US1579172A - Basket-ball game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

March 35 1926. P

-J. W. WEAVER BASKET B ALL AME APPARATUS Fiied August 8, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet l AJb/t/L W We]:

ATTORNEYS March 5N) T926. 1 579 17 J. w. WEAVER BASKET BALL GAME APPARATUS Filed August 8, 1925 S Sheets-Sheet 2 Mafch 3U 1926.

J. W. WEAVER BASKET BALL GAME APPARATUS Filed August 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet s WITNESSES ZZZ ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 39, 1925,

warren stares JOHN W. WEAVER, or RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA.

BASKET-BALL GAME APPARATUS.

Application filed August 8, 1925. Serial No. 49,040.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN WV. l/VEAVER, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Raleigh, in the county of ake and State of North Carolina, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Basket-Ball Game Apparatus, ofwhich the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in basketball game apparatus, and it consists in the combinations, constructions and arrangements herein described and claimed.

An object of the invention is the provision of a game apparatus having ,means whereby a game which closely resembles in all important phases and aspects the usual game of basketball can be played. v

A furtherobject of the invention is to provide a game apparatus of the character described having mechanical means operable to perform plays closely resembling practically all the plays which will take place during the playing of the actual game of basketball, with results which will vary according to the skill of the operator in substantially the same manner as the results of corresponding plays in the actual game of basketball will vary according to the skill of the performer of the plays.

it still further object of the invention is the provision of a game apparatus of the character described which will be compact in form and may be transported from place to place or stored readily with practically all the parts of the apparatus assembled ready for the playing of the game.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved game apparatus with a portion of the cover of the case of the apparatus broken away to disclose parts which are located within the case,

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the game apparatus with the cover or the case omitted and with the remaining elements of the game apparatusassembled ready for use,

Figure. 3 is a: plan view of the body of the case of the device with the game board omitted to show the underlying operating mechanism. of the device,

Figure 4. is a relatively enlarged trans verse vertical section through the body of the apparatus, taken substantially along the line i-4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a still further enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing certain associated elements of the operating mechanism of the device.

In carrying out the invention, I provide a game board which comprises a relatively large central portion designated generally 1 and a continuous marginal portion 2 which extends completely around the central portion '1. The game board may be made of any suitable material, such as a light gauge metal, cardboard, fiber or the like. The marginal portion 2 slopes from its outer edge toward the central portion 1.

A case in which, the game board and associated elements may be housed comprises a body consisting of a base 3 and pairs of upstanding side walls 4L and end walls 5 which are secured on the base 3 and to each other in any suitable known manner so as to produce a box-like body which is open at its upper end. The bottom 3 extends at the sides and ends outwardly beyond the sides at and the ends 5 of the body of the case, thus producing a' base flange, indicated at 3 on which the lower edges of the sides 6 and the ends 7 of a cover for the body of the case rest when the cover is in position on the body of the case as shown in Figure 1, the top or head 8 of the cover being supported on or close to the upper edges of the sides' l and the ends 5 of the body of the case. The cover can be secured in position on the body of the case in any suitable known manner, no means therefor being shown, so that the case and the contents thereof can be readily transported from place to place or stored and the contents of the case will be protected. The game board fits in the body of the case. The central portion 1 of the game board is supported in a substantially horizontal plane within the body of the case centrally of the body of the case and in spaced relation to the base 3 by means of supporting blocks or standards 9 which are secured on'the base 3 and on which the cover section of the central portion of the game board rests. The marginal portion 1 of the game board overlaps the central portion 1 of the ame board slightly and is supported in the body of the case on horizontal cleats which are attached to the vertical walls of the body or" the case and on the inclined upper faces 11 of other supporting members 12 which are secured to the base 8 of the body of the case. The top surface of the game board constitutes the playing field which may be divided by lines which are produced thereon as indicated at 13, 11, i5, 1G, 17 and 18 respectively, into sections in the same manner as a field on which the actual game of basketball may be played is divided.

A tubular support 19 is secured on a bracket 20 on the base 3 and extends through a central opening 21 in the central portion 1 of the game board above the level of the latter. The bore 22 of the tubular supporting member 19 is enlarged at its upper end and is "fashioned to provide concaved seat 23 which is adapted to receire a portion of a ball 2i which is used in playing the game. A plunger rod 25 is movable vertically through an opening 26 in the supporting portion of the bracket 20 and through the bore 22 of the supporting member 19. The plunger rod 25 may be moved vertically to the position shown in Figure -11- against the ball 21 to displace the latter from the upper end of the supporting member 19 so that the ball will fall by gravity onto the playing field when it is desired to put the ball in play as will be hereinafter pointed out. The lever 27 for operating the plunger rod 25 is t'ulcrumed intermediate its length on a horizontal pivot element 28 which is carried by a bracket 29 adapted to be secured on the base in the space between the base and the game board. The lever 27 is pivotally attached at its inner end, as at 30, to the lower end of the plunger rod and is of sufficient length to terminate at its outer end close to one of the side walls 4- ot the body of the case, the outer end portion of the lever being inclined slightly in an u ward direction from the axis of the pivot 28 to the outer end of the lever as shown in Fig ure 4. A vertical push rod 31 depem s through a slot or aperture in the inclined marginal portion 2 of the game board and is Vertically slidable in aligned openings in vertically spaced arms 533 and 3st respective ly ot a bracket 35 which is secured on the base 3. The push rod 81 rests at its lower end on the outer end portion of the lever 27. A lateral stop projectionon the push rod 31 between the arms 33 and 31 of the bracket is adapted to engage with the upper arm to limit the upward movement of the push rod. The weight of the plunger rod 25 and the inner end portion of the lever 27 is greater than that of the outer end portion of the lever 27 and the push rod 31 so that the push rod normally will be held by gravity at the upper limitof its possible movement, as shown in Fig. 4. A knob 37 01' other han dlc may be placed on the upper eml oi the push rod 3 so that it can be operated conveniently.

The central portion 1 ol the ame board is formed to produce relatively raised transversely extending narrow portions or ridges ateach end of the central portion of the game board, as indicated at 18. The central portion 1 ot the game board also is formed with a transversely extending ridge or narrow relatively raised portion 19 midway between the ridges 3H and with two other transversely extending ridges 4-0, each of which is located approximately midway between the middle ridge 39 and an end. ridge 38. The central portion 1 of the game board also is formed so that the portions of the playing field which are located between adjacent transrersely extending ridges will be inclined downwardly or slope longitudinally of the playing field from the respective adjacent ridges to a line which extends transversely of the playing lield approvimately midway between said adjacent ridges. However, these general slopes or" the upper surface of the central portion 1 of the game board are interrupted between adjacent transverse ridges by other relatively raised portions or protuberances which will be hereinafter described.

The central portion 1 of the game board is formed with a pair of openings -11 which are located in the game board along the longitudinal median line thereof and respectively are located between the central opening 21 and the respective transverse ridgm 40 at equal distances from the central opening 21, each opening l1 being located ap' proximately midway between the middle ridge 39 and the adjacent transverse ridge 410 at the juncture of the two slop between the middle ridge 3t) and the adjacent transverse ridge 40.

The game board is tormcd with a pair o 1'' vertical openings 42 between the middle ridge 39 and each ot' the adjacent transverse ridges it). the respective openings 42 of each pair being located adjacent to opposite side edges of the central portion of the game board and equidistant from the longitudinal median line of the central portion of the game board, best seen in Figure 2. ln additioin the game board is formed with a vertical opening at the intersection ot each of the ridges 40 with the longitudinal median line of the central portion of the game board. A pair ot other vertical openings l-i is formed in the game board adjacent to each. of the opposite ends of the entral portion of the game board the respective openings at of each pair being lm-atcd adjacent to the corners at one end of the cent al portion of the game board eouilistant from the longitudinal median line ot' the central portion of the gameboard. The

openings; 41,. e2, 43 and a l are shown as be substantially rectangular. Longitudinal ridges 45 are provided on the central portion of the game board to extend along the longitudinal median line of the central portion of he game board from the openings 43 to the adjacent ends of the central portion of the game board and the playing field has slopes extending oppositely from each of these ridges toward the adjacent openings 44%.. The game board also is formed with: protuberances as indicated at i6, each of which is located between an: opening ll and the adjacent opening 42. The central portion of the game-board has the longitudinal edges thereof raised slightly above the level of the adjacent openings 42 and it as indicated at 47. It therefore will be obvious that the playing field has slopes inclined upwardly in all directions from each of the openings 41, 42, and A and: that a ball which falls on the playing held: at any point will roll into one of these openings.

The game board carries a pair of back stops 48'., each of which is shown as being a plate having a horizontal shoulder 49 on its outer face at a'distance from the lower end of the plate approximately equal to the height of. the end walls 5 above the adjacent ends of the inclined marginal portion of the game board. Each plate 48 is placed in the position shown in Figure 2 with the shoulder tQ-restin-g on the upper edge of one of the end walls 5 and with the lower edge of the plate resting upon the adjacent end portion of the game. board and being retained against accidental displacement by means of a pair of spring clamping fingers 50 which are secured at t eir lower ends to the ad acent end wall 5, as by means of screws 51, and whlch extend through a cutout or slot 52. in the adjacent edge of the game board to position above the game board to clamp the lower end portlon of the adjacent back stop against the upper end portion of the adjacent end wall of the case of the device. A basket or objective 53 which preferably is formed in the siinilitude of a basket such as used in playing the actual game of basket ball, is supported on the inner face of each of the back stops 48, as by means of a bracket 54. The back stops 48 are arranged on the game board and the baskets 53 are supported on the back stops in such positions that the center of each basket will lie directly above the, longitudinal median line of the game board.

As previously stated. each of the openings 171 Q2, 43 and at is substantially rectangular, and these openings are formed in the game board so that the longitudinal axis of the game board will pass directly through the centers of the respective openings ll and 43 and parallel to the major axes of theopenings The openings 42' have the major axes thereof oblique to the longitudinal axis of the game board and the major axes of the two openings l2 which are located at each side of the transverse media-n line oi the game board he in vertical planes which, if extended, will intersect along a line eatcnding vertically through the center of the adjacent basket or objective 58.

A rest block 55- is associated with each of the openings 41. A rest block 56 is associated wi h each of the openings e21 A r st block 5'? is associated with each. of the openings it and a rest block 58 is associated with each of the openings 4-3. Each of these rest blocks is adjustably supported on the bottom 3 of the case of the device by means of a bracket 59 having an attaching arm 60 at its lower end formed with apertures for the reception ct screws for attaching the bracket to the; bottom 3 and having a screw threaded red like upstanding arm 62- whichextends through an opening in an attaching ear or lug 63 t rat is carriedby the associated rest block, the portion 62 of the bracket being adj-ustably engaged above the car 63- by a nut 6d and ad-justably engaged also below the ear 63 by a nut 65-. lhese nuts can be adjusted on the bracket arm 62 to support the associated rest block in any one of a plurality of vertically adjusted positions.

Each rest block 55 is supported on the bottom of the case directly beneath one of the openings ii, and is formed with an inclined run-way 66 in the portion thereof which is located directly beneath the associated opening 4-.1. Each run-way 66 is arcuate in cross section so that a ball will roll freely therealong. The run-way in each rest block is inclined toward its upper end in the direction of the remote basket or objective 53. Each rest block 56 like w se is formed with an inclined channel run-way 6 7 in the portion thereof which is directly beneath the associated opening 42. Each run-way 67 is inclined toward its upper end in the direction ofthe proximate basket 53. Each :rest block 57 has an inclined channel runway 68 in the portion thereof which is directly underneath the 'associated opening 44, and each channel runway 68 inclined toward its upper end in a direction which extends substantially parallel to the direction of length of the central portion of the game board. Each rest block protrudes from the associated opening 43 above the level of the game board, and .1, formed with an inclined channel run-way in the portion thereof which is opposite to the adjacent basket 53, such channel runway being inclined toward its upper end in the direction of the adjacent basket 53.

Movement of ball by gravity along the run-way of each of the rest blocks from the upper end of that run-way toward the bot tom 3 or" the case is limited by a pivoted throw-plate or flipper '50, one of which o." the run-way as about the 213115 ot .ts he t one ot the re a, I show 1s havin a pair of 1 recured in the janitorial or' ich the do s enter end termed 'ied openings through w rich :1 ne i l F-zuppoiting rod 73 ere l "he ends of the supporting rod then la n tori rd inward inlicated at Tel, and c l I "cool .Cll ot the at o i.i v le pivotally in the row plate I supported shown in that iig'urc. provides manually operahle ting the throw plates sceach throw plate so actuhall which is resting the associated rnn JOYQ the playing field all varyiag l)Oi'l1 ac- 1'; r locat on of the rest :h the hall was 'o 'ected manner in which the alate was actuated. The 1 r for the respective 1M0 tor each tln'ow plate altho 51h indirit ual cleing mechanism units for :w plates may vary slightly rar thereof or other imn ateriat its an: :ern I therefore shall l confine my mechanism (that wh ha deei oeecripticn to the operating ot the throw plates. rated in Fignre 5.) and orrc nondingl' elements of the act'n. 2 a s for t 1e respective hrow platen hy the same reference charac'er a atmr; mechanism which 18 Sl\ n we 5 includes an operating rod le portion slidahly and roin horizontally almed as indicated a a -(l aS indicated at t tl e case the devic 1e ll of the operating rod rate a lateralh turned guide poreate in an associated cam n as being disposed as having an attaclr Y edge-wise ant ing portion 81 secured by a screw 82 to the bottom 3 of the case of the device, and as c ral with the bracket T6, although The guiding portion TS operating rod is merged into a striker 1 rich cxtends sulistantially parthe handle portion of the operating formed at its extremity with a 1 which hears against the nndei'tace ociated throw plate. The guiding ning; slot T comprises tvo vertic-ally spaced end portions connected h an inclined portion the higher of the two end portions of the guiding and retaining Slot lacing ncarcet to the {lrjSOLltllQ-Ll throw plate. A sprin arm 96 is attached at one end as at 87 to the operating rod at the juncture of handle portion and thc guide portion of the operating rod and it supported at its o 101' end in a vertical slot in the upper eid portion of a post Sf) "ecnrcd on the hottom 23 of the ca;-.e

1e Spring arm 86 acts conthe guide portion T8 of to position at the end of M V inin slotv which nearest to the a sociated throw plate.

Each of the remaining throw plates has an operatin mechanism practically idential in eseendal respects with that just dcscribed and the handle portion of the operating rod of the actuating mcchaninm for each of the throw plates extends tnrough an opening; in an end wall of the l ody of the case. The cover of the case may have notches in its edge, as indicated at on for the reception. of the outer end portionn oi" the opera-til handles of the throw plate actuating mechanisms when the cover in position on the hotly of the case as shown in Figure 1.

From the foregoing description ct the various part? of the device. the operation thereof may he readily understood. The opei'iing's l1 are located in t e game hoard in substantially t positions which the coin tmnousl to the crating:

the

ters of two opposing teams occupy at the l: inning ot play in the actual game of 4-2 at one side of of the game hoard of the game hoard respectively occupy the positione which the right and left forwards ot' the opposing teann aesume in the playing of the actual game of haslzct. hall. The oper ngs ll which are adjacent to one end of the central portion of th game hoard are ocated in the powrtione which the right nid let't guards 01 one liasltet. hall team assume on a playing held at the beginning of llU the actual game of basketball and the openings 4a which are adjacent to the opposite end of the central portionot the playing field are located in the positions of the right and left guards of theopposing team. The openings 13 are in the positions which players take in the actual game of basketball in trying to throw the basketball into the adjacent basket by means oi, a free throw.

The rest blocks associated with the open-- in 's 42, H and 48 which respectively represent the right and left forwards, the right and left guards, and a player having a free throw, all of one team, are colored to distinguish such rest blocks from the remaining rest blocks which of course represent corresponding posit-ions o fyplayers on the opposing team. The operating handles of the actuating mechanisms tor the throw plates which are associated with rest blocks representing the positions of players of one of two opposing basket ball teams and a player who has a free throw at the adjacent basket, extendthrough openings in one of the end walls at of the body of the case while the operating handles of the actuating mechanisms for the throw plates which are as sociated with the rest blocks representing the corresponding positions of players on the opposing team, and a player on the opposing team who is entitled to a free throw for the adjacent basket, extend through openings in the opposite end wall of the body of thecase. The rules for the playing of the game with the use of the improved apparatus of course may vary by agreement between the persons playing, but preferably conform substantially to the rules which are used in connection with the actual game of basket ball. The game" may be played by two persons or by two or more groups of persons. The opposing players having taken their positions at opposite ends of the body of thec'ase and the cover of the case of course having been removed, the ball 24 is placed in position in the seat 23 at the upper end of the tubular support 19. The referee or'any other person forces the rod 31 downwardly sharply as by striking the knob or handle 37, thus causing motion to, be transmitted through the lever 27 to the plunger rod 25 which is projected quickly upward through the tubular support- 19, thus ejecting the ball 24 from the seat 23 and causing the ball to rise a slight distance in the air and then to fall onto the playing field, thus representing the toss-up of a basketball by the referee between the two centers of the opposing teams in the actual game of basketball. The ball will roll by gravity on the playing field into one of the openings 42, 41 or .44. The player or team represented by the throw platewhich is associated with the particular opening 1nto which the ball rolls is entitled to operate the actuating mechanism tor that throw plate to cause the ball to be flipped or pro rest "block which is associated with one of the openings 4-1, which positions are those of the guards of the opposing basketball teams, the operating handle of the actuatin mechanism for the throw plate which is associated with that rest bloc-k, cannot be actuated to project the ball into the basket of the opposing team direct, but can be actuated to cause the ball to roll into the run way of a rest block with which a throw plate representing a forward or the center of the same team is associated, and the ball then can be projected by reason of actuation of the last named throw plate into the basket of the opposing team. It thus will be ap parent that the game apparatus afi ords tacilities for playing a game, which in practically all aspects and phases closely resembles the actual game of basketball and that the results of the individual plays and the final result of the game which is played by means of the apparatus, will be determined accord ing to the skill of the respective players. The rules which are adopted for the playing of the game may require actuation of the actuating mechanism for each throw plate within a certain time after the ball has rolled into the run-way of the rest block with which that throw plate is associated. Other rules may be provided, as desired' In the event that such rules are not followed by the player ofa team, the opposing player or team may be entitled to a free throw at the basket of the opposing player or team as is the case when a foul has been committed in the playing ofthe ac tual game of basketball. In that event the ball is placed by the referee in the run-way 69 of the rest block 58 which is proximate to the basket of the player or team by whom the foul was committed, and the opposing player is entitled to actuate the throw plate associated with that particular rest block 58 in an endeavorto project the ball into the basket of the playeror team by wi'om the foul is committed. A guard rail or bar such as indicated at 91 may be associated with the upper end portion of each of the rest blocks 58 to prevent the ball from being displaced accidentally from position in the runway 69 of that restblock.

Obviously, the invention is susceptible of embodiment in forms other than that which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and I therefore consider as my own all such modifications and adaptations thereof as fairly fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim 1. In a game apparatus, a game board having an opening and formed with the upper surface thereof sloping toward said opening, a rest block associated with said opening and'having a run-way for the reception of a ball entering said opening, and means carried by said rest block adapted to be actuated to project said ball from said run-way into the space above the game board.

2. In a game apparatus, a game board having openings corresponding substantially in position to the positions of the players of two opposing teams when playing the actual game of basketball, said game board having the upper surface thereof formed to slope toward said openings from all sides of said openings, baskets supported at opposite ends of the game board, and means associated vith the respective openings operable selectively to project a ball from said 1 openings above said game board, and toward one of said baskets.

In a game apparatus of the character described, a game board having a continuous marginal portion and a relatively large central portion, said marginal portion being inclined downwardly from its outer edge, said central portion having a ridge on its upper face extending transversely of said central portion of the game board intermediate the length of the latter, said central portion having transverse ridges at the opposite ends thereof and at the sides thereof and having transverse ridges intermediate said middle transverse ridge and said end transverse ridges, series of openings in said game board between said middle transverse ridge and the adjacent transverse ridges, other series of openings in said game board between said end transverse ridges and the adjacent transverse ridges, baskets supported at opposite ends of said game board above the level of the game board, and means associated with the respective openings for projecting a ball from any one of said openings into the space above the game board and in the direction of one of said baskets.

4. In a game apparatus, a game board having openings corresponding in location substantially to the positions of rest of the respective players of two opposing teams in the actual game of basketball, said game board being formed to slope upwardly in all directions from the edge of each of said openings, a basket at each of the opposite ends of said game board, and means associated with each of said openings for projecting a ball from that opening into the space above said game board.

5. In a game apparatus, a game board having openings corresponding in location substantially to the positions of rest of the respective players of two opposing teams in the actual game of basketball, said game board being formed to slope upwardly in all directions from the edge of each of said openings, a basket at each of the opposite ends of said gameboard, means associated with each of said openings for projecting a. ball from that opening into the space above said game board. and means located at the center of said game board for supper ing a ball, said ball supporting means being operable to project said ball into the air above said game board.

6. In a game apparatus of the character described, a game board havinga central opening, a tubular supporting member extending through said central opening above the level of the game board, said tubular supporting member being enlarged at its upper end internally and formed to partiallyreceive a ball, aplunger reciprocable in the bore of said tubular member, a lever 'l'ulcrumed intermediate its length for movement about a horizontal axis, said lever being pivotally attached at one end to the lower end of said plunger, and a vertically shiftable actuating rod extending above said game board and resting at its lower end on the free end of said lever, as and for the purpose described.

7. In a game apparatus of the character described, a game board having openings located in positions corresponding substantially to the positions of the forwards, centers, and guards of two opposing teams engaged in the actual game of basketball, baskets supported at opposite ends of the game board, means associated with the openings which represent the centers and forwards of the opposing teams for projecting a hall from said openings into a basket, and other means associated with the openings which represent the guards for projecting a ball therefrom in the direction of the openings which represent the associated forwards.

S. In a game apparatus of the character described, a game board, means at the opposite ends of said game boards for supporting baskets above the game board, said gameboard having openings adjacent to each of its opposite ends and directly in front of the adjacent basket, a rest block for each of said openings, said rest block extending through the associated opening above the level of the game board, said rest block haw ing an inclined run-away in the side thereof which is remote from the adjacent basket. said runway being inclined toward its upper end in the direction of the adjacent basket, a pivoted throw plate extending into said run-way below the level of said opening and operable to project a ball from said run-way into the adjacent basket. I

9. In a game apparatus of the character described, a game board, means at the opposite ends of said game board for supporting baskets above the game board, said game board having openings adjacent to each of itsopposite ends and directly in front of the adjacent basket, a rest block for each of said openings, said rest block extending through the associated opening above the level of the game board, said rest block having an inclined run-way in the side thereof which is remote from the adj acent basket, said run-way being inclined toward its upperv end in the direction ot the adjacent basket, a pivoted throw plate extending into said run-way below the level of said opening and operable to project a ball-from said run-way into the adjacent basket, and a guard bar at the edge of the run-way above the level of said game board for preventing accidental displacement of the ball from the associated run-way.

10. In a game apparatus, a game board having an opening, a rest block adjustably supported adjacent to said opening, said rest block having a runway formed therein substantially in line with a portion of said opening, a throw plate supported to swing about a horizontal axis, a portion of said throw plate extending into the lower part of said run-way and adapted to support a ball in said runway, and means for actuating said throw plate to project said ball from said run-way and through the opening in said game board.

11. In a game apparatus of the character described, a rest block having an inclined channel runway, means for supporting said block for adjustment vertically, a throwplate pivotaly supported at the edge of the lower part of said run-way and having a portion extending into said run-way and adapted to cooperate with the run-way to support a ball therein, and spring impelled means in contact with the lower face of the swingable portion of said throw plate and adapted to be actuated at will to swing said throw plate upward, whereby the ball in said run-way will be projected from said run-way. V

12. In a game apparatus of the character described, a rest block having an inclined channel run-way, means for supporting said block for adjustment vertically, a throw plate pivotally supported at the end 01 the lower part of said run-way and having a portion extending into said run-way and adapted to cooperate with the run-way to support a ball therein, spring impelled means in contact with the lower face of the swingahle portion of said throw plate and adapted to be actuated at will to swing said throw plate upward, whereby the ball in said runway will be projected from said runway, and a cam for guiding said spring impelled means in contact with said throw member, and in response to the actuation of the spring.

13. In a game apparatus of the character described, a rest block having an inclined channel runway, means for supporting said block for adjustment vertically, athrow plate pivotally supported at the end of the lower part of said run-way and having av portion extending into said run-way and adapted to cooperate with the run-way to support a ball therein, a cam plate supported below the level of said throw plate and having a cam extending substantially at right angles to theaxisot' swinging movement of said throw, plate, an axially movable operating rod having laterally turned portion extending through said cam slot and formed with a. striker head in contact continuously with the undert'ace of said throw plate, and a spring attached to said operatin rod and adapted to be energized when said operating rod is pulled in the direction opposite to said throw plate to cause said striker head to rebound forcibly when said operating rod is released, whereby said throw plate will be swung upward in response to the actuation of said spring, and said ball will be projected from saic run-way.

14. In a game apparatus of the character described, a rest block having an inclined runway, a bracket attached to a fixed support and having an upwardly extending arm, an attaching ear secured to said rest block and having an opening through which said upwardly extending arm of the bracket loosely extends, and clamping means adjustably engageable with said upwardly extending arm of the bracket for releasably holding said rest block in adjusted position on said upwardly extending arm, and a pivoted throw plate carried by said rest block, said throw plate having a portion swingable in 'the runway to project a ball or the lik from the run-way.

15. In a game apparatus, a game board having a series of openings, pivoted throw plates associated with said openings and each operable to project a ball through the associated opening into the space above said game board, and a unitary actuating mechanism for each of said throw plates, each of said actuating mechanisms including an operating rod, certain of said opera-ting rods extending beyond one end of said game board and the remaining operating rods extending beyond the opposite ends of the game boards.

16. A game apparatus of the character described, comprising a case, said case having a body portion comprising a base and upstandingside and end walls, a game board fitting in said body of the case above the level ot' the bottom of the body of the case, oack stops removably supported on the end walls of said body of the case, baskets carried by said back stops, pivoted each operable to project a ball from said game board into the space above said game board, certain of said throw plates being operable to project the ball into one of said baskets, and the remaining thr n plates being operable to project the ball toward one of said first throw plates, and means extending beyond the opposite ends or the body of said case for o E i-Tilting said throw plates selectively. V 7

17, A. game apparatus of the character described, comprising a case, said case having a body portion con'iprising' a base and upstanding side and end vi lls, a game biard fitting in said body of the case above the level of the bottom of the b dy otrthe case, back stops removably supported on the end walls of said body of the case, liiaskets car- 'ried by said back stops, pivoted throw plates each operable to project a ball from said game board into the space above said game board, certain of said throw plates being ope 'able;to project the ball into one of said baskets, and the remaining throw plates being operable to project the ball tothrow plates W vard'one ot said first throw plates, means extending beyond the opposite ends of the body of said case for operating said throw plates selectively, and a cover for said body of the case. 7

18. u a game apparatus of the character descrn d, a case including a body having a pair ot spaced TQI'tlCitlXVilllS, a pair of spring lingers extendingclose to the inner face of each of said *ertical walls, a back stop for each (i said vertical walls, each back amp havin a shoulder adapted to rest on the upper edge of the associated v :rtical wall and having the lower end portion pted to tit snugly between the adjacent spring lingers and said vertical wall.

In a game apparatus of the character described, a case including a body having a pair of spaced vertical walls. a pair of spring lingers extending close to the inner face ot o said vertical walls. a back stoptor said vertical walls, each back stop a shoulder adapted to rest on the uper edge of the associated vertical wall and be lower end portion adapted to tit setween theadjacent spr' lingers ano 3 vertical wall, and a basket supported on the inner tace of each of said back stops. 1

HN w WEAVER.

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