Abstract:
A catapult device for a catapult game, including a projectile-throwing mechanism, and a projectile catch member. The projectile release angle of the mechanism, and the projectile throw force of the mechanism are adjustable. The throwing mechanism is automatically released upon the impact with sufficient force of a projectile on the projectile catch member. Also disclosed is a game system and a game playing method using a number of such devices.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of Provisional Ser. No. 60/268,426, filed Feb.13, 2001. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a game that uses a number of small catapults. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Catapults have existed for centuries or longer. They are typically large unwieldy machines that are difficult to move, position, load, and fire. Their primary use has been in warfare. 
     In contrast to this, children&#39;s games typically must be relatively small, inexpensive, and easy to assemble and use. More importantly, children&#39;s games, in order to be successful, must be fun to use. Parents also look for toys and games that are interesting and stimulating and will contribute to a child&#39;s development. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention features a catapult game system and method. The game includes a number of catapult game devices that are adapted to be automatically triggered to launch a projectile when another projectile lands on a projectile catch area of the device. The devices can be used together by arranging the catapult devices so that each device launches a projectile to land on the projectile catch area of another device, which automatically triggers that other device to launch its projectile toward yet another projectile catch area of another catapult. This way, by using at least two (and probably at least three) catapults, the players can attempt to maintain a continuous flow of projectiles, with each player using one catapult. 
     It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a catapult game system and method. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method that is fun for one child or a group of children. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method that contributes to development of manual dexterity. 
     It is a further object of this invention to provide such a system and method that contributes to a child&#39;s basic understanding of motion and Newton&#39;s laws of physics. 
     This invention features a catapult game system, comprising a plurality of catapult devices, each comprising a projectile-throwing mechanism; a projectile catch member; means for adjusting the projectile release angle of the mechanism; means for adjusting the projectile throw force of the mechanism; and means for automatically enabling the throwing mechanism upon the impact with sufficient force of a projectile on the projectile catch member. 
     Also featured is a catapult game method using a plurality of catapults, each comprising a projectile-throwing mechanism; a projectile catch member; means for adjusting the projectile release angle of the mechanism; means for adjusting the projectile throw force of the mechanism; and means for automatically enabling the throwing mechanism upon the impact with sufficient force of a projectile on the projectile catch member, the game comprising aligning at least two catapults so that at least one catapult sends a projectile to or towards the projectile catch member of another catapult; and tripping one catapult to send its projectile toward the catch member of another catapult, to start a chain reaction of at least one and preferably two or more projectile catches and releases that can be continued by resetting of the catapults. 
     The inventive catapult game device for a catapult game comprises a projectile-throwing mechanism; a projectile catch member; means for adjusting the projectile release angle of the mechanism; means for adjusting the projectile throw force of the mechanism; and means for automatically enabling the throwing mechanism upon the impact with sufficient force of a projectile on the projectile catch member. The projectile-throwing mechanism may comprise a throwing arm. The means for automatically causing may comprise a throwing arm triggering mechanism coupled to the catch member, for translating motion of the catch member into release of the throwing arm. The triggering mechanism may comprise a triggering arm coupled at one end to the catch member. The triggering arm may be releasably coupled to the throwing arm. The releasable coupling may be accomplished with a catch. The triggering arm may be adapted to pivot about an axis or bend, to release the throwing arm from the triggering arm. 
     The throwing arm may be adapted to pivot about a substantially horizontal axis. The throwing arm may define a projectile-accepting portion for releasably holding a projectile. The projectile may have a defined shape in a throwing arm-contacting portion, and the projectile-accepting portion of the throwing arm may then have a complementary shape. 
     The means for adjusting the projectile release angle may comprise an adjustable cam mechanism that accomplishes a projectile throwing mechanism stop point. The means for adjusting the projectile throw force may comprise a spring coupled to the projectile throwing mechanism, and means for adjusting the spring tension. The means for adjusting the spring tension may comprise an adjustable cam mechanism that contacts the spring. 
     The catapult may further comprise a base for supporting the catapult on a surface. The catapult may still further comprise means for rotating the projectile throwing mechanism relative to the base about a substantially vertical axis, to allow the throw position to be changed without moving the base. The base may comprise a plurality of lower feet. The feet may comprise a non-skid lower surface, to help maintain the catapult in position. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Other objects, features and advantages will occur to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments, and the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the preferred embodiment of a catapult game device of this invention, also useful in the game system and method of this invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a partial side view of an alternative embodiment of a catapult game device for this invention; 
     FIG. 3 a  is a side view of the catapult device of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 3 b  is a top view of the catapult of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 4 a  and  4   b  are side and top views, respectively, of the catapult body of the catapult of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a top view of the base of the catapult of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of one of the feet for the catapult of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 7 a ,  7   b  and  7   c  are top, side and end views, respectively, of the intermediate member of the catapult of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 8 a ,  8   b  and  8   c  are side, top and end views, respectively, of the catapult triggering arm for the catapult of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  are top and side views, respectively, of the catch tray of the catapult of FIG. 1; 
     FIGS. 10 a  and  10   b  are side and top views, respectively, of the throw arm of the catapult of FIG. 1; and 
     FIGS. 11 a  and  11   b  are side and top views, respectively, of the projectile release set point knob for the catapult of FIG.  1 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The preferred embodiment of the catapult is shown and described in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 11  of the drawings. An alternative embodiment is shown in FIG.  2 . The catapult preferably includes an arm that throws a projectile that is placed on the arm. Preferably, the arm is set into action by the release of a trigger mechanism. The trigger mechanism may be set off by the force of another projectile landing on a catch tray of the catapult. Also, preferably the tension applied to the arm is adjustable, and the arm&#39;s projectile release point is adjustable. These adjustment capabilities allow the catapult&#39;s projectile throw angle and velocity to be set within an available range, which provides for variety in the uses of the catapults. 
     Preferably, the adjustable arm tension (i.e., throw force) is accomplished with a torsion spring that can be wound and unwound as desired, to adjust the spring force. This is preferably accomplished with a knob that turns a cam that contacts the spring end, although other means of tension adjustment are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. 
     The adjustable throw arm release point can be accomplished using an adjustable cam, which is contacted by the arm during its travel upwards, to define an adjustable arm travel end point. This is also the projectile release point. Other means of accomplishing this result are also within the scope of this invention. 
     The catch tray can be any size or shape, and the arm release mechanism can also be accomplished as desired. In the preferred embodiment, the catch tray has an arm with a lower portion that releasably engages the throwing arm. When a sufficient force is applied to the tray (loosely calibrated to be the weight of a projectile traveling at a certain velocity), the catch tray arm pivots about a pivot point or is bent sufficiently to release the catch, which frees the throw arm, which is then forced upwards by the spring tension. Other means of accomplishing this automatic throw arm release are also contemplated. Manual release can also be accomplished. 
     Two other features that may be included in the invention are also shown in the drawings. A uniquely-shaped projectile can be used by providing a projectile stabilizer protrusion on the end of the throw arm. The projectile would be made to have a complimentary-shaped receiving portion. This would help ensure that projectiles having the right size, shape and/or weight would be used with the device. Also, the projectiles could be made in a fashion (e.g. soft and light) in which they would not cause injury. Another feature is a non-skid and/or suction cup bottom, that would help to keep the catapult in a stable position on the floor or a table top; when the projectile is released, some force is transferred to the catapult body, which tends to make the catapult “walk” across the surface. To play the multiple-user game version described below, it is desirable to keep the catapults in (or close to) a fixed position. 
     The preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS.  1  and  3 - 11 . Device  10  comprises catapult body  12 , which is pivotably fixed at pivot axis  12  to intermediate member  28 , that is itself rotationally fixed to base member  24  having gripping feet  26 . Catch tray  14  is coupled to arm  16  that pivots about axis  20 . Projectile launching member or throw arm  18  has portion  55  that accepts the uniquely-shaped projectile having a bottom shape that matches the shape of portion  55 . Knob  30  provides an adjustable projectile release point. 
     FIG. 2 schematically depicts an alternative embodiment that helps in understanding the functionality and mechanisms of both this embodiment and the preferred embodiment. Catapult device  10   a  includes throw arm  66  that pivots about pivot  95  as urged by launch force coil spring  82 . Cam  81  sets the spring tension by moving extending spring end  97  from a lower position  82   a  that defines the lowest spring tension available to the upper position  82   b  that defines the greatest spring tension available. It can be seen that turning cam  81  in a counter clockwise direction when the spring is at point  82   a  pushes the spring end up to the highest position of point  82   b . The launch arm end point is accomplished with cam  61   a  which allows the end point to be set from the lowest point  66  to a highest point  67 . This changes the throw angle of the device. 
     In this embodiment, throw arm  18   a  is held in the cocked position  65  by slipping catch  68  under catch  69  of flexible portion  70  of triggering arm  16   a . In this embodiment, catch  68  is released from catch  69  by downward force applied to catch tray  14   a  which pushes distal end  93  of pushing rod  92  against distal end  71  of catapult triggering arm  16   a . This causes portion  70  to bend so that catch  69  moves to the left in the picture and releases catch  68 . Throw arm  18   a  is then pushed up by the force of spring  82 . 
     In the preferred embodiment shown in the other figures, this same cam adjustment action is used to both the launch spring and the launch arm end point. 
     Feet  26  (FIG. 6) include projecting portions  39  that fit in openings within portions  36  of base  24 . Bottoms  40  of feet  26  preferably have gripping rubber or other soft/gripping portions that help to inhibit the catapult from moving due to the force of launches and catches. Base  24  also has notches  35  that help to hold the device in a particular launch direction. 
     Member  28  (FIG. 7) sits on top of base  24  (FIG.  5 ), with projecting portion  42  fitting in opening  33 , thus allowing the rotation about a vertical axis of member  28  relative to member  24 . Projections  43  and  44  define the opening that accepts projecting portions  31  of member  12 . This allows member  12  to pivot on horizontal axis  22 , so that not all of the recoil force created on projectile launch is transferred to base  24 . This helps to maintain the catapult in place. 
     Arm  16  (FIG. 8) includes catch projection  49  that holds projection  56  in throw arm  18  (FIG. 10) when the device is in the launch position. Then, when force is applied to tray  14 , the resulting downward movement of tray  14  causes arm  16  to pivot about axis  20 , and thus release arm  18 , which itself pivots about portion  57 . Cam portion  61  of knob  30  lies in the path of arm  18  so that arm  18  strikes portion  61 , to suddenly stop the motion of arm  18  and thus launch the projectile fitted on portion  55 . Cam  61  thus provides an adjustable projectile release point by stopping the motion of arm  18  at a variable point. 
     Tray  14  (FIG. 9) has projections  53  that fit in receiving openings  47  in member  16 , so that when downward force is applied on tray  14 , such as for example by the impact of a projectile, member  16  is pushed down and thus pivots on axis  20  to release member  18  and therefore fire the projectile. 
     One manner of playing a game with three of these catapults is as follows. A first catapult is used to throw a projectile along a path, into the projectile catch area of a second catapult, which is thus caused to launch its projectile along a path to the catch area of a third catapult, which then launches its projectile along a path to the catch area back to the first catapult. Each user (other than the starting user, who begins by manually releasing the catch arm) must retrieve a projectile after its lands on the player&#39;s catapult projectile catch area, reset the throw arm, and immediately place the projectile (or a spare projectile) on the throw arm, before another projectile lands on the player&#39;s catapult. In this fashion, the projectiles are continuously passed around in a loop. The number of catapults, and the placement and distance between the catapults is determined in advance, with the proper spring tension/arm release points determined for the desired throws. Any number of players can play this game. 
     Other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art and are within the following claims: