Game device and method of playing limbo

A limbo game device and method of amusement for testing the flexibility of and balance of the players. Each player is required to pass beneath a horizontal stream of water. All successful players, those who remain dry, then make an additional pass beneath the stream of water which has been lowered relative to the ground. The height of the stream of water is successively lowered until only one player remains dry.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
This invention relates to amusement devices or games in general, and more 
particularly to games of skill requiring each player to exhibit increasing 
amounts of flexibility and balance as the game progresses. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
The game of limbo, in which the players take turns passing under a 
horizontal bar, is well known. In limbo, the bar is set at a first height 
and then each player is required to pass beneath the horizontal bar. The 
players are required to make their pass beneath the bar while leaning 
backwards with only their feet touching the ground. A player who knocks 
the horizontal bar so that it falls on the ground, or uses his hands or 
knees to assist him in successfully passing beneath the bar, is 
disqualified from the game. The bar is then set to a lower height and the 
process is repeated. This goes on until only one player remains. The 
remaining player is the game's winner. 
Limbo can be very entertaining and amusing. However, often the game drags 
on and players become disinterested after they drop out of the 
competition. Delay in replacing the bar to the correct height after it 
falls to the ground contributes to the game's length. 
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an improved game 
device and method of playing limbo which keeps the interest of the players 
high even after the players have fallen out of the competition. 
Another object of the present invention is to supply additional incentive 
for a player to successfully complete his turn when playing limbo and to 
create an additional interest in observing unsuccessful passes of the 
other players. 
Still another object of the present invention is to supply a means for 
recording which portion of the player's anatomy prevented him from 
successfully completing his turn. 
A further object of the present invention is to provide a limbo game with a 
horizontal member that does not need to be reset each time a player makes 
an unsuccessful pass beneath it. 
Another object of the present invention is to provide a limbo game in which 
a player will be wet with water when he fails to successfully pass beneath 
the game's horizontal member. 
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a limbo game in 
which a player will be wet with water when he fails to successfully pass 
beneath the game's horizontal member, but wherein the player will wet only 
that portion of his anatomy that contacts the game's horizontal member. 
An additional object of the present invention is to provide limbo game 
apparatus which achieves the foregoing objectives and which is designed to 
be easy to manufacture and assemble and can be quickly adjusted to the 
proper height. 
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a novel method 
of playing limbo. 
SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by an 
improved game device and method of playing limbo wherein the game's 
traditional horizontal bar is replaced by water means for producing a 
substantially horizontal stream of water, and wherein the limbo game is 
played by having players pass beneath the horizontal stream of water.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Looking now at FIG. 1, there is shown the preferred embodiment of the 
present invention. More particularly, there is shown a pole 10 which is 
oriented vertically and has a pointed end 11 which is positioned in ground 
20. Pole 10 also has a plurality of horizontal feet 13 which extend 
perpendicularly away from the pole, parallel to ground 20, and which serve 
to help stabilize the pole in the ground. 
Pole 10 has a series of holes 12 extending completely therethrough for 
receiving a nozzle 30. Pole 10 also has a plurality of ruled markings 14 
which indicate the height of holes 12 above the ground 20. Holes 12 
receive nozzle 30 and are designed to hold the nozzle substantially 
horizontal. 
Nozzle 30 is connected to the upper end of a limbo hose 31 which is of 
sufficient length to allow the nozzle to be positioned in any of the holes 
12. The lower end of hose 31 has a female connector 32 designed to receive 
the male end 33 of a garden hose 34. Garden hose 34 is connected to a 
source of water (not shown) and the water travels through garden hose 34, 
up limbo hose 31, and out nozzle 30. Nozzle 30 is adapted to produce a 
thin (e.g. a pin-hole sized) stream of water which exits the nozzle 
substantially horizontal and which has sufficient pressure so that the 
stream of water will flow substantially horizontally away from the pole 
for at least several feet before the force of gravity draws the stream to 
earth. In this way the horizontal portion of the water stream can be used 
as a limbo bar, as will hereinafter be described in further detail. If 
desired, a bucket or other means (not shown) may be used to collect the 
water as it falls toward the ground; however, it is envisioned that this 
game apparatus will be used in areas where collection of the spent water 
is unnecessary, e.g. outside areas. 
During play, the nozzle 30 is first positioned in the highest hole 12 that 
is less than the height of the tallest game player. Since this game can be 
safely enjoyed by both child and adult alike, the starting hole may be 
substantially higher than the shortest player. 
After positioning the nozzle in the foregoing manner, the water is turned 
on and a horizontally-extending stream of water 40 is created at the 
preselected height. Each of the players then tries to pass beneath the 
water stream, leaning backwards so as to avoid getting wet. Music from a 
radio or cassette player may also be used to set a rhythm for the players 
to dance to as they pass beneath the stream of water. A strobe light may 
also be employed for game play after dark. 
Once each player has tried to pass beneath the water stream, the nozzle is 
removed from its present hole in the pole and is repositioned one hole 
lower. The players who successfully passed beneath the horizontal water 
stream without getting wet are then entitled to try the next pass beneath 
the now-lowered water stream. 
The process of passing beneath the water stream and then lowering the 
nozzle one position lower is repeated over and over again until only one 
player remains. This player is declared the winner. 
It is to be appreciated that ruled markings 14 supplied on the pole allow 
the players to note at what height they were disqualified from further 
play, and also allow the players to compare their performance from one 
game to the next. 
It is also to be appreciated that certain changes may be made to the 
preferred embodiment described above without departing from the scope of 
the present invention. 
Thus, for example, it is anticipated that the pole's pointed end 11 might 
be omitted and pole 10 terminated in a blunt end approximately aligned 
with horizontal feet 13, whereby pole 10 could be positioned on asphalt or 
concrete. Alternatively, where the pole is to be used in relatively firm 
ground 20, horizontal feet 13 might be omitted. 
Furthermore, a clamp might be used to attach nozzle 30 to vertical pole 10, 
rather than holes 12. Any of the many known clamps will work, provided 
they keep the nozzle horizontal. 
It is also anticipated that one might use a clamp to mount nozzle 30 to 
some preexisting vertical member, e.g. a telephone pole or tree, in which 
case pole 10 might be eliminated entirely. 
Finally, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended 
to be illustrative only. The scope of the present invention is indicated 
by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are 
expressed. 
Advantages of the Present Invention 
Numerous advantages are achieved by using the present invention. 
First, the present invention provides an improved game device and method of 
playing limbo which keeps the interest of the players high even after the 
players have fallen out of the competition. 
Second, the present invention provides additional incentive for a player to 
successfully complete his turn when playing limbo and creates additional 
interest in observing unsuccessful passes of the other players. 
Third, the present invention provides a means for recording which portion 
of the player's anatomy prevented him from successfully completing his 
turn. 
Fourth, the present invention provides a limbo game with a horizontal 
member that does not need to be reset each time a player makes an 
unsuccessful pass beneath it. 
Fifth, the present invention provides a limbo game in which a player will 
be wet with water when he fails to successfully pass beneath the game's 
horizontal member. 
Sixth, the present invention provides a limbo game in which a player will 
be wet with water when he fails to successfully pass beneath the game's 
horizontal member, but wherein the player will wet only that portion of 
his anatomy that contacts the game's horizontal member. 
Seventh, the present invention provides a limbo game apparatus which is 
designed to be easy to manufacture and assemble and can be quickly 
adjusted to the proper height. 
And eighth, the present invention provides a novel method of playing limbo.