US3790171A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tether ball apparatus including roller bearing and vertical barrier
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-11-22
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Granted: 1974-02-05
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Expires: 1991-11-22
Abstract
Abstract A versatile game apparatus which lends itself to the playing of a number of different skill games between two competing players or for individual game practice. The apparatus consists of an upright pole having a bearing on its top to which a line is attached. A game object, such as a tennis ball, baseball, shuttlecock, football, or the like, is tethered to the other end of the line. The bearing mounting allows the line to rotate freely about the pole such that players opposite to, or alongside, one another can strike the tethered game object back and forth. A simple base mounting arrangement is provided to connect the pole axially to an automobile wheel and tire so as to provide a support for the pole. A collapsible net releasably coupled to the upright pole is provided to form a barrier over which a game of skill associated with the apparatus of the invention is played. The upright pole also has a fixed hole proximate to its top, for attachment of a standard tether ball line thereto.
Inventors
- 👤 L Anderson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 06:16
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63B; A63B69/00; A63B69/0073; A63B69/0079; A63B71/00; A63B71/02; A63B71/023; A63B2071/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
142 words
A game apparatus comprising a pole; a bearing means fixed to a top end of said pole; a line; a game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the bearing means such that the line, with the game object attached thereto, can swing freely around the pole; support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and a collapsible barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said collapsible barrier being formed by stretching a netting material between two arms which are hinged together at their ends and that have their opposite ends releasably connected, by appropriate means, to spaced apart locations on the pole, such that said netting material is stretched between said hinged arms.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
142 words
A game apparatus comprising a pole; a bearing means fixed to a top end of said pole; a line; a game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the bearing means such that the line, with the game object attached thereto, can swing freely around the pole; support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and a collapsible barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said collapsible barrier being formed by stretching a netting material between two arms which are hinged together at their ends and that have their opposite ends releasably connected, by appropriate means, to spaced apart locations on the pole, such that said netting material is stretched between said hinged arms.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
74 words
A game apparatus as recited in claim 1, wherein the means whereby the ends of the collapsible barrier are releasably connected to the pole consists of a pin projecting outwardly from the end of the bottom most arm, that is fitted into an appropriate hole formed in said pole; and a stop means, formed in the end of the other arm, for releasably connecting said arm into an appropriately formed hole in said pole.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
118 words
A game apparatus comprising a pole; a roller means fixed to a top end of said pole; a line; a game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the roller means such that the line, with the game object attached theReto, can swing freely around the pole; support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and a barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said barrier means forming an upstanding plane extending to above the level of the game object when said game object is suspended from the roller means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
118 words
A game apparatus comprising a pole; a roller means fixed to a top end of said pole; a line; a game object fixed to one end of said line, the other end of the line being secured to the roller means such that the line, with the game object attached theReto, can swing freely around the pole; support means on the other end of the pole to hold said pole in an upright position; and a barrier means connected to the pole and extending therefrom transversely to the axis of the pole, said barrier means forming an upstanding plane extending to above the level of the game object when said game object is suspended from the roller means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
A game apparatus as in claim 3, wherein the barrier means is collapsible.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-04 | 1977-08-06 | 1978-02-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-04 | 1981-08-06 | 1982-02-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-04 | 1985-08-06 | 1986-02-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |