Patent Publication Number: US-3970308-A

Title: Ring, ball and cone retrieval apparatus

Description:
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to amusement game devices involving the skill and timing of the player or players. 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game device in which some of the game pieces are thrown into the air serially, to be retrieved selectively by the participants. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game of skill and timing in which there is a main base member which is held in the hand and a pair of different playing token members which are selectively cast into the air, the object being to retrieve a particular one of the token members before the other different token member hits the ground. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game and toy game device in which there is a major game base element in the form of a truncated cone with an upturned brim portion at its lower end, including a ring member which normally sits on the cone near its brim, and which is to be tossed into the air by the player who also throws a ball into the air and is supposed to try to catch the ring with the cone before the ball hits the ground. 
     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel game device which can be played by more than one player in competition with each other. 
     Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel toy and game device which is simple in design, includes only a few parts and which can be made of readily available materials, at low cost and by hand or mass production. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The playing of games of skill and chance have always been a source of interest on the part of most persons, young or old, and new and novel games are eagerly sought and played. The present invention is a game set which is easily understood and can be played by anyone including children both indoors and out of doors. It includes a very minimum of parts and can be assembled at low cost. Thus, there is a main element in the form of a cone with a ring member seated thereon, which is thrown into the air and it is to be retrieved on the cone before a ball which is also thrown reaches the ground. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
     FIG. 1 is a plan view of the ball which is thrown in the game, as it is tied with a return string having a finger holder; 
     FIG. 2 is an elevational view of the cone member of the game device with the annular ring member seated thereon; and 
     FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of one method of playing the game, showing the various cone and other elements of play. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     In order to understand more clearly the nature of the invention and the best means for carrying it out, reference may be had to the drawings in which like numerals denote similar parts throughout the several views. 
     As shown, there is a cone member 10 which is truncated at its upper end 12 and has at its lower wide end 14 an upturned brim portion 16. According to one form of the invention, the cone member 10 is hollow and made of light weight material, such as plastic, sheet metal or fibre board. The outer surface of the cone member is preferably quite smooth, so that the smooth inner surface of the annular ring member 18 is easily slidable over the cone surface where it normally remains near the brim 16 before being thrown into the air. 
     The cone member is grasped by the hand of the player, by grasping its brim 16 and by giving a quick swing of his or her arm, which results in the ring member 18 being thrown into the air as best seen in FIG. 3. The game set includes a ball 20, attached to a retrieval retaining string 22 made of nylon or other strong cord and has a finger holder ring 24 at the other end so that the ball cannot get too far away from the players. 
     The player holds the ball and the cone member and with the ball held firmly in the hand, the ball is then thrown into the air with the aim of returning the ring to its place on the cone before the ball hits the ground. The string may be about four feet long and the ball need not be heavy. However, the annular ring member 18 should be made of very light weight plastic material which would give the sensation and appearance of sort of floating through the air. 
     The game is such that it can be played singly or with more than one player, in which one would try to retrieve his partner&#39;s ring. With more than two players, you try to retrieve your own and as many others as possible. As shown in FIG. 3, the hand may be thrust through the hollow cone member, to swing the cone to throw the ring member into the air and to throw the ball also. An attempt might also be made as seen in FIG. 3 to throw the ball through the ring. 
     Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in specific terms, it is understood that there are many changes, modifications and additions which may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.