US3139281A

US3139281A - Folding hopscotch board

Info

Publication number: US3139281A
Application number: US139537A
Authority: US
Inventors: Jerry E Nicholson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1961-09-20
Filing date: 1961-09-20
Publication date: 1964-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 1981-06-30

Description

Ju 30, 1964 .1. E. NICHOLSON FOLDING HOPSCOTCH BOARD Filed Sept. 20, 1961 IIYVENTOR. erryENwholson BY v warw ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,139,281 FOLDING HOPSCQTCH BOARD Jerry E. Nicholson, Box 1, North Lawrence, Ohio Filed Sept. 20, 1961, Ser. No. 139,537 2 Claims. (Cl. 273-1) The invention relates to gameboards and more particularly to a folding gameboard for playing the game of hopscotch and the like.

Hopscotch is a game played by small children in which a player tosses a block, flat pebble or similar object from one numbered area or compartment to another of a figure drawn or traced on the ground, and after each toss hops on one foot through the panels or compartments of the figure to get the object and back again.

When weather conditions permit, the game is usually played out-of-doors. Originally, the figure was traced or scotched upon the ground with a sharp stick, hence the name of the game. The game is more generally played now, particularly in urban communities, by drawing the figure with chalk or crayon upon a sidewalk or drive.

This makes an unsightly appearance and such chalk or crayon marks are difficult to remove, and in inclement weather, children frequently play the game indoors, drawing the figure upon carpet, lineoleum or other floor coverings with chalk or crayon. Not only does this result in an unsightly and disorderly appearance of the interior of the home, but frequently causes damage to carpets or other floor coverings.

In an attempt to overcome these disadvantages and undesirable conditions, portable hopscotcli boards have been provided, formed of a flat sheet of substantially rigid material having the hopscotch figure: and numbers imprinted thereon.

Such devices, however, are not practical owing to the fact that, due to their size and shape, they present a storage problem when not in use, for which reason such portable, one-piece hopscotch boards have not come into general use.

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide a hopscotch board which overcomes the difliculties and disadvantages of prior practice.

Another object of the invention is to provide a hopscotch board comprising a plurality of sections or panels formed of linoleum or the like, hingedly connected together so that they may be folded compactly together in fiat form when not in use so as to occupy a minimum of space upon a shelf or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a folding hopscotch board of the character referred to, in which the two endmost hinged panels are of somewhat greater height than the remaining panels, and are provided with hand holes, so that the board may be folded flat and carried in the manner of a briefcase.

The above objects, together with others which Will be apparent from the drawing and following description, or which may be later referred to, may be attained by constructing the improved folding hopscotch board in the manner hereinafter described in detail and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In general terms, the invention may be briefly described as comprising a folding gameboard for playing hopscotch, and the like. The board is formed of a plurality of rectangular panels formed of linoleum, or other suitable sheet material, the panels being hingedly connected together at adjacent edges, as by strips of pliable fabric material attached to adjoining edge portions of the panels by adhesive or the like.

The usual figure is outlined upon the panels with ink or paint of a contrasting color, dividing the board into the usual areas or compartments, each of which is designated by a number which may be stencilled or printed thereon with paint.

"ice

The board may comprise four intermediate panels of elongated rectangular shape, each of which is of a length substantially twice its width, and two end panels, each of which is only slightly more than half the size of the intermediate panels.

The two end panels are so arranged that, when the board is folded, the free ends thereof will extend slightly beyond the adjacent hinged edges of the intermediate panels. Hand holes are formed in these extensions of the end panels, so that the folded board may be carried in one hand in the manner of a briefcase.

A spaced pair of slits is cut into the extension of each end panel, forming a strap under which a small disc, such as a poker chip, may be inserted. This disc is adapted to be used as the playing piece or object which is tossed upon different areas or compartments of the board in playing hopscotch.

Having thus briefly described the invention, reference is now made to the accompanying drawing, showing a preferred embodiment of the invention, in which;

FIG. 1 is a plan View of the folding hopscotch board, showing the same in opened or extended position;

FIG. 2 is an end view of the board in folded position; and,

FIG. 3 is a perspective View of the folded board.

Referring now more particularly to the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawing, similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout.

The folding hopscotch board is formed of a plurality of panels of suitable sheet material, such as linoleum, or the like. As best shown in FIG. 1, there are four intermediate panels of the same size and shape indicated by the

numerals

11, 12, 13 and 14. Each of these intermediate panels is of rectangular shape and of a length substantially twice its width.

The

panels

11, 12, 13 and 14 are placed together side by side, as shown in FIG. 1, so that each panel is disposed transversely of the major axis of the complete board.

Two

similar end panels

15 and 16 are provided, each of which forms one end of the complete board. Each end panel is preferably slightly more than half the size of an intermediate panel.

As shown in the drawing, the

end panels

15 and 16 are located centrally of the longitudinal median line of the complete board. Each of the end panels has a square area or compartment outlined thereon, as indicated at 17, and an outwardly disposed, integral extension 18.

A transversely disposed slot 19 is formed in the extension 18 of each end panel, providing a hand hole for carrying the board in folded condition, as will be later described. For the purpose of holding a small disc 20, such as a poker chip, a strap 21 may be provided upon each extension 18.

In cases where the panels forming the folding board are formed of pliable material, such as linoleum, each strap 21 may be formed by cutting two spaced parallel slots in the material, as indicated at 22.

The several panels are hingedly connected together at adjacent edges by means of hinges 23, formed of strips of fabric or other suitable pliable material, attached to the back surfaces of the panels by suitable adhesive or the like.

The usual figure is outlined upon the board, and as shown, each

panel

11 and 14 may be divided into two square areas or compartments, outlined as at 24 with paint or ink of suitable color, and the two

center panels

12 and 13 may be divided into four triangular areas or compartments as indicated at 2 4.

The several areas or compartments thus formed are designated by large numerals from 1-10, as common in hopscotch games. These numerals are indicated at 25 and may be stencilled or otherwise imprinted in the respective areas or compartments with ink or paint of desired color.

When it is desired to use the board for playing, it is opened out flat, as shown in FIG. 1, and laid upon a floor or other horizontal surface. When not in use, the board may be folded as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, occupying a minimum of space for storage upon a shelf or the like.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, when the board is folded, the end panels and 16 will be upon the outside and the extensions 18 thereon will extend above the top edges of the folded

panels

11, 12, 13 and 14 so that the folded board may be picked up and carried in the manner of a briefcase by inserting the hand through the hand holes 19 which provide handles for carrying the board.

From the above it will be obvious that a simple, inexpensive and practical folding hopscotch board is provided, which may be easily and readily folded compactly to occupy a minimum of space for storage and which is adapted when folded to be carried in the manner of a briefcase.

In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used for brevity, clearness and understanding, but no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom beyond the requirements of the prior art, because such words are used for descriptive purposes herein and are intended to be broadly construed.

Moreover, the embodiment of the improved construction illustrated and described herein are by Way of example, and the scope of the present invention is not limited to the exact details of construction.

Having now described the invention or discovery, the construction, the operation, and use of preferred embodiments thereof, and the advantageous new and useful results obtained thereby; the new and useful construction, and reasonable mechanical eqivalents thereof obvious to those skilled in the art, are set forth in the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A folding gameboard for playing hopscotch and the like comprising a single row of fiat panels of sheet material, hinge means connecting the panels together at their adjoining edges, said board being adapted to present a continuous playing surface when open, and to fold substantially fiat upon itself when collapsed, the free ends of the flat panels of sheet material at opposite ends of the board extending beyond the edges of the remaining panels when the board is folded, there being hand holes formed in said extending ends, providing means for carrying the folded board, whereby the folded flat panels of sheet material form a briefcase-like device.

2. A folding gameboard for playing hopscotch and the like comprising a single row of flat panels of sheet material, hinge means connecting the panels together at their adjoining edges, said board being adapted to present a continuous playing surface when open, and to fold substantially fiat upon itself when collapsed, the fiat panels of sheet material at opposite ends of the board being of less width than the remainder of the board and the free ends thereof extending beyond the edges of the remaining panels when the board isfolded, there being hand holes formed in said extending ends, providing means for carrying the folded board, whereby the folded flat panels of sheet material form a briefcase-like device.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS D. 163,957 Meyer July 17, 1951 1,307,437 Curry June 24, 1919 1,336,954 Gillies Apr. 13, 1920 2,017,536 Hase et al. Oct. 15, 1935 2,284,242 Zimmerman May 26, 1942 3,008,718 Berliner Nov. 14, 1961 FOREIGN PATENTS 994,883 France Aug. 14, 1951

Claims

1. A FOLDING GAMEBOARD FOR PLAYING HOPSCOTCH AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A SINGLE ROW OF FLAT PANELS OF SHEET MATERIAL, HINGE MEANS CONNECTING THE PANELS TOGETHER AT THEIR ADJOINING EDGES, SAID BOARD BEING ADAPTED TO PRESENT A CONTINUOUS PLAYING SURFACE WHEN OPEN, AND TO FOLD SUBSTANTIALLY FLAT UPON ITSELF WHEN COLLAPSED, THE FREE ENDS OF THE FLAT PANELS OF SHEET MATERIAL AT OPPOSITE ENDS OF THE BOARD EXTENDING BEYOND THE EDGES OF THE REMAINING PANELS WHEN THE BOARD IS FOLDED, THERE BEING HAND HOLES FORMED IN SAID EXTENDING ENDS, PROVIDING MEANS FOR CARRYING THE