US2974956A - Toy return hoop - Google Patents

Description

March 14, 1961 1 A. G. zuBE 2,974,956

Toy RETURN HoolD Filed Jan. 2, 1959 INVENTOR.

ATTORNEY- United States Patent O 2,974,956 YTor RETURN Hoor Alfred G. Zuber, 1309 Hollyrood Road, Sandusky, Ohio Filed Jan. z, 1959, ser. No. 784,574

z Claims. (cl. 27s- 129) This invention relates to a toy in which -a simple launching arrangement is made for a hoop to be projected from the device and rotated in such a direction as to return to substantially the initial position.

The object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive, easily operable toy of this type, which is of sufficient rugged construction as to be readily usable and is foolproof in its operation, by reason of the construction and the arrangement of the parts.

Further objects and advantages are within the scope of this invention, such as relate to the arrangement, operation and function of the related elements of the structure, to various details of construction and to combination-s of parts, elements, per se, and to economies of manufacture and numerous other features, as will be apparent from a consideration of the speciiication and drawing of a form of the invention, which may be preferred, in which:

Figure I is a perspective elevation of the toy in a position for discharging the hoop;

Figure II is a prespective elevation showing the hoop in position for cocking the same;

Figure III is a section taken on the line III-III of Figure I;

Figure IV is an alternate form of the launching pad shown in Figure III;

Figure V is an elevation illustrating the action of the device in use; and

Figure VI shows an alternate construction of the groove in the launching pad.

Referring to the drawings, is a iiat launching pad which may be constructed of wood, plastic, or other suitable material adapted to be placed on the floor or other llat surface. This base 10 has a longtudinally extending groove 12 therein opening out at one edge 13 of the base 10 as shown. The transverse conguration of this groove 12 may be rectangular (see Figure III) or the side walls may Hare outwardly as desired, as shown in Figure IV. In Figure VI an alternate method of forming the groove 12 is shown, in which the groove slopes upward as at 12A to meet the upper surface of the base 10. A suitable flexible or stretchable member such as a rubber band 15 is attached or positioned as at 16 to the base 10. For example, the rubber band 15 may be a continuous band and by providing kerfs or saw cuts or recesses 17 for a short distance from either side of the base 10 as shown, the rubber band 15 may be slid into these slots 17 and the bottom portion of the band as at 16 presses against the bottom surface of the base 10 and holds the band 16 to the pad 10.

A suitable free hoop 19 of wood, plastic, or other material separate from the base 10 is provided, the diameter of the hoop 17 and the length of the rubber band 15 being proportioned having the markings thereon, as will hereinafter appear, to provide an arrangement so that said band 15 acts both as a retaining and cooking means for the hoop as well as propulsion means therefor, the hoop 2,974,956 Patented Mar. 14, 19,61

ICC

19 being also proportioned to properly fit within th groove 12 as shown torbe guided thereby. v, To properly locate the hoop 19 on the launching pad or base 10, I provide one mark 20 on the base at the proper position, spaced rearwardly from the anchoring means forthe rubber band 15, the mark 20 bein-g adjacent the edge of the slot or groove 12. On the hoop 19,*1 provide a cooperating mark 22 on the inside surface of the hoop, so as to indicate to the user where the hoop with the indicator or mark 20 thereon should be placed on the base. On the outside of the hoop19 I also provide a pair of spaced marks 23 and 24 to form an indication for properly locating the rubber band 15 on the outside ofthe hoop 19 when positioning the hoop initially on the base 10. I have found that in practice, as shown in Figure 1I, the acute angle between the rubber band and the vertical to the at longitudinal surface of the base v10, when the line 20 on the hoop 19 is opposite the mark 20 (for positioning the rubber band on hoop), should be substantially thirty degrees, as shown in Figure II, so that upon initial releasing of the hoop and the band 15, a horizontal force causes the hoop to move forward slightly and assume a different position so that a new angle of about eight degrees, as shown in Figure I, is set up between the band 15 and the vertical to the base 10, in which position the hoop is cocked and ready to be launched. However in the meantime the hoop is at this time being retained in the position of Figure I by the fact that the pull of the band vertically is now overcome, the force tending to move the hoop horizontally and rotate the hoop rearwardly.

I have also provided an arrow 25 on the outside of the hoo-p 19 adjacent the pair of marks 23 and 24 to show how an operator shall actuate the toy, the arrow directed rearwardly.

The operation of the device is as follows: Place the hoop 19 in the groove 12 on the base of the launcher 10 with the arrow 25 on the hoop facing the rear, and

mark 22 on the inside of the hoop in line with mark 20- -on the launcher 10 as shown in Figure II. Place the right hand thumb or index inger on the hoop 19 at the point where the marks 23 and 24 appear, as shown in Figure II. With the left hand stretch the rubber band 15 on the hoop between the double marks 23 and 24 and then release the right hand thumb or index finger slowly and the hoop will move intoits launching position, shown in Figure I, where it will remain until released. To release, place the linger on the rubber band at points 23 and 24 on the hoop, press lightly and draw the finger back and down in the direction of arrow 25. The hoop will spin across the floor and return to the launching ramp as indicated in Figure V.

It is apparent that within the scope of the invention, modiications and different arrangements may be made other than herein disclosed, and the present disclosure is illustrative merely, the invention comprehending all variations thereof.

What I claim is:

1. A device for projecting a hoop with a reverse rotation to cause its return comprising a launching pad having relatively smooth top and bottom surfaces, said pad having a groove formed in a portion of the top surface and extending inwardly from one end thereof along the longitudinal axis of the pad, the bottom portion-of said groove being disposed below and in spaced parallel relation to said top surface, said pad having a kerf provided on each side thereof adjacent the end having the groove therein with said kerfs being in .aligned relation with one another, an elastic band secured in said kerfs and encircling said pad, a hoop having a smooth outer surface positioned in said groove, said hoop being of substantially the same width as said groove, said elastic hand being stretched to engage the upper surface of said hoop when s'aid hoop is positioned in the inner end portion of said groove, said elastic band being under tension when stretched to engage the upper portion of said hoop and moving said hoop in said grooveto a position adjacent the end of said pad to retain said hoop in launching position whereby said hoop is launched from said groove when said elastic band and the portion of the hoop engaged thereby are moved towards the inner end portion of said groove to cause said hoop to spin in a direction reverse to its direction of movement and return to its point of launching.

2. A device of the type as called for in claim 1 wherein said hoop is provided with marks on the outer surface for properly positioning the elastic band therebetween and a mark on the inner surface thereof to coincide with a mark on said pad adjacent the inner end portion of the groove, and said elastic band being disposed at an angle of substantially 60 with said top surface upon the initial emplacement of the elastic band upon said hoop and at an angle of substantially 82 with said top surface when said hoop is in its launching position.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,163,609 Bartholomew Dec. 7, 1915 1,243,334 Murry Oct. 16, 1917 1,270,378 Cobarubia June 25, 1918 2,603,204 Hartman July 15, 1952

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