Game of hand-eye skill

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.

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.

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 box4having a generally rectangular plan, raised edges around its periphery, a liner tray6fitted to the inside of the game box4, having a plurality of downwardly protruding cavities8&8a–cof various sizes located along both long edged of said tray6, an arch assembly having two game box attaching portions10&11, two upwardly and inwardly projecting arch members12&14and scoring means15frictionally and slidably engaged to the upper portions of each arch members12&14, a free-ball curved rail member20releasably and firmly attached to both game attaching portions10&11, an arch-connecting clip13, a tethered projectile18, and a free-ball releasing means17.

Turning now toFIG. 2, a top plan view of the game of the present invention2particularly illustrating the plurality of cavities8formed in the liner tray6. As a means of increasing the complexity level of the game, the value at the center cavities8is lowest while the value increases for each cavity8a,8band8coutward from the center cavity8. For illustrative and exemplary purposes only, we can assign these cavities the following values:8=25 points,8a=50 points,8b=75 points and8c=100 points. Furthermore, this view illustrates the centered positioning of the arch members12&14atop the game box4as well as the centered positioning of the pivoting point of the suspended ball tether19. Additionally, score markings21are permanently marked on the upper surface of each arch member12&14. As a player scores, he would simply slide the score-keeping portion15to the appropriate marked numeral21on his respective arch12or14.

Turning toFIG. 3, a front elevation view of the game of the present invention illustrating the desired resting position of the tethered projectile18fixedly attached to a tether19and frictionally engaged between both upper ends of arches12&14which are releasably connected by means of an arch-connecting clip13. The ball tether19can therefore be vertically adjusted by releasing the arch-connecting clip13thereby releasing the pressure normally applied between both arches12&14where the tether19traverses.

In reference now to bothFIGS. 3 and 12, an accurate understanding of the free-ball releasing member17can be obtained where said member comprises: a free-ball retaining portion30, a pivoting portion32, and release lever31wherein the pivoting portion32is adapted with an axle35horizontally traversing through the pivoting portion32of the free-ball releasing member17and protruding outward from each side of said pivoting portion32into an indent within the inner wall surfaces of the arch member14thereby providing a fixed axis to the axle member35so as to allow pivotal movement of the free-ball releasing member17.

Turning now toFIGS. 4 & 5, both illustrating side elevation views of the game of the present invention2. In particular,FIG. 4further illustrating a game box4, an arch assembly5showing one game box-attaching portions11, one upwardly and inwardly projecting arch members14and a scoring marker15frictionally and slidably engaged to the upper portion of the arch member14, an arch-connecting clip13, and a free-ball releasing member17. It can be seen in this view that the curved rail is attached to the game box-attaching portion11. Said attachment is further detailed inFIGS. 10,11&12. Numeral markings21are permanently marked on the upper surface of each arch member12&14and the frictionally and slidably engaged scoring marker15is adapted with a viewing area22where the permanently marked scoring numerals21can be viewed.

Turning toFIG. 6, a cross-sectional view taken fromFIG. 2, illustrating the relational assembly of the liner tray6fitted to the inside of the game box4. The liner tray6comprises a plurality of individual downwardly protruding cavities8,8a–cof various sizes located along both long edged of said tray6. The lower portion of each cavity8,8a–cis in contact with the game box4floor so as to form a solid base on which the free target ball26ultimately falls. This figure also illustrates the connecting means between the raised edge of the game box4and the game box attaching portions10wherein the top of the box contacting portion of the game box-connecting member is adapted with an inwardly and downwardly hooked portion7having an inside dimension in the hook portion7lesser than the thickness of the game box wall thereby providing firm frictional attachment of the game box connecting member10to the game box4. Although not illustrated, the above connection method applies to the opposing game box connector11.

Referring now toFIG. 7, a cross-sectional view taken fromFIG. 3, illustrating in detail, the profile of the curved free target ball rail having: a central member42providing vertical structural support to the rail, a lower member43perpendicularly and integrally attached to the central member42, providing horizontal structural support to the rail, and a semi-circular upper rail portion23also integrally attached to the central member42and adapted with an inner radius lesser than that of the free target ball26so as to make as little contact with said ball in order to reduce friction.

FIG. 8, also a cross-sectional view taken fromFIG. 3, illustrates the details of the scoring marker15wherein each upper outside edges of the arch member12is provided with a raised profile41longitudinally with said arch member12, and the upper inside edges of the scoring marker15is relationally indented40. Therefore, the scoring marker15can slide longitudinally with the arch member12while ensuring it remains positively engaged to said arch member12. It can also be noted that the scoring marker15is adapted with a viewing window22so as to allow the permanently marked numerals on the arch members12&14to be viewed.

Turning toFIG. 9, a cross-sectional view taken fromFIG. 5, illustrating the connection of both arch members12&14to each other wherein, each upper portion of each arch member12&14is adapted with a vertical planar end portion50or51integrally attached to its respective arch member12or14forming a generally mitered connection. Said vertical planar members50&51are of greater width when viewed from the end than that of its corresponding arch rail12or14. There is provided, an arch-connecting clip13having 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 members50&51of the arch members12&14so as to be generally taut when the arch-connecting clip13is slidably engaged over the side edges of the vertical planar arch connecting members50&51. Furthermore, when glancing atFIG. 2once more, one can see that a perforation is provided through the top portion of the arch-connecting member13. This perforation is provided to allow the tether19to pass through the clip13and between both vertical planar members50&51of the arch members12&14. Therefore, while assembling the game2, in particular the arch members12&14, the tether19would first be threaded through the perforation25within the arch-connecting clip13, the clip13and tethered ball assembly would be placed between the vertical planar members50&51and the arch members12&14would then be faced together with the tether19between both planar members50&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 clip13to the planar members50&51. The arch-connecting clip13would thereby “pinch” the tether19in a releasably secure position.

Turning now toFIGS. 10 & 11, both cross-sectional views taken fromFIG. 4whereFIG. 10illustrates the connection between the curved rail member20and the game box-connecting member10or11. As further illustrated inFIG. 13, it can be seen that a latch36integrally formed in each end of the curved rail member20enters an opening39in the game box connecting member10or11having said opening39slightly larger than the integrally formed latch36in each end of the curved rail member20. To lock the rail20with each game box connecting member10&11, one pushes the rail downwardly so as to allow the narrow portion of the latch38to enter a similarly sized narrow channel45in the game box-connecting member10or11thereby disallowing the curved rail20to disconnect laterally unless a player intentionally disassembles the game2.