PORTABLE PINATA POLE ASSEMBLY

A portable piñata structure includes a weighted base and a vertical pole extending vertically from the weighted base. A horizontal pole is connected near the top of the vertical pole by a connector so that the horizontal pole can rotate about the axis of the vertical pole and can also pivoted up and down. A piñata is suspended directly from one end of the horizontal pole and the other end of the horizontal pole has a handle that may be grasped by an operator, The structure gives a wide range of fast movement to the piñata to make the game more interesting and also improves the safety of the operator.

DESCRIPTION OF AN ILLUSTRATIVE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The piñata pole assembly of the present invention is a product for parties or special occasions. It is designed to allow a piñata to be safely hung and struck. As shown inFIG. 1, the invention includes a base1which supports a vertical pole2. The base and vertical pole may be produced from plastic, wood, or metal and typically would measure approximately five feet high at the upper end of the vertical pole. Of course other heights could be used depending on the anticipated players.

The base is designed to be placed in any location and it would typically be weighted to prevent it from being tipped over easily. The connection between the base and vertical pole can be permanent. However, to increase the mobility of the invention the base may be detachably connected to the vertical pole, e.g., by mating screw threads on the pole and in a cylindrical channel that runs through the base (not shown).

At the top of the vertical pole there is a connector4which is rotatable in the upper end of the vertical pole. In addition, the connector has a fulcrum made from upwardly extending arms that support an axle between them. This axle is adapted to extend through a horizontal pole3to fasten it to the vertical pole2as shown inFIG. 2. Because of the rotary ability of the connector4, the horizontal pole3can be rotated about vertical pole3by 360 degrees. Also, its pivotal connection on the axle of connector4means that it can be pivoted or rocked by up to 180 degrees about the axle so that it can move from a nearly completely downward direction to a nearly completely upward position by the operator moving his end of the pole.

A piñata9is shown inFIG. 2connected to the end of pole3by an eye bolt6. In this illustration the piñata looks like a decorated jack-o-lantern. The end of pole3opposite the piñata is the end grabbed and moved about by the operator. The horizontal pole3may measure approximately seven and one half feet long in a typical embodiment. However, other lengths of horizontal poles may be used as desired.

During play with the piñata , the blind folded participant tries to strike the piñata . This could create a safety issue if the operator is near the player. However, with the present invention the operator is located at a safe distance from the piñata on the opposite side of the vertical pole.

As the player moves about, the operator can maintain his position on the opposite side of the vertical pole, thus assuring his safety.

Because of the rotatable and pivotable (rocking) connection of the horizontal pole3to the vertical one2, the piñata can be moved by the operator in a great variety of different directions in order to foil the attempts of the player to hit it. This movement can be very fast because the piñata is connected directly to pole3at one end and the operator moves the other end. Further, if the connection of the horizontal pole to the vertical pole is such that a greater proportion of the horizontal pole is toward the piñata , there is a mechanical advantage for the operator. For example, if one-third of the rod is toward the operator and two-thirds toward the piñata , the speed of movement and the distance of movement of the piñata is twice that of the movement of the operator's end of the pole.

Because there are not a large number of parts and no rope pulley system, the piñata pole assembly of the present invention can be put together, taken apart, and used easily in a matter of minutes with no tools. For example, the assembly can be broken down so that it can be easily transported by having the poles made in two or more parts that can be fastened together. The pole sections can be screwed together or one pole section can telescope within the other. By making the poles in smaller sections that can be fastened together, the unit in its disassembled state will be more compact and easier to transport. Transport is also enhanced because the assembly is light weight.

The appealing feature of the piñata pole is its convenience, practicality, safety, and ease of use. The piñata pole allows the user to hang a piñata in any desired location without having to suspend it from a stationary structure or tie off a rope pulley assembly. By suspending the piñata9from the horizontal extension pole3, which is articulated to the vertical main support pole2, the play value is increased over that of a piñata suspended from a stationary structure. In particular an operator can grasp the end of the horizontal pole3opposite from the piñata9and can move it so that the piñata at the other end moves. This makes it harder to hit and a more fun experience.