US2415780A - Game apparatus - Google Patents

Description

' Feb. 11, 1947. c, -WOLF 2,415,780

GAME APPARATUS Fi led Oct. 14, 1944' PAUL C. WOLF BYjW ATTORNEY Patented Feb. 11, 1947 men STATES FFlC 2 Claims. 1

The invention relates to amusement or game apparatus or devices, and aims to provide a novel and practical device which, together with a number of balls or the like which may be used to play a game, constitutes the apparatus whereby an interesting, entertaining and amusing game may be played by persons of practically all ages above infancy.

The above and other objects will become apparent in the following description, wherein characters of reference refer to like-numbered parts in the accompanying drawing. It is to be noted that the drawing is intended for the purpose of illustration only, and that it is neither desired nor intended to limit the invention in any manner to the specific details of construction shown. excepting insofar as they may be deemed essential to the invention.

Referring briefly to the drawing, Fig. l is a side elevational view of the device shown mounted above the floor or ground on a post, the latter being shown in broken lines, with the device shown in somewhat tilted position.

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevational view taken at right angles to Fig. 1, with parts broken away and partly in section.

Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Referring in detail to the drawing, the numeral it indicates the supporting frame or pedestal of the device, comprising two spaced legs H, H downwardly diverging from each other, and having inturned feet l2 which may be joined or formed of one piece. By means of screws I 3 or the like, the frame I!) may be mounted on top of a post, as illustrated at It, or on any sort of stand, support, wall bracket, or the like.

A pivot pin or axle l5 is supported in the upper ends of the legs I I, and pivotally mounted thereon is a wheel iii. A cup I! in the form of an inverted frustrum of a cone, is formed integrally with the wheel It in such manner that the plane through the wheel at right angles to the axle l5 bisects the cup 11, and that portion of the wheel which would thus fall inside the walls of the cup is of course omitted.

The wheel I6 is made unbalanced by varying the thickness thereof progressively from a minimum value at the opposite end of that diameter of the wheel which passes axially through the cup, to a maximum at the outside walls of the cup, as indicated at [3 and I9, respectively. Provision is made, however, to control not only the degree of unbalance of the wheel but also to bring the wheel into balance.

At the thinnest portion l8 of the wheel, a diametral slot 20 is formed through the rim of the wheel, 2!, and through the spider 22 upon which the rim is mounted, or, rather, with which the rim is formed integrally as illustrated. A rod 23 is slidably mounted in the slot 20, and is adapted to be releasably locked in longitudinal position by a set screw 24. An arcuate weighted extension 25 is secured to, or forms part of, the rod 23. It is apparent that withdrawal of the rod 23 tends to bring the wheel into balance so that the cup ll stands upright, and pushing the rod in causes the cup to assume a tilted position to bring about balance of the wheel.

In playing the game, a plurality of balls, say one for each player, is used, and a smaller cup, which may be of the form of an hour glass, 26, may be positioned on the floor or ground adjacent the post it. Each player endeavors to toss his call into the cup ii-from a distance. At a certain point in the game when the weight of the balls in the cup ll has further increased the unbalance of the wheel, the weight of the balls will cause the wheel to swing so as to tip the cup and thus cause the balls therein to spill out onto the ground. If each ball has a number identifying the player having tossed that ball, upon expelling of the balls the players may hurry after them, each to recover his own ball, and the one who thus first places his ball in the hour glass cup 2% may be said to have won that match. Of course any other method or rules for playing the game may be devised.

It is apparent that by varying the radial position of the weighted rod 23 the sensitivity of the cup I"! to toppling over and expelling the balls therein is correspondingly varied, and it may also be so adjusted that the cup H is upright at the start of the game.

The'apparatus above set forth would be suitable for installation in playgrounds, gymnasiums, kindergartens, or in the home, for use iodoors or outdoors.

Obviously modifications in form and structure may be made Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

I claim:

1. A game apparatus comprising a support having a horizontal axle mounted thereon, a wheel pivotally mounted on said axle, said wheel having a cup' radially positioned thereon with the open top of said cup facing radially outward, and a radially slidable counterweight mounted on said Wheel diametrically opposite said cup.

2. A game apparatus comprising a support having a horizontal axle mounted thereon, a Wheel pivotally mounted on said axle, said wheel having a cup radially positioned thereon with the open top of said cup facing radially outward, the thickness of said wheel varying progressively REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record. in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Reed Mar. 1, 1892 N umber

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