GB2302031A - Apparatus for playing games - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus (2) for use by children for playing games comprises at least one pair of post members (4), a cross bar (6) for extending between the post members (4), and a pair of connector members (8) which are slidable up and down the post members (4) and which are releaseably lockable in position on the post members (4) at chosen heights, and the connector members (8) being such that they each support one end of the cross bar. Where the apparatus only has one set of equipment, then the children may play games such as high jump games. Where the apparatus has several sets of the equipment, then the children may play mock horse jumping games. The cross bar (6) may be in segments and may support a net.

Description

APPARA1NS FOR USE BY CHILDREN FOR PLAYING GABLES This invention relates to apparatus for use by children for playing games.

In one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided apparatus for use by children for playing games, which apparatus comprises at least one set of equipment comprising a pair of post members, a cross bar for extending between the post members, and a pair of connector members which are slidable up and down the post members and which are releaseably lockable in position on the post members at chosen heights, and the connector members being such that they each support one end of the cross bar.

Where the apparatus of the present invention comprises one set of the equipment of just the pair of post members, the cross bar and the pair of connector members, then the apparatus may comprise high jump apparatus. Children may thus play high jump games with the apparatus.

Where the apparatus of the invention comprises one set of equipment of the pair of post members, the cross bar members, the pair of connector members and a net, then the net may be suspended from the cross bar and the apparatus of the invention may then be used for playing games such for example as badminton, volley ball or tennis.

Where the apparatus of the invention comprises several sets of the equipment of the post members, the cross bar and the pair of connector members, then the various sets of equipment may be set up at spaced apart intervals in order to form a horse jumping arena in which children may play mock horse jumping games.

Preferably, the post members have bases which enable the post members to be free standing. The post members may then easily be assembled where desired, for example in a garden or a playground, and the post members can also easily be moved. If desired, the post members may have pointed ends for pushing in the ground.

The post members may advantageously be made in several pieces which are connected together.

Similarly the cross bar may advantageously be made in several pieces which are connectible together. By producing the post members and the cross bar in several pieces, the apparatus of the invention may be packaged in smaller packages which facilitates sale and distribution. If desired however the post members and/or the cross bar may each be made as a single member.

Where the post members and the cross bar are made in several pieces, then the various pieces may be connectible together by insert members. Other means for connecting the various pieces together may however be employed so that, for example, one end of one piece may be produced with a reduced diameter for pushing into one end of another piece.

The connector members may each comprise an outer ring and an inner ring, the outer ring and the inner ring being such that relative twisting of the two rings causes the inner ring to reduce in diameter for locking purposes, and to increase in diameter for release purposes. The inner and outer rings may be such as to operate with a cam action. A cam arrangement for affording the cam action can be provided on the inner ring or the outer ring as may be desired.

The inner ring may comprise a plurality of segments defined by slots. The segments can thus be biased by the cam action in order to reduce the diameter of the inner ring, and the segments can spring back due to natural flexibility of the material from which the inner ring is made in order to increase the diameter of the inner ring for release purposes.

The connector members may each have a support member for supporting one end of the cross bar. Other arrangements may be employed. Where the connector members each have a support member, then the support member may be provided on the outer ring of each connector member.

The support member is preferably a platform member. The platform member is preferably rectangular in plan.

Advantageously, the support member has a pair of ridges which are spaced apart to receive the cross bar and which extend in the direction of the cross bar during use of the apparatus of the invention.

The apparatus of the invention may be made from any suitable materials including plastics materials, wood and metals. Plastics materials are presently preferred since they are light and easily moulded to shape.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows first first apparatus of the invention in use as high jump apparatus; Figure 2 is an exploded view and shows in more detail the apparatus shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows how the height of connector members used in the apparatus of Figure 1 may be measured; Figure 4 is a top plan view of an outer ring of a connector member; Figure 5 is an underneath view of an inner ring of the connector member; Figure 6 shows the outer and inner rings of Figures 4 and 5 in position on a post member; Figure 7 shows second apparatus of the invention and in the form of horse jump apparatus; Figure 8 is an exploded view of part of the apparatus shown in Figure 7; and Figures 9 and 10 illustrate how different parts of cross bars forming part of the apparatus shown in Figure 7 may fit together and may be modified.

Referring to Figures 1 to 6, there is shown apparatus 2 for use by children for playing a high jump game. The apparatus 2 comprises one set of equipment comprising a pair of post members 4, a cross bar 6 for extending between the post members 4, and a pair of connector members 8. The connector members 8 are slidable up and down the post members 4. The connector members 8 are releaseably lockable in position on the post members 4 at chosen heights. The connector members 8 are such that they each support one end of the cross bar 6 as can best be seen from Figure 1. The post members 4 each have a base 10 which enables the post members 4 to be free standing.

The post members 4 can thus be positioned simply and easily wherever desired, for example in a garden or a playground.

Figure 2 illustrates how the post members 4 and the cross bar 6 are formed in several pieces. More specifically, the post members 4 are formed in several pieces 12 which are connected together by insert members 14. The cross bar 6 is formed in several pieces 16 which are connected together by insert members 18. The post members 4 are in the form of hollow tubes which are closed at their tops by caps 20 as shown in Figure 2.

As can best be seen from Figures 4, 5 and 6, the connector members 8 each comprise an outer ring 22 and an inner ring 24. The outer ring 22 and the inner ring 24 are such that relative rotation of the two rings causes the inner ring 24 to reduce in diameter for locking purposes and to increase in diameter for release purposes. The inner ring 24 has a plurality of segment 26 which are defined by slots 28. The segments 26 are offset from the centre of the inner ring 24 as can be seen from Figure 5. Thus the segments 26 act as a movable cam and are movable inwards when the inner ring 24 is rotated with respect to the outer ring 22.

The outer ring 22 has a support member 30 for supporting one end of the cross bar 6. The support member 30 is in the form of a rectangular platform member. The support member 30 has a pair of ridges 32 which are spaced apart to receive the end of the cross bar 6 between the two ridges 32. The two ridges 32 extend in the direction of the cross bar 6 during use of the apparatus 2.

Figure 3 shows how the cross bar 6 may be provided with height markings 34 so that the cross bar 6 is able to act as measuring apparatus for measuring the height of the connector members 8 and therefore the cross bar 6. Alternatively, a tape measure may be used and the tape measure may be laid along the cross bar 6 for support during measuring.

As can be seen from a comparison of Figures 2 and 6, the inner ring 24 can be inserted into the outer ring 22 from the top or from the bottom of the outer ring 22.

Referring now to Figure 7, there is shown apparatus 2 used by children in playing a horse jumping game. It will be seen that the apparatus 2 shown in Figure 7 comprises three sets of equipment 36. Each set of equipment 36 comprises a pair of post members 4, a cross bar 6 for extending between the post members 4, and a pair of connector members 8.

The connector members 8 are constructed as described above in connection with the high jump apparatus 2 shown in Figures 1 - 6.

The apparatus 2 shown in Figure 7 also includes a pair of start flags 38 and a pair of finish flags 40.

Flags 42 are provided in the top of post members 4 as shown. Also as shown, two of the post members 4 are provided with a picture 44. The picture 44 may be a picture of a wall or a fence and thus adds reality to the apparatus 2 when it is being used for simulated show jumping in which the children themselves jump the jumps formed by the apparatus 2.

The apparatus 2 shown in Figure 7 may be built into a variety of courses, with the jumps being arranged in any suitable and appropriate order. The jumps may be arranged in height classes and the height of each jump can be checked with a tape measure. The tape measure may be held alongside of the cross bar 6 in order to give marking accuracy. Alternatively, if desired, the cross bar 6 can actually be marked with the appropriate measurements. Players can be eliminated in they do not have a clear round. Those players with a clear round may proceed to a jump off.

During play the height of the cross bar 6 may be raised as desired and the time taken to complete a round may be timed by an elected time keeper. The game may be played such that the fastest clear round wins, with further places being decided by the fastest time with the least number of faults. If desired, there may be four faults for knocking down a fence, and three faults for a refusal or a run out.

The post members 4 shown in Figure 7 are such that they are fixed into the ground such as a lawn 46.

Figure 8 shows an example of one of the post members 4 that may be used in the apparatus 2 shown in Figure 7. It will be seen that post member 4 is in the form of pieces 12 which are connected together. A ground-engaging member 48 receives the lowermost piece 12. The ground-engaging member 48 is secured to the ground using a peg 49. As shown in Figure 8 the flag 42 has a rod 50 which locates in an aperture 52 in an end cap 54. The rod 50 is itself capped by an end cap 56.

Figure 9 shows how the cross bar 6 shown in Figure 7 may be formed in pieces 16 connected together by insert members 18. Figure 9 also shows how the cross bar 6 may be provided with a picture 44 in the form of a wall.

Figure 10 shows a cross bar 6 in the form of a pole and made up of pieces 16 connected by insert members 18.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected.

Thus, for example, the cross bar 6 shown in Figure 1 can be provided with a net in order to play badminton, tennis, volley ball or other garden games that are played with children hitting a ball or shuttlecock over a net. Where a high jump game is being played, a piece of foam or a mattress can be provided for the children to land on. The high jump apparatus 2 shown in Figure 1 is preferably provided on a non-slip nonabrasive surface.

The high jump apparatus 2 enables children to have the chance of practising high jumps at home. The horse jumping apparatus enables the children to imitate real life show jumping, and this is especially advantageous for those children who cannot afford to own a horse.

Claims (13)

1. Apparatus for use by children for playing games, which apparatus comprises at least one set of equipment comprising a pair of post members, a cross bar for extending between the post members, and a pair of connector members which are slidable up and down the post members and which are releaseably lockable in position on the post members at chosen heights, and the connector members being such that they each support one end of the cross bar.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 in which the post members have bases which enable the post members to be free standing.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the post members are made in several pieces which are connectible together.

4. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the cross bar is made in several pieces which are connectible together.

5. Apparatus according to claims 3 and 4 in which the post members and the cross bar are made in several pieces, and in which the various pieces are connectible together by insert members.

6. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connectible members each comprise an outer ring and an inner ring, the outer ring and the inner ring being such that relative twisting of the two rings causes the inner ring to reduce in diameter for locking purposes, and to increase in diameter for release purposes.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 in which the inner and outer rings operate with a cam action.

8. Apparatus according to claim 6 or claim 7 in which the inner ring comprises a plurality of segments defined by slots.

9. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims in which the connector members each have a support member for supporting one end of the cross bar.

10. Apparatus according to claim 9 in which the support member is a platform member.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10 in which the platform member is rectangular in plan.

12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 9 - 11 in which the support member has a pair of ridges which are spaced apart to receive the cross bar and which extend in the direction of the cross bar during use of the apparatus.

13. Apparatus for use by children for playing games, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.