US3871651A

US3871651A - Tip cat apparatus including elevated tee

Info

Publication number: US3871651A
Application number: US466181A
Authority: US
Inventors: Mary E Garcia; Sophie A Piekarski
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1974-05-02
Filing date: 1974-05-02
Publication date: 1975-03-18
Anticipated expiration: 1992-03-18

Abstract

A penny stick game apparatus intended for play by adults and children consisting of an elongated cylindrical rod like batting stick tapered along one end, a smaller rod like playing stick, a small table having a flat top surface with the hole defined centrally thereof and with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses formed integrally therewith and adapted to receive the ends of the playing stick when the stick is rested therein in a manner extending diametrically across the opening, and four supporting legs provided as part of the table and having a top end removably engaging an associated corner of the surface and extending downwardly therefrom terminating in a tapered bottom edge adapted for supporting the table on a playing surface such as a lawn or the like.

Description

United States Patent [191 Garcia et al.

[451 Mar, 18, 1975 1 TIP CAT APPARATUS INCLUDING ELEVATED TEE [22] Filed: May 2, 1974 I 21 Appl. No.2 466,181

2,993,696 7/1961 Demaline 273/95 F 3,091,461 5/1963 Taylor 273/95 F 3,178,183 4/1965 Pine 273/95 F 3,232,618 2/1966 Anderson.. 273/95 F 3,367,659 2/1968 Lopez a 273/95 F Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Marvin Siskind Attorney, Agent, or Firm -Marden S. Gordon [57] ABSTRACT A penny stick game apparatus intended for play by adults and children consisting of an elongated cylindrical rod like batting stick tapered along one end, a smaller rod like playing stick, a small table having a flat top surface with the hole defined centrally thereof and with a pair of diametrically opposed recesses formed integrally therewith and adapted to receive the ends of the playing stick when the stick is rested therein in a manner extending diametrically across the opening, and four supporting legs provided as part of the table and having a top end removably engaging an associated corner of the surface and extending downwardly therefrom terminating in a tapered bottom edge adapted for supporting the table on a playing surface such as a lawn or the like.

1 Claim, 8 Drawing Figures TIP CAT APPARATUS INCLUDING ELEVATED TEE Background of the Invention 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to games and more particularly to a novel game intended to be played by a plurality of individuals of the same or a variety of ages in a manner attractive to all players and which increases the manual dexterity skills of a player during the play thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art Games requiring physical activity on the part of the players have always been well received with games of various types and configurations being provided accordingly, among such games being the play of the game of baseball, football, basketball, soccer, and the like. However, play of these games suffer from one or more disadvantages as to requiring an excessively large number of players to properly play the game, it frequently being difficult if not impossible to locate the required number of players; such games provide damage to the lawn surface on which they are being played, such games require an excess of equipment requiring storage space and costly initial expenditures for purchase of such equipment; and the like. Further, such games, while popular, must normally be played by individuals of the same general age range such that it is difficult to play such games on an intimate family basis where a wide variety of children's and adult ages are present Summary of the Invention The present invention recognizes the popularity of physical activity lawn type games, and recognizing the deficiencies and disadvantages of presently available games, provides a novel solution in the form of a nondestructive lawn played game easily played by a family unit having adults and children of various ages and in a manner increasing the physical skills and abilities of the player participants.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide a penny stick game apparatus which can be played by any number of participants of varying ages permitting the game to be enjoyed by an entire family unit.

A further feature of the present invention provides a game apparatus which is relatively simple in its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured at a relatively low cost and by simple manufacturing methods.

A further feature of the present invention provides a game apparatus which is devoid of moving parts and which therefore is unlikely to get out of order.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a game apparatus which is of a rugged and durable construction and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer to withstand rough usage.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention is the provision of a game apparatus which is easy to use and reliable and efficient in operation.

Still yet a further feature of the present invention provides a game apparatus which can be retailed at a sufficiently low price to encourage its widespread use.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

. Brief Description of the Drawings In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters are employed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the game apparatus of the present invention illustrated in use by one of the players of the game;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the table portion of the game;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the table;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along Line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the playing stick;

FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the batting stick;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the batting stick of FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary bottom perspective view of a portion of the table illustrating the means for attaching the legs to the table.

Description of the Preferred Embodiment Referring now to the drawings in detail there is illustrated a preferred form of a penny stick game apparatus constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention and which is comprised of a playing stick 11, a batting stick l2, and a table 13.

The playing stick 11 is of an elongated solid configuration measuring 1 inch in diameter and 3 inches long and may be manufactured out of metal, wood, hard rubber, plastic, or any other suitable satisfactory material.

The batting stick 12 is of a longitudinally elongated solid cylindrical configuration having a top end 21 and a bottom end 22, the bottom end 22 being tapered at an incline of about twelve to about 15 from the point thereof to define an inclined surface 23, the use thereof which will be later described. The batting stick 12 measures 14 inches in length and has a 2 inch diameter and may be manufactured out of metal, wood, hard rubber, plastic, or any other suitable satisfactory material.

The table 13 consists of a' top horizontal member 31 and four downwardly extending vertical supporting leg members 32. The top member 31 is of a flat square configuration measuring approximately four inches along eadh side and has a top surface 33, a bottom surface 34, and

side edges

35, 36, 37 and 38. Disposed centrally of top member 31 extending through top surface 33 is an opening 41 measuring about two inches in diameter, the opening having disposed at diametric oppositeends thereof a pair of semi-circular recesses 42 each of a size and configuration adapted to permit playing stick 1] to have its opposite ends rested therein with the main portion thereof extending diametrically across opening 41.

Disposed in bottom surface 34 of top member 31 adjacent each corner thereof is a vertical cylindrical aper- Alternatively, each leg member 32 may be provided with a suction cup (not shown) on its bottom end 49 to secure the table 13 to a smooth flat playing surface, such as a gym floor, a family room floor, a basement floor, and the like. Each leg 32 is removably affixed to top member 31 by its peg 48 inserted in one of the apertures 45 such that top member bottom surface 34 rests on leg top surface 47. In this manner the legs 32 are readily removably from the top member 31 for ease in storage of the game apparatus of the present invention in a minimum of space while permitting ease of assembly in a rapid and efficient manner for play with the game apparatus upon reaching the desired location.

To play the game, the legs 32 are mounted to top member 31 to define table 13, after which the table is placed at the desired location on the ground 50 and then pressed vertically downwardly to engage the ends 49 of legs 32 into the ground with the top member 31 being disposed horizontally. The playing stick 11 is then rested in recesses 42 extending across opening 41. A player, such as designated by reference numeral 60, then grips the batting stick 12 about the top end portion 21 thereof, the player inserting batting stick bottom end 22 through table opening 41 and placing sloped surface 23 in engagement with a portion of the side walls of playing stick 11. The player then flips the playing stick out of the recesses and off the table and out to individuals playing in the field, henceforth referred to as fielders, such fielders standing in front of and at angles to the individual 60 batting the playing stick. The fielders attempt to catch the playing stick with the fielder catching the playing stick then trying to hit the batting stick which the batter has meanwhile placed over the opening 41 of table 13 Should the fielder miss the batting stick on the throw, then the batter throws the playing stick into the air and hits it with the batting stick 12 out to the field. The fielder catching the playing stick 11 then again tries to hit the batting stick which the batter has again meanwhile placed across the opening 41 of the table. If the fielder is successful in hitting the batting stick, the fielder then becomes the batter. If the fielder is unsuccessful, then the batter tries to hit the playing stick up in the air three times to gain a point. After this, one of the fielders then becomes the batter with the batter becoming a fielder, with the new batter following the same three steps and making a point for each successful try.

The winner of the game is the first player to earn 21 points.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that this invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or the scope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed l. A game apparatus for play by one or more individuals on a lawn area and the like, the apparatus comprising, in combination;

a playing stick of an elongated solid cylindrical configuration including cylindrical side wall surfaces, a flat top end, and a flat bottom end, said top and bottom ends disposed parallel to each other and normal to the axis of said playing stick, said stick having a diameter of about one inch and an overall length of about 3 inches;

a batting stick of a solid elongated cylindrical rod configuration formed into a handle portion at the top end thereof adapted to be gripped between the hands of an individual for use of the batting stick, and a striking portion formed integrally on the bottom end portion thereof, said batting stick having a fiat top end extending normal to the axis of the batting stick, said batting stick having a bottom end disposed in aligned contact edge extending normal to the axis of the stick offset from the axis of the stick and disposed normal to and including the tangential line extending longitudinally along the side wall surface of the stick;

said striking portion of said batting stick being of an incline tapered flat surface which tapers upwardly from said bottom end in a direction toward said top end at an angle from about 12 to about 15 and terminates at a tangential line extending longitudinally of the side walls diametrically opposed to the tangential line contacting said stick bottom end, the width of said striking surface as measured at the axis of said batting stick being equal to the width of said striking surface as measured at bottom end;

said batting stick having a diameter of about 2 inches and an overall length of about 14 inches as measured between said top end and said bottom end thereof;

a table consisting of a flat horizontally disposed top member and four independent identically configured vertically extending leg members adapted to support said top member at a vertical elevation spaced from the ground on which the table is supported;

said top member being square in configuration and having a horizontal flat top surface, a horizontal flat bottom surface, a pair of opposed parallel side edges, and opposed front and back edges;

an opening disposed centrally of said top member and extending completely therethrough between said top and bottom surfaces thereof, said opening being of a diameter less than the length of said playing stick;

a pair of diametrically opposed recesses disposed along the axis of the top member intersecting the midpoints of said opposite side edges, each of said recesses being of an identical semi-circular config uration and defined in said top member top surface adjacent perimeter portions of said opening such that the recesses open into said opening to be contiguous therewith, the overall length as measured between the diametrically opposed outermost surfaces of said recesses being greater than the overall length of said playing stick with said playing stick adapted to be restingly received along the axis of said opening with the ends of said playing stick restingly received in opposite ones of said recesses;

a plurality of vertically extending socket forming recesses, each of said sockets disposed in said top member bottom surface adjacent each of said corners thereof and extending vertically thereinto and opening out of said bottom surface;

each of said leg members being of an identical elongated rectangularly shaped configuration having a rectangular cross-section, a flat top end extending normal to the axis of the leg member, and a bottom end;

each of said bottom ends of said leg member being tapered to a point adapted to assist in the penetration of the lawn surface on which said table is supported for firm supporting of said table in position thereon; and

a plurality of axially elongated solid cylindrical peg members, each peg member having a bottom end and a top end, each peg member associated with one of said top ends of said leg members with said peg bottom end affixed centrally thereof to be axially aligned with the axis of said leg member, said peg projecting upwardly therefrom in a vertical diwhereby said table top may be rapidly assembled to said legs and said playing stick having its ends restingly supported in said recesses to extend diametrically across said opening for batting with said striking portion of said batting stick.

* =l l l

Claims

1. A game apparatus for play by one or more individuals on a lawn area and the like, the apparatus comprising, in combination; a playing stick of an elongated solid cylindrical configuration including cylindrical side wall surfaces, a flat top end, and a flat bottom end, said top and bottom ends disposed parallel to each other and normal to the axis of said playing stick, said stick having a diameter of about one inch and an overall length of about 3 inches; a batting stick of a solid elongated cylindrical rod configuration formed into a handle portion at the top end thereof adapted to be gripped between the hands of an individual for use of the batting stick, and a striking portion formed integrally on the bottom end portion thereof, said batting stick having a flat top end extending normal to the axis of the batting stick, said batting stick having a bottom end disposed in aligned contact edge extending normal to the axis of the stick offset from the axis of the stick and disposed normal to and including the tangential line extending longitudinally along the side wall surface oF the stick; said striking portion of said batting stick being of an incline tapered flat surface which tapers upwardly from said bottom end in a direction toward said top end at an angle from about 12* to about 15* and terminates at a tangential line extending longitudinally of the side walls diametrically opposed to the tangential line contacting said stick bottom end, the width of said striking surface as measured at the axis of said batting stick being equal to the width of said striking surface as measured at bottom end; said batting stick having a diameter of about 2 inches and an overall length of about 14 inches as measured between said top end and said bottom end thereof; a table consisting of a flat horizontally disposed top member and four independent identically configured vertically extending leg members adapted to support said top member at a vertical elevation spaced from the ground on which the table is supported; said top member being square in configuration and having a horizontal flat top surface, a horizontal flat bottom surface, a pair of opposed parallel side edges, and opposed front and back edges; an opening disposed centrally of said top member and extending completely therethrough between said top and bottom surfaces thereof, said opening being of a diameter less than the length of said playing stick; a pair of diametrically opposed recesses disposed along the axis of the top member intersecting the midpoints of said opposite side edges, each of said recesses being of an identical semicircular configuration and defined in said top member top surface adjacent perimeter portions of said opening such that the recesses open into said opening to be contiguous therewith, the overall length as measured between the diametrically opposed outermost surfaces of said recesses being greater than the overall length of said playing stick with said playing stick adapted to be restingly received along the axis of said opening with the ends of said playing stick restingly received in opposite ones of said recesses; a plurality of vertically extending socket forming recesses, each of said sockets disposed in said top member bottom surface adjacent each of said corners thereof and extending vertically thereinto and opening out of said bottom surface; each of said leg members being of an identical elongated rectangularly shaped configuration having a rectangular crosssection, a flat top end extending normal to the axis of the leg member, and a bottom end; each of said bottom ends of said leg member being tapered to a point adapted to assist in the penetration of the lawn surface on which said table is supported for firm supporting of said table in position thereon; and a plurality of axially elongated solid cylindrical peg members, each peg member having a bottom end and a top end, each peg member associated with one of said top ends of said leg members with said peg bottom end affixed centrally thereof to be axially aligned with the axis of said leg member, said peg projecting upwardly therefrom in a vertical direction and adapted to be removably engaged in associated one of said sockets of said table member, said socket being of a size and configuration complementary to the size and configuration of said peg, the pegs detachably affixing each of said leg members to a corner portion of said top member with said top end of each leg member disposed in juxtaposition with said top member bottom surface when said peg is fully engaged in said recess; whereby said table top may be rapidly assembled to said legs and said playing stick having its ends restingly supported in said recesses to extend diametrically across said opening for batting with said striking portion of said batting stick.