CURLING DEVICE

Abstract: A device for playing the game of curling comprises a body portion (10) having mounted therein so as to protrude from its underside three ball bearing units each having a ball (12b, 13b, 14b) protruding from the underside of the body portion (10). The balls serve to reduce friction when the device moves along the ground during the course of a game. The device may further include a handle (20).

Description: CURLING DEVICE This invention relates to the game of curling and, in particular, to a new form of device for playing the game of curling or for use on a horizontal flat surface in a similar manner to bowls and curling. According to the invention, there is provided a device or "stone" for playing the game of curling, comprising a body portion having mounted on the underside thereof friction reduction means in the form of at least three ball or roller bearings. Preferably the body-portion is circular in plan. According to a preferred embodiment, three ball bearings are provided on the underside of the device. By providing only three ball bearings, the points of contact of the balls with the playing surface are naturally in alignment. The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings in which:- Fig. 1 is an underneath plan view of one embodiment of a curling device according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a section taken on the line A-A in Fig 1 in the direction of the arrows; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a pusher to be used in conjunction with the curling device shown in Figs. 1 and 2, and Fig.4 is a plan view of the pusher shown in Figure 3. The curling device shown in Figures 1 and 2 comprises a body 10 having an upper frusto-conical part and a substantially planar base, the outer edge of the upper part being radiused. The body may be made of metal, wood, vulcanised rubber or a plastics material. A preferred size is a diameter of 18 cm and a height of 3.5 cm. On the underside of the body 10 are mounted three ball-bearing units disposed 120° apart from each other. Each unit comprises a casing 12a, 13 a, 14a and a ball 12b, 13b, 14b held captive by an inwardly extending flange 12c, 13c, 14c having an aperture of a diameter less than that of the ball through which aperture the ball protrudes. The body is provided with sockets 11 for receiving the casings 12a, 13a, 14c, each casing having an outwardly extending flange 12d, 13d, 14d which abuts against the body, when the respective casing is located in a socket 11. If the body 10 is made of wood, vulcanised rubber or a plastics material, it is preferably weighted by a metal insert 18 which may be embedded in the rubber or plastics material during manufacture. In this case, the sockets 11 may be formed in cylindrical extensions 15 which project from the base of the body 11. A handle 20 is provided by which the curling device may be delivered during play and for ease of carrying. A pusher 21, shown in Figures 3 and 4, is provided for manipulation of the curling devices when they are returned to the delivery area. Alternatively, the pusher may be used to project the curling device towards the target in actual play. In this event the handle 20 may not be necessary. The curling devices may be used in a game in a similar manner to the usual game of curling on ice. However, in the present invention the device is intended for use on any flat horizontal surface such as in a sports hall or a carpeted room. Players deliver the curling devices in turn towards a target which may be of thin plastics material marked with coloured rings numbered in reducing value from the centre outwards by using a thin plastics sheet of a tickness of say less than 0.5 mm. Balls of say 3 cm in diameter can run from- the playing surface on to the target sheet with little resistance offered by the edge of the sheet. The curling devices may also be used in the manner of a game of bowls, in which case a jack may be used and the players bowling in "ends".

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A device for playing the game of curling, characterized in that said device comprises a body portion (10) having mounted on the underside thereof friction reduction means in the form of at least three ball or roller bearings (12b, 13b, 14b). 2. A device according to claim 1, characterized in that the body portion (10) is essentially circular in plan. 3. A device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that three ball bearings (12b,13b,14b) are provided on the underside of the device. 4. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body portion (10) comprises an upper frusto-conical part and a substantially planar base. 5. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the upper part has an outer edge which is radiussed. 6. A device according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that a handle (20) is provided, said handle protruding from the upper part of the body portion (10). 7. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the body portion (10) is made of wood, vulcanised rubber or plastics material. 8. A device according to claim 7, characterized in that a metal insert (18) is embedded in the material of the body portion (10). 9. A device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the body portion (10) is made of metal. 10. A device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the ball or roller bearings (12b,13b,14b) protrude from the underside surface of the body portion (10) of the device.

Inventors: BENNETT JOHN DAVID, BENNETT, JOHN, DAVID
Applicants: BENNETT JOHN DAVID, HART TERENCE MICHAEL, BENNETT, JOHN, DAVID, HART, TERENCE, MICHAEL
Application year: 2001
Main classification: A63B67
IPC codes: A63B67