein the coupling members
include a releasable snap-fit locking mechanism for locking the
frame in an upright position.
13. The combination of claim 10, wherein the receiving portion
includes an arcuate side wall and a floor that is perpendicular to
the arcuate side wall, the floor having a flat inner edge that
seats against the vertical side surface.
14. The ball toss game of claim 13, wherein the arcuate side wall
is U-shaped.
15. A combination of indoor games comprising: a table game that
includes a playing surface that is supported by and elevated from a
ground surface by a plurality of legs, the table game including a
side wall that extends around a perimeter of the playing surface
and includes opposing coupling members attached thereto; and a ball
and toss game including a frame having a pair of vertical supports
arranged parallel to one another and upper, middle and lower cross
members extending between and coupled at their ends to the pair of
vertical supports, the frame being releasably mounted to the
coupling members associated with the perimeter side wall, wherein
heights of the vertical supports and locations of the coupling
members along the perimeter side wall are selected so that a
distance between the lower cross member and the playing surface is
substantially the same as a distance between the middle and lower
cross members and a distance between the middle and upper cross
members, the ball and toss game including a pair of objects
attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is
tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon
where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross
member.
16. A combination of indoor games comprising: a table game that
includes a playing surface that is supported by and elevated from a
ground surface by a plurality of legs, the table game including a
side wall that extends around a perimeter of the playing surface
and includes opposing coupling members attached thereto; and a ball
and toss game including a frame having a pair of vertical supports
arranged parallel to one another and upper, middle and lower cross
members extending between and coupled at their ends to the pair of
vertical supports, the frame being releasably mounted to the
coupling members associated with the perimeter side wall, wherein
locations of the coupling members along the perimeter side wall are
selected so that when the ball and toss game is attached to the
coupling members, the frame lies in vertical plane that is
substantially parallel to two vertical planes defined at ends of
the game table, the ball and toss game including a pair of objects
attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is
tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon
where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross
member.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 60/893,493, filed Mar. 7, 2007, which is
hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to the field of games, and
more particularly, relates to a game that involves the tossing of
an article toward an object in order to secure points by having the
article engage one or more supports of the object.
BACKGROUND
[0003] There are a vast number of games that can either be played
indoors or outdoors or a combination thereof. For example, games
can be of a board type, such as chess or checkers, or they can be
games in which the person actively participates, such as golf,
soccer, football, baseball, etc. One type of game is a game in
which an article is tossed toward an object for scoring points and
one game that follows this basic concept is the game of horseshoes
or quoits. This type of game involves the throwing or tossing of a
ring or horseshoe to engage an upright stake anchored into the
ground. The stake can be anchored at a perpendicular angle to the
surface of the ground or it can be anchored at another angle. The
object of the game is to encircle the stake with the horseshoe or
ring, which results in points being won by the player.
[0004] Other articles have been utilized to be tossed at an object,
such as bean bags and weights tied at the ends of short cords. More
specifically, ladder ball is an outdoor and/or indoor game that is
similar in game play to horseshoes. The basic concept of the game
is that a player tosses a "bola" (two weights on the ends of a cord
(e.g., rope, etc.)) towards a short ladder structure. The object of
the game is for players to cast their bolas around the rungs of the
ladder structure. Ladder ball goes by a substantial number of
alternate names and for example, this basic game is also referred
to as bolo toss, rodeo golf, hillbilly golf, bolo golf, lasso golf,
snakes and ladders, golf ball horseshoes, etc.
[0005] In the traditional game, the bola is a length of cord
attached to two objects, one at each end. It is important for
playing the game that the objects at each end are equivalent and
the lengths of the cords are the same. To differentiate teams,
either the cords or the objects fastened to them are a different
color. Each ladder generally consists of three horizontal supports
or bars that preferably have equal vertical spacing. The ladder
frame has a base to permit the base to be free standing and a stand
alone unit or it can have sharp stake-like structure as part of the
frame to permit it to be driven into the dirt ground outside.
[0006] Ladder ball requires a long, narrow playing area. Ladders
are placed approximately "ten paces" apart. After deciding which
team tosses first, as by a coin toss or the like, one team begins
the first round by tossing. Ladder ball is played in rounds, each
round consisting of one player from each team tossing bolas. The
first player tosses one bola, followed by a player from each
remaining team. Bolas can be tossed in any manner the players
choose so long as they are tossed individually.
[0007] The scoring of the game depends on the location of the bolas
at the end of each round. Each rung is assigned a point value and
each bola's points are added to the team's scope. Bolas that miss
do not score points. The bottom rung is typically deemed the
easiest to score on based on the fact that many times a bola will
drop from one rung onto a lower one or a bola that is initially
thrown too short may bounce off the ground and onto the bottom
rung. Landing on the bottom rung is awarded one point. The top rung
is the next in difficulty since many players use a high arc toss
strategy to try to land the bola onto the top rung. Landing on the
top rung is awarded two points. The middle rung is the hardest to
land on and therefore, it is awarded the greatest point value.
Landing on the middle rung is awarded three points.
[0008] Landing a bola on a rung can be accomplished a number of
different ways, with the most common way being when the cord is
draped over the rung with a ball on either side of the rung. Bolas
bouncing off the ground and then landing on a rung do count in
scoring. In other words, as long as a bola is supported by a rung,
it scores. One other possible way for a bola to land is have the
bola wrap around a bola that is already on the ladder. Both bolas
are considered to be supported by the same rung and score the point
value of the rung. There are a number of different scoring
variations, for example, if the second bola that is supported by
the first bola has one ball on either side of the next rung down,
it scores points from both rungs. If the second bola is touching
the ground, a ruling is needed regarding whether the second bola is
truly being held and supported by the first bola.
[0009] In a traditional game, play continues until the round where
at least one team's score reaches or passes twenty-one. The team
with the highest score at the end of that round is the winner.
[0010] In addition, there are board and indoor table games that
mimic sports that are played and watched by millions of people. For
example, indoor games, such as indoor table games, simulate the
games of soccer, hockey, baseball, etc. One popular type of game
for indoor use is an air hockey table in which the puck glides
along an air assisted top surface of the table game.
[0011] When dealing with indoor games, one consideration and
concern is the amount of space that are occupied by the games. For
example, if a person has several or more indoor games, such as
table games and an indoor, stand alone ball and ladder game, the
games occupy a significant amount of space. Since many people have
only a limited amount of space to store and play games, it is
desirable to provide a solution for minimizing the amount of space
needed to store and play multiple indoor games.
SUMMARY
[0012] A ball toss game that is configured to be mounted to a game
table includes a frame having a pair of vertical posts (vertical
support members) arranged parallel to one another and at least
three cross members extending between and coupled at their ends to
the pair of vertical support member. The ball toss game also
includes a pair of coupling members for mounting to two opposing
vertical side surfaces of the game table. The coupling member has a
receiving portion that receives a lower end of a respective
vertical support member and a fastening means for releasably
mounting the lower end to the coupling member such that the frame
stands upright. The ball toss game includes a pair of objects
attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is
tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon
where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross
member.
[0013] In another aspect of one embodiment of the present
invention, a ball and toss game is combined with a table game that
includes a playing surface that is supported by and elevated from a
ground surface by a plurality of legs. The table game includes a
perimeter side wall and wherein the ball and toss game includes a
frame having a pair of vertical posts arranged parallel to one
another and at least three cross members extending between and
coupled at their ends to the pair of vertical support members. The
frame is releasably mounted to the perimeter side wall such that
the frame remains elevated and spaced from the ground surface and
extends across and over the playing surface. The ball and toss game
includes a pair of objects attached to two ends of a cord to form a
connected member that is tossed at the frame in order to score
points if and depending upon where the connected member is
temporarily secured to one cross member.
[0014] In yet another aspect of the present invention, a
combination of indoor games includes a table game that includes a
playing surface that is supported by and elevated from a ground
surface by a plurality of legs. The table game includes a side wall
that extends around a perimeter of the playing surface and includes
opposing coupling members attached thereto. The combination also
includes a ball and toss game that includes a frame having a pair
of vertical supports arranged parallel to one another and upper,
middle and lower cross members extending between and coupled at
their ends to the pair of vertical supports. The frame is
releasably mounted to the coupling members associated with the
perimeter side wall. The heights of the vertical supports and the
locations of the coupling members along the perimeter side wall are
selected so that a distance between the lower cross member and the
playing surface is substantially the same as a distance between the
middle and lower cross members and a distance between the middle
and upper cross members.
[0015] The ball and toss game also includes a pair of objects
attached to two ends of a cord to form a connected member that is
tossed at the frame in order to score points if and depending upon
where the connected member is temporarily secured to one cross
member.
[0016] Other features and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following detailed description when read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0017] The foregoing and other features of the present invention
will be more readily apparent from the following detailed
description and drawings figures of illustrative embodiments of the
invention in which:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional air hockey
table game;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a conventional combination
table which permits multiple games to be played on a common player
surface;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a ball and ladder game
according to one exemplary embodiment of the present invention
attached to a conventional game table;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of coupling members for coupling
the ball and ladder game to the table game;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the ball and ladder game
coupled to the table game, shown partially; and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a close-up, exploded perspective view of one end
of horizontal support member (cross member) of the ball and ladder
game and a fastener for attachment to a vertical post thereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0024] Now referring to FIG. 1 in which a conventional indoor table
game 100 in the form of an air hockey table is illustrated. The
game 100 has a main playing area 110 that includes a playing
surface 112 and in the case of an air hockey table, the main
playing area is horizontal and parallel to the floor or ground on
which the game 100 is supported. The game 100 includes a number
(e.g., 4) of legs 120 that support and elevate the main playing
area 110 off the floor or ground. In the case of the illustrated
air hockey game 100, the playing surface 112 is a planar surface
that resembles an ice rink and has two opposing ends 114 and two
opposing sides 116 extending between the ends 114 and has four
rounded corners 118 where one side 116 joins the end 114. Centrally
located at each end 114 is a goal 130.
[0025] Tiny pin-like openings or holes are formed across the entire
playing surface 112 and the game 100 has an actuatable motor that
generates air that is distributed to all of the openings such that
thin streams of air are discharged through the openings formed
across the playing surface 112. The streams of air permit a puck
140 to easily glide along the playing surface 112 during play of
the game. The game 100 also includes a pair of pushers 150, each
player holding one pusher 150 for contacting and striking and
directing the puck 140 so that it glides along the surface 112
toward the other player's goal 130.
[0026] The main playing area 110 includes a vertical side wall 160
which protrudes slightly about the planar playing surface for
providing side boards that help contain the puck 140 within the
area of the playing surface 112. The side wall 160 extends around
the periphery of the entire main playing area 110. A lower portion
of the side wall 160 encloses the inner working components, such as
the motor and conduits (tubing) that deliver the air to the
openings formed in the main playing area 110.
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a conventional combination game table
300. Combination game tables, such as table 300, are designed so
that a number of different games can be played on a common table.
The illustrated table 300 is a 7-in-1 combination table (meaning 7
different games can be played); however, the table can equally be a
5-in-1 combination table (meaning 5 different games can be played).
As with the other table games, the table game 300 includes a
playing surface 310 and legs 320 that support the playing surface
310. A side wall 330 extends around the playing surface 310.
[0028] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
and as illustrated in FIGS. 3-6, a ball and ladder game 400 is
adapted to be used in combination with a table game, such as table
games 100 and 300; however, it will be appreciated that the ball
and ladder game 400 can be used with other table games and is not
limited to only being used with table games 100 and 300. The ball
and ladder game 400 includes a frame 410 that is defined by a pair
of vertical posts 420, 430 and a plurality of horizontal support
members. In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 410 includes a
first horizontal support member 440, a second horizontal member 450
and a third horizontal member 460, each of which is attached at its
ends to the two vertical posts 420, 430.
[0029] The first, second and third horizontal support members 440,
450, 460 are in the form of elongated rail-like structure and can
have any number of different cross-sectional shapes, including a
circular cross-section, a square cross-section, triangular
cross-section, hexagonal cross-section, octagonal cross-section,
oval cross-section, etc. The lengths of the first, second and third
horizontal support members 440, 450, 460 are preferably the
same.
[0030] The vertical posts 420, 430 represent the sidewall pieces of
the ladder construction, while the first, second and third
horizontal support members 440, 450, 460 represent the rungs of the
ladder construction. The two vertical posts 420, 430 are spaced
apart from one another and are positioned so that they are parallel
to one another.
[0031] Any number of different techniques can be used to securely
attach the two ends of each of the first, second and third
horizontal support members 440, 450, 460 to the two vertical posts
420, 430. In the frame 410, the first horizontal support member 440
represents the topmost rung of the ladder; the second horizontal
support member 450 represents the middle rung of the ladder; and
the third horizontal support member 460 represents the bottom rung
of the ladder. Opposing ends 442 of the first horizontal support
member 440 can be attached to the two spaced vertical posts 420,
430 by using threaded fasteners 470. In particular, the ends 442
can include threaded bores 490 that threadingly mate with a
complementary threaded fastener 470. The vertical posts 420, 430
can include a first pair of through openings (bores) 480 formed
therein at locations that are equidistant from the tops of the
respective vertical posts 420, 430 and therefore are axially
aligned with one another. The first horizontal support member 440
is placed on the inside of the two vertical posts 420, 430 so that
the threaded bores 490 at ends 442 are aligned with the through
openings 480 formed in the posts 420, 430. One fastener 470 is
passed through one opening 480 and is threadingly mated with the
threaded bore at one end 442 of the first horizontal support member
470, while, the other fastener 470 is passed through the opposite
opening 480 and is threadingly mated with the threaded bore 490 at
the other end 442 of the first horizontal support member 470. Once
the fasteners 470 are tightened, the first horizontal support
member 440 is securely attached at a right angle to and between the
two vertical posts 420, 430. In this manner, the first horizontal
support member 440 represents an upper rung of the ladder
structure.
[0032] The process is repeated with the second horizontal support
member 450, 460 so that ends 452 of the second horizontal support
member 450 and ends 462 of the third horizontal support member 460
are attached to the vertical posts 420, 430 by means of threaded
fasteners 470 that pass through openings (through holes) 480 that
are formed along the vertical posts 420, 430 and into the
respective threaded bores 490 at ends 452, 462. In this manner,
three rungs of the ladder construction (frame 410) are formed.
[0033] The first, second and third horizontal support members 440,
450, 460 are preferably arranged so that the distance between the
first and second horizontal support members 440, 450 is equal to
the distance between the second and third horizontal support
members 450, 460.
[0034] It will be appreciated that a number of different ways and
techniques can be used to attach the first, second and third
horizontal support members 440, 450, 460 to the vertical posts 420,
430. For example, the vertical frame 410 can be formed as a number
of fitted pieces and in particular, each of the vertical posts 420,
430 can be formed of a number of different pieces that are
connected with connectors, such as T-shaped connectors that not
only connect two vertical post pieces but they also provide a
fitting that receives a cross member (one of the horizontal support
members). In this manner, the cross members are locked into place
relative to the vertical posts in a friction fit manner. To prevent
rotation of the cross member relative to the vertical post, the
cross member can have a cross-sectional shape other than a circle,
e.g., octagonal shape.
[0035] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention and
unlike conventional ball and ladder games, the ball and ladder game
400 of the present invention is not a stand-alone unit since it
does not include a base or similar structure that permits the frame
410 to stand upright by itself. Instead, the ball and ladder game
400 is configured to be mounted to and supported by the underlying
table game.
[0036] For purpose of illustration only, the ball and ladder game
400 is described below and is illustrated in FIGS. 3-6 as being
attached to the game table 100 (air hockey table); however, it will
be understood that this is merely one application for the ball and
ladder game 400 since the ball and ladder game 400 can equally be
securely attached to another game table, such as table 300.
[0037] To attach and mount the ball and ladder game 400 to the
table game 100, a pair of coupling members 500 are provided and are
attached to opposing points of the side wall 160. The coupling
members 500 are constructed to securely, yet releasably hold the
vertical posts 420, 430 of the frame 410 such that the entire frame
410 remains in an upright position, with the cross members
(horizontal members 440, 450, 460) extending between the vertical
posts 420, 430.
[0038] The pair of coupling support members 500 is provided for
securely holding the assembled frame 410 in an upright position. In
the illustrated embodiment, each of the coupling support members
500 is generally in the form of a bracket that has a pair of side
flanges 520, 522 that provide mounting surfaces which are seated
against and mounted to the side wall 160 of the game table 100.
Each of the support members 500 includes a main receiving body 530
that is formed between the side flanges 520, 522 and is constructed
to receive and hold a lower end of the vertical post 420, 430. For
example, the main body 530 can include a side wall 532 and a floor
534 that is perpendicular to the side wall 532. The side wall 532
preferably has an arcuate shape (e.g., U-shape) and in combination
with the floor 534, the side wall 532 and floor 534 define an
interior compartment 540.
[0039] The coupling support member 500 can be formed as a single,
integral component and therefore, the two side flanges 520, 522 and
the side wall 532 are formed as a single contiguous structure.
Similarly, the floor 534 can be integrally formed with the side
wall 532.
[0040] One edge 536 of the floor 534 that faces toward the side
wall 160 is a planar, flat edge since the edge 536 seats against
the flat, planar edge of the side wall 160. The edge 536 and the
side flanges 520, 522 generally lie within the same plane since,
once again, the inner faces of the flanges 520, 522 and the inner
edge 536 seat against the same planar side wall 160 to permit
direct mounting of the support member 500 to the side wall 160.
[0041] In one embodiment, the floor 534 includes an opening or bore
550 formed therethrough to permit a fastener, such as threaded
fastener 470, to pass therethrough and into the interior
compartment 540. When the support member 500 is disposed and
mounted to the side wall 160, the side wall 160 closes off the open
side of the interior compartment 540 since the side wall 160
extends across the open side of the side wall 532. The shapes of
the side wall 532 and the floor 534 are complementary to the shape
of the vertical post 420, 430 to permit receipt thereof such that
there is only a slight gap between the vertical post 420, 430 and
the side wall 532.
[0042] Each coupling support member 500 is mounted to the
respective locations along the side wall 160 opposite one another
and across the playing surface by using conventional means,
including the use of fasteners 470. The two side flanges 520, 522
can each include a number of openings (through holes) that permit
the fasteners 470 to be passed therethrough and into the side wall
160 to establish a connection between the support member 500 and
the side wall 160. The fasteners 470 can be any number of different
types of fasteners, including bolts or screws (e.g., metal screws)
so long as they securely mount the support member 500 to the side
wall 160.
[0043] The coupling support members 500 are arranged so that the
coupling support member 500 is mounted to the side wall 160 at one
location and the other coupling support member 500 is mounted to
the side wall 160 at another location that is opposite the one
location. In other words, the coupling support members 500 are
mounted across the playing surface from one another and preferably,
the locations of the coupling support member 500 are such that,
when mounted, the ball and ladder game 400 lies in a vertical plane
that is parallel to the two vertical planes defined at the ends of
the game table 100. More specifically, the distance from the
coupling support member 500 to the first end of the game table is
the same as the distance from the other coupling support member 500
to the same first end.
[0044] The lower ends of the vertical posts 420, 430 are similar in
construction to the ends of the respective first, second and third
horizontal support members 440, 450 and 460 in that the ends
include a threaded bore formed therein. To mount the lower end of
each vertical post 420, 430, the lower end is inserted into the
interior compartment 540 of the support member 500 that is mounted
to the side wall 160. In the embodiment where the floor 534
includes the opening or bore 550 and the lower end of the vertical
post 420, 430 includes a threaded bore, the opening 550 and the
threaded bore are axially aligned and then the threaded fastener
470 is passed through the opening 550 and threadingly engages the
threaded bore resulting in the vertical post 420, 430 being
securely attached to the floor 534 and therefore, to the coupling
support member 500.
[0045] It will be appreciated that the vertical posts 420, 430 can
be attached to the coupling support members 500 using other
conventional means, besides the use of fasteners. For example, a
mechanical interface or fit can be formed between the two
components, as by a snap-fit or some other type of fit.
[0046] It will be appreciated that when the ball and ladder game
400 is not in use and when the game table to which it is attached,
such as table 100, is likewise not in use, the ball and ladder game
400 can remain attached to the game table 100 to reduce the overall
space needed to store both games. When it is desired to use the
game table 100, the ball and ladder game 400 is easily and quickly
detached from the game table 100 to permit playing on the game
table 100. The coupling support members 500 do not interfere with
play on the game table 100 since they are conveniently located on
the side wall 160 of the game table 100 remote from the playing
surface.
[0047] Due to the nature of the mounting components, existing game
tables, such as tables 100 and 300, can easily be retrofitted and
converted so that they can be used in combination with and to
support the ball and ladder game 400. For example, the coupling
support members 500 can easily be attached to the side wall of the
game table and then the ball and ladder game 400 is mounted thereto
as described above. Thus, the ball and ladder game 400 can be
supplied with the mounting components (brackets 500) to permit a
consumer to easily retrofit an existing game table.
[0048] The ball and ladder game 400 includes a bola 600 that has a
conventional design in that it includes a length of cord attached
to two objects. The bola 600 can be formed in any number of
different ways. For example, the bola 600 can include a length of
cord 610 that has two objects 620, 630 attached to the two free
ends of the cord 610. In one embodiment, the objects 620, 630 are
molded plastic balls that resemble golf balls with an eye-loop
integrally molded into the ball. The balls can come in multiple
colors and can be made of hollow plastic and are generally
flexible, although they are not sufficiently elastic to bounce
well. The eye-loop is used to tie the cord (e.g., a nylon cord) to
each ball using a conventional knot. The cord is typically not
elastic. As previously mentioned, to differentiate teams, either
the cord and/or the balls attached to the cord have a specific
color that is different from another team's color. For example,
there can be three sets of blue balls for one team and three sets
of red balls for another team and if there are additional teams,
each team has their own respective color.
[0049] Alternatively and as shown, the bola 600 can be formed of
two balls 620, 630, such as molded plastic balls, that each
contains an axial through hole or bore 602 extending therethrough
from one side to the other side of the ball 620, 630. The cord 610
is attached to each ball 620, 630 by passing one end of the cord
610 through the opening 602 clearly through the entire ball until
the cord 610 reappears on the opposite side and then a knot is tied
in the cord 610 on the other side of the ball 620, 630 resulting in
the ball 620, 630 being securely attached to the cord 610.
[0050] It will be appreciated that other techniques can be used to
attach the cord 610 to the two objects (balls) 620, 630. In
addition, the objects 620, 630 can likewise come in any number of
different forms, besides hollow plastic balls, including solid
balls, bean bags, etc.
[0051] While the ball and ladder game 400 is shown as being mounted
close to one end of the game table 100, it will be appreciated that
the ball and ladder game 400 can be mounted anywhere along the
length of the game table 100 including at a more central
location.
[0052] The ability to easily mount the ball and ladder game 400 to
an existing game table, such as table 100, quickly and easily
converts the table into a combination table permitting at least two
games to be played at the table. In the case of the 7-in-1
combination table 300 of FIG. 2 which permits the following games
to be played Air Hockey, Knock Hockey, Bowling, Shuffle Board,
Finger Football, MagnetDarts, Magnet Baseball, a person can now
play 8 different games.
[0053] While exemplary drawings and specific embodiments of the
present invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be
understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be
limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Thus, the
embodiments shall be regarded as illustrative rather than
restrictive, and it should be understood that variations may be
made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art without
departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in
the claims that follow, and equivalents thereof. In addition, the
features of the different claims set forth below may be combined in
various ways in further accordance with the present invention.
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