Abstract:
In a game requiring hand-eye coordination, the present invention comprises a game box, a liner tray with dividers forming cavities of various sized, an arch assembly having a tethered projectile, a curved rail portion, a target ball, a target-ball release, and a score-keeping. A player holds the suspended projectile, and then the target ball is released where it will sway back and forth atop the channel of the curved rail portion, using hand-eye skill the player attempts to strike the target ball with the suspended projectile in order to de-rail the target ball into the highest scoring cavity in the liner tray. Two players can each take turns and the player who reaches the highest score wins.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a game requiring hand-eye coordination having a game box, a liner tray with dividers, an arch assembly having a suspended projectile, a curved rail portion, a target-ball, a target-ball release means and score-keeping means. A player holds the suspended projectile, and then the target ball is released where it will sway back and forth atop the channel of the curved rail portion, using hand-eye skills the player attempts to strike the target ball with the suspended projectile in order to de-rail the target ball into the highest scoring cavity in the liner tray. Two players can each take turns and the player who reaches the highest score wins. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   Without knowledge of prior related art, the inventor of the present invention sought to create a game that posed a high level challenge to players where both the projectile and the target are in motion. Upon further thought, the conception of this present invention was made. 
   Upon completion of a working model, it became apparent that the present invention would gain the acceptance of the masses since it was unlike most table games. 
   The applicant is aware of attempts in prior art to provide games using suspended projectiles, namely in the context of bowling pins as a target. 
   An example may be had when referring to U.S. Pat. No. 2,319,917 of Bruneau, issued May 25, 1943 depicting a portable game using a tethered projectile for striking still miniature bowling pins. However, this invention fails to introduce a moving target. 
   Another example may be had in referring to U.S. Pat. No. 4,685,674 of Toth, issued Aug. 11, 1987, which teaches of a tethered ball game where a plurality of fixed target pins are aimed to topple over. The tether pivot point may be alternately located to increase the level of difficulty. However, this invention also fails to introduce a moving target. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is thus the object of the present invention to provide players with a game of hand-eye skill where both the projectile and the target are in motion in order to increase the level of complexity and interest of play. 
   In one aspect of the invention, two or more tethered projectiles may be provide so as to allow both players to compete simultaneously for the strike of the moving target ball. 
   Accordingly, the game of the present invention provides players with a competitive hand-eye gaming challenge. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     These and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following brief description and upon referring to the drawings in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is a left side elevation view of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 5  is a right side elevation view of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 2  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 3  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 3  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 5  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 4  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 4  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 1  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 10  of the game of hand-eye skill of the present invention. 
   

   While the invention is described in conjunction with preferred illustrated embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to such embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   In the following description, similar features in the drawings have been given similar reference numerals. 
   Turning to the drawings, in particular,  FIG. 1 , which illustrates a perspective view of the whole game of the present invention comprising: a game box  4  having a generally rectangular plan, raised edges around its periphery, a liner tray  6  fitted to the inside of the game box  4 , having a plurality of downwardly protruding cavities  8  &amp;  8   a–c  of various sizes located along both long edged of said tray  6 , an arch assembly having two game box attaching portions  10  &amp;  11 , two upwardly and inwardly projecting arch members  12  &amp;  14  and scoring means  15  frictionally and slidably engaged to the upper portions of each arch members  12  &amp;  14 , a free-ball curved rail member  20  releasably and firmly attached to both game attaching portions  10  &amp;  11 , an arch-connecting clip  13 , a tethered projectile  18 , and a free-ball releasing means  17 . 
   Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a top plan view of the game of the present invention  2  particularly illustrating the plurality of cavities  8  formed in the liner tray  6 . As a means of increasing the complexity level of the game, the value at the center cavities  8  is lowest while the value increases for each cavity  8   a,    8   b  and  8   c  outward from the center cavity  8 . For illustrative and exemplary purposes only, we can assign these cavities the following values:  8 =25 points,  8   a =50 points,  8   b =75 points and  8   c =100 points. Furthermore, this view illustrates the centered positioning of the arch members  12  &amp;  14  atop the game box  4  as well as the centered positioning of the pivoting point of the suspended ball tether  19 . Additionally, score markings  21  are permanently marked on the upper surface of each arch member  12  &amp;  14 . As a player scores, he would simply slide the score-keeping portion  15  to the appropriate marked numeral  21  on his respective arch  12  or  14 . 
   Turning to  FIG. 3 , a front elevation view of the game of the present invention illustrating the desired resting position of the tethered projectile  18  fixedly attached to a tether  19  and frictionally engaged between both upper ends of arches  12  &amp;  14  which are releasably connected by means of an arch-connecting clip  13 . The ball tether  19  can therefore be vertically adjusted by releasing the arch-connecting clip  13  thereby releasing the pressure normally applied between both arches  12  &amp;  14  where the tether  19  traverses. 
   In reference now to both  FIGS. 3 and 12 , an accurate understanding of the free-ball releasing member  17  can be obtained where said member comprises: a free-ball retaining portion  30 , a pivoting portion  32 , and release lever  31  wherein the pivoting portion  32  is adapted with an axle  35  horizontally traversing through the pivoting portion  32  of the free-ball releasing member  17  and protruding outward from each side of said pivoting portion  32  into an indent within the inner wall surfaces of the arch member  14  thereby providing a fixed axis to the axle member  35  so as to allow pivotal movement of the free-ball releasing member  17 . 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 4 &amp; 5 , both illustrating side elevation views of the game of the present invention  2 . In particular,  FIG. 4  further illustrating a game box  4 , an arch assembly  5  showing one game box-attaching portions  11 , one upwardly and inwardly projecting arch members  14  and a scoring marker  15  frictionally and slidably engaged to the upper portion of the arch member  14 , an arch-connecting clip  13 , and a free-ball releasing member  17 . It can be seen in this view that the curved rail is attached to the game box-attaching portion  11 . Said attachment is further detailed in  FIGS. 10 ,  11  &amp;  12 . Numeral markings  21  are permanently marked on the upper surface of each arch member  12  &amp;  14  and the frictionally and slidably engaged scoring marker  15  is adapted with a viewing area  22  where the permanently marked scoring numerals  21  can be viewed. 
   Turning to  FIG. 6 , a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 2 , illustrating the relational assembly of the liner tray  6  fitted to the inside of the game box  4 . The liner tray  6  comprises a plurality of individual downwardly protruding cavities  8 ,  8   a–c  of various sizes located along both long edged of said tray  6 . The lower portion of each cavity  8 ,  8   a–c  is in contact with the game box  4  floor so as to form a solid base on which the free target ball  26  ultimately falls. This figure also illustrates the connecting means between the raised edge of the game box  4  and the game box attaching portions  10  wherein the top of the box contacting portion of the game box-connecting member is adapted with an inwardly and downwardly hooked portion  7  having an inside dimension in the hook portion  7  lesser than the thickness of the game box wall thereby providing firm frictional attachment of the game box connecting member  10  to the game box  4 . Although not illustrated, the above connection method applies to the opposing game box connector  11 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 3 , illustrating in detail, the profile of the curved free target ball rail having: a central member  42  providing vertical structural support to the rail, a lower member  43  perpendicularly and integrally attached to the central member  42 , providing horizontal structural support to the rail, and a semi-circular upper rail portion  23  also integrally attached to the central member  42  and adapted with an inner radius lesser than that of the free target ball  26  so as to make as little contact with said ball in order to reduce friction. 
     FIG. 8 , also a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 3 , illustrates the details of the scoring marker  15  wherein each upper outside edges of the arch member  12  is provided with a raised profile  41  longitudinally with said arch member  12 , and the upper inside edges of the scoring marker  15  is relationally indented  40 . Therefore, the scoring marker  15  can slide longitudinally with the arch member  12  while ensuring it remains positively engaged to said arch member  12 . It can also be noted that the scoring marker  15  is adapted with a viewing window  22  so as to allow the permanently marked numerals on the arch members  12  &amp;  14  to be viewed. 
   Turning to  FIG. 9 , a cross-sectional view taken from  FIG. 5 , illustrating the connection of both arch members  12  &amp;  14  to each other wherein, each upper portion of each arch member  12  &amp;  14  is adapted with a vertical planar end portion  50  or  51  integrally attached to its respective arch member  12  or  14  forming a generally mitered connection. Said vertical planar members  50  &amp;  51  are of greater width when viewed from the end than that of its corresponding arch rail  12  or  14 . There is provided, an arch-connecting clip  13  having a generally upside-down U-shaped body with a channel removed along all its inner edges so as to further form a C-shaped profile. Said channel is adapted be equal in inner width than the dimension of both vertical planar members  50  &amp;  51  of the arch members  12  &amp;  14  so as to be generally taut when the arch-connecting clip  13  is slidably engaged over the side edges of the vertical planar arch connecting members  50  &amp;  51 . Furthermore, when glancing at  FIG. 2  once more, one can see that a perforation is provided through the top portion of the arch-connecting member  13 . This perforation is provided to allow the tether  19  to pass through the clip  13  and between both vertical planar members  50  &amp;  51  of the arch members  12  &amp;  14 . Therefore, while assembling the game  2 , in particular the arch members  12  &amp;  14 , the tether  19  would first be threaded through the perforation  25  within the arch-connecting clip  13 , the clip  13  and tethered ball assembly would be placed between the vertical planar members  50  &amp;  51  and the arch members  12  &amp;  14  would then be faced together with the tether  19  between both planar members  50  &amp;  51 , to complete the arch assembly and to adjust the tethered target-ball height, a player need only hold the tether at the correct height while slidably engaging the clip  13  to the planar members  50  &amp;  51 . The arch-connecting clip  13  would thereby “pinch” the tether  19  in a releasably secure position. 
   Turning now to  FIGS. 10 &amp; 11 , both cross-sectional views taken from  FIG. 4  where  FIG. 10  illustrates the connection between the curved rail member  20  and the game box-connecting member  10  or  11 . As further illustrated in  FIG. 13 , it can be seen that a latch  36  integrally formed in each end of the curved rail member  20  enters an opening  39  in the game box connecting member  10  or  11  having said opening  39  slightly larger than the integrally formed latch  36  in each end of the curved rail member  20 . To lock the rail  20  with each game box connecting member  10  &amp;  11 , one pushes the rail downwardly so as to allow the narrow portion of the latch  38  to enter a similarly sized narrow channel  45  in the game box-connecting member  10  or  11  thereby disallowing the curved rail  20  to disconnect laterally unless a player intentionally disassembles the game  2 .